





'^^Jl^/ 




■m^^^ ^^ 




dJL [-. 



/ 



1789 




E:/ 



HISTORY 



OF 



HAMILTON COUNTY 



OHIO, 



Illustrations and Biographical Sketches. 



COMPILED BY 



Henry A. Ford, A. M., and Mrs. Kate B. Ford. 



L.A.WILLIAMS & CO. 

PUBLISHERS, 



1881, 



"•M PRINTING HOUSE OF W. W. WILLIAWS. C 




M 




^qJ 



rrf'- 



¥^~ 



Prefatory Note, 



It should ever be borne in mind that the office of an historian is one 
of immense responsibility; that it always tells for good or evil; and 
that he will be held responsible for the consequences of a want of 
fidehty. — [Hon. yacob.Burnet, Cincinnati. 

An earnest and very laborious effort has been made 
to compose this history in the spirit of Judge Burnet's 
remark. No source of information available to the 
writers has been left unsearched, nor any effort or ex- 
pense spared to produce a work which should satisfy the 
reasonable expectations of a city and county which have 
waited nearly a century for the compilation and publica- 
tion of their annals. The Hst of works consulted is too 
large for convenient citation here. It includes those of 
all the earlier writers — Burnet, Cist, the Drakes, Mans- 
field, and others — with a multitude of later volumes, and 
pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, and manuscripts in- 
numerable. It has not been practicable in so many cases 
to secure formal permission for the use of books con- 
sulted or quoted; but it is trusted that due respect has 
been paid to all copyrights, and that no author whose 
writings have contributed to this volume will object to 
such use as has been made of them. Acknowledgments 
are also due to many persons, in all parts of the county 
and at several points elsewhere in the State, for their 
kind and helpful aid in the preparation of this book. 
Particular mention should be made in this connection of 



Miss E. H. Appleton, librarian of the Historical and 
Philosophical society; Mr. John M. Newton, of the 
Mercantile library; Chester W. Merrill, esq., of the Pub- 
lic library ; Colonel Sidney D. Maxwell, superintendent 
of the Chamber of Commerce; and Mr. H. A. Ratter- 
man, secretary of the German-American Insurance com. 
pany; all of Cincinnati — and to Louis W. Clason, mayor 
of Madisonville. 

It may seem, in some cases, that public institutions or 
private interests of public importance have not received 
the notice that was due to them, or are, possibly, wholly 
unnoticed in these volumes. It may be concluded in 
such cases, with scarcely any exception, that the omission 
is the result of failure on the part of those possessing 
desired information to co-operate with the historian. 

The compilers regret most sincerely that their inability 
to read some of the proofs has resulted in many errors 
of typography, and a few of statement. It is hoped, 
however, that all of any importance will be found cor- 
rected in the errata at the close of the respective vol- 
umes. 

The special biographies and "notes of settlement" 
have been prepared, in nearly all cases in both voluines, 
by other hands than those of the compilers. 




idusky. 



k 



1.1 



.< 




1 



Y^VICIxMI RO [JXVXS 



^ 






CONTENTS 



HISTORICAL, 



GENERAL lllISTORY 
(■hafti;k 

\. — Description. 
\ — Geology and Topograpiiy 
\ — 'I'he Aboriginal American 
N -The Ohio Indians 

■ V-Titles to Ohio — The Miami| Purchase 
Vi/ -The Miami Immigration 
VII. iThe Miamese 
JIP.VII1 (The Miamese and the Indians '. 

lij ; Civil Jurisdiction — Erection of Hamilton County 
- H Progress of Hamilton county 
Xl'.- Vl'Iitary History of Hamilton County 
XLI.^i'he Morgan Raid through Ohio 
XIII. — The County Institutions 
XIV. — ^The County .Associations 
XV. — Railroads ..... 
XVJ.— Cani!s ... 
XVn.— Roads , . 

XVIII. — Early Legislation and Legislators 



200 

204 



CHAPTER 

XIX. — Courts and Court Houses . 
XX. — Civil List of Hamilton County . 
TOWNSHIPS. 





SymmeS 

Whitevvaler* 
Siipijlementary Matter 



255 
263 



319 
333 
346 
361 
388 
396 
401 
414 
430 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 



.Armstrong Family 
L'loud, Jared , 
Cilley, Bradbury 
Gary, Freeman Grant 
Cochran, Hon. John M. 
Edwards, Williain. sr. 
Ebersole, .Abram 
Frondorf, Frank 
Friend, George H. 
Hill, Colonel W. H. 



following 254 


Hughes, Ezekiel , 


following 2t)2 


Isgrig, Daninl 


262 


Langdon Family 


346 


McGill, William R. 


383 


Riddle, John L. 


following 254 


Sater Family 


following 254 


Sater, Joseph 


3" 


Turpin Family 


386 


Wills, Thomas 


394 


Walker, George W 



'AGE 
412 

3" 
'358 

r 254 
38s 

292 
292 
2S4 
310 
384 



ILLUSTRATIONS, 



Portr; 



PAGE 

following 254 
following 254 
following 254 
following 254 
following 254 



lit of E. J. Turpin .... 

William Edwards 
William R. McGill 
" Abram Ebersole 

T. M. Armstrong .... 

Portraits, with biography, of Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury 

Cilley, ..... between 262 and 263 

Portrait, with biography, of Jared Cloud . between 262 and 263 

Portraits, with biography, of Thomas E. Sater and 

wife . . . . 282 

Residence of George Wabnitz . . between 284 and 285 

Portraits, with biography, of George Wabnitz and 

wife ...... facing 286 

Residence of Joseph Sater . . between 288 and 289 

Thomas E. Sater . . between 288 and 289 

Portraits, with biography, of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 

Sater ..... between 292 and 293 

Portrait, with biography, of James P. Williams . facing 297 

View of Mt. St. Vincent Academy . . facing 300 

Portrait, with biography, of Dr. E. D. Crookshank . facing 305 

Portraits of S. S. Jackson and wife, with biography facing 306 

Portrait, with biography, ofG. W. H. Musekamp, belweun 30S an 309 



Portrait of Daniel Isgrig 
Poi trait, with biography, of Thomas Wills 
Portrait, with biography, of F. Frondorf 
Portraits of Richard Calvin and wife, w 

raphy .... 
Portraits, with biography, of Stephen E 

wife .... 

Residence of M. S. Bonnell 
Portrait of Joseph H. Hayes . 
Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Bonnell 

" Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell 

Portrait, with biography, of Charles Flinchpaugh 
Portrait of Charles Simonson 
Residence of Charles Simonson 
Portrait of Henrj- Attemeyer 
Residence of F. G. Gary 
Portrait of F. G. Cary 
Portrait, with biography, of S. M. Ferris 
Portrait of J. D, Langdon 
Portrait of John Riddle 

" Catharine Riddle 

Hon. John M. Cochran 



PAGE 

between 308 and 309 
facing] 310 
facing' 311 
biog- 

between 312 and 313 

and 

between 314 and 315 

between 316 and 317 
facing 318 

between 318 and 319 

between 318 and 319 



facing 320 
between 224 and 225 
between 224 and 225 

facing 337 
between 344 and 345 

facing 346 



facii 
far ^ 



't\r 




between 36 

between tS wide at its mouth, 
..iin sevei al large branches navi- 
~-p7 the principal of which intersects with 
hich runs into Lake Erie, to which there 
\. portage to Sandusky. 



Portraits of Gary Johnson and wife . . between 372 and 373 

Residence of C. B. Johnson . . between 372 and 373 

Portrait of Captain George W. Walker . . facing 377 

Portraits of Benjamin Urroston and wife between 378 and 379 

Portraits, with biography, of Reeves McGilliard and 

^vife ..... between 380 and 381 
Portraits, with biography, of John R. Field and 

wife . . . • • between 380 and 381 

Portraits of Joseph and Mrs. Joseph Jaclison between 382 and 383 



Residence and Portrait of John hi Riddle 
Portrait of G. H. Friend 

Colonel W. H. Hill 
Portraits of Rev. W. B. Chidlav 

Chidlaw 
Portrait of Ezekiel Hughes 
Portrait, with biography, of W. E'. Mundell 

" " " Jacol Clark 

Portrait of Herman Knuwener 



III ( 1 
between 3B4 and 385,, 
facing ^86^ 
facing 394. 



and Mrs. W. B. 



between 408 and 409 
facing 412 
facing 41^ 
facing 421 
facing 425 




^ 



HISTORY 



OF 



HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO, 



CHAPTER I. 

DESCRIPTION. 

There is a land, of every land the pride, 
Beloved by Heaven o'er all the world beside, 
Where brighter suns dispense serener light, 
And milder moons imparadise the nig^hl ; 
A land of beauty, virtue, valor, truth, 
Time-tutored age, and love-exalted youth : 
The wandering mariner, whose eye explores 
The wealthiest isles, the most enchanting shores, 
Views not a realm so bountiful and fair, 
Nor breathes the spirit of a purer air. 

Man, through all ages of revolving time, 
Unchanging man, in every varying clime, 
Deems his own land of every land the pride. 
Beloved by Heaven o'er all the world beside ; 
His home the spot of earth supremely blest, 
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest. 

James Montgomery, "My Country." 

Hamilton, the second county erected in the territory 
now covered by the State of Ohio, but, ahnost ever since, 
the first in the State in wealth, population, and general 
importance, is the southwesternraost subdivision of the 
Commonwealth. It is bounded on the south by the 
river Ohio, next beyond which are the counties of Camp- 
bell, Kenton, and Boone, in Kentucky; on the west by 
Dearborn county, Indiana, and at the southwestern 
corner by the Great Miami river; on the north by Butler 
and Warren counties, Ohio, formed from its own territory 
in 1808; on the east by Clermont county and the Little 
Miami river, beyond which, from the northeastern corner 
of the county, runs a narrow strip of Warren county. 
Upon no side of its territory is the boundary a direct 
line throughout. The tortuous windings of rivers supply 
great curves on the eastern and southern boundaries, and 
also break up the western line as it nears the southern ex- 
tremity; and the northern line is considerably zigzagged 
by the irregularity of the early surveys in the Symmes 
(or Miami) Purchase. 

The area of Hamilton, once so great as to include 
about one-eighth of the present territory of Ohio, is now 
among the smaller county areas of the State. It includes 
but about three hundred and ninety square miles, or two 
hundred and forty-nine thousand acres. Its surface was 
probably part of a vast plain many thousands of years 
ago, but has become exceedingly diversified and broken 
by the long wash of streams and by the changes of the 
geologic ages. 



It is a remarkably well-watered and fertile country. 
The underlying rocks of the Miami country are calcare- 
ous, and the drift-gravels usually composed largely of 
limestone. From both these sources fertilizing elements 
are imparted to the soil. 

The valley of the Ohio is about five hundred feet be- 
low the general level of the county; while the valleys of 
the Great and Little Miarais, of the Dry fork of White- 
water, of Mill, Duck, and Deer, Taylor's and Blue Rock 
creeks, and many small streams corrugate further the sur- 
face of the couhtry. 

The characteristics of some of these streams were no- 
ticed by travellers at a very early day. Captain Thomas 
Hutchins, of His Brittanic Majesty's Sixtieth regiment of 
foot, afterwards geographer of the United States, during 
his service with the British armies in this country in the 
last century, made many explorations in the western wil- 
derness between the years 1764 and 1775, the results of 
which are embodied in a valuable Topographical De- 
scription published in London in 1778. It contains, 
probably, the first printed notices of the Miami river ex- 
tant. He says: 

Little Mineami river is too small to navigate with batteaux. It has 
much fine land and several salt springs; its high banks and gentle cur- 
rent prevent its much overflowing the surrounding lands in freshets. 

Great Mineami, Affercmet, or Rocky river has a very strong chan- 
nel; a swift stream, but no falls. It has several large branches, passa- 
ble with boats a great way ; one extending westward towards the Wa- 
bash river, and then towards a branch of the Mineami river (which runs 
into Lake Erie), to which there is a portage, and a third has a portage 
to the west branch of Sandusky, besides Mad creek, where the French 
formerly established themselves. Rising ground here and there a little 
stoney, which begins in the northern part of the Peninsula, between 
Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan, and extend across the Little Mine- 
ami river below the Forks, and southwardly along the Rocky river to 
Ohio. 

A part of Captain Hutchins' description would hardly 
be approved nowadays. However industrious he was in 
observation, he would have necessarily to rely much upon 
hearsay; and no little knowledge that he seemed to have 
appears absolutely incorrect, or vague and indefinite, 
when confronted with the facts. 

Imlay, an English traveller, wrote in 1793, evidently 
borrowing from Hutchins: 

The Great Miami is about three hundred yards wide at its mouth, 
is a rapid stream, without cataracts, with several large branches navi- 
gable_for batteaux a long way up, the principal of which intersects with 
a branch of the Miami river, which runs into Lake Erie, to which there 
is a portage, and a third has a portage to Sandusky. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



This region forms one of the richest, as well as the most 
beautiful, sections of the State, an extension, indeed of 
the far-famed "blue grass region" of Kentucky.* The 
system of agriculture in this valley is esteemed the best 
in the State, except that of the Western Reserve. By 
underdraining and other permanent soil-improvements 
and ameliorations important changes have been effected. 
It is the most famous tobacco region of the State, and in 
it more than forty per cent, of all the tobacco raised in 
Ohio is produced. The very richest bottom lands are 
selected for this crop, and the average yield for five years 
is ascertained to be eight hundred and sixty-six and one- 
half pounds per acre. In the early day comparatively 
little wheat was grown in the valley, but within the last 
quarter of a century it has sown a greater breadth, and 
harvested a larger quantity than any similar area in the 
State. A comparison of the Miami valley with other 
parts of Ohio, made a {ew years ago, showed that fifty 
per cent, wider breadth of soil was sown to wheat in this 
valley than in any other part of the commonwealth. 
The corn crop was also very large, averaging thirty-eight 
and one-fourth bushels per inhabitant, against thirty- 
seven and one-half bushels per inhabitant for the general 
average of the State. Says the report cited below: 

The farms throughout the valley are, as a rule, in good order; the 
surroundings in neatness' and good taste more nearly resemble the 
Western Reserve than does any other valley in the State. Many of the 
inhabitants are Pennsylv,inians and iVIarylanders, who have brought 
with them their ideas of good shelter and care of domestic animals; 
hence, throughout the valley are found well-constructed and good- 
sized, comfortable barns and other outbuildings. The interiors of 
farm-houses, especially the more recent ones, are well arranged fo'r 
convenience and comfort, and many of them are even luxuriously fur- 
nished, f 

How greatly and essentially the character of the county 
is changing, however, is shown by the following extract 
from the report of the secretary of the Hamilton County 
Agricultural society to the State Board of Agriculture, 
published in its annual report for 187 1. He says: 

Our county is no longer a farming community. Our farms are now 
occupied as dairies, rented by gardners, used as pasture or meadow, 
and on the railroads and leading thoroughfares are being subdivided 
and improved as country homes by the business men of Cincinnati. 

Other crops are produced in great abundance and va- 
riety from the soil of Hamilton county; the fertile valleys 
near Cincinnati, especially the broad valley of Mill creek, 
which has a peculiarly favorable location, are in great re- 
quest for market gardening. The lands here, and indeed 
generally throughout the county, are exceedingly valua- 
ble; and large sums are invested in and large fortunes 
realized by the pursuits of agriculture in this region. 

The Mill Creek valley just mentioned, which consti- 
tutes one of the most prominent and important physical 
features of the county, begins near Hamilton, in Butler 
county, not far from the valley of the Great Miami. In- 
deed, it is said that in wet seasons the water is discharged 
Irom a large pond near Hamilton at the same time 
through Pleasant run into the Great Miami and by Mill 
creek into the Ohio river. This creek becomes a con- 
siderable stream as it nears Cincinnati; and traversing, as 

*Ohio Geological Survey, vol. I, p. 26. 
■|-Ohio Secretary of State's report for 1877. 



it now does, the greatest breadth of the city, it is justly 
reckoned, notwithstanding the pollution of its water by 
manufactories and other establishments along its borders, 
an important element in the topography of the city and 
county. Other streams, except the Miami and Ohio 
rivers, are comparatively insignificant, although some of 
them, in the course of the ages, have come to occupy 
broad and deep valleys. 

North of the range of hills adjoining, or rather now 
mostly in the city, in the country beyond Avondale and 
the Walnut Hills, is a spacious basin or amphitheatre of 
about twenty-five square miles, in which a splendid city 
might advantageously be located, but to and through 
which the city of Cincinnati will undoubtedly one day 
extend. It is traversed by the Marietta & Cincinnati 
railroad, and the Montgomery and other turnpike roads. 
The soil in this and the northwest portions of the county 
is for the most part friable clay, resting on limestone, 
which gives them an excellent character as grass-growing 
regions, from which much of the hay to Cincinnati is 
supplied. 

Permanent springs are not very numerous in the 
county, but well water of excellent quality is in general 
obtained without difficulty. Ponds and morasses were 
formerly frequent, especially in the northern part of the 
county, but are less known now. 

More attention is given in this valley to grain and 
wool-growing than to stock-raising. The secretary of 
State's report for 1877 says: 

The lands are entiiely too dear to be devoted to sheep growing fo 
wool; hence comparatively few fine-wooled sheep are in the valley, the 
bulk of the sheep being ' ' native " and mutton breeds. As early as 1816 
attention was being directed to the improvement in the horse stock of 
the valley, and from that time until the present that interest has been 
fully maintained. Those who are familiar with the strains of thorough- 
breds will find that many of the famous horses of the west either were 
bred in this valley or else traced back to stock in this region for its an- 
cestry. Less attention is given to cattle in this valley than other agri- 
cultural operations indicate, or than the wealth and fertility of the valley 
warrant. But the lesser interest in cattle is fully compensated by the 
greater interest in horses and in swine. This latter species of domestic 
animals is one of the "leading agricultural pursuits" of the region. 
The justly famous "Magie" (pronounced Mag-gee) breed of hogs is 
claimed to have been originated in this valley. Early maturity and 
large weights are the peculiar commendatory qualities of this breed, it 
being no unfrequent occurrence that a head of fifteen or twenty are 
slaughtered averaging near about si.\ hundred pounds net. 

The average throughout the State is eight head of swine for every one 
hundred acres of area. In the Miami valley the average is over thir- 
teen head, or sixty-three per cent, more than the general average; or, 
the State average is seventy-seven head for every one hundred inhab- 
itants, and in this valley there are, in round numbers, seventy-nine 
head to the one hundred inhabitants. When it is remembered that 
more than one-fourth of the population of the State resides in this val- 
ley, it will be seen at once that one-fourth of all the swine in the State 
are grown here. Notwithstanding the Scioto valley has fifty-eight 
head of swine more to the one hundred inhabitants, it has less to the 
hundred acres than the Miami. 

The climate of this part of the Ohio valley is mild 
and genial. The average temperature of the year is 
about 54° Fahrenheit, above zero, against 52° at Mari- 
etta, also in the Ohio valley, 50° on the south shore of 
Lake Erie, and 49° to 48° in the highlands, of the inte- 
rior. In the early day the temperature was even milder. 
Dr. Drake, in his Notices concerning Cincinnati, pub- 
lished in 1810, says: 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



"The latter [the Ohio river, which he was compar- 
ing with the Delaware at Philadelphia] at this place is 
but seldom blocked up with the ice which it floats, and 
was never known to freeze over." In his Picture of 
Cincinnati, published five years later, he notes the 
average temperature of 1808 as 56.4°; that of 181 1 as 
56.62°, and the average for the eight years, 1806-13, as 
54.25°, which, he says, "maybe regarded as an accurate 
exponent of the temperature of Cincinnati." One 
hundred degrees, from below zero to above, was the 
mean temperature of those years. During nine years' ob- 
servation the thermometer at Cincinnati was below zero 
but twice in a winter. The mean summer heat for those 
years was but seventy-four, and the thermometer stood at 
ninety degrees or above for an aveiage of but fourteen 
days a summer. In those times, according to Dr. 
Drake's observation of six years, there was an average 
per year of one hundred and seventy-six fair, one hun- 
dred and five cloudy, and eighty-four variable days. 
The annual fall of rain and snow amounted to thirty-six 
inches, while now it is forty-seven and forty-three one- 
hundredths inches at Cincinnati and along the Ohio val- 
ley, against thirty-six in the northern part of the State. 
Said Dr. Drake, in his publication of 1815: 

This country h.is never been visited by a violent storm, either from 
the northeast or southeast, nor do the clouds from any eastern point 
often exhibit many electric phenomena. But from every direction on the 
opposite sides of the meridian they come charged with lightning and 
driven by impetuous winds. Of these thunder-gusts the northwest is by 
far the most prolific source. They occur at any time during the day 
and night, but most frequently in the afternoon. 

He gives a vivid description of such a storm, which 
occurred May 28, 1809, and of which some notice will 
be found hereafter in the history of Cincinnati, in this 
work. 

For eighty-three years ending with the last day of 
1879, during which observations had been taken at Cin- 
cinnati, the average temperature of the year was 57° 65', 
and for the last decade of that period it was 53° 65', 
showing a change of five degrees for the colder since 
1797. Some of the cold seasons in that day, however, 
were intensely severe. The lowest degree of Fahrenheit's 
thermometer ever registeaed in the city was noted Jan- 
uary 8, of the year last named, when, according to the 
observations of Colonel Winthrop Sargent, secretary of 
the Northwest Territory, it went to 18°, and would have 
gone lower, it is believed, had not the then dense forests 
of southern Ohio and the Cincinnati basin broken the 
icy northwest wind that prevailed. The winter-of 1806-7 
was also thoroughly frigid, and the seventh of February, 
of that season, when the thermometer marked 11° below, 
has come down in local tradition as "the cold Friday." 
Other cold winters were those of 1855-6, 1856-7, and 
1857-8, when the thermometer thirty-two times indicated 
temperatures below zero, and at one time the Ohio was 
for two months so soHdly frozen over that loaded wagons 
crossed safely. Another severe winter was that of 1863-4, 
which brought so much suffering to soldiers in the army. 
On the first of January, 1864, which has a permanent 
reputation in meteorology as "the cold New Year," 14° 
below was touched at Cincinnati. Since then, the win- 



ters of 1870-1, 1872-3 and the three succeeding winters, 
and those of 1877-8 and 1878-9 have been among 
the coldest known in the valley. Among warm winters 
that have been observed are those of 1792-3-4, i795~6> 
1799-1800-1, 1805-6-7, 1809-10-11, and 1879-80, the 
last of these warmer than any other since 1827-8, and 
10° warmer than any other since 1835-6. The thermom- 
eter exhibited 69° above in the shade on Forefathers' 
day, December 20, 1877, although that was a generally 
cold winter, and stood at 63° or more for some days. 

The average rainfall per year, during the eighty-three 
years designated, has been 39.71 inches, and somewhat 
lighter, 37.61, for the last twenty five years of the period. 
Least fell in 1856 — 22.88 inches; and most, 69.42, in 
1847. The average snowfall annually is about twenty 
inches, against thirty-five in central and northern Ohio. 
The greatest depth at one time ever observed in southern 
Ohio was twenty-eight inches, January 18, 1862, though 
twenty-two fell January 19, 1846. Sixty-nine inches fell 
in the winter of 1855-6, and sixty-five just ten years 
thereafter. Snowfalls in April sometimes occur, but very 
seldom later. April 20, 1814, ten inches fell, and five 
April II, 1874. 

Forest trees abounded in the early day in great variety, 
and are still, notwithstanding the dense population and 
extensive cultivation of the soil in the county, prominent 
among its physical features. Dr. Drake in his day enu- 
merated over one hundred and twenty species, and from 
their number and the luxuriance of the forest growth 
he argued the superiority of the soil to that of the United 
States generally — "for it has as many kinds of trees above 
sixty feet in height as all the States taken together, while 
it has only one-half the number of species." He also enu- 
merates a great number of such herbaceous plants as are 
deemed useful in medicine and the arts, most of which 
are indigenous to the soil. Of trees, the following-named 
are twenty of the most common species in Ohio, which 
are now found in Hamilton county, in the relative order 
of abundant growth in which they appear in the list: 
Oak, beech, hickory, sugar maple, poplar, walnut, elm, 
sycamore, ash, locust, mulberry, pine, Cottonwood, white 
walnut (butternut), cherry, gum, soft maple, tulip, buck- 
eye, and silver maple. In 1853 the county still had 
eighty-eight thousand one hundred and twenty-three 
acres, or thirty-seven and seven-tenths per cent, of the 
area, in forest; within seventeen years thereafter fifty- 
three thousand six hundred and fifty acres were removed, 
and in 1870 it had but thirty-four thousand four hundred 
and seventy-three acres in forest, or fourteen and seventy- 
six hundredths per cent, of its acreage — by far the least 
of any county in the State — and the breadth of its woods 
is annually decreasing. 

The great municipality of Hamilton county, as all the 
world knows, is of course Cincinnati, with its area com- 
prising about one-fourteenth of the entire territory of 
the county and its population of more than a quarter of a 
million. 

The townships of the county along theOhio river are: 
To the east of Cincinnati — Anderson, between the Little 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Miami and the Clermont county line, and Spencer, ad- 
joining the city ; west of Cincinnati, in order — Delhi and 
Miami. Those west of the Great Miami are Whitewater, 
Harrison (in the northwestern corner of the county), and 
Crosby (east of Harrison on the lines of Butler county 
and the Little Miami river). Other townships in the 
northern tier, between the Great and Little Miamis, from 
west to east, are Colerain, Springfield, Sycamore, and 
Symmes. There remain, all these adjoining Cincinnati, 
Green township on the west. Mill Creek township on the 
north, and Columbia, between Mill Creek and the Little 
Miami. 

The post offices of the county, besides Cincinnati, are 
[February, 1881]: Banesburgh, Bevis, Bond Hill, Califor- 
nia, Carthage, Cedar Point, Cherry Grove, Cheviot, Cleves, 
College Hill, Columbia,* Creedville, Corryville,* Cum- 
minsville,* Delhi, Dent, Dunlap, East Sycamore, Eliza- 
bethtown, Elmwood Place, Evendale, Forestville, Fruit 
Hill, Glendale, Grand Valley, Groesbeck, Harrison, Hart- 
well, Karr, Linwood, Lockland, Ludlow Grove, Ma- 
deira, Madisonville, Miami, Mill Creek,* Montgomery, 
Mount Airy, Mount Healthy, Mount Lookout, Mount 
Washington, Newton, North Bend, Norwood, Oakley, 
Plainville, Pleasan Ridge, Pleasant Run, Pleasant Valley, 
Preston, Reading, Remington, Riverside, Sater, Shann- 
ville. Sixteen Mile Stand, Sedamsville,* Spring Dale, 
Sweet Wine, Symmes, Taylor's Creek, Terrace Park, 
Transit, Trautman Walnut Hills, Winton Place, West 
Riverside, and Wyoming. Many of these are also incor- 
porated villages; those marked* are within the corporate 
limits of Cincinnati, and are branches or "stations" of 
the Cincinnati post office. 

The description of Hamilton county will be incident- 
ally continued through the next, necessarily a much more 
elaborate chapter. 



CHAPTER IL 

GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY. 

Wliere is the dust that has not been alive? 

— Young, "Night Thoughts," 

There was life in the valley of the Ohio untold ages 
before man came to gaze upon its beautiful hills and 
waters. Away back in the stately march of the geologic 
epochs, the Silurian seas here swarmed with animate ex- 
istence, many of its forms so small that the aid of the 
microscope is needed to trace them; and some so nu- 
merous that great and valuable layers of rock are com- 
posed almost wholly of their remains. The history of 
the countless varieties of sentient life that so abounded 
here seons on geons ago may be read for us only in the 
rocks of the valley and the hills. It is otherwise un- 
written, except in the books of their Creator. Industrious 
inquirers, working slowly and carefully through many 
years, have traced the forms of them, have given them 



names, and catalogued them. It does not fall within the 
province of this work to present a Hst of these. It may 
suffice for our purposes to say that the paleontological 
catalogue published within two or three years by Pro- 
fessor Mickleborough, of the Cincinnati normal school, 
and Professor Wetherby, of the University of Cincinnati, 
represents no vertebrate, and their presence in the rocks 
of Hamilton county is exceedingly rare; but from the 
sub-kingdoms are presented fifty-seven species of annu- 
losa (besides seventy-eight undetermined), one hundred 
and forty-five of moUusca, one hundred and thirty-nine 
of molluscoida, sixty-three of ccelenterata, and nine of 
protojoa, besides sixteen species representing, in a very 
small way, the vegetable kingdom. 

The duty of the historian, in this, one of the opening 
chapters of this work, is to present something of the to- 
pography and geology of the county. In accordance with 
our custom in this series of local histories, we rely almost 
exclusively for these upon the authorized Report of the 
Geological Survey of Ohio, for which the section relating 
to Hamilton county was prepared by Professor Edward 
Orton, now of the State university at Columbus. What 
follows is taken almost verbatim from his report, with 
the addition of two or three foot-notes, and some slight 
changes in and arrangement of the text. 

I. TOPOGRAPHY. 

The prominent topographical features of Hamilton 
county divide the surface into two main divisions — high- 
land and lowland. 

The first division embraces all the higher table-lands 
of the county, which have a general elevation of two to 
five hundred feet above low-water at Cincinnati. All of 
these areas, though often covered with superficial drift 
deposits, are underlain with bedded rock, which is every- 
where easily accessible, and which impresses pecuhar 
features upon the face of the districts that contain it. 

To the second division are referred the valleys of the 
county, and not only those which hold the present rivers, 
but also those in which rio streams of considerable size 
are now found, but which are due to the eroding agen-, 
cies of an earlier day. Both of the classes of valleys are 
often filled with heavy accumulations of drift, but they 
agree in being destitute of bedded rock — except at the 
levels of the streams they contain, or, as is often the 
case, at considerably lower levels. 

The thickness of the drift beds does not generally ex- 
ceed one«hundred feet, and thus it will be seen that in 
the Ohio valley the lowlands have a maximum elevation 
of one hundred feet above low-water at Cincinnati ; but 
as we follow back the Miamis and the .lesser streams, we 
find these beds assuming higher elevations, as the floor of 
the country that sustains them is gradually elevated, so 
that they sometimes attain, in the northern and eastern 
portions of the county, a height of one hundred and fifty 
or even two hundred feet above the same base. 

In other words, the highlands of the county are the 
areas in which the bedded rocks remain, to an elevation 
of three hundred feet and more above the Ohio river, 
while the lowlands are those areas from which the rocks 



/ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



13 



have been removed, at least to the existing rivers and 
lesser streams. 

The slopes that connect these two kinds of areas are 
commonly precipitous, as in the river-hills of Cincinnati; 
but sometimes the descent is broken by the interposition 
of drift deposits. 

The valley of the Ohio, which here runs in an east and 
west direction, makes the southern boundary of the 
county, and, though deep, is comparatively narrow. Sev- 
eral of the north and south valleys that traverse the 
county are absolutely wider than the Ohio valley; and 
when the volumes of the streams that they contain are 
taken into the account, the disproportion between them 
and the first-named valley is very great. A similar state 
of facts obtains through southwestern Ohio — the valleys 
that trend to the west of north especially having been 
excavated on an ampler scale than the rest, other things 
being equal. These facts seem to point to glacial ero- 
sion as a prominent cause in the production of the sur- 
face features of the country, as the glaciers are known by 
the striae they have left to have advanced from the north- 
west. 

An examination of the map of the county, * in the 
light of the facts already known, will serve to show, what 
an acquaintance with it abundantly confirms, that its sur- 
face has suffered a vast amount of erosion. The most 
interesting facts in this connection are not the valleys 
which are occupied by the greater streams of to-day, but 
those deep and wide valleys that are at present either 
entirely deserted by water-courses or traversed by insig- 
nificant strenms, wholly inadequate to account for the 
erosion of which they have availed themselves. Atten- 
tion will be called to one or two instances of this sort. 

The broad valley now occupied in part by Mill creek, 
and in part left entirely unoccupied, extends continuously 
from the. present valley of the Great Miami at Hamilton 
to the Clifton hills, just north of Cincinnati, where it 
divides into two branches — one passing to the north and 
east of the city, and entering the valley of the Little 
Miami between Red Bank station and Plainville — while 
the other branch, the present valley of Mill creek, passes 
directly to the Ohio through the site of the city of Cin- 
cinnati. 

No rocky barriers — nothing, in fact, but the same drift 
terraces that make the walls of its present course — shut 
out the Great Miami from entering the Ohio valley at the 
same points where the Little Miami and Mill creek now 
enter. Indeed, there is the best of reasons for believing 
that it has followed, in the past mutations of its history, 
those very courses to the great valley. Mill creek has 
taken possession of the middle portions of this valley, 
but has never occupied more than one of its lower 
branches, that one the narrower. 

The most striking examples of this erosion of an earlier 
day are to be found, however, on the western side of the 
county, and are, for the most part, to be referred to the 
same river whose agency has already been invoked. 

There is an open cut, at least two miles wide, in the 

'■'Geological Survey of Ohio, Vol. I. 



northeastern part of Crosby township, which bears due 
westward from the present course of the Great Miami. 
Near the west line of the township this old channel is 
deflected to the southward, and is thenceforward occu. 
pied by the Dry fork of Whitewater, until it is merged in . 
the valley of this last-named river. That the streams 
which hide themselvss in this great valley to-day have 
had next to nothing to do with its excavation, is evident 
from the fact that there is not one of them whose course 
agrees with the direction of the valley, but all cut across 
it transversely. More than half of the townships of 
Crosby, Harrison, and Whitewater have been thus worn 
away and made to give bed to the rivers in the successive 
stages of their history. The channel above named can 
be confidently set down as another of the earlier courses 
of the Great Miami. 

Still a third of these old channels, more interesting in 
some respects than either of the two just named, is found 
near Cleves, Miami township. By reference to the map, 
it will be observed that the river here approaches within 
a mile of the Ohio ; but, instead of entering the great val- 
ley at this point, it makes an abrupt detour to the west 
and south, and only reaches its destination after a circuit 
of ten miles. Its approach to the Ohio at Cleves is 
blocked by a ridge that is interposed, one hundred and 
fifty to two hundred and seventy-five feet in height. A 
tunnel that was carried through this ridge, in the con- 
struction of the Whitewater Valley canal, and which is 
at present used by the Indianapolis & Cincinnati rail- 
road, shows it to be composed of glacial drift. The di- 
rection of this channel is in the line in which the glaciers 
advanced, so that its existence can be quite plausibly 
ascribed to the great agents of denudation. Whether or 
not the origin of this channel can be referred to the 
glacial period, its closure was certainly effected there. 

It tasks the imagination to account for the excavation 
of these broad and deep valeys by existing erosive agen- 
cies, even when they are reinforced by the important ad- 
ditions of glacial ice; but to agencies identical with 
these the work must be referred. ■ There is no evidence, 
as has already been shown, of minor flexures or axes of 
disturbance in the Blue Limestone region, by which the 
strata could have been thrown into hills and valleys; but, 
on the contrary, the beds are found to occur in unbroken 
regularity, being affected only by the slight general dip, 
of which account has been previously given. It is 
scarcely necessary to say that opposite sides of valleys 
give every possible proof of having been originally con- 
tinuous, the sections which adjacent exposures furnish 
being absolutely identical in their leading features. 

The Cincinnati group has been found to demand for 
its original formation long-continued cycles of peaceful 
growth and deposition, and in, like manner the fashion- 
ing of its bed into the present topographical features of 
the country must have been in progress through such 
protracted ages that the historic period in comparison 
shrinks into insignificance. 

[The correctness or necessity of the appellation, "Cin- 
cinnati group," which often occurs in the geological reports, 
is gravely doubted by the local geologists. In January, 



14 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



1879, a committee of ten, headed by S. A. Miller, esq., 
reported to the Cincinnati Society of Natural History 
"that the fossils found in the strata for twenty feet or 
more, above low-water mark of the Ohio river, in the 
first ward of the city of Cincinnati, and on Crawfish 
creek, in the eastern part of the city, and in Taylor's 
creek, east of Newport, Kentucky, at an elevation of 
more than fifty feet above low-water mark in the Ohio 
river, indicate the age of the Utica Slate group of New 
York. A fauna is represented in these rocks that is not 
found above or below them. . . Moreover, 

brown shales and greenish blue shales and concretionary 
nodules give a lithological character to the strata which 
distinguishes them from the strata both above and 
below." All strata containing Iriarthriis becki, the com- 
mittee hold, are to be referred to the age of the Utica 
Slate group of New York. Above its range is the Hud- 
son River group. The Trenton group is not exposed at 
Cincinnati nor in the Ohio valley anywhere west of the 
city, but is probably represented in the rocks of Ohio a- 
few miles east of that point. The Utica group is not 
represented elsewhere in Ohio. All the lower Silurian 
rocks in southwestern Ohio belong to the Hudson River 
group, except the small exposure of the Utica slate in 
the banks of the Ohio and east of the city in the immedi- 
ate vicinity of the river. The committee therefore report 
that the name "Cincinnati group" should be dropped, 
"not only because it is a synonym, but because its re- 
tention can subserve no useful purpose in the science, 
and because it will in the future, as in the past, lead to 
erroneous views and fruitless discussions." Investiga- 
tion, so far, they add, has not led to any other or further 
sub-divisions than those formerly adopted.] 

Strictly speaking, there are no hills in Hamilton 
county, the surface being all referable to the table-lands 
and to the valleys worn in them. What are called the 
Cincinnati hills, for example, are merely the isolated 
remnants of the old plateau, which have so far escaped 
the long-continued denudation. Indeed, the highlands 
of the county are all of them outliers or insulated 
masses, surrounded on every side by the valleys of exist- 
ing rivers, along the deep excavations wrought out by 
these streams at an earlier date and under somewhat 
different geographical conditions. These islands of the 
higher ground vary in area between quite wide limits, 
some of them containing a few scores of acres, and others 
as many square miles. 

The high ground immediately appertaining to Cincin- 
,nati furnishes a good example of these outliers. By 
reference to the map, the insulation of this high ground 
will be seen to be perfectly effected by the Little Miami 
valley, the Ohio valley, the Mill Creek valley, and the 
abandoned channel of the Great Miami, already describ- 
ed, on the northern and eastern sides. Very important 
consequences result to the city from this insulation. It 
follows, for instance, that there are but two natural ways 
of ingress to the city by lowland, or, in other words, that 
there are but two railroad routes possible — one by the 
Ohio valley and the other by the Mill Creek valley. 
Both of these are circuitous and in other respects unfa- 



vorable, especially as ways of approach from the east. 
These difficulties have led to the project of reaching the 
business center of the city by a tunnel from the northern 
valley. 

The Dayton Short Line railroad encounters, near West 
Chester, one of these outliers in its route, which necessi- 
tates a grade of forty-five feet to the mile at this point — 
the highest grade, in fact, on this line (New York Cen- 
tral) between tidewater and the Ohio river. 

Another very noticeable outlier is found a mile west of 
North Bend. The Ohio & Mississippi railroad skirts it 
on the Ohio valley side, while the Indianapolis & Cincin- 
nati road passes to the north of it, through the old glacial 
channel, which has already been described. 

II, BEDDED ROCKS, AND THEIR ECONOMICAL PRODUCTS. 

The upper division of the Blue Limestone or the 
Lebanon beds has never been found in Hamilton county. 
The lower boundary of the Cincinnati group has not 
yet been definitely fixed, but enough is known to make 
it certain that it is not found among the surface rocks of 
Ohio. The approximate place in the general geological 
scale of the strata exposed in the hills of Cincinnati has 
long been known. For the last forty years, at least, they 
have been r.:ferred to the later divisions of Lower Silu- 
rian time and recognized as belonging to the Hudson or 
Hudson River group of the New York geologists and of 
the general geological scale of the country. 

The Cincinnati beds proper come next in order after 
the Point Pleasant beds, in Clermont county, which are 
the lowest rocks of the series in the State. They have 
for their inferior limit low-water in the Ohio and for an 
upper boundary the highest stratum found in the Cincin- 
nati hills. The greatest elevation above low-water in the 
immediate vicinity of Cincinnati is given by the city eu; 
gineer as four hundred and sixty-five feet. Abating fif- 
teen feet for the drift covering of the surface, we can 
certainly find forty-five feet of bedded rock in this divis- 
ion, almost every foot of which lies open to study within 
the city limits. The only stratum, however, that admits 
of easy identification, lies at an elevation of four hundred 
and twenty-five feet above the river; and this is accord- 
ingly assumed as the upper limit of this division. 

Upon differences in lithological character, with which 
also changes in fossil contents ally themselves, a sub- 
division of the Cincinnati beds is possible into three 
groups, which may be named respectively, in ascending 
order, the River Quarry beds, the Middle Shales, and the 
Hill Quarry beds. The first of these subdivisions has a 
thickness of fifty feet, the second of two hundred and 
fifty feet, and the third of one hundred and fifty feet. 

Above the highest stratum of the Cincinnati hills and 
the lowermost beds of the Upper Silurian age, three 
hundred feet of rock intervene, that belong unmistakably 
to the same formation, being connected with it by identity 
in lithological character and by a large number of com- 
mon fossils. These upper beds are nowhere found within 
twenty miles of Cincinnati, and yet there has never been 
the slightest hesitation in referring them to the same series 
to which the rocks there exhibited belong. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



15 



The names assigned, it will be remembered, to the 
three divisions recognized here, are in ascending order: 

The River Quarry Beds; 

The Middle, or Eden Shales; 

The Hill Quarry Beds. 

No explanation is necessary of the first and the last of 
these names. To the intervening division a name can 
properly be assigned, derived from the name of the park 
on the eastern side of the city, in the grading of which 
so great a display of this division is made. This division 
can, therefore, be styled the Eden shales, from the Eden 
park. 

The whole series of the Cincinnati group is composed 
of alternating beds of limestone and shale. The shale 
is more commonly known under the name of blue clay; 
and this designation is not inappropriate. It is sometimes 
styled marl or marlite, and the use of the latter designa- 
tion is also justified by its composition. The most objec- 
tionable term by which it is characterized, is soapstone, 
as this name is pre-occupied by a metamorphic magne- 
sian silicate. 

The limestone of the series may, in general terms, be 
described as an even-bedded, firm, durable, semi-crystal- 
line limestone, crowded for the most part with fossils 
through its whole extent and often bearing upon its sur- 
face the impressions of these fossils. Its color is not 
uniform, as the designation by which the whole series is 
familiarly known, "blue limestone," would seem to imply. 
The prevailing color, however, may be said to be a gray- 
ish blue, chiefly due to the presence of protoxide of iron, 
which, upon exposure, is converted into a higher oxide. 
The weathered surfaces generally show yellowish or light 
gray shades, that are in marked contrast with the fresh 
fracture. Drab-colored courses occasionally alternate 
with the blue. 

The limestone varies in all these respects somewhat, 
however, in its different divisions. The Point Pleasant 
beds, and the lower courses of the Cincinnati division, 
deviate most widely from the description already given. 
They are lighter in color than the upper courses and in 
some instances are slaty in structure, while in others they 
have a tendency to assume lenticular forms of concre- 
tionary origin, sometimes to such an extent as to destroy 
their value as building-rock. The layers are also excep- 
tionally heavy, attaining a thickness of sixteen or eighteen 
inches, and are often so free from fossils as to afford no 
indication of the kinds of life from which they were 
derived. 

A few feet above low-water at Cincinnati, a very fine 
and compact stone comes in, that is found in occasional 
courses for fifty to seventy-five feet. It is composed, as 
its weathered surfaces show, almost entirely of crinoidal 
columns, mostly of small size, and mainly referable to 
species of heterocrinus. The courses vary in thickness 
from an inch to a foot. The lighter layers ring like pot- 
metal under the blows of a hammer. 

Ascending in the series, the limestone layers are very 
generally fossiliferous and are rarely homogeneous in 
structure, being disfigured, to a greater or less degree, by 
chambers of shale or limestone mud, from some of which 



cavities, certainly, fossils have been dissolved. The 
thickness of the courses varies generally between the 
limits indicated above, but a large proportion of the 
stone ranges between four and eight inches. Now and 
then, however, a layer attains a thickness of twenty 
inches, or even two feet. Near the upper limits of the 
formation the layers are thinner and less even than be- 
low, affording what quarrymen call "shelly" stone. 

The composition of the limestones from the upper 
half of the group is quite nearly uniform, averaging 
about ninety per cent, of carbonate of lime; but as we 
descend in the series the limestones grow more silicious. 

The shales, clays, or marlites, which with the lime- 
stones make up the Cincinnati group, must next be 
characterized. They constitute a large part of the sys- 
tem, certainly four-fifths of it in the two lower divisions, 
and probably not less than three-fifths of its whole ex- 
tent. The proportions of limestone and shale do not 
appear altogether constant, it is to be observed, at the 
same horizon, a larger amount of stone being found at 
one point than at others. 

The shales, as implied in one of the names by which 
they are known, " blue clay," are generally blue in color, 
but the shade is lighter than in the limestone. In addi- 
tion to the blue shales, however, drab-colored clays ap- 
pear in the series at various points. As the blue shales 
weather into drab by the higher oxidation of the iron 
they contain, the conclusion is frequently drawn that the 
last-named variety marks merely a weathered stage of 
the former. But, aside from the impossibility of ex- 
plaining the facts as they occur on this hypothesis, analy- 
sis disproves it, and shows that the differences in color 
are connected with essential differences in the composi- 
tion of the belts to which they belong. 

Most of the shales slake promptly on exposure to the 
air, and furnish the materials of a fertile soil; but there 
are other portions included under this general division 
which harden as the quarry-water escapes, and become 
an enduring stone if protected from the action of frost. 

The shales are sometimes quite heavily charged with 
fossils, which generally have a firmer structure than the 
material that encloses them, so that the fossils, often in 
an admirable state of preservation, remain behind after 
the shales have melted away. All of the groups of ani- 
mals that are represented in the limestones are found 
also in the shales; but from the unequal numbers that 
are represented here to-day, it seems evident that some 
sorts were able to adapt themselves to the conditions 
which shaly deposits imply much more easily than others. 

The proportions of limestone and shale in the series 
we have already spoken of in a general way; but it will be 
profitable to give additional statements on this point. In 
the River Quarry beds, the lowermost portion of the Cin- 
cinnati beds proper, there are about four feet of shale to 
one foot of limestone, but the shales increase in force as 
we ascend in the series, until at about one hundred feet 
above low-water the proportion was more than twice as 
great. For the two hundred feet next succeeding, that 
have been styled the Eden shales or Middle shales, there 
is seldom more than one foot of stone in ten feet of as- 



i6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



cent. The amount of waste is so large, therefore, that 
quarries cannot be profitably worked in this whole di- 
vision. The third portion of the series, the Hill quarries, 
have often lower limits — the beds in which the solid rock 
has risen again to as high a proportion as one foot in five 
or six feet of ascent. From this point upward to the 
completion of the group, there is no such predominance 
of shales as is found below, though in the lower parts of 
the Lebanon beds shales still constitute more than one- 
half of the whole thickness. 

It is seen from analyses made that a notable quantity 
of alkalies and phosphates, sometimes at least, occurs in 
the composition of the shales. It is upon these sub- 
stances that the fertility of soils in great measure depends; 
and as they are in this case properly distributed through 
the sand and clay that make the bulk of the shale, it is 
in no way surprising to find very fruitiful soils forming 
from the weathering of these beds. The most note- 
worthy fact in this connection is the rapidity with which 
they are converted into soils. Most of the rocky shales 
of the State require a long course of progressive im- 
provement before they can be justly termed soils. Their 
elements are slowly oxydized and disintegrated, and vege- 
table matters slowly added. The exposure of a single 
season, however, suffices to cover the Cincinnati shales 
with a varied vegetation. All of our ordinary forest trees, 
when opportunity is furnished for the distribution of their 
seeds, estabhsh themselves promptly upon the shales. 
-The black locust seems especially well adapted to such 
situations. There is no other use to which the steep 
slopes of the Cincinnati hills can be turned that would 
subserve as many interests as planting them with black 
locust would do. 

Dr. Locke called attention to a peculiar feature of the 
Blue Limestone beds, viz., a waved structure of the solid 
limestone, somewhat analogous in form to the wave-lines 
and ripple-marks of the higher series of the State. This 
peculiar structure was noticed by him in the upper beds 
of the formation, but it is even a more striking character- 
istic of the rock in its lower beds, as shown in the river 
quarries of Cincinnati, or in the lowermost hundred feet 
that are there exposed. 

The rocks exhibiting this structure at the point named 
are the most compact beds of the fossiliferous limestone. 
The bottom of the waved layer is generally even, and be- 
neath it' is always found an even bed of shale. The up- 
per surface is diversified, as its name suggests, with 
ridges and furrows. The interval between the ridges 
varies, but in many instances it is about four feet. The 
greatest thickness of the ridge is six or seven inches, 
while the stone is reduced to one or two inches at the 
bottom of the furrow, and sometimes it entirely disap- 
pears. The waVed layers are overlain by shale in every 
instance. They are often continuous for a considerable 
extent, and in such cases the axes of the ridges and fur- 
rows have a uniform direction. This direction is a little 
south of east in the vicinity of Cincinnati, but in travers- 
ing the series these axes are found to bear in various di- 
rections. 

Dr. Locke's explanation of these facts, involving a fluid 



state of the carbonate of lime and sheets of shale falling 
in a "vertical strata" through deep seas, seems entirely 
inadmissible. 

The only other explanation thus far proffered is that 
suggested by the name, viz., that the floor of the Cincin- 
nati sea was acted on from time to time by waves or sim- 
ilar movements of the ocean waters. In opposition to 
this view it may be said: First, that there are many rea- 
sons for believing that the Cincinnati rocks grew upon 
the floor of a deep sea, far below the action of the sur- 
face waves; and, second, that the fact of the limestone 
layers alone being thus shaped is sufficient to set aside 
the explanation. If these inequalities of surface are due 
to wave-action of any sort, it is impossible to see why the 
action should be limited to the firmest limestone beds of 
the series, while the soft shales, which could easily regis- 
ter any movement of the waters, never exhibit the slight- 
est indications of such agencies. 

While both of these modes of accounting for the facts 
are rejected as entirely unsatisfactory, nothing in the way 
of explanation will be offered here, save the suggestion 
that the facts seem to point to concretionary action as the 
force to which we must look. 

THE ECONOMICAL PRODUCTS 

of the Cincinnati group are limited to building stone, 
lime, brick and pottery clays, and cement; and of these 
none but the first two have, at present, any great impor- 
tance. The series yields everywhere abundant supplies 
of stone, suitable in every respect for building purposes,. 
The advantages that the city of Cincinnati reaps from 
the quarries that surround it, are immense. While blue 
limestone has been used as a building stone from the first 
settlement of the country, it has hitherto enjoyed the 
reputation of being serviceable rather than beautiful; but 
within the past few years it has been so treated by com- 
bination with other building stones as to produce very 
fine architectural effects. Numerous exhibitions of this 
skilful use of the blue limestone can be seen in tlie re- 
cent buildings of the city and suburbs of Cincinnati. 

The analysis of the stone shows it to contain ninety or 
more per cent, of carbonate of lime. From this it will 
be concluded that it can be burned into a hme of a good 
degree of purity and strength. When water-washed peb- 
bles from gravel banks or river beds are used, the product 
is excellent; but the quarry stone always carries with it 
so much of the interstratified shale as to darken the lime 
and so reduce its value for plastering. For this last use 
the mild and white magnesian limes derived from the 
Upper Silurian formations that surround Cincinnati, are 
the only varieties that are at present approved. The 
native supply can, however, be furnished much cheaper 
at but little more than half the cost, indeed, of Spring- 
field lime; and as it makes a strong cement, the shales 
that adhere to the stone possibly adding an hydraulic 
quality, it is generally used in laying foundations of all 
sorts. 

The shales are sometimes resorted to for the manufac- 
ture of brick, tile, and pottery ware. The instances are, 
however, rare, and are confined to the uppermost beds of 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



17 



the system. The products were, in the few instances 
noted, unusually fine, the clay working very smoothly 
and burning into cream-colored ware of great strength and 
excellence. 

The occurrence of concretions in the shales of the 
Point Pleasant beds and in the lowest strata of the divis- 
ion found at Cincinnati, has already been noticed. The 
analysis of specimens from the river quarries suggests 
hydraulic cement, and they are in fact found to possess a 
high degree of hydraulic energy. The supply of these 
concretions depends upon the extent of the quarrying, 
but at the present rate several hundred tons are thrown 
out each year, and as the concretions prove nearly enough 
uniform in composition, they can certainly be turned to 
good, economical account in the manufacture of a fine 
quality of cement. The famous Roman cement of Eng- 
land is obtained from similar concretions, which are gen- 
erally gathered on the shore after storms and high tides, 
though sometimes obtained by digging. All of the river 
quarries from Point Pleasant to Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, 
yield these concretions — the lowermost beds of all most 
abundantly. It may be added that the limestones en- 
closing the concretions are silicious enough in composi- 
tion to transfer them to the best of cements. 

The Cincinnati section exhausts the scale of the coun- 
ty, the upper division of the blue limestone, as before 
stated, having never been found within its limits. The 
River Quarry beds do not constitute a marked feature, in 
any respect, of the geology of the county. There are 
but comparatively few points where these strata are ex- 
posed. A moderate amount of building stone of super- 
ior quality is taken from the Covington quarries, oppo- 
site Cincinnati. But little of the stone in this portion of 
the series can be burned into lime, but the concretions 
so abundant in many of the beds, as just hinted, consti- 
tute an hydraulic lime of great energy. 

The second element of the Cincinnati section — the 
Middle or Eden shales — is as much more prominent 
than the first in the county as its greater extent in the 
vertical scale would lead us to infer. It is, however, 
mainly found in the slopes of the hills, as it is not firm 
enough in structure to resist denuding agencies, when 
unprotected by the higher series. Very few products of 
economical value, as we have seen, are derived from this 
part of the scale. Indeed, its relations to economical 
interests are mainly in the way of disadvantages to be 
overcome. These disadvantages result directly from the 
nature of the materials of which these beds are com- 
posed. It will be remembered that in the two hundred 
and fifty feet now under consideration, not more than 
one foot in ten is limestone; the remainder being soft 
shales, or soapstones, as they are variously designated. 
These shales have scarcely tenacity enough to hold their 
place in steep descents when acted on by water and ice; 
still less, when they have been removed from their or- 
iginal beds, can they be made to cohere; and they thus 
form treacherous foundations for buildings erected on 
theiii or for roadways constructed in them. 

The- city of Cincinnati, in many of its building sites. 



streets, and approaches, encounters these disadvantages, 
which can only be overcome by increased outlay in the 
way of foundations. These facts are most clearly shown 
in the approaches to the city from the east by the Ohio 
valley, frequent slides occurring along the steep slopes of 
shale in which streets and dwelhngs are involved. Gilbert 
avenue, in process of construction through Eden park, 
especially suffered from its geological formation, and re- 
quired a large expenditure to give it stability along this 
line. 

Nearly all the smaller streams that are bedded in these 
shales show contortions and flexures of their strata that 
have resulted from the slipping of the higher beds into 
the valleys. 

The third division, viz., of the Hill Quarry- series, 
which makes the upland of the county, is by far the most 
important of the three, in the area it covers and the pro- 
ducts it furnishes. The summits of the insulated masses 
already named belong to this division, and constitute 
about three-fourths of the surface of the county. Most 
of the quarry stone of the county is also derived from this 
source. The Cincinnati quarries have thus far been vast- 
ly more important than those of any other district; but 
as the hills within and adjoining the city limits are being 
occupied for building sites, it will result that railroad 
transportation will be invoked; and when it comes to 
this, the more desirable building stone of the different 
formations from adjoining counties will come into com- 
petition and be more largely used. 

It may be noticed here that it is chiefly due to the 
fact that so large an amount of quarrying has been done 
about Cincinnati, that this particular locality has become 
the classic ground in the way of fossils that it now is. 
The numerous and ample exposures gave to the ear- 
lier collectors unexampled opportunities — opportunities 
which are not likely to be repeated. Many of the most 
interesting localities of twenty to twenty-five years 
ago are now covered by permanent buildings, and every 
year diminishes the available areas. The waste of the 
hill quarries furnishes, however, by far the larger propor- 
tion of the admirable fossils in the vicinity of Cincin- 
nati. Scarcely any exposure of it in the county has 
failed to yield choice forms of the various and rarer 
groups. 

DRIFT DEPOSITS, OR SURFACE GEOLOGY. 

The drift formations of the county are mainly divided 
into two groups, corresponding to the main topographical 
features of the county already indicated, viz. ; 

First — The drift deposits of the highlands and slopes. 

Second — The low land, or valley drift beds. 

I. — Drift deposits cover the highlands of Hamil- 
ton county, with but very limited exceptions. Towards 
the southern boundary these beds are light, measuring 
but a few feet (four to ten) in thickness; and, as already 
intimated, areas are occasionally found from which these 
deposits are altogether absent, the shallow coating of 
soil found in such areas being native or referable to the 
decomposition of the limestone that has been bedded 
here. 

There is a good degree of uniformity among these 



i8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



high level drifts, and the distinction between them and 
the native soils, indeed, is not always very manifest. 
The presence of rounded pebbles of blue limestone and 
of northern rocks, the drift beds, though often but very 
sparingly distributed, is the best means of distinguishing 
these beds from the native soils. The drift clays are 
certainly derived in large part from the waste of blue 
limestone, eifected in their case by glacial attrition ; while 
the native soils have the same origin, except that the 
work of disintegration has been done in their case by 
the slow action of the atmosphere. The agreement be- 
tween the drift soils of these southern counties and the 
native soils which are met here, is closer than is found 
between native and foreign soils in most sections of the 
State. This seems to be accounted for by the fact that a 
large area of the same formation lies north of them, 
which the glacial sheet was obhged to traverse and de- 
nude before striking upon this region. The blue lime- 
stone of these counties is thus largely covered with blue 
limestone waste. 

The average thickness of these upland drift beds falls 
below twenty feet, but occasionally heavier sections are 
found. In the northern part of Sycamore township, in 
the vicinity of White Oak school-house, a high drift 
ridge occurs in which twenty feet of surface clays are 
underlain with a deposit of fine yellow moulding sand. 
This stratum, when filled with water, is a quicksand, 
and renders wells impossible, or at least very difficult to 
secure. But little clean gravel occurs in the uplands of 
the county, and boulders also are infrequent. 

The yellow surface clays sometimes overlie a few feet 
of tough blue boulder clay, filled with scratched and 
striated pebbles, apparently the product of the melting 
glacial sheet. This is not, however, by any means a con- 
stant element in the section. 

In short, the upland drift of this county is not as 
varied and interesting as that of the regions immediately 
to the northward, or even to the eastward. The slopes 
show the same characters in their drift beds that have 
already been described, except that the deposits are 
generally heavier. 

II. — The second division, or the lowland drift- 
beds of the county are in their characteristic formations 
of much later date than the deposits already discussed. 
These deposits can be classified in their superficial 
aspects, under the principal divisions, viz: (a) The bot- 
tom lands; (b) the terraces or second bottoms. 

These divisions are distinguished from each other, not 
only by their different elevations but also by the different 
materials of which they are composed, the terraces 
being largely composed of gravel, with occasional beds of 
sand and clay, while the bottom lands contain, in all 
cases, a greater proportion of fine materials. 

Of the upland drift no general or typical section was 
given, for the reason that, aside from the monotonous de- 
posits of yellow clay, there is no uniformity in the order 
in which the different formations occur; but in the case of 
the division now under consideration, it is possible to 
represent in a single section the more important facts that 
are to be observed. The deposits of the Ohio valley, it 



will be remembered, are to be especially considered in 
this report. 

A section is here appended, taken at Lawrenceburgh, 
Indiana, which gives the general structure of the Ohio 
bottom lands more clearly than any exposure met with, 
strictly within the limits of the county. Beginning at 
low-water, we find the deposits that make up the river 
bank arranged in the following order (ascending): 

FEET. 

6. Brick clay, covered with one to two feet of soil 6 

5. Land, gravel, and loam 30 

4. Ochreous sand I'A 

3. Carbonaceous clay, an ancient soil or forest bed 7 

2. Ochreous sand J^ 

I. Clean gravel 6 

Total SI 

The elements of this section will be noted in their 
order. The first of them, six feet of gravel, is perhaps 
the least constant of the series, being sometimes substi- 
tuted by some of the clays of the drift. The gravel of 
the Ohio differs from that of the Miamis in being largely 
composed of sandstone pebbles instead of limestone. 
It is, consequently, less durable than the river or bank 
gravel of the Miami districts, and this fact, taken in con 
nection with the difficulty of access, withholds it generally 
from applications to road-making. 

The second, third, and fourth elements need to be 
taken together, as they are closely connected in their his- 
tory. The point to be noted in regard to them is the 
constant occurrence of carbonaceous clay between the 
seams of ochreous gravel. The clay is quite heavily 
charged with vegetable matter, much of it in such a 
state of preservation that it can be readily identified, and 
often portions again intermingled in a fine state of subdi- 
vision with the substance of the clay. The minutest 
roots of trees — some of the latter still in place — twigs 
and branches, layers of leaves, ripened fruits, grapes, and 
sedges, are all clearly distinguishable. Several of the 
species of trees can be determined, some- by their wood, 
others by their leaves and fruits. Among them may be 
named the sycamore, the beech, the shellbark hickory, 
the buckeye, and the red cedar. A cucurbitaceous plant, 
probably the wild balsam apple, is also shown to have 
been abundant by its seeds, which are preserved in the 
clay. 

The leaves frequently occur in layers several inches 
thick, and are very like the accumulations that are now 
left in eddies of the river by freshets or floods. The de- 
posits of the river at present always have an elevation of 
at least twenty feet and sometimes even of forty feet 
above the bed now under review. 

The constant occurrence of vivianite or phosphate of 
iron in this deposit is to be noticed. Its presence, in- 
deed, is an invariable characteristic. The mineral is 
usually found in small grains, but sometirnes it replaces 
twigs and leaves and other vegetable growths. The 
quantity in some portions of the beds is considerable, 
amounting, sometimes, to two or three per cent, of the 
whole deposit. In such cases it imparts its color to the 
mass, and this justifies the name by which it is known, 
"blue earth." 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



19 



Several apparently trustworthy accounts have been re- 
ceived of the discovery of the bones and teeth of the 
mastodon and mammoth in this deposit; but these and 
all other mammalian remains are of very rare occurrence. 
It is possible that the "chips" and "axe-marked" stumps 
reported at various points in excavations in the drift beds, 
attest the former presence here of the gigantic beaver now 
extinct — castoroides Ohioeinis. It was certainly a tenant 
of the State during the general period to which this old 
forest bed must be referred. That its work upon trees 
might easily be mistaken for axe marks, will need no 
proof to any one acquainted with the work of the existing 
species of beaver. 

In a few instances, land and fresh water shells have 
been found in the clay, sometimes in quantity enough to 
convert the clay into a shell marl. 

This stratum is shown at all points along the valley in 
which bottom lands occur. Its elevation above low- 
water varies from five to twenty feet. It is generally 
covered superficially with the waste of the overlying 
banks; but even in such cases it reveals its presence by 
the long lines of willows and other vegetable growths that 
establish themselves upon its outcrop. Two things con- 
spire to adapt it especially to the growth of vegetation. 
In the first place, it is an impervious stratum, and turns 
out the water that descends through the overlying loams 
and sandy clays, thus giving to willows and other plants 
of like requirements a constant supply of moisture; and 
secondly, this stratum, as has been already intimated, is 
in reality an ancient soil, having been carried at an earlier 
day through the processes of amelioration by which beds 
of sand and clay are fitted to support vegetable growths. 

There are, however, many places where the force of 
the current in high water uncovers these beds, and where 
consequently good sections are always offered. Excel- 
lent disclosures of them are found at New Richmond, 
Clermont county, and also at Point Pleasant, on the Ken- 
tucky shore. The spring flood of 1872 furnished an un- 
surpassed exhibition of this formation at the mouth of 
the Little Miami river. Rafts of tree trunks are shown 
at all of these points, though the wood generally perishes 
very quickly when exposed to the air. 

That this very interesting stratum so long escaped ob- 
servation is probably due to the fact that it could so easily 
be referred to the agencies that are now at work in the 
valley. When the trunks of trees and layers of leaves be- 
longing to it have been noticed in the banks of the river, 
it has naturally enough been supposed that they are the 
deposits of earlier floods, agreeing as they do with the 
materials transported by the floods of our own time. But 
in describing the Lawrenceburgh section, now under con- 
sideration, as the general section of the Ohio valley de- 
posits, it has already been shown, at least by implication, 
that this explanation is inadmissible. The extension of 
this sheet of carbonaceous clay under all the various drift 
deposits of the valley, as is shown by very numerous nat- 
ural and artificial sections, proves that it is of earlier date 
than these overlying deposits, and the character of this 
stratum shows that it has a very different history from that 
which these higher deposits record. 



It is, perhaps, still too early to write out this history in 
its minuter features, but the facts already given show us 
that we have in this sheet of blackened clay the bottom 
lands of the Ohio at an earlier day, and, indeed, under 
very different conditions from those that now prevail. 
The river then ran in a channel lower by forty feet, at 
least, than that which it now holds, and the great valley 
was then empty of the immense accumulations of sand, 
clay, loam, and gravel, which constitute its bottom lands 
and terraces to-day. 

The various vegetable growths with which this stratum 
is filled, are to be regarded as largely the production of 
the soil on which they are now found. There is no other 
satisfactory mode of accounting for the particular kinds 
and enormous amount of vegetable matter traced here. 

The ochre seams above and below this ancient soil 
seem to point to marshy conditions that were brought in 
with the changing levels of the valley. Of the two, the 
upper seam is the more constant. 

In the Lawrenceburgh section we find thirty-five feet 
(thirty to fifty in the general section) of sands, gravels, 
clays and loams, which constitute the Ohio bottoms, as 
the term is generally used. There is no fixed order in 
the alternation of these materials, except that the surface 
portions have, for a few feet in depth, a tolerably uniform 
character. The soil of the bottom lands is quite 
homogeneous in constitution, and has obviously been 
formed by the subjection to atmospheric agencies of just 
such material as it now covers. Beneath the soil, and 
extending to a depth of about fifteen feet, beds of yellow 
clay occur. The proportions of sand mixed with the 
clay vary somewhat, increasing towards the lower limit 
named, and below this the beds consist rather of sand 
than clay. The beds of clay above named furnish an 
excellent material for brickmaking. The supply of the 
Cincinnati market is almost entirely derived from this 
horizon. The great depth of these brick clays, and their 
entire freedom from pebbles, render a very economical 
manufacture of brick possible. 

Below this limit, sand and gravel and streaks of loam 
are met, without regularity of arrangement. Of the fif- 
teen to twenty feet intervening between the bottom of the 
brick clays and the summit of the buried soil, the larger 
part consists of gravel. The gravel of this horizon is 
seldom clean, like that described at the level of low- 
water, but consists of large-sized sandstone pebbles, four 
to six inches in diameter, mingled with finer materials. 

An equivalent of these beds, but of local occurrence, 
is the fine-grained clay described in the geological reports 
as "Springfield clay." It never occurs in extensive 
sheets, but is quite limited in vertical and horizontal ex- 
tent. The heaviest accumulation of it observed in 
Hamilton county is in the city of Cincinnati, on East 
Pearl street, above Pike. It has a thickness there of 
more than thirty feet, as has been aiscertained in the ex- 
cavations for the foundations of buildings. It has been 
turned to account in its different exposures for different 
purposes — at Miamisburgh, for the manufacture of paint; 
at Springfield, for the manufacture of "Milwaukee brick," 
the clay being rich in lime and poor in oxide, and thus 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



burning white, while a new use has been found for it in 
Cincinnati. It was successfully employed in preparing 
the floor of the new reservoir, its fineness of grain and 
consequent toughness fitting it admirably for this purpose. 
It must have been accumulated in eddies or protected 
areas, during the later ages of the period of submergence. 

The gravel terraces occupy a higher level than the 
formations already described. The terrace on which 
Cincinnati stands, may be taken as a fair example of 
them all. Its altitude above low-water varies from one 
hundred to one hundred and twenty feet, the average 
elevation being one hundred and eight feet. It is com- 
posed of distinctly stratified gravel and sand of varying 
degrees of fineness and purity. The gravel stones are all 
water-worn. In weight they seldom reach ten pounds. 
The upper tributaries of the Ohio supply the materials in 
part, but a much larger proportion in the vicinity of Cin- 
cinnati is derived from the limestone rocks of western 
Ohio and the crystalline beds of Canada. The propor- 
tion here to be noted among the smaller-sized pebbles is, 
of ten feet, five of Upper Silurian and Devonian lime- 
stones, three of Lower Silurian, least worn, one foot of 
granitic, and one of sandstones, etc., of the Upper Ohio. 

Occasional seams of clay loam occur, but seldom of 
extent or tenacity enough to constitute reliable water- 
bearers. Less frequently met, but still constituting a 
noteworthy feature of the gravel terraces, are seams of 
bituminous coal, in small water-worn fragments. 

The terraces overlie, as will be seen, the formation 
previously described. Few sections are carried deep 
enough to reveal the lower beds, but the leaves and wood 
of the buried soil are occasionally met at considerable 
depth, and usually, on this account, they attract attention. 
The following general order of materials will be observed 
in passing from the surface of the terrace to low-water. 

FEET. 
Soil 2- s 

Gravel and sand, with seams of loam -4060 

Brick clay, with sand and loam ^ . , 20-30 

Buried soil, witli trees, leaves, etc 5-10 

Gravel and clay 5-10 

72. 1 IS 

The leading facts in the structure of the terraces show 
that their history is not to be explained by the present 
conditions of the continent. They must have been 
formed under water at a time when the face of the coun- 
try held a lower level than it now does, by one hundred 
or more feet. They thus bear direct testimony to two of 
the most' surprising conclusions which the study of the 
Drift period has furnished to us, viz: That the continent 
sank, during the latter stages of this period, considerably 
below its present level, and that it was afterwards re-ele- 
vated. 

There is one other line of facts in connection with the 
drift beds of the county that must not be omitted here. 
It is the great depth which some of these deposits have 
been found to hold below the present drainage of the 
country. The series of facts obtained by Timothy Kirby, 
esq., in boring a deep well in Mill Creek valley, at Cum- 
minsville, now within the corporate limits of Cincinnati, 
proves very interesting in this as well as in other respects. 



Beginning at an elevation of ninety feet above low-water 
of the Ohio, a succession of drift deposits was penetra- 
ted until a depth of sixty feet below low-water was 
reached, the bedded rock being first struck at a depth of 
one hundred and fifty-one feet below the point of begin- 
ning. The deposits included, in descending order, twelve 
feet of soil and brick clay, four of sand, thirty-four of 
blue clay with gravel, nineteen of gravel, three of coarse 
sand, eleven of sand with fragments of bituminous coal, 
nine of blue clay with gravel (at the bottom of this the 
level of low-water in the Ohio was reached), sixteen of blue 
clay and fine sand and sprinkled with coal, and forty-three 
of sand, water-worn gravel, and blue clay, with occasional 
fragments of bituminous coal, below which, at the depth 
of one hundred and fifty-one feet from the surface, 
were the shales of the Blue Limestone group. Several 
remarkable facts are to be observed in this section, the 
most striking of which is the great depth to which the 
excavation of Mill Creek valley was formerly carried. 
The bed of the stream that occupies the valley to-day is 
at a higher level by one hundred and twenty feet than 
that of the ancient channel. It is easy to see that this 
erosion could not have been effected under existing con- 
ditions. It can only be explained by a higher altitude 
of the continent, and is thus referred to the opening 
division of the glacial period. It has not been demon- 
strated that continuous channels exist at this great depth ; 
but the rocky barriers that fringe the streams do not at 
best disprove this theory, as there is always room for a 
deeper channel on one side or the other of the great 
valleys. 

Another interesting fact is the occurrence of water- 
worn fragments of bituminous coal, quite similar to those 
found in the terraces already noticed. They occur at 
various depths, the lowest at one hundred and fifty feet 
below the surface and the highest at eighty feet below. 
These facts, so far as known, stand by themselves, and 
no explanation is proposed. It is hard to see how the 
waste -of Ohio coal-fields should find its way in quantity 
into Mill Creek valley, and there is certainly no other 
obvious source of supply. 

The well from which these facts were obtained was 
carried to a depth of five hundred and forty-one feet be- 
low the surface. Analysis of the chips and borings 
brought up and preserved reveal the character of the 
strata underlying Ohio to a depth greater by about four 
hundred feet than any other rocks exposed within the 
limits of the State. The shales of the blue limestone 
series appear to continue to a depth of four hundred 
feet from the point of beginning. 

Carburetted hydrogen gas escaped from the well in 
considerable quantity from a depth of two hundred and 
eighty feet downwards, but no large accumulations of 
petroleum compounds were indicated. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE ABORIGINAL AMERICAN. 

Are they here — 
The dead of other days? — and did the dust 
Of these fair solitudes once stir witli life 
And burn with passion? Let the mighty mounds 
* That overlook the rivers, or that rise 

In the dim forest crowded with old oaks, 

Answer. A race that long has passed away, 

Built them ; — a disciplined and populous race 

Heaped, with long toil, the earth, while yet the Greek 

Was hewing the Pentelicus to forms 

Of symmetry, and rearing on its rock 

The glittering Parthenon. These ample fields 

Nourished their harvests; here their herds were fed. 

When haply by their stalls the bison lowed 

And bowed his maned shoulder to the yoke. 

The red man came. 
The roaming liunter-tribes, warlike and fierce. 
And the Mound Builders vanished from the earth. 

— W. C. Bryant, "The Prairies." 

THE AMERICAN ABORIGINE. 

The red men whom Columbus found upon this conti- 
nent, and whom he mistakenly calls Indians, were not its 
aborigines. The Western, not the Eastern hemisphere 
is the Old World. Agassiz finely said: 

First-born among the continents, though so much later in culture and 
civilization than some of more recent birth, America, so far as her 
physical history is concerned, has been falsely denominated the New 
World. Hers was the first dry land lifted out of the waters, hers the 
first shore washed by the ocean that enveloped all the earth beside; and 
while Europe was represented onlv by islands rising here and there 
above the sea, America already stretched an unbroken line from Nova 
Scotia to the Far West. 

Great, learned, and eloquent as was Agassiz, however, 
his doctrine of the separate creation of the races of hu- 
manity — that men must have originated in nations, as 
the bees have originated in swarms, and as the different 
social plants have covered the extensive tracts over which 
they have naturally spread — has failed to obtain general 
acceptance among the scientists. Later investigations 
tend to return anthropology and ethnology to their an- 
cient basis, upon the principle sounded forth by Paul in 
the scholarly air of Mars Hill: "God hath made of one 
blood all nations of men." America, old world as it is, 
is not a cradle-land. Her native physiognomies, the 
manners and customs of the races found by Europeans 
upon her soil, their traditions, and something in their 
architecture, point toward the historic regions of the 
far east. The travellers who see Kalmuck Tartars upon 
the Asiatic steppes, with almost the precise face and figure 
of the American Indian, catch thus a hint of the far-away 
past of emigration to and colonization of this continent. 
Not only across the tract now occupied by Behring's 
Straits, — very likely dry land in the period of exodus 
from Asia, — but also across the Atlantic sea, storm-driven 
or pushed by adventurous souls who never returned to tell 
their tale, the wave of immigration may have come. 
Quite certain it is now, the time of man's appearance 
upon American soil dates long back among the ages pre- 
vious to the advent of Christ. Before the Indians were, 
as dwellers here; before the Mound Builders; before 
Aztec and Nahuan and Mayan civilizations, was still, in 
all probability, the pre-historic man of millenniums ago. 



So long since, in the study of our antiquities, as 1839, ■ 
Dr. McGuire, in the Transactions of the Boston Society 
of Natural History, brought forward evidence, from dis- 
coveries recently made in the improvement of the High 
Rock spring at Saratoga, to show the presence of human 
beings there fifty-five hundred years before. The find 
of a human bone near Natchez, in association with the 
remains of the mastodon and the megalonyx; the human 
skeleton dug from an excavation at New Orleans, at a 
depth of sixteen feet, and beneath four successive buried 
forests of cypress; the matting and pottery found on 
Petit Anse Island, Louisiana, fifteen to twenty feet below 
the surface, underneath the fossil bones of the elephant 
and the mastodon; the mastodon found in his miry grave 
on the bottom lands of the Bourbense river, in Missouri, 
with every token about his remains that he had been 
hunted and killed by savages there; the skeletons found 
under some depth of soil and accumulations of bones 
in caves at Louisville, Kentucky, and Elyria, Ohio ; — all, 
with other facts developing from time to time, seem to 
point a high antiquity for the aboriginal American. Col- 
onel Whittlesey, of Cleveland, in his Evidences of the 
Antiquity of Man in the United States, argues from the 
find in the Elyria cave, that, "judging from the appear- 
ance of the bones and the depth of accumulations over 
them, two thousand years may have elapsed since the hu- 
man skeletons were laid on the floor of this cave." The 
arguments from other finds multiply this number to sev- 
eral scores of centuries. In a later and very recent 
pamphlet Colonel Whittlesey says: 

Man may have existed in Ohio with the mastodon, elephant, rhinoc- 
eros, musk ox, horse, beaver, and tapir of the drift period, as he did in 
Europe; but to decide such a ciuestion the proof should be indisputable. 
There is some reason to conclude that there were people on 
this territory prior to tire builders of the mounds. Our cave shelters 
have not been much explored, but as far as they have been examined 
the relics lying at the bottom of the accumulations indicate a very rude 
people. I anticipate that we shall find here, as in other countries, that 
the most ancient race were the rudest and were cave-dwellers. I have 
seen at Portsmouth, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio river, fire-hearths 
more ancient than the earthworks at that place. Whoever the people were 
who made these fires, they must have had arrow-points, war-clubs, and 
stone axes or mauls. But we have at this time no evidence to connect 
such a primeval race with the human effigies scattered profusely through- 
out Ohio. These effigies present no uniformity of type, and, therefore, 
cannot represent race features. They approach nearer to the North Amer- 
ican savage than any other people, but are so uncouth that they are of 
little or no ethnological value. There was no school of art among either 
the cave-dwellers, the builders of the mounds, or the more recent Nor- 
thern Indians, which was capable of a correct representation of the 
human face. These effigies must have been the result of the fancies of 
idle hours, produced under no system and with no uniformity of pur- 
pose. They thus have no meaning which the historian or antiquarian 
can lay hold of to advance his knowledge of the pre-historic races. 

THE PRIMITIVE OHIOAN. 

We are thus brought to consider the peoples who, pos- 
sibly later, but still anciently, dwelt in the valley of the 
Ohio. They left no literature, no inscriptions as yet de- 
cipherable, if any, no monuments e.xcept the long forest- 
covered earth- and stone-works. No traditions of them, 
by common consent of all the tribes, were left to the 
North American Indian. As races, they have vanished 
utterly in the darkness of the past. But the compara- 
tively slight traces they have left tend to conclusions of 
deep interest and importance, not only highly probable. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



but rapidly approaching certainty. • Correspondences in 
the manufacture of pottery and in the rude sculptures 
found, the common use of the serpent-symbol, the likeli- 
hood that all were sun-worshippers and practiced the 
horrid rite of human sacrifice, and the tokens of com- 
mercial intercourse manifest by the presence of Mexican 
porphyry and obsidian in the Ohio Valley mounds, to- 
gether with certain statements of the Mexican annalists, 
satisfactorily demonstrate, in the judgment of many anti- 
quaries, the racial alliance, if not the identity, of our 
Mound Builders with the ancient Mexicans, whose de- 
scendants, with their remarkable civilization, were found 
in the country when Cortes entered it in the second dec- 
ade of the sixteenth century. 

THE MAYAS. 

It is not improbable that the first marks of Mayan civ- 
ilization upon the continent are to be found among the 
relics of the Mound Builders, particularly in the South- 
ern States. The great Maya race, the first of which 
Mexican story bears record, inhabited Yucatan and the 
adjacent districts as early as looo B. C, when Nachan, the 
"city of the serpents,." afterwards Palenque, the seat of re- 
markable ruins to this day, was founded as their capital. 
It is accounted to have been among the most civilized of 
the American aboriginal nations. It possessed an alpha- 
bet and so a literature, engaged in manufactures and 
trade, cultivated the ground, sailed the waters, built great 
temples and other edifices, and executed sculptures 
which remain, the wonder of antiquaries, at Palenque, 
Copan, Uxmal, and other ancient capitals and centers of 
population. It was, undoubtedly, the oldest civilization 
in the Western Hemisphere ; and so permanent was its 
influence, and so numerous did the race enjoying it be- 
come, that no less than fifteen languages or dialects of 
Central America, north and south of the Tehauntepec 
sthmus, are found related to the Mayan tongue. It was 
already ancient and perhaps decaying when the Nahuas 
pressed upon it from the northward, partially adopted it, 
carried it on, and gave it fresh life and vigor. 

The legends of the Maya people indicate an origin in 
the Mediterranean countries of Europe or Asia. It is 
supposed, accordingly, that their home here was upon the 
Atlantic coast, and that thence they emigrated to Cuba, 
and in due time into Yucatan and the region south of the 
Tehauntepec isthmus, whence they spread in both direc- 
tions, reaching finally as high as Vera Cruz at the north- 
ward. Their story, as still found in the manuscripts, is 
that their ancestors went into the country from the direc- 
tion of Florida, which was long afterwards the general 
name of the country traversed by De Soto (who gave the 
name), from the present Florida coast to the Mississippi. 
It seems quite within'the limits of probability, then, that 
some of the more ancient of the remains in the east and 
south of the United States, particularly the immense 
shell-heaps on the Atlantic seaboard, found all the way 
from Nova Scotia to the Floridian peninsula, along the 
Gulf shores, and up the southern river valleys, were 
left by the Mayas in their advance on the final home in 
Central America. It is hardly probable, however, though 



not at all impossible, that their habitations extended so 
far north, on any line west of the Alleghanies, as the 
Ohio valley. 

THE NAHUAS — THE TOLTECS. 

The conclusion is different, however, concerning the 
race which, many ages after the settlement of the Mayas 
at their ultimate destination, confronted them thS'e — 
the Nahuas, notably that tribe or nation of them known 
as the Toltecs — neighbored, probably, somewhere in the 
valley of the Mississippi by the conquerors of the latter 
in the eleventh century of our era. The Chichimecs are 
believed to be racially, if not identically, the same with 
our Mound Builders. The Mexican traditions name the 
Olmecs as the first of Nahua blood to colonize the re- 
gions north of the Tehuantepec isthmus, where they 
overcame a race of giants, and found also the Miztecs 
and Zapotecs, not of Nahua stock, who had built up, in 
what is now the Mexican State of Oajaca, a civilization 
rivaling the subsequent splendor of the Aztecs. The 
Olmecs came in ships or barks from the east, as did their 
relatives some time after, the Xicalancas. The former 
tribe settled mainly in the present State of Pueblo, and 
built the tower or pyramid of Cholula, as a memorial, tra- 
dition says, of the tower of Babel, whose building the 
progenitors of the Olmec chiefs witnessed. Other of the 
Nahua tribes, as the Toltecs, possessed a tradition of 
the deluge coming close to the Scriptural account. Both 
of these look to the other side of the continent as afford- 
ing the points of ingress for the later immigration, which 
was doubtless originally from Asia, and many think was 
of Jewish descent. Long before entering Mexico, how- 
ever, as the story runs, the seven families of similar lan- 
guage who were the ancestors of the Toltec nation, wan- 
dered in many lands and across the seas, living in caves 
and enduring many hardships, through a period of one 
hundred and four years, when, five hundred and twenty 
years after the flood, twenty centuries or more before the 
Christian era, they arrived at and settled in "Hue hue 
Tlapalan," which has been identified with reasonable 
probability as the valley of the Mississippi. Here their 
families grew and multiplied, extending their boundaries 
far and wide, until about the middle of the sixth century 
after Christ, when two families of the land revolted, but 
unsuccessfully, and were driven out, with their numerous 
followers, and took their way by devious wanderings to 
Mexico. Here they fixed their capital at Tulancingo, 
and eighteen years afterward more permanently at Tolean, 
on the present site of the village of Tula, thirty miles 
northwest of the city of Mexico. 

The character and dates of subsequent Toltec or 
Mound Builder immigrations, with slight exceptions, has 
not even the dim light of Mexican tradition to reveal 
them. The last irruption of the Nahuan tribes is fixed 
at about iioo A. D. One of them, and the best known, 
the famous Aztecs, did not reach Anahuac with their 
unique and magnificent civilization until near the close 
of the twelfth century. Previously, however (1062 A. D.), 
the Toltec capital had been taken and its empire had 
fallen by the hands of the martial Chichimecs, their for- 
mer neighbors in the far north, who had followed them 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



23 



to their new home, and upon a son of whom, three and 
a half centuries before, as a peace offering, they had be- 
stowed the throne of the Toltec monarchy. The Toltecs 
now disappear from history, except as amalgamated with 
their conquerors, and as founding, by many of its fugi- 
tive noble families and in conjunction with Mayan ele- 
ments, the Quiche-Cakchiqual monarchy in Guatemala, 
which was flourishing with some grandeur and power so 
late as the time of Cortes. 

The migrations of the Toltecs from parts of the terri- 
tory now covered by the United States, are believed to 
have reached through about a thousand years. Apart 
from the exile of the princes and their allies, and very 
likely an exodus now and then compelled by their ene- 
mies -and ultimate conquerors, the Chichimecs, who, as 
we have seen, at last followed them to Mexico, the 
Mound Builders were undoubtedly, in the course of the 
ages, pressed upon, and finally the last of them — unless 
the Natchez and Mandan tribes, as some suppose, are to 
be considered connecting links between the Toltecs and 
the American Indians — driven out by the red men. The 
usual opening of the gateways in their works of defence, 
looking to the east and northeastward, indicates the di- 
rection from which these enemies were expected. They 
were, not improbably, the terrible Iroquois and their 
allies, the first really formidable Indians encountered by 
the French discoverers and explorers in "New France" in 
the seventeenth century. A silence as of the grave is 
upon the history of their wars, doubtless long and 
bloody, the savages meeting with skilled and determined 
resistance, but their ferocious and repeated attacks, con. 
tinned, mayhap, through several centuries, at last ex- 
pelling the more civilized people — 

"And the Mound Builders vanished from the eartli," 

unless, indeed, as the works of learned antiqua- 
ries assume* and as is assumed above, they afterwards 
appear in the Mexican story. Many of the remains of 
the defensive works at the South and across the land to- 
ward Mexico are of an unfinished type and pretty 
plainly indicate that the retreat of the Mound Builders 
was in that direction, and that it was hastened by the re- 
newed onslaughts of their fierce pursuers or by the dis- 
covery of a fair and distant land, to which they deter- 
mined to emigrate in the hope of secure and untroubled 
homes, t Professor Short, however, arguing from the 
lesser age of trees found upon the. southern works, is 
"led to think the Gulf coast may have been occupied bv 
the Mound Builders for a conple of centuries after they 
were driven by their enemies from the country north of' 
the mouths of the Missouri and Ohio rivers." He be- 
lieves two thousand years is time enough to allow for 
their total occupation of the country north of the Gulf 

* Wc have so far relied chiefly upon the very excellent and recent 
work from the pen of Professor John T. Short, of the State university at 
Columbus, Ohio, the latest and probably the best authority on "The 
North Americans of Antiquity" yet in print. Harper & Brothers, 
1880. Professor Short must not, however, be held responsible for all 
the statements, inferences, and conclusions set out in the foregoing 
paragraphs. 

fSee, further. Judge M. F. Force's interesting paper on the Builders, 
Cincinnati, rS72 and 1874. 



of Mexico, "though after all it is but conjecture." He 
adds: "It seems to us, however, that the time of aban- 
doninent of their works may be more closely approxi- 
mated. A thousand or two years may have elapsed 
since they vacated the Ohio valley, and a period em- 
bracing seven or eight centuries may have passed since 
they retired from the Gulf coast." The date to which 
the latter period carries us back, it will be observed, ap- 
proximates somewhat closely to that fixed by the Mexi- 
can annalists as the time of the last emigration of a 
people of Nahua stock from the northward. 

THE MOUND BUILDERS' EMPIRE. 

Here we base upon firmer ground. The extent and 
soinething of the character of this are known. They are 
tangible and practical realities. We stand upon the 
mounds, pace off the long lines of the enclosures, collect 
and handle and muse upon the long-buried relics now in 
our public and private museums. The domain of the 
Mound Builders is well-nigh coterminous with that of the 
Great Republic. Few States of the Union are wholly 
without the ancient monuments. Singular to say, how- 
ever, in view of the huge heaps and barrows of shells 
left by the aboriginal man along the^tlantic shore, there 
are no earth or stone mounds or enclosures of the older 
construction on that coast. Says Professor Short : 

No authentic remains of the Mound Builders are found in the New 
England States, ... In the former we have an isolated 
mound in the valley of the Kennebec, in Maine, and dim outlines of 
enclosures near Sanborn and Concord, in New Hampshire; but there is 
no certainty of their being the work of this"'people. .... 
Mr. Squier pronounces them to be purely the work of Red Indians. 
Colonel Whittlesey would assign these fort-like struc- 
tures the enclosures of western New York, and common upon the 
rivers discharging themselves into Lakes Erie and Ontario from the 
south, differing from the more southern enclosures, in that they 
were surrounded by trenches on their outside, while the latter uniformly 
have the trench on the inside of the enclosure, to a people anterior to 
the red Indian and perhaps contemporaneous with the Mound Builders, 
but distinct from either. The more reasonable view is that of Dr. Fos- 
ter, that they are the frontier works of the Mound Builders, adapted to 
the purposes of defence against the sudden irruptions of hostile tribes. 
It is probable that these defences belong to the last 
period of the Mound Builders' residence on the lakes, and were erected 
when the more warlike peoples of the north, who drove them from 
their cities, first made their appearance. 

The Builders quarried flint in many places, soapstone 
in Rhode Island and North Carolina, and in the latter 
State also the translucent mica found so widely dispersed 
in their burial mounds in association with the bones of 
the dead. They mined or made salt, and in the Upper 
Peninsula of Michigan they got out, with infinite labor, 
the copper, which was doubtless their most useful and 
valued metal. The Lower Peninsula of that State is 
rich in ancient remains, particularly in mounds of sepul- 
ture; and there are "garden beds" in the valleys of the 
St. Joseph and the Kalamazoo, in southwestern Michi- 
gan; but, "excepting ancient copper mines, no known 
works extend as far north as Lake Superior anywhere in 
the central region. Farther to the northwest, however, 
the works of the same people are comparatively numer- 
ous. Dr. Foster quotes a British Columbia newspaper, 
without giving either name or date, as authority for the 
discovery of a large number of mounds, seemingly the 



24 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



works of the same people who built further east and 
south. On the Butte prairies of Oregon, Wilkes and his 
exploring expedition discovered thousands of similar 
mounds." We condense further from Short ; 

All the way up the Yellowstone region and on the upper tributaries 
of the Missouri, mounds are found in profusion. . . . The 
Missouri valley seems to have been one of the most populous branehes 
of the widespread Mound Builder country. The valleys of its affluents, 
the Platte and Kansas rivers, also furnish evidence that these streams 
served as the channels into which flowed a part of the tide of popula- 
tion which either descended or ascended the Missouri. The Mississippi 
and Ohio River valleys, however, formed the great central arteries of the 
Mound Builder domain. In Wisconsin we find the northern central 
limit of their works: occasionally on the western shores of Lake Michi- 
gan, but in great numbers in the southern counties of the State, and es- 
pecially on the lower Wisconsin river. 

The remarkable similarity of one group of works, on a 
branch of Rock river in the south of this State, to some 
of the Mexican antiquities led to the christening of the 
adjacent village as Aztalan — which (or Aztlan), meaning 
whiteness, was a name of the "inost attractive land" 
somewhere north of Mexico and the sometime home of the 
Aztec and other Nahua nations. If rightly conjectured 
as the Mississippi valley, or some part of it, that country 
may well have included the site of the modern Aztalan. 

Across the Mississippi, in Minnesota and Iowa, the predominant type 
of circular tumuli prevails, extending throughout the latter State to 
Missouri. There are evidences that the Upper Missouri region was 
connected with that of the Upper Mississippi by settlements occupying 
the intervening country. Mounds are found even in the valley of the 
Red river of the north. . . . Descending to tlie interior, 

we find the heart of the Mound Builder country in Illinois, Indiana, 
and Ohio, It is uncertain A\hether its \'ital center was in southern Illi- 
nois or Ohio — probably the former, because of its geographical situa- 
tion with reference to the mouths of the Missouri and Ohio rivers. 
The site of St. Louis was formerly covered with 
mounds, one of which was thirty-five feet high, while in the American 
Bottom, on the Illinois side of the river, their number approximates two 
hundred. 

It is pretty well known, we believe, that St. Louis takes 
its fanciful title of "Mound City" from the former fact. 

The multitude of mound works which are scattered over the entire 
northeastern portion of Missouri indicate that the region was once in- 
habited by a population so numerous that in comparison its present 
occupants are only as the scattered pioneers of a new-settled coun- 
try. . . . The same sagacity which chose the neighbor- 
hood of St. Louis for these works, covered the site of Cincinnati with 
an extensive system of circumvallations and mounds. Almost the en- 
tire space now occupied by the city was utilized by the mysterious 
Builders in the construction of embankments and tumuli, built upon 
the most accurate geometrical principles, and evincing keen military 
foresight. . . . The vast number as well as magnitude of 
the works found in the .State of Ohio, have surprised the most care- 
less and indifferent observers. It is estimated by the most conservati\'e, 
and Messrs. Squier and Davis among them, that the number of tumuli 
in Ohio equals ten thousand, and the number of enclosures one thou- 
sand or one thousand five hundred. In Ross county alone one hun- 
dred enclosures and upwards of five hundred mounds have been exam- 
ined. The Alleghany mountains, the natural limit of the great 
Mississippi basin, appear to have served as the eastern and southeast- 
ern boundary of the Mound Builder country. In \vestern New York, 
western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and in all of Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee, their remains are numerous and in some instances imposing. In 
Tennessee, especially, the works of the Mound Builders are of the most 
interesting character. . . . Colonies of Mound Builders 

seem to have passed the great natural barrier into North Carolina and 
left remains in Marion county, while still others penetrated into South 
Carolina, and built on the Wateree river. 

Mounds in Mississippi also have been examined, with 
interestinsj; results. 



On the southern Mississippi, in the area embraced between the ter- 
mination of the Cumberland mountains, near Florence and Tuscumbia, 
in Alabama, and the mouth of Big Black river, this people left numer- 
ous works, inany of which were of a remarkable character. The whole 
region bordering on the tributaries of the Tombigbee, the country 
through which the Wolf river flows, and that watered by the Yazoo 
river and its affluents, was densely populated by the same people who 
built mounds in the Ohio valley. . . . The State of Louis- 
iana and the valleys of the Arkansas and Red rivers were not only the 
most thickly populated wing of the Mound Builder domain, but also 
furnish us with remains presenting affinities with the great works of 
Mexico so striking that no doubt can longer exist that the same people 
were the architects of both. . . . It is needless to discuss 
the fact that the works of the Mound Builders exist in considerable 
numbers in Texas, extending across the Rio Grande into Mexico, es- 
tablishing an unmistakable relationship as well as actual imion between 
the truncated pyramids of the Mississippi valley and the Tocalli of 
Mexico, and the countries further south. 

Such, in a general way, was the geographical dis- 
tribution of the Mound Builders within and near the ter- 
ritory now occupied by the United States. 

THE WORKS. 

They are — such of them as are left to our day — gener- 
ally of earth, occasionally of stone, and more rarely of 
earth and stone intermixed. Dried bricks, in some ins- 
tances, are found in the walls and angles of the best 
pyramids of the Lower Mississippi valley. Often, especi- 
ally for the works devoted to religious purposes, the earth 
has not been taken from the surrounding soil, but has 
been transported from a distance, probably from some 
locality regarded as sacred. They are further divided 
into enclosures and mounds or tumuli. The classifica- 
tion of these by Squier & Davis, in their great work on 
"The Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," 
published by the Smithsonian Institution thirty-two years 
ago, has not yet been superseded. It is as follows: 

I. Enclosures — For Defence, Sacred, Miscellaneous. 

11. Mounds — Of Sacrifice, or Temple-Sites, of Sep- 
ulture, of Observation. 

To these may properly be added the Animal or Efifigy 
(emblematic or symbolical) Mounds, and some would 
add Mounds for Residence. The Garden-Beds, if true 
remains of the Builders, may also be considered a sepa- 
rate class; likewise mines and roads, and there is some 
reason to believe that canals may be added. 

In the treatment of these classes, briefly, we shall fol- 
low in places the chapter on this subject in our History 
of Franklin and Pickaway counties, Ohio. 

I. Enclosures for Defence. A large and interest- 
ing class of the works is of such a nature that the object 
for which they were thrown up is unmistakable. The 
"forts," as they are popularly called, are found through- 
out the length and breadth of the Mississippi valley, 
from the AUeghanies to the Rocky mountains. The 
rivers of this vast basin have worn their valleys deep in 
the original plain, leaving broad terraces leading like 
gigantic steps up to the general level of the country. 
The sides of the terraces are often steep and difficult of 
access, and sometimes quite inaccessible. Such locations 
would naturally be selected as the site of defensive works, 
and there, as a matter of fact, the strong and complica- 
ted embankments of the Mound Builders are found. 
The points have evidently been chosen with great care, 
and are such as would, in most cases, be approved by 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



25 



modern military engineers. They are usually on the 
higher ground, and are seldom commanded from posi- 
tions sufficiently near to make them untenable through 
the use of the short-range weapons of the Builders, and, 
while rugged and steep on some of their sides, have 
one or more points of easy approach, in the protection of 
which great skill and labor seem to have been expended. 
They are never found, nor, in general, any other remains 
of the Builders, upon the lowest or latest-formed river 
terraces or bottoms. They are of irregular shape, con- 
forming to the nature of the ground, and are often 
strengthened by extensive ditches. The usual defence is 
a simple embankment thrown up along and a little below 
the brow of the hill, varying in height and thickness ac- 
cording to the defensive advantage given by the natural 
declivity. "The walls generally wind around the borders 
of the elevations they occupy, and when the nature of 
the ground renders some points more accessible than 
others, the height of the wall and the depth of the ditch 
at those weak points are proportionally increased. The 
gateways are narrow and few in number, and well 
guarded by embankments of earth placed a few yards in- 
side of the openings or gateways and parallel with them, 
and projecting somewhat beyond them at each end, thus 
fully covering the entrances, which, in some cases, are 
still further protected by projecting walls on either side 
of them. These works are somewhat numerous, and in- 
dicate a clear appreciation of the elements, at least, of 
fortification, and unmistakably point out the purpose for 
which they were constructed. A large number of these 
defensive works consist of a line of ditch and embank- 
ments, or several lines carried across the neck of penin- 
sulas or bluff headlands, formed within the bends of 
streams — an easy and obvious mode of fortification, com- 
mon to all rude peoples."* Upon the side where a pe- 
ninsula or promontory merges into the mainland of the 
terrace or plateau, the enclosure is usually guarded by 
double or overlapping walls, or a series of them, having 
sometimes an accompanying mound, probably designed, 
like many of the mounds apart from the enclosures, as a 
lookout station, corresponding in this respect to the bar- 
bican of our British ancestors in the Middle Ages. As 
natural strongholds the positions they occupy could 
hardly be excelled, and the labor and skill expended to 
strengthen them artificially rarely fail to awake the admi- 
ration and surprise the student of our antiquities. Some 
of the works are enclosed by miles of embankment still 
ten to fifteen feet high, as measured from the bottom of 
the ditch. In some cases the number of openings in the 
walls is so large as to lead to the conclusion that certain 
of them were not used as gateways, but were occupied by 
bastions or block-houses long ago decayed. This is a 
marked peculiarity of the great work known as "Fort 
Ancient," on the Little Miami river and railroad, in War- 
ren county. Some of the forts have very large or smaller 
"dug-holes" inside, seemingly designed as reservoirs for 
use in a state of siege. Occasionally parallel earth-walls, 
of lower height than the embankments of the main work, 

* American Cyclopcedia, article "American Antiquities." 



called "covered ways," are found adjacent to enclosures, 
and at times connecting separate works, and seeming to 
be intended for the protection of those passing to and 
fro within them. These are considered by some antiqua- 
ries, however, as belonging to the sacred enclosures. 

This class of works abound in Ohio. Squier and 
Davis express the opinion that "there seems to have 
been a system of defences extending from the sources of 
the Susquehanna and Alleghany, in western New York, 
diagonally across the country through central and north- 
ern Ohio to the Wabash. Within this range the works 
that are regarded as defensive are largest and most nu- 
merous." The most notable, however, of the works 
usually assigned to this class in this State is in southern 
Ohio, and not very far from the boundaries of Hamilton 
county, being only forty-two miles northeast of Cincin- 
nati. It is the "Fort Ancient" already mentioned. This 
is situated upon a terrace on the left bank of the river, 
two hundred and thirty feet above the Little Miami, and 
occupies a peninsula defended by two ravines, while the 
river itself, with a high, precipitous bank, defends the 
western side. The walls are between four and five miles 
long, and ten to twenty feet high, according to the natural 
strength of the line to be protected. A resemblance has 
been traced in the walls of the lower enclosure "to the 
form of two massive serpents, which are apparently con- 
tending with one another. Their heads are the mounds, 
which are separated from the bodies by the opening, 
which resembles a ring around the neck. They bend in 
and out, and rise and fall, and appear like two massive 
green serpents rolling along the summit of this high hill. 
Their appearance under the overhanging forest trees is 
very impressive."* Others have found a resemblance in 
the form of the whole work to a rude outline of the con- 
tinent of North and South America. 

Another fortified eminence, enclosing sixteen and three- 
tenths acres, is found in the present Butler county, once 
within the old county of Hamilton. The entrance to 
this enclosure is guarded by a complicated system of 
covered ways. Another, and a very remarkable work, as 
having walls of stone, constructed in their place at the 
top of a steep and lofty hill with infinite toil and difficulty, 
is near the village of Bourneville, Ross county, on Spruce 
hill, a height commanding the beautiful valley of Paint 
creek. The wall is two and a quarter miles long, and 
encloses one hundred and forty acres, in the center of 
which was an artificial lake. Many enclosures of the 
kind have been surveyed and described in other counties 
of the State. 

II. Sacred Enclosures. — Regularity of form is the 
characteristic of these. They are not, however, of inva- 
riable shape, but are found in various geometrical figures, 
as circles, squares, hexagons, octagons, ellipses, parallelo- 
grams, and others, either singly or in combination. How- 
ever large, they were laid out with astounding accuracy, 
and show that the Builders had some scientific knowl- 
edge, a scale of measurement, and the means of com- 
puting areas and determining angles. They are often in 

'Rev. S, D. Peet, in the American Antiquarian for April, 1878. 



26 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



groups, but also often isolated. Most of them are of 
small size, two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet 
in diameter, with one gateway usually opening to the east, 
as if for the worship of the sun, and the ditch invariably 
on the inside. These are frequently inside enclosures of 
a different character, particularly military works. A sac- 
rificial mound was commonly erected in the center of 
them. The larger circles are oftenest found in connec- 
tion with squares; some of them embrace as many as fifty 
acres. They seldom have a ditch, but when they do, it 
is inside the wall. .The rectangular works with which 
they are combined are believed never to have a ditch. 
In this State a combined work of a square with two 
circles is often found, usually agreeing in this remarkable 
fact, that each side of the rectangle measures exactly one 
thousand and eighty feet, and the circles respectively are 
seventeen hundred and eight hundred feet in diameter. 
The frequency and wide prevalence of this uniformity 
demonstrate that it could not have been accidental. The 
square enclosures almost invariably have eight gateways 
at the angles and midway between, upon each side, all 
of which are covered or defended by small mounds. 
The parallels before mentioned are sometimes found in 
connection with this class of works. From the Hope- 
town work, near Chillicothe, a "covered way" led to the 
Scioto river, many hundred feet distant. 

More of the enclosures left by the Mound Builders are 
believed to belong to this class than to the class of de- 
fensive works. They especially abound in Ohio. The 
finest ancient works in the State— those near Newark, 
Licking county-^are undoubtedly of this kind. They are 

rather were — twelve miles in total length of wall, and 

enclose a tract of two miles square. The system of em- 
bankment is intricate as well as extensive, and encloses a 
number of singular mounds — one of them in the shape of 
an enormous bird track, the middle toe one hundred and 
fifty-five feet, and each of the other toes one hundred and 
ten feet in length. A superb work, representing the combi- 
nation of a square with two circles, of the dimensions pre- 
viously stated, exists in Liberty township, Ross county, a 
few miles from Chillicothe. A work in Pike county con- 
sists of a circle enclosing a square, each of the four cor- 
ners of which touches the circle, the gateway of the circle 
being opposite the opening in the square. Several com- 
binations of the square and the circle appear in the Hope- 
town works, four miles north of Chillicothe. Circleville 
derives its name from the principal ancient work — a cir- 
cle and a square — which formerly stood upon its site. 
Many other remains of the kind are familiarly known in 
Ross and Pike, Franklin, Athens, Licking, Montgomery, 
Butler, and other counties. 

III. Miscellaneous Enclosures. — The difficulty of 
referring many of the smaller circular works, thirty to 
fifty feet in diameter, found in close proximity to large 
works, to previous classes, has prompted the suggestion that 
they were the foundations of lodges or habitations of chiefs, 
priests, or other prominent personages among the Build- 
ers. In one case within the writer's observation, a rough 
stone foundation about four rods square was found iso- 
lated from any other work, near the Scioto river, in the 



south part of Ross county. At the other extreme of size, 
the largest and most complex of the works, as those at 
Newark, are thought to have served, in part at least, other 
than religious purposes — that they may, besides furnishing 
spaces for sacrifice and worship, have included also arenas 
for games and marriage celebrations and other festivals, 
the places of general assembly for the tribe or village, 
the encampment or more permanent residences of the 
priesthood and chiefs. Mr. Isaac Smucker, a learned 
antiquary of Newark, to whom we are indebted for im- 
portant facts presented in this chapter, says : 

Some archseologists maintain that many works called Sacred Enclo- 
sures were erected for and used as places of amusement, where our 
predecessors of pre-historic times practiced their national games and 
celebrated their great national events ; where they held their national 
festivals and indulged in their national jubilees, as well as performed 
the ceremonials of their religion. And it may be that those (and there 
are many such) within which no central elevation or altar occurs, were 
erected for the purposes last named, and not exclusively (if at all) for 
purposes connected with their religion, and are therefore erroneously 
called Sacred Enclosures. Other ancient peoples, if indeed not all the 
nations of antiquity, have had their national games, amusements, fes- 
tivals, and jubilees ; and why not the Mound Builders, too? Notably 
in this regard the ancient Greeks may be named, with whom, during 
the period known as the "lyrical age of Greece," the Olympic, the 
Pythian, the Nemean, and the Isthmian games became national festi- 
vals. And without doubt the Mound Builders, too, had their national 
games, amusements, festivals, and jubilees, and congregated within 
their enclosures to practice, celebrate, and enjoy them. 

IV. Mounds of Sacrifice. — These have several dis- 
tinct characteristics. In height they seldom exceed eight 
feet. They occur only within or near the enclosures, 
commonly considered as the sacred places of the Build- 
ers, and are usually stratified in convex layers of clay or 
loam alternating above a layer of fine sand. Beneath 
the strata, and upon the original surface of the earth at 
the center of the mound, are usually symmetricaly formed 
altars of stone or burnt clay, evidently brought from a 
distance. Upon them are found various remains, all of 
which exhibit signs of the action of fire, and some which 
have excited the suspicion that the Builders practiced the 
horrid rite of human sacrifice. Not only calcined bones, 
but naturally ashes, charcoal, and igneous stones are found 
with them; also beads, stone implements, simple sculp- 
tures, and pottery. The remains are often in such a con- 
dition as to indicate that the altars had been covered 
before the fires upon them were fully extinguished. Skele- 
tons are occasionally found in this class of mounds; 
though these may have been " intrusive burials" made 
after the construction of the works and contrary to their 
original intention. Though symmetrical, the altars are 
by no means uniform in shape or size. Some are round, 
some elliptical, others square or parallelograms. In size 
they vary from two to fifty feet in length, and are of pro- 
portional width and height, the commoner dimensions be- 
ing five to eight feet. 

V. Temple Mounds are not so numerous. In this 
State it is believed they were only at Marietta, Newark, 
Portsmouth, and about Chillicothe. They are generally 
larger than the altar and burial mounds, and are more 
frequently circular or oval, though sometimes found in 
other shapes. The commonest shape is that of a trun- 
cated cone; and, in whatever form a mound of this class 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



27 



may be, it always has a flattened or level top, giving it an 
unfinished look. Some are called platforms, from their 
large area and slight elevation. They are, indeed, almost 
always of large base and comparatively small height. 
Often, as might reasonably be expected, they are within 
a sacred enclosure, and some are terraced or have spiral 
ascents or graded inclines to their summits. They take 
their name from the probable fact that upon their flat tops 
were reared structures of wood, the temples or " high 
places" of this people, which decayed and disappeared 
ages ago. In many cases in the northern States these 
must have been small, from the smallness of their sites 
upon the mounds; but as they are followed southward 
they are seen, as might be expected, to increase gradual- 
ly and approximate more closely to perfect construction, 
until they end in the great teocallis ("houses of God"). 
One remarkable platform of this kind in Whitley county, 
Kentucky, is three hundred and sixty feet long by one 
hundred and fifty wide and twelve high, with graded as- 
cents; and another, at Hopkinsville, is so large that the 
county court house is built upon it. The great mound 
at Cahokia, Missouri, is of this class. Its truncated top 
measured two hundred by four hundred and fifty-two feet. 
VI. Burial Mounds furnish by far the most numer- 
ous class of tumuli. The largest mounds in the coun- 
try are generally of this kind. The greatest of all, the 
famous mound at Grave creek, Virginia, is seventy-five 
feet high, and has a circumference at the base of about 
one thousand. In solid contents it is nearly equal to 
the third pyramid of Mykerinus, in Egypt. The huge 
mound on the banks of the Great Miami, twelve miles 
below Dayton, has a hight of sixty-eight feet. Many of 
the burial mounds are six feet or less in height, but the 
average height as deduced from wide observation of them, 
is stated as about twenty feet. They are usually of con- 
ical form. It is conjectured that the size of these mounds 
has an immediate relation to the former importance of 
the personage or family buried in them. Only three 
skeletons have so far been found in the mighty Grave 
Creek mound. Except in rare cases, they contain but one 
skeleton, unless by "intrusive" or later burial, as by In- 
dians, who frequently used the ancient mounds for pur- 
poses of sepulture. One Ohio mound, however — that 
opened by Professor Marsh, of Yale college, in Licking 
county — contained seventeen skeletons; and another, in 
Hardin county, included three hundred. But these are 
exceptional instances. Calcined human bones in some 
burial mounds at the North with charcoal and ashes in 
close proximity, show that cremation was occasionally 
practiced, or that fire was used in the funeral ceremonies; 
and "urn burial" prevailed considerably in the southren 
States. At times a rude chamber or cist of stone or tim- 
ber contained the remains. In the latter case the more 
fragile material has generally disappeared, but casts of it 
in the earth are still observable. The stone cists furnish 
some of the most interesting relics found in the mounds. 
They are, in rare cases, very large, and contain several 
bodies, with various relics. They are like large stone 
boxes, made of several flat stones, joined without cement 
or fastening. Similar, but much smaller, are the stone 



coffins found in large number in Illinois and near Nash- 
ville, Tennessee. They are generally occupied by single 
bodies. In other cases, as in recent discoveries near 
Portsmouth and elsewhere in Ohio, the slabs are arranged 
slanting upon each other in the shape of a triangle, and 
having, of course, a triangular vault in the interior. In 
Ihe Cumberland mountains heaps of loose stones are 
found over skeletons, but these stone mounds are proba- 
bly of Indian origin, and so comparatively modern. Im- 
plements, weapons, ornaments, and various remains of 
art, as in the later Indian custom, were buried with the 
dead. Mica is often found with the skeletons, with pre- 
cisely what meaning is not yet ascertained; also pottery, 
beads of bone, copper, and even glass — indicating, some 
think, commercial intercourse with Europe — and other 
articles in great variety, are present. 

Tiiere is also, probably, a sub-class of mounds that 
may be mentioned in this connection — the Memorial or 
Monumental mounds, thrown up, it is conjectured, to 
perpetuate the celebrity of some important event or in 
honor of some eminent personage. They are usually of 
earth, but occasionally, in this State at least, of stone. 

VII. Signal Mounds, or Mounds of Observation. 
This is a numerous and very interesting and important 
class of the works. Colonel Anderson, of Circleville, 
thinks he has demonstrated by actual survey, made at his 
own expense, the existence of a regular chain or system 
of these lookouts through the Scioto valley, from which, 
by signal fires, intelligence might be rapidly flashed over 
long distances. About twenty such mounds occur be- 
tween Columbus and Chillicothe, on the eastern side of 
the Scioto. In Hamilton county a chain of mounds, 
doubtless devoted to such purpose, can be traced from 
the primitive site of Cincinnati to the "old fort," near 
the mouth of the Great Miami. Along both the Miamis 
numbers of small mounds on the projecting headlands 
and on heights in the interior are indubitably signal 
mounds. 

Judge Force says: "By the mound at Norwood signals 
could be passed from the valley of Mill creek to the 
Little Miami valley, near Newtown, and I believe to the 
valley of the Great Miami near Hamilton." 

Like the defensive works already described as part of 
the military system of the Builders, the positions of these 
works were chosen with excellent judgment. They vary 
in size, according to the height of the natural eminences 
upon which they are placed. Many still bear the marks 
of intense heat upon their summits, results of the long- 
extinct beacon fires. Sometimes they are found in con- 
nection with the embankments and enclosures, as an en- 
larged and elevated part of the walls. One of these, near 
Newark, though considerably reduced, retains a height 
of twenty-five feet. The huge mound at Miamisburgh, 
mentioned as a burial mound, very likely was used also 
as a part of the chain of signal mounds from above Day- 
ton to the Cincinnati plain and the Kentucky bluff 
beyond. 

VIII. Effigy or Animal Mounds appear principally 
in Wisconsin, on the level surface of the prairie. They 
are of very low height — one to six feet — but are other- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



wise often very large, extended figures of men, beasts, 
birds, or reptiles, and in a very few cases of inanimate 
things. In this State there are three enormous, remark- 
able earthwork effigies — the "Eagle mound" in the cen- 
ter of a thirty-acre enclosure near Newark, and supposed 
to represent an eagle on the wing; the "Alligator mound," 
also in Licking county, two hundred and five feet long; 
and the famous "Great Serpent," on Brush creek, in 
Adams county, which has a length of seven hundred feet, 
the tail in a triple coil, with a large mound, supposed to 
represent an egg, between the jaws of the figure. By 
some writers these mounds are held to be symbolical, 
and connected with the religion of the Builders. Mr. 
Schoolcraft, however, calls them "emblematic," and says 
they represent the totems or heraldic symbols of the 
Builder tribes. 

IX. Garden Beds. — In Wisconsin, in Missouri, and 
in parts of Michigan, and to some extent elsewhere, is 
found a class of simple works presumed to be ancient. 
They are merely ridges or beds left by the cultivation of 
the soil, about six inches high and four feet wide, regu- 
larly arranged in parallel rows, at times rectangular, other- 
wise of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and 
in fields of ten to a hundred acres. Where they occur 
near the animal mounds, they are in some cases carried 
across the latter, which would seem to indicate, if the 

■ same people executed both works, that no sacred charac- 
ter attached to the effigies. 

X. Mines. — These, as worked by the Builders, have 
not yet been found in many different regions; but in the 
Lake Superior copper region their works of this kind are 
numerous and extensive. In the Ontonagon country 
their mining traces abound for thirty miles. Colonel 
Whittlesey estimates that they removed metal from this 
region equivalent to a length of one hundred and fifty 
feet in veins of varying thickness. Some of their opera- 
tions approached the stupendous. No other remains of 
theirs are found in the Upper Peninsula; and there is no 
probability that they occupied the region for other than 
temporary purposes. 

THE CONTENTS OF THE MOUNDS. 

Besides the human remains which have received 
sufficient treatment for this article under the head of 
Burial mounds, and the altars noticed under Mounds of 
Sacrifice, the contents of the work of the Mound Builders 
are mostly small, and many of them unimportant. They 
have been classified by Dr. Rau, the archteologist of the 
Smithsonian Institution, according to the material of 
which they are wrought, as follows: 

I. Stone. — This is the most numerous class of relics 
They were fashioned by chipping, grinding, or polishing" 
and include rude pieces, flakes, and cores, as well as fin. 
ished and more or less nearly finished articles. In the 
first list are arrow and spear-heads, perforators, scrapers, 
cutting and sawing tools, dagger-shaped implements, 
large implements supposed to have been used in digging 
the ground, and wedge or celt-shaped tools and weapons. 
The ground and polished specimens, more defined in 
form, comprise wedges or celts, chisels, gouges, adzes 



and grooved axes, hammers, drilled ceremonial weapons, 
cutting tools, scraper and spade-like implements, pen- 
dants and sinkers, discoidal stones and kindred objects, 
pierced tablets and boat-shaped articles, stones used in 
grinding and polishing, vessels, mortars, pestles, tubes, 
pipes, ornaments, sculptures, and engraved stones or tab- 
lets. Fragmentary plates of mica or isinglass may be 
included under this head. 

2. Copper. — These are either weapons and tools or 
ornaments, produced, it would seem, by hammering 
pieces of native copper into the required shape. 

3. Bone and Horn. — Perforators, harpoon-heads, fish- 
hooks, cups, whistles, drilled teeth, etc. 

4. Shell. — Either utensils and tools, as drinking-cups, 
spoons, fish-hooks, celts, etc., or ornaments, comprising 
various kinds of gorgets, pendants, and beads. 

5. Ceramic Fabrics. — Pottery, pipes, human and ani- 
mal figures, and vessels in great variety. 

6. Wood. — The objects of early date formed of this 
material are now very few, owing to its perishable char- 
acter. 

To these may be added : 

7. Gold and Silver. — In a recent find in a stonecist 
at Warrensburgh, Missouri, a pottery vase or jar was 
found, which had a silver as well as a copper band about 
it. Other instances of the kind are on record, and a 
gold ornament in the shape of a woodpecker's head has 
been taken from a mound in Florida. 

8. Textile Fabrics. — A few fragments of coarse 
cloth or matting have survived the destroying tooth of 
time, and some specimens, so far as the texture is con- 
cerned, have been very well preserved by the salts of 
copper, when used to enwrap articles shaped from that 
metal. 

the mound builders' civilization. 

This theme has furnished a vast field for speculation, 
and the theorists have pushed into a wilderness of vis- 
ionary conjectures. Some inferences, however, may be 
regarded as tolerably certain. The number and magni- 
tude of their works, and their extensive range and uni- 
formity, says the American Cyclopaedia, prove that the 
Mound Builders were essentially homogeneous in cus- 
toms, habits, religion, and government. The general 
features common to all their remains identify them as 
appertaining to a single grand system, owing its origin to 
men moving in the same direction, acting under com- 
mon impulses, and influenced by similar causes. Pro- 
fessor Short, in his invaluable work, thinks that, however 
writers may differ, these conclusions may be safely ac- 
cepted: That they came into the country in compara- 
tively small numbers at first (if they were not Autoch- 
thones, and there is no substantial proof that the Mound 
Builders were such), and, during their residence in the 
territory occupied by the United States, they became 
extremely populous. Their settlements were widespread, 
as the extent of their remains indicates. The magnitude 
of their works, some of which approximate the propor- 
tions of Egyptian pyramids, testify to the architectural 
talent of the people and the fact that they developed a 
system of government controlling the labor of multitudes. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO, 



29 



whether of subjects or slaves. They were an agricultural 
people, as the extensive ancient garden-beds found in 
Wisconsin and Missouri indicate. Their manufactures 
offer proof that they had attained a respectable de- 
gree of advancement and show that they understood the 
advantages of the division of labor. Their domestic 
utensils, the cloth of which they made their clothing, and 
the artistic vessels met with everywhere in the mounds, 
point to the development of home culture and domestic 
industry. There is no reason for believing that the peo- 
ple who wrought stone and clay into perfect effigies of 
animals have not left us sculptures of their own faces in 
the images exhumed from the mounds. They mined cop- 
per, which they wrought into implements of war, into or- 
naments and articles for domestic use. They quarried 
mica for mirrors and other purposes. They furthermore 
worked flint and salt mines. They probably possessed 
some astronomical knowledge, though to what extent is 
unknown. Their trade, as Dr. Rau has shown, was 
widespread, extending probably from Lake Superior to 
the Gulf, and possibly to Mexico. They constructed 
canals, by which lake systems were united, a fact 
which Mr. Conant has recently shown to be well es- 
tablished in Missouri. Their defences were numer- 
ous and constructed with reference to strategic prin- 
ciples, while their system of signals placed on lofty 
their settlements, and communicating with the great 
water courses at immense summits, visible from dis- 
tances, rivaled the signal systems in use at the begin- 
ning of the present century. Their religion seems to 
have been attended with the same ceremonies in all 
parts of their domain. That its rites were celebrated 
with great demonstrations is certain. The sun and moon 
were probably the all-important deities to which sacri- 
fices (possibly human) were offered. We have already 
alluded to the development in architecture and art which 
marked the possible transition of this people from north 
to south. Here we see but the rude beginnings of a 
civilization which no doubt subsequently unfolded in its 
fuller glory in the valley of Anahuac and, spreading 
southward, engrafted new life upon the wreck of Xibalba. 
Though there is no evidence that the Mound Builders 
were indigenous, we must admit that their civilization 
was putely such, the natural product of climate and the 
condition surrounding them.* 

THE BUILDERS IN HAMILTON COUNTY. 

Very brief notice of them will be made here, anything 
like detailed description being reserved for the special 
histories to come later in this work. Reference has been 
made above to the extensive signal system in the Miami 
country, and to numerous works upon the present site of 
Cincinnati. Elsewhere in the county the Builders have 
left frequent remains. They abound in Columbia, An- 
derson, and Spencer townships, and are found all along 
the Little Miami valley from below Newtown to points 
above Milford. On the other side of the county, in the 
valley of the Great Miami, they are found numerously at 
the mouth of the stream, about Cleves, and for miles 

* The Americans of Antiquity, pp. 96-100. 



along the banks above and below Colerain. Near this 
place, about one mile south of the county Hne, is the cel- 
ebrated enclosure known as "the Colerain works," sur- 
rounding a tract of about ninety-five acres. Judge Force 
thinks there was a strong line of fortifications along the 
Great Miami, from the mouth to Piqua, with advanced 
works near Oxford and Eaton, and with a massive work 
in rear of this line, at Fort Ancient. In the interior of 
Hamilton they apiiear at Norwood, Sharon, in Springfield 
township, and elsewhere to some extent. This region 
was undoubtedly one of the densest centers of popula- 
tion. We shall view some of their works more closely 
before this volume is closed. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE OHIO INDIANS. 

' ' Tlien a darker, drearier vision 
Passed before me, vague and cloudlilie; 
I beheld our nations scattered. 
All forgetful of my counsels. 
Weakened, warring with each other; 
Saw the remnants of our people 
Sweeping westward, wild and woful, 
Like the cloud-rack of a tem^^est. 
Like the withered leaves of autumn. " 

H. W. Longfellow, "Hiawatha." 

After the Mound Builder came the red man. For un- 
told centuries his history is a blank. Whence he came, 
how he spread over the continent, what his earlier num- 
bers, supplies material for the philosophic historian. 
The literature of past ages is silent concerning these 
things; the voice of tradition is almost equally reticent. 
It seems quite certain, however, notwithstanding some 
speculations to the contrary, that no other race inter- 
vened between the mysterious people of the mounds and 
the savages whom Columbus and other discoverers found 
upon our soil. By the red men — fewer in numbers, 
doubtless, but fiercer, braver, and more persistent than 
their antagonists — the Builders were driven out and 
pushed to the southwest, hosts of warriors on both sides 
perishing in the protracted struggle. As Halleck says: 

"What tales, if there be tongues in trees. 
These giant oaks could tell 
Of beings born and buried here!" 

The new race was vastly inferior to the older. It was 
more a nomadic people. Villages and other permanent 
habitations seldom contained, through the course of 
many generations, the same tribes. They were not 
given, except to a very limited extent, to the tillage of 
the soil. War and the chase were their chief occupa- 
tions, and the products of the latter, with spontaneous 
yields from the forest and stream, furnished the simple 
necessaries of their lives. Change for the worse as it 
was, apparently, in the population of this part of North 
America, it was doubtless in the order of Divine Provi- 
dence, that the land-might, by and by, be the more easily 
and advantageously occupied by the white man, who 



3° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



would come to fill it again with busy life and to dot its 
surface with the monuments of a civilization to which 
the wildest dreams of his predecessors never reached. 

THE IROQUOIS AND THE ERIES. 

(,. The light of history begins to dawn upon the Indians 
of Ohio during the latter part of the seventeenth cen- 
tury. As early as 1609 the explorer, Champlain, made 
mention of the Iroquois, who then dwelt about the 
eastern end of Lake Ontario. In 1683 La Hontan 
names thgm again and says' they are "in five cantons, 
not unlike those of the Swisses. Though these cantons 
are all one nation, and united in one joint interest, yet 
they go by different names, viz. : The Sonontouans [Sen- 
ecas], the Goyagoans [Cayugas], the Onnatagues [Onon- 
dagas], the Ononyonts [Oneidas], and the Aguies [Mo- 
hawks]." The Five afterwards became the famous "Six 
Nations," and are sometimes mentioned as seven. These 
formed one of the three great divisions of the Indian 
tribes east of the Mississippi — the Huron-Iroquois, the 
Algonquins, and Mobilians, dwelling respectively, it may 
be stated in a general way, on the great lakes, the Ohio 
river, and the Gulf of Mexico. The second of these 
families, though perhaps not the most powerful in war, 
the first seemingly holding the supremacy, was by far the 
most numerous and widespread. Their habitat is de- 
scribed as "originally reaching from Lake Superior to the 
mouth of the St. Lawrence, and from the west of Maine to 
Pamlico sound along the Atlantic coast, and from the Ro- 
anoke river to the headwaters of the Ohio and westward 
to the mouth of the river, and from that point, including 
all south and west of Lake Erie, to Lake Superior again, 
leaving the Iroquois on Lake Ontario like an island in 
the midst of a great sea."* To this stock belonged most 
of the Ohio tribes ; but to their neighbors, east and 
west, the Iroquois and the Hurons, were allied in blood 
the ill-fated Filians, or Fries, the first of all western tribes 
to be observed and mentioned by the French explorers. 
They are first designated by the former name on Cham- 
plain's map, published in 1680; are again so named on 
the map of Richard Blome three years later; and so gen- 
erally on the old maps until 1735. Long before this, 
however, they are supposed to have been driven out, ex- 
terminated, or amalgamated with other tribes. Blome, in 
1683, places the "Senneks," or Senecas, one of the Five 
Nations of the Iroqouis, among the Fries on the south 
of the lake to which the latter gave the name; and that 
probably is the tribe into which the Fries ultimately 
merged. Charlevoix, in 1744, puts their later tribal 
designation upon his map near the east end of Lake 
Frie (they had been located upon a map of 1703 near 
the west end), but adds the remark: "The Fries were 
destroyed by the Iroquois about one hundred years ago." 
Also, upon a map prepared by John Hutchins and pub- 
lished in 175s, where the tribe is assigned a former terri- 
tory stretching along the whole south shore of Lake Erie, 
this note appears: "The antient Fries were extirpated 
upwards of one hundred years ago by the Iroquois, ever 
since which time they [the Iroquois] have been in posses^ 

*Rev. S. D. Peet. in The Ainerican Antiqiuirian, Vol. I.. No. 2. 



sion of Lake Erie." Mitchell's map of the same year 
supplies an interesting note: "The Six Nations have ex- 
tended their territories to the river Illinois ever since the 
year 1672, when they were subdued and incorporated 
with the antient Chaouanons, the native proprietors of 
these countries and the river Ohio. . . . The 

Ohio Indians are a mixt tribe of the several Indians 
of our colonies, settled here under the Six Nations, who 
have allwaies been in Alliance and subjection to the 
English." The territory of these renowned conquerors 
appears upon the rriaps as early as 1722 as a geographical 
district or political division named "Iroquois." It ex- 
tended from Montreal to the Susquehanna, thence to the 
west end of Lake Erie, north to Lake Huron, and east 
to Montreal again — thus including about half of the 
present territory of Ohio. In the maps of 1755 the Iro- 
quois' tract is extended to the Mississippi, and includes 
everything between that river and Lake Ontario, the Ohio, 
and the great lakes. One map divides "the country of 
the confederate Indians," now enlarged from five to 
seven nations, into their "place of residence," New York;, 
their "deer-hunting country" (Tunasonruntic), which 
was Ohio; and their "beaver-hunting countries," or 
Canada. 

Nearly, then, to the period of exploration in the Ohio 
country, the Eries dwelt here; and fragments of their 
tribe probably remained when the first white men came, 
dwelling amid their conquerors, but not to be identified 
as separate from them. The indications, from traditions 
and the maps, which furnish the only data we have con- 
cerning them, are that the Eries only occupied the lands 
east of the Cuyahoga and south of the lake; while that 
west of the river was held by a kindred tribe, the Wyan- 
dots or Hurons. The later of the two classes of earth- 
works found in northern Ohio are assigned by some in- 
quirers to the Eries, to whom many of the burial places 
and skeletons found in this region undoubtedly belong. 
The Indian names of streams, as well as that of the great 
lake to the northward, are supposed to have been given 
by them. 

THE WYANDOTS, OR HURONS. 

After the middle of the last century, knowledge con- 
cerning the Indians of Ohio was rapidly multiplied. 
Traders and explorers began, a little before that time, to 
contribute information about the tribes among whom they 
journeyed or traded; and Colonel Bouquet's expedition 
in 1764, to the Indian valleys on the Tuscarawas and 
Muskingum rivers, offered more definite, detailed, and 
authentic knowledge than had been accessible to that 
time. Among the tribes thus early reported, one of the 
most important was the Wyandots,'br Hurons, as they 
were called by the French. This was a branch of the 
great Iroquois family, but had been warred upon by their 
red kindred, driven from their homes on the lake whose 
name perpetuates their memory, pushed to the northwest, 
into Michigan and Wisconsin, among the Ottawas and 
other tribes. Here, however, they encountered an un- 
friendly wing of the Dakota family, from the west of the 
Mississippi, and were by them hunted again southeastward. 
They finally appear upon the maps as located in northern 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



31 



and western Ohio, west of the Cuyahoga river, "assigned 
to this territory," says Evans' map of 1755, "by express 
leave of the Iroquqis." They held from the lake south- 
ward to the headwaters of the Scioto and the Miamis, 
and in some places below. They had villages even 
upon the site of Columbus and elsewhere in the present 
Franklin county. They were also mingled with the Del- 
awares of southeastern Ohio. Although so often over- 
powered, they were still a martial people, and never sur- 
rendered themselves prisoners. General Harrison said 
of the Wyandot : " He was trained to die for the inter- 
est or honor of his tribe, and to consider submission to 
an enemy the lowest degradation." Their grand sachem 
during the early white occupancy of the State, Tahre, or 
the Crane, was undoubtedly a distinguished example of 
the finer sort of American Indian. The Wyandots held 
their lands in Ohio for a long time, subject to the Iro- 
quois, without claiming proprietorship; and their name 
appears on none of the treaties with the English or the 
United States until after 1784. 

THE DELAWARES. 

These claimed to be the elder branch of the Lenni- 
Lenape tribes, and called themselves the "grandfathers " 
of the kindred nations, while recognizing the superiority 
of the Wyandots. This claim has been admitted by 
most writers upon the Indians. like the Fries, they were 
of Algonquin stock, and had removed from the Delaware 
and Susquehanna rivers to the Alleghany and the Ohio. 
This territory they were allowed by the grace of the all- 
cbnque ring I roquois, who had early subjugated them. 
Their first removal from their original seat upon or near 
the Atlantic coast did not occur, however, until after the 
adven t of Wi lliam Penn. They then occupied lands in 
Virginia, but sold them by the treaty of Lancaster in 
1744, and moved westward. In 1752, with other tribes, 
by the treaty of Logstow n, they formaUy assented to the 
settlement oi whites in the region south of the Ohio. 
About that time they were found numerously in villages 
on the Muskingum and the Beaver, but, according to 
Gist's journal of 1754, not anywhere west of the Hock- 
hocking. One unimportant Delaware tribe, the Munsees 
(some call these the Mingses), are found on the maps as 
far up the Ohio as the Venango river. (JBetween this and 
the Scioto the Delaware territories were presumably 
located. y In 1779, however, the delegates of the tribes 
gave to Congress, then at Princeton, New Jersey, the 
defini tion o f a boundary which included the Miami and 
Wyandot tracts, and very likely others, as well as their 
own. It was as follows : 

From the mouth of the Alleghany at Fort Pitt to Venango, and from 
thence up French creek and by LeBcBuf along the old road to Presque 
Isle, on the west; the Ohio river, including all the islands in it, from 
Fort Pitt to the Oubache (Wabash) on the south; thence up the Ou- 
bache to the broad Opecom'ecah, and up the same to the head thereof; 
and from thence to the headwaters and springs of the northwestern 
branches of the Great Miami or Rocky river; thence across to the head- 
waters and springs of the most northwestern branches of the Scioto 
river ; thence to the head westernmost springs of the Sandusky river ; 
thence down the same river, including the islands in it and the Httle 
lake, to Lake Erie on the west and northwest, and Lake Erie on the 
north. 

There is no probability that the Delawares ever occu- 



pied, at least within the period of white exploration or 
occupancy, any large part of this vast tract. What they 
did own north of the Ohio or east of the Cuyahoga they 
ceded to the whites by the treaty of 1785. The tribe, 
however, was represented among the Ohio Indians so late 
as 181 3, when Delawares joined with others in a contract 
of amity and peace with the whites at Frankhnton, on 
the present site of the western part of Columbus. 

THE SHAWNEES. 

The first that is known of this important and warlike 
tribe, they lived to the south of the Cumberland and 
Ohio rivers, as all the early Frenth and English maps of 
the western country show. One writer says they formerly 
lived on the Mississippi, whence they removed to the 
sources of a river in South Carolina, and, there coming 
in contact with the Cherokees and the Catawbas, they 
moved on to the Savannah. This seems to be con- 
firmed, in part, by the tradition of the Sauks and Foxes, 
of the Upper Mississippi region, who say the Shawnees 
were of the same stock with themselves, but migrated to 
the south. As early as 1632 they were mentioned by De 
Laet as residing on the Delaware river, whither they are 
supposed to have emigrated from Ohio. Forty years 
after the above date they joined theinselves in an alliance 
for the defence of the Andastes against the Iroquois. 
The Andastes were themselves an Iroquois tribe, now 
long extinct, which had its home on the Alleghany and 
the Upper Ohio, and are said at this time to have been 
located on the Susquehanna. Soon after, however, 
they are again found among the Delawares of the 
Delaware, where they staid till a backward emigration to 
Ohio began about 1744. They, a portion of the tribe 
which had not gone south, had been previously on the 
Miamis, being the first tribe of which we hear in this 
region; and were there attacked and scattered by the 
terrible Iroquois. They now, upon their return, were 
located, by express permission of the Wyandots and the 
Iroquois, on and near the Scioto and Mad rivers. Here 
they were divided into four bands — the Chillicothe, 
Piqua, Kiskapocke, and Mequachuke; and in the Scioto 
valley their chief town was situated, called by the English 
"Lower Shawneetown." There is also a Shawneetown in 
southern Illinois; and the wide wanderings of this people 
are elsewhere shown by the names they have left, as the 
Suwanee river of the popular song, in South Carohna, the 
Piqua of Pennsylvania and the town of the same name 
in the Miami country, and the Chouanon (now Cumber- 
land) river of the old maps. They were the only tribe 
among the northern Indians who had a tradition of for- 
eign origin; and for some time after the whites began to 
know them, they held a yearly festival to commemorate 
the safe arrival of their ancestors in the Western, world. 
After their arrival in the Scioto valley, they were i( id 
by the portion of the tribe which had settled .1 the 
south. From this branch, son of a Shawnee father who 
had married a Creek woman during the southern resi- 
dence, the celebrated Tecumseh and his brother, Els- 
quataway, or "the Prophet," are said to have sprung. 
Under the leadership of the former a part of the tribe 



32 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



joined the British in the AVar of 1812, in which Tecum- 
seh lost his life. Cornstalk, the leading chieftain of the 
Scioto bands; the Grenadier Squaw, his sister, so called 
from her height and size, and whom all accounts repre- 
sent as an Indian woman of unusual ability and acute- 
ness; Cornplanter, and other famous warriors, were also 
of the Shawneesjand Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, 
lived among them here. The sites of their towns and 
the places where they tortured their hapless prisoners are 
still pointed out upon the fertile "Pickaway Plains," in 
Pickaway county, a few miles from Circleville. Cornstalk 
is described as "a man whose energy, courage, and good 
sense placed him among the very foremost of the native 
heroes of this land." The following pathetic story is told 
of his fate, which reflects anything but credit upon the 
whites who were concerned in it : 

"This truly great man, who was himself for peace, but 
who found all his neighbors and the warriors of his own 
tribe stuTcd up to war by the agents of England, went 
over to the American fort at Point Pleasant, at the mouth 
of the Great Kenawha, to talk the matter over with Cap- 
tain Arbuckle, who was in command there and with 
whom he was acquainted. This was in the early summer 
of 1777 ; and the Americans, knowing that the Shawnees 
were inclining to the enemy, thought it would be a good 
plan to detain Cornstalk and a young chief. Red Hawk, 
who was with him, and make them hostages. The old 
chief, finding himself entrapped, calmly awaited the re- 
sult. Ellinipsco, the son of Cornstalk, who came the 
next morning to see his father, was also detained. Toward 
night, one of the white hunters having been shot by an 
unknown Indian, the soldiers raised a cry, 'kill the red dogs 
in the fort,' and immediately carried their bloody thought 
into execution, the commander endeavoring, though almost 
unheeded, to dissuade them from their purpose. Corn- 
stalk fell pierced by seven musket balls, and his son and 
Red Hawk mel the same fate. Cornstalk saw his assas- 
sinators coming, and met them at the door of the hut in 
which he was confined, his arms folded upon his massive 
chest and his whole mien expressing a magnificent stoi- 
cism. This was by no means the only shameful act of 
treachery on the part of the whites. The murder very 
naturally aroused an intense feeling of hatred for the 
whites throughout the Shawnee division, and was the 
cause of much future bloodshed." 

For more than forty years after the return and reunion 
of the tribe, 1750, it was engaged in almost constant war- 
fare with the whites. They were among the most active 
allies of the French and sometimes of the British. After 
the conquest of Canada by the latter, they continued 
hostilities against the settlements, in alliance with the 
Delawares, until after the successful campaign of Colonel 
Bouquet. He, in 1764, estimated their bands upon the 
Scioto to number five hundred warriors. They, took an 
active part against the patriots in the war of the Revolu- 
tion and in the Indian war that followed, continuing it 
among the early settlers in this State until hostilities were 
terminated by the peace of Greenville in 1795. These 
Indians are specially distinguished in our national history. 
They have been variously called the "Bedouins of the 



American wilderness" and "the Spartans of the race," 
from their constancy in braving danger and enduring the 
consequences of defeat. They were undoubtedly among 
the ablest and bravest of the red men of the Ohio wilder- 
ness. 

THE OTTAWAS, CHIPPEWAS, AND MINGOS. 

Of these there is not much to say, as they make no 
great figure in early Ohio history. The former had their 
headquarters in this State, near or with the Wyandots, in 
the valleys of the Maumee and the Sandusky. They 
lived originally, so far as is known, upon the banks of 
the Canadian river which retains their name (the name 
also of the capital of the Dominion), whence they were 
driven by the confederated Iroquois and scattered west- 
ward and southward along both shores of Lake Erie. 
Their chief seats were far away on the south shore of 
Lake Superior, where they became a powerful tribe, and, 
though remote, were exceedingly troublesome to the 
whites. Pontiac, hero of the famous conspiracy of 1763, 
was an Ottawa chief, and his tribe was foremost in the 
meditated mischief. -They were the last of' the greater 
tribes to succumb U^ the po\\:/r of the whites. 



uiib td' the poWr 
;was were also an 



The ChippewaS were also an important and numerous 
people, having their tribal centre in the far north, even 
beyond the Ottawas, in the Lake Superior region. There 
they were principally known as Ojibways or Ojibbeways, 
and were the first Indians met in that country by the 
French missionaries and explorers about 1640. They 
are an Algonquin tribe, and were formerly all well-de- 
veloped, fine-looking fellows, expert hunters, brave war- 
riors, and fond of adventure. They are still but little 
given to agriculture; yet some members of the tribe have 
proved susceptible of considerable education. "George 
Copway," "Peter Jones," "Edward Cowles," and perhaps 
others of the tribe, have been reputable writers and speak- 
ers upon matters concerning their people. In Ohio they 
oc cupied land s on the south shore of Lake Erie, most of 
which they surrendered in 1805, and the remainder in 
1817. They were much engaged in hostilities against 
the settlers, but joined in the peace of Greenville, and 
gave no serious trouble afterwards until the second war 
with Great Britain, when they were again hostile, but 
joined in the general pacification of the tribes the year 
after it closed. 

Not much is recorded in Ohio history of the Mingos, 
who are by some supposed to be identified with the 
Shawnees. They are known separately, however, as 
residing in considerable number about "Mingo Bottom," 
on- the Ohio, below Steubenville, and to some extent in 
the Scioto valley. Here their most famous leader, Tah- 
gah-jut e, or Lo gan, though himself the son of a Cayuga 
chief, chose his home, as before noted, among a cluster 
of the Shawnee towns on the Pickaway plains, his own 
residence being at "Old Chillicothe," now Westfall. 
It was in this neighborhood that Logan gave Colonel 
Gibson the substance of his famous address to Lord Dun- 
more, and at Charlotte, on the other side of the river, 
that Dunmore's campaign of 1774 came to a peaceful end. 
They are believed, unlike the Shawnees, to have been 
an offshoot of the Iroquois family. It may here be noted 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



33 



that the Ohio tribes seem to have Hved in general friend- 
liness, and that so me of their land s were frequently com- 
r non or neutral terr itory, in which the tribes intermixed 
at pleasure, outside of the tracts claimed as peculiarly 
the property of each. Hence they became more or less 
commingled, and in the Scioto valley, and elsewhere in 
the State, when the first definite knowledge of the Ohio 
Indians was obtained, not only the Mingos and Shaw- 
nees, and the Shawnees and Miamis, but also the Wyan- 
dots, Delawares, and others were found residing amicably 
^together. 

THE MIAMIS. 

The people of southwestern Ohio are chiefly interested 
in the story of the Miami Indians, although they occu- 
pied but a comparatively small tract in this State, their 
habitat being mainly between the Miami country and the 
Wabash. 

The famous Miami chief. Little Turtle, however, thus 
outlined the former boundaries of his tribe, in the great 
council at,Greenville, in 1795 : "My forefather kindled 
the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his 
lines to the headwaters of the Scioto; from thence to its 
mouth ; from thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the 
Wabash; and from thence to Chicago, on Lake Michigan. 
These are the boundaries within which the prints of my 
ancestors' houses are everywhere to be seen." The nar- 
ratives of the early French explorers singularly confirm 
the statements of the Indian orator. They found the 
Miamis here and there upon the territory thus defined, 
and not anywhere else. 

They were of the Algonquin stock, and Charlevoixj in 
1 72 1, wrote that there was no doubt they were not long 
before identified with the Illinois, the hereditary and 
most formidable enemies of the Iroquois, and the first 
Indians encountered by Father Marquette in his voyage 
down the Mississippi. They included the Ouiatenon or 
Wea tribe of Indiana, the Peanguichia or Piankeshaw, 
the Pepikokia, Kilatak, and other tribes or bands. In 
Ohio, however, they were known in but three sepa- 
rate tribes — the Miamis proper, occupying the territory 
drained by the Maumee; the Piankeshaws, south of the 
former, and mainly between the Wabash and the Miami 
rivers; and the Twigtwees (by which name all the Miamis 
have sometimes been designated), still south of them, 
and likewise on the Wabash and Miami rivers, *vvhere 
they had invited the Shawnees to settle among them and 
aid in resisting the incursions of the Iroquois. The 
Hon. Albert Gallatin wrote in his Indian Tribes: "In 
the year 1684, in answer to the complaint of the French 
that they had attacked the Twigtwees or Miamis, the 
Five Nations assigned as one of the causes of the war 
that the Twigtwees had invited into their country the 
'Satanas' [the Shawnees] in order to make war against 
them." There was another and probably related tribe 
toward the headwaters of the Miamis, called Pickawil- 
lanies or Picts, who had a well known village called 
Pickawillany, where was also an English fort established 
in 1748, and marked on maps of that period as "the 
extent of the English settlements." 

The Miamis were found by the French in 1658 as far 



to the northwest as Green bay, and AUouez fell in with 
a large village of them in 1670, at the head of Fox 
river. Ten years afterward La Salle found them in con- 
siderable number upon the St. Joseph's river, in south- 
western Michigan, which was called from them the River 
of the Miamis. They also frequented the region about 
Chicago, but had retired from both these districts when 
Cadillac, commandant at Detroit, marched against them 
in 1707. By 1721 they had returned to the St. Joseph's 
and were also on the Miamis, and were subsequently 
found, in their various bands, scattered through the Ohio 
and Indiana country before mentioned as their home. 
They joined in the conspiracy of Pontiac, and captured 
the British forts Miami and St. Joseph's ; but during the 
Revolution sided with England, and made peace only 
after the successful expedition of George Rogers Clark, 
in which some of their towns were devastated. They 
continued hostilities against the settlers at intervals, how- 
ever, and were the main instruments of the disastrous 
defeats sustained by Generals Harmar and St. Clair, in 
1790-91. They were led in these actions by their most 
renowned chief, Meche Cunnaqua, or "Little Turtle," 
who is remembered by persons still living as a noble 
looking specimen of the sons of the forest, and other- 
wise a superior Indian. He was present, but not com- 
manding, at the defeat of the savages by "Mad Anthony 
Wayne" in 1794, and advised strongly against going into 
action. He is reported to have said on this occasion: 
"We have beaten the enemy twice; we cannot expect 
always the same good fortune. The Americans are now 
led by a chief who never sleeps. The day and the night 
are alike to him. I advise peace." He was one of the 
chiefs who signed the treaty of Greenville, and was faith- 
ful to it, never taking the war path thereafter. He died 
thirty years afterwards, at Fort Wayne, of gout, induced 
by too generous living among his white friends. Mr. 
E. D. Mansfield, who saw Little Turtle at his father's 
house early in the century, mentions him in his Personal 
Memories as "this most acute and sagacious of Indian 
statesmen, and a polished gentleman. He had wit, 
humor, and intelligence. He was an extensive traveller, 
and had visited all parts of the country, and became 
acquainted with many distinguished men. He had seen 
and admired General Washington." Colonel John Johns- 
ton, long Indian agent in Ohio, has also put on record 
his high appreciation of Little Turtle's qualities of mind 
and character. For many years after the peace of Green- 
ville, in which they bore full part, they gave the whites 
little trouble and rapidly declined as a tribe. By sundry 
treaties between this time (1795) and 1809 they ceded 
their lands between the Wabash and the Ohio State line, 
beyond which they do not seem to have claimed the 
territory, or, if claimed, the claim was not allowed them. 
They refused to join in the hostile alliance proposed by 
Tecumseh, but their sympathies were finally enlisted 
against the Americans in the War of 1812, and they 
attacked a detachment of General Harrison's army sent 
among them under Lieutenant Colonel Campbell. De- 
feated in this action, they again sued for peace, and a 
final treaty was concluded with them September 8, 1815. 



34 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



They had become much addicted to drunkenness and 
violence, and their numbers decreased fast. They are 
now more nearly extinct than any other great Indian 
nation of their day. 

The first settlers of Hamilton county confronted prin- 
cipally the Twigtwees or Miamis. We shall presently 
consider the character of their intercourse, and rehearse 
some of the thrilling stories of Indian massacre in this 
region. 

INDIANS REMAINING IN 181I. 

In the year 1811 the following fragments of tribes 
were enumerated or estimated as still remaining, with 
the numbers stated, in the northwest corner of the State 
— that part as yet unpurchased from the Indians: Shaw- 
nees, seven hundred; Ottawas, five hundred and fifty; 
Wyandots, three hundred; Senecas, two hundred; Dela- 
wares and Miamis, two hundred. An aggregate was 
thus made up of but one thousand nine hundred and 
seventy; and the number continually decreased until 
their ultimate removal. The Shawnees were then resid- 
ing about the headwaters of the Auglaize and the Great 
Miami rivers, the Ottawas principally on Lake Erie, the 
Wyandots on the Sandusky, and the little bands of the 
Senecas, Delawares, and Miamis on the same river and 
its tributary streams. 



CHAPTER V. 

TITLES TO OHIO.~THE MIAMI PURCHASE. 

Long after the occupancy by the Mound Builders 
ceased, but nearly a century and a half before that of 
the red man had closed in all parts of Ohio, came in the 
claim of the French to possession. The daring explora- 
tions of that renowned discoverer, Robert Cavalier de La 
Salle, included, it is rather hesitatingly said, a journey 
from Lake Erie to the southward, over the portage to the 
Allegheny river, and thence down the Ohio to the falls at 
the present site of Louisville. Upon this reputed dis- 
covery was based the claim of France to domination of 
the territory thus traversed by her courageous knight- 
errant; and, although it was somewhat feebly disputed by 
Great Britain, the title was held good until the treaty of 
Paris, in 1763, when it, together with the title to all the 
rest of "New France" northwest of the Ohio, was vested 
in the British Empire. The Revolutionary war, culmi- 
nating in the peace convention concluded at -Paris in 
1783, transferred the ownership thereof to the new Amer- 
ican Republic. 

EXTINCTION OF THE INDIAN TITLES. 

Upon the arrogant assumption that their prowess had 
subjected all the territory between the oceans, the Iro- 
quois, or Six Nations, included in their claim, as we have 
seen, the present State of Ohio. The treaty of Fort 
Stanwix, October 22, 1784, in which the Indians were 
represented by the famous chiefs, Cornplanter and Red 



Jacket, and Congress by its commissioners, Oliver Wolcott, 
Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, finally extinguished this. 
In January of the next year the treaty of Fort Mcintosh, 
negotiated by General George Rogers Clark, General 
Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, for the Government, 
and the chiefs of the Delaware, Wyandot, Ottawa, and 
Chippewa Indians, fixed the boundary of their tribal 
territories along the Cuyahoga river and the main 
branch of the Tuscarawas, to the fork of the latter near 
Fort Laurens, and thence westwardly to the portage be- 
tween the headwaters of the Great Miami and the Miami 
of the Lakes (later the Maumee), down that stream to the 
lake, and thence along the south shore to the mouth of 
the Cuyahoga. Similar limitations for the Ohio tribes 
were prescribed by the treaty of Fort Finney, concluded 
with the Shawnees at the mouth of the Great Miami, 
within the present tract of Hamilton county, January 31, 
1786, by Generals Butler, Clark, and Parsons; by that of 
Fort Harmar, arranged by Governor Arthur St. Clair, Jan- 
uary 9, 1789; and the treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795. 
Subsequent treaties and purchases extinguished all re- 
maining Indian titles in the State. 

THE STATE CLAIMS. 

For some time before the close of the Revolutionary 
war, and thereafter, the States of Massachusetts, Connec- 
ticut, and New York laid claims, under the old colonial 
grants, to parts of the territory now occupied by the com- 
monwealth of Ohio. Virginia went further, and claimed 
the whole, as included in her title to all the land north- 
west of the Ohio, holding, she asserted, under the colo- 
nial charters granted by King James I in 1608, 1609, and 
161 1, and by right of conquest by General Clark in 1778 
and 1779. The conflicting claims were composed with- 
out serious trouble. New York led the way, May i, 
1782, in ceding her rights therein to the United States. 
Virginia followed in a deed of cession, March 17, 1784, 
reserving, however, for grants to her Revolutionary sol- 
diers, what has since been known as the "Virginia Mili- 
tary District," between the Scioto and Little Miami rivers. 
Massachusetts came next, in a resolution of November 
13, 1784, authorizing her delegates in Congress to cede 
to the United States all her lands west of New York 
State. Connecticut closed the acts of cession in Sep- 
tember, 1786, by relinquishing all her claims west of the 
Western Reserve. This grant was fitly characterized by 
the late Cliief Justice Chase as "the last tardy and re- 
luctant sacrifice of State pretensions to the common 
good." 

THE LATER TITLES 

to the lands of Ohio were all derived, primarily, from 
the General Government. It was a condition in the 
terms of admission of Ohio as a State into the Federal 
Union, that the fee simple to all lands within her bor- 
ders, especially those previously sold or granted, should 
vest in the United States. Under this stipulation, and 
by earlier grants or sales, divers companies, corporations, 
and persons have acquired title by grant or sale from the 
General Government. An unusual diversity, indeed, for 
a western State, has prevailed in this matter, as will be 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



35 



seen by the list of the most important classes into which 
the lands of Ohio are divided: Congress Lands, United 
States Military Lands, the Virginia Military District, the 
Western Reserve, the Fire Lands, the Ohio Company's 
Purchase on the Muskingum, Symmes' Purchase (or 
the Miami), the Donation Tract, the Refugee Tract, the 
French Grant, Dolerman's Grant, Zane's Grant, Canal 
Lands, Turnpike Lands, Maumee Road Lands, School 
Lands, College Lands, Ministerial Lands, Moravian 
Lands, and Salt Sections. The history of some of these 
is highly interesting; but it cannot be detailed here. 
The lands belonging to the present county of Hamilton 
more immediately concern us. They belong, for the 
most part, to what is famous in Ohio land history as the 
Miami or Symmes Purchase, in part also to the class 
designated as Congress Lands, and in part to 

THE VIRGINIA MILITARY DISTRICT. 

That portion of Hamilton county lying east of the 
Little Miami river, being the township of Anderson, is 
included among the Virginia Military lands. The Gen- 
eral Assembly of the Old Dominion, at the session of 
October 20, 1783, passed an act authorizing its delegates 
in Congress to convey to the United States all the right 
and title of that commonwealth to the territory northwest 
of the Ohio river. Congress agreed to accept this ces- 
sion, with the stipulations that this vast tract should be 
formed into States containing each a suitable amount of 
territory, and that the States so formed should be dis- 
tinctly Republican, and admitted members of the Federal 
Union, having the same rights of sovereignty and free- 
dom as the other States. On the seventeenth of March 
following, the Hons. Thomas Jefferson, Arthur Lee, 
James Monroe, and Samuel Hardy, the Virginian dele- 
gates in Congress, conveyed to the United States "all 
right, title, and claim, as well as of jurisdiction, which the 
said commonwealth hath to the territory, or tract of 
country, within the limits of the Virginia charter, situate, 
lying, and being northwest of the river Ohio." The act 
of cession contained, however, the following reservations: 

That in case the quantity of good land on the southwest side of the 
Ohio, upon the waters of Cumberland river, and between the Great 
and Tennessee rivers, which have been reserved by law for the Virginia 
troops upon Continental establishment, should, from the North Carolina 
line, bearing in further upon the Cumberland lands than was expected, 
prove insufficient for these legal bounties, the deficiency should be made 
up to the said troops in good lands, to be laid off between the rivers 
Scioto and Little Miami, on the northwest side of the river Ohio, in 
such proportions to them as have been engaged to them by the laws Of 
Virginia. 

The land embraced in this reservation constitutes the 
Virginia Military district in Ohio, and is composed of the 
counties of Adams, Brown, Clinton, Clermont, Highland, 
Fayette, Madison, and Union, and portions of Scioto, 
Pike, Ross, Pickaway, Franklin, Delaware, Marion, 
Hardin, Logan, Clark, Greene, Champaign, Warren, 
and Hamilton counties. 

Congress passed an act authorizing the establishment 
of the reservation, and its location as defined by the leg- 
islature of Virginia, upon the report of the executive of 
that State that the suspected deficiency of good lands 
upon the waters of the Cumberland actually existed. 



The Virginia soldiers of the Continental line, who 
served in the Revolutionary war, were compensated in 
bounty awards out of these lands according to their rank, 
time of service, and other bases of claim. The course pur- 
sued in locating and patenting the bounty lands was as 
follows : The Secretary of War made to the Executive 
of Virginia a return of the names of such officers 
and soldiers as were by the State law entitled to them, 
and the governor issued warrants to the same. When 
these were located, a return of the surveys was made to 
the Secretary of State of the United States, the warrant 
was returned to the Virginia land office whence it issued, 
and a patent signed by the President obtained, which 
vested full ownership in the patentee or his grantees. 
When it was found, as often happened, that a survey in- 
cluded land previously located, the holder of the warrant 
was permitted to vacate his survey, or a part of it, and 
locate his warrant elsewhere. This provision, however, 
did not obviate much subsequent litigation, which is now 
mostly quieted. Dr. Drake, in his Picture of Cincinnati, 
pubHshed 181 5, remarks that the interfering claims, up 
to that time, had " seldom produced litigation," which is 
a pleasant thing to remember, in view of the troubles 
that arose afterwards. Not only the soldier primarily 
entitled to the warrant, but any heir or assignee of his, 
was entitled to location. Large numbers of these warrants 
came into the hands of the early surveyors and settlers, as 
General Nathaniel Massie, Duncan McArthur, Mr. Sulli- 
vant, and others, and were by them used in securing vast 
and valuable tracts in the district. The names of these 
gentlemen appear very frequently as original owners upon 
the maps of the townships and counties now lying within 
its territory; and some of them are in the list of original 
owners in Anderson township, which will be given in the 
history of that division of the county. 

On the same day on which the act was passed, Richard 
C. Anderson, a colonel in the Federal army, was appoint- 
ed surveyor for the Continental line, by the officers 
named in the act and authorized to make such appoint- 
ment as they saw fit. He opened his office at Louisville, 
for entries upon the Kentucky lands, on the twentieth of 
July, 1784. When the Kentucky grant was exhausted, 
he opened another office — in Chillicothe we believe — for 
entries in the Ohio tract. He held this position up to 
the time of his death in October, 1826; and during the 
long period of his incumbency faithfully discharged its 
onerous duties. His son-in-law, Allen Latham, esq., of 
Chillicothe, was appointed surveyor some time after Col- 
onel Anderson's death, and opened his office in the town 
named in July, 1829. The office is still held in that 
place by one of the surveyors under Latham, now the 
venerable E. P. Kendrick, esq., though its duties have 
become little more than nominal. He has held the post, 
under Presidential appointment, for nearly forty years. 
The district was originally surveyed with extreme irregu- 
larity, no such thing as section or range lines being 
recognized, and warrants being located according to the 
eligibility of the lands or the taste or fancy of the pro- 
prietor. Nothing like ranges or townships was laid off 
until the work was done by the county commissioners in 



36 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the several counties, when it became necessary to erect 
townships for civil purposes. Hence the irregular shape 
and utter want of uniformity in size of most of the town- 
ships in the Military District. 

CONGRESS LANDS. 

In this division, by far the largest known to the history 
of land titles in this State or the country at large, belongs 
all the territory in Hamilton lying west of the Great Mi- 
ami river, viz.: Whitewater, Harrison, and Crosby town- 
ships. The immense tract of which these are part was 
surveyed and put into market at first by direct sales from 
the Treasury Department of the Government, as soon as 
practicable after the passage of an ordinance by Congress 
to that effect, in 1785, when the several States claiming 
ownership had all made deeds of cession to the United 
States and the title had been cleared and perfected by 
Indian treaties. By this ordinance the initial steps of 
the survey were directed to be taken by the "Geographer 
of the United States," an official ■ personage of no little 
importance, considering his talents and character and the 
extraordinary work he did, but whom history seems 
strangely to have neglected. A' well directed attempt 
has been made by Colonel Charles Whittlesey, of Cleve- 
land, to rescue the name and services of this useful public 
officer from oblivion; and we take pleasure in presenting 
here in full his note upon the subject: 

An office was created by the Continental Congress about the 
middle of the Revolution, called the "Geographer of the United 
States." Its purpose is not now fully understpod, but appears at first 
to have been military. The Government, and especially the army, 
needed a bureau of charts and of geographical knowledge, such as all 
civilized governments have, but of which it was then destitute. 

At the opening of the American rebellion Thomas Hutchins, of 
the colony of New Jersey, was a captain in the Si.\tieth Regiment of 
Foot, which was raised in the colonies, forming one of the battalions 
known as the "Royal Americans." This regiment constituted part of 
Colonel Bouquet's command in the expeditions of 1763 and 1764, into 
the Ohio country against the Indians who lived upon the Muskingum 
river. Hutchins appears to have been a well educated man.* Bouquet 
made him engineer to the e-xpedition, and in pursuance of this duty he 
surveyed and measured the route day by day, after it moved west of 
Pittsburgh. He was one of those frontier characters who combine 
fearlessness, intelligence, and a love of adventure, of whom there were 
at that time quite a number in the British army. Hutchins kept a 
journal of the march, with a map of the route showing the position of 
each encampment, which was published at Philadelphia in 1765, by the 
historian of the expedition, the Rev. William Smith, of Philadelphia. 
While in the Ohio country, he conceived the plan of settling it by mili- 
tary colonies, as the best mode of 'securing peace with the Indians. 
The scheme was at the same time brilliant and practical. 

At the outbreak of the Revolution Captain Hutchins was in Lon- 
don, where he was soon afterwards suspected by the British agents of 
being in communication with Benjamin Franklin at Paris. He was put 
in prison, and his fortune, amounting to about forty thousand dollars, 
confiscated. In 1778 he succeeded in reaching Savannah in Georgia, 
and was soon after made "Geographer" to the Confederation. There 
is very little information in regard to his functions until the new govern- 
ment had achieved its independence, and in 1784 acquired title to the 
western lands. By the ordinance of May 20, 1785, the geographer is 
directed to commence the survey of Government lands on the north 
side of the Ohio river where the west line of Pennsylvania should cross 
the same. An east and west base line was to be run thence westerly 
through the territory, which Mr. Hutchins was required to superintend 
in person and to take the latitude of certain prominent points, espe- 
cially the mouths of rivers. Longitude on land was not then attainable, 
for want of proper instruments. 



* He was author of the book cited in Chapter I of this volil 
a unique description of the Great and Little "Miueanii" rive 



, from which 



To that day the surveys of all countries had been made on a base 
line determined arbitrarily by roads, rivers, mountains, or coasts. The 
most simple of all modes, that of north and south and east and west 
lines, had never entered the minds of mathematicians; or, if it had, 
had never been reduced to practice. The plan provided for in the 
ordinance of 1785 is no doitbt the invention of Mr. Hutchins, which 
was foreshadowed in his scheme for military settlements, promulgated 
in 1765. 

By this original mode of laying out land, the township lines were to 
be run in squares, on the true meridian, six miles apart, and at right 
angles, east and west, parallel to the equator. Within these squares 
the lots or sections are laid out, also in squares, thirty-six in number, 
of one mile on a side, each containing six hundred and forty acres. 
All our Government lands have been surveyed on that plan, from that 
day to this. Each section and township throughout this vast space is 
so marked as to be distinguished from any other. Wherever the corner 
and witness trees are standing, whoever visits them can at once deter- 
mine the latitude and longitude of his position, and the distance from 
each base and meridian line. 

"Hutchins, as geographer, had power to appoint surveyors, who 
were first to run the lines of seven ranges of townships, next west of 
the Pennsylvania line, from the Ohio river to the forty-first parallel 
north latitude. It was accomplished during the years 1786-7, among 
hostile Indians, who, notwithstanding the land had been ceded to the 
United States, were wholly opposed to the occupation by white men. 
Colonel Harmar's battalion, stationed on the Ohio and Alleghany 
rivers, was required to do duty in the woods as a guard with the sur- 
veyors. Otherwise the lines could not have been run. 

While Hutchins was zealously engaged in this work, having his 
office at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was called away from it by 
death early in the year 1788. The office of geographer expired with 
him. Its duties were fora time transferred to the Treasury department 
and eventually tlie office of "Surveyor General of the Public Lands" 
was created. Very little is known of the private history ot this.tnodest 
patriot of the Revolution. Probably he left no descendants. The 
office he held during nearly the entire existence of the Continental 
Congress was a very important one, requiring a high order of mathe- 
matical talent, physical energy, and personal courage. As the author of 
the best system of public surveys now. known, his name should in some 
way be made more conspicuous in our annals. Even the place where 
his remains were interred, has passed into forgetfulness. From his first 
journey in Ohio with Colonel Bouquet, he foresaw and predicted that it 
would become a populous country. He lived barely long enough to 
see his favorite scheme of colonization commenced at Marietta by the 
soldiers of the Revolution. 

The office of "Surveyor-Generalof the Public Lands" 
was created by Act of Congress May 18, 1796, his duties 
at first being confined to the Northwestern Territory, but 
including, after the purchase of Louisiana, all the public 
domain west of the Mississippi and north of the thirty- 
third parallel of latitude. He appointed and instructed 
his own deputies, by whom the field surveys were exe- 
cuted. General Rufus Putnam, one of the Ohio com- 
pany, and a pioneer at Marietta, was the first surveyor- 
general (1796), and his successors, during about half a 
century after the creation of the office, were Jared Mans- 
field, 1803; Josiah Meigs, 1813; Edward Tiffin, 1814; 
William Lytle, 1829; Micajah T. Williams, 1831; Robert 
G. Lytle, 1835, and Ezekiel S. Haines, 1838. The 
office was at first kept in Marietta, but was removed to 
Ludlow's station, near Cincinnati, in 1805, by Mr. Mans- 
field, and was afterwards for a long time kept in Cincin- 
nati. Very important work was done in the surveys by 
this gentleman. He was of English stock, his ancestors 
in this country settling at Boston in 1634, and at New 
Haven five years thereafter. He was a graduate of Yale 
college, and a thorough scientist for his day. Hon. E. 
D. Mansfield, his son, in his "Personal Memories," ex- 
presses the opinion that he was the only man appointed 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



37 



to public office solely on the ground of his scientific at- 
tainments. He was appointed by President Jefferson 
while a teacher at the West Point Military academy, in 
1803, more particularly to establish meridian lines, for 
want of which some of the surveys had gone sadly astray 
and made much trouble. After waiting some time for 
the importation of necessary instruments which could 
not then be procured on this side of the Atlantic, he es- 
tablished three principal meridians in Ohio and Indiana, 
which have since been among the fixed bases of the sur- 
veys. General Mansfield retained the office until 1813, 
when he resigned, and after some engineering duty for 
the Government, resumed his professorship at West 
Point, which he retained for fifteen years. 
. The land-office was established in Cincinnati under the 
law of 1800, creating the Cincinnati Land district and 
establishing the offices of register and receiver. Similar 
offices were opened by the Government in Marietta, 
Steubenville, and Chillicothe. Before this time the 
Congress lands had been sold only in tracts of a section 
or more each. When William Henry Harrison, after- 
ward President Harrison, became the first delegate of the 
Northwestern Territory in Congress, he, feeling the obsta- 
cle presented by this provision to the rapid settlement of 
the country, secured the passage of the law of 1800, 
which, among other enactments, directed a portion of 
the public lands to be subdivided and sold in tracts of 
three hundred and twenty acres, or a half section. The 
working of this beneficent provision was so satisfactory 
that, by a subsequent act, the subdivisions were offered 
in lots of one hundred and sixty acres each, at two dol- 
lars per acre, on a credit, if asked, of five years. Finally, 
at the instance of Senator Rufus King, of New York, a 
law was passed for the offer of eighty acre tracts as the 
minimum, and the price was reduced from two dollars to 
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, which has since 
been the standard rate. Under the credit system, how- 
ever, admitted by the acts of 1800 and subsequently, an 
immense and most burdensome debt was created by the 
settlers on Congress lands. In 1820 it was ascertained 
that the amount due from purchasers at the western land 
offices aggregated twenty-two millions of dollars — a sum 
believed to exceed the total volume of money then cir- 
culating in the Western States, and one far beyond the 
ability of the delinquent settlers to pay. If Congress 
should grant no relief and the laws be enforced, nine- 
tenths of theai would be ruined by the loss of their land 
and improvements. It was a time of great financial de- 
pression. Money could not be had, and no property 
could be sold for cash. Over half of the settlers north 
of the Ohio were indebted to the Government, and the 
feeling among them and their sympathizers in the south- 
western States was such that there was imminent danger 
of civil war if the Government should rigidly claim its 
own. Extension of time for payment would bat increase 
the obligations and postpone the evil day; and it was 
seen that no practicable way was to be had out of the 
difficulty, except by the prompt and utter extinguishment 
of the debt as an act of generosity and policy on the 
part of the Government. In this exigency a conference 



of a number of leadmg business and professional citizens 
of Cincinnati resulted in the preparation by Judge Bur- 
net — who has left, in substance, this history of the trans- 
action — of a memorial to Congress setting forth the facts 
in the case. A thousand copies of this were speedily 
printed and sent, with a letter of explanation and instruc- 
tion, to every city, village, and post office in the States 
and territories where public lands were then sold. In a 
comparatively short time they began tO| come back in 
lar-ge numbers, and very numerously signed. A copy 
sent to Mr. Worthington, then governor of the State, se- 
cured his approval and influence in reaching the object 
of the movement. At the next session of Congress the 
memorials were sent in, the desk of every western mem- 
ber and delegate being literally covered with them ; and 
an act was consequently passed granting the desired re- 
lief. Under it the delinquent purchaser received in fee 
simple so much of the land he had entered as he had 
paid for, and had the privilege of relinquishing so much 
as he had not paid and could not pay for. If anything 
had been paid upon tracts relinquished, it might be cred- 
ited upon tracts retained, so as to save important 
improvements. The settler was further reheved by this 
most beneficent enactment, in the-release of all the back 
interest held by the Government against him. At the 
same session, in 1821, the King act before referred to, in 
relation to the public lands, was also passed. 

Originally, in the survey and sale of Congress lands, it 
was proposed to reserve one-seventh of the lands surveyed 
for the purpose of bounties to certain of the Continental 
troops; but this plan was presently abandoned, in favor 
of the grant of an entire tract in the central part of the 
State, containing one million five hundred and sixty 
thousand acres, and including the whole of the present 
county of Coshocton and parts of nine other counties. 
Four sections in each township were, however, reserved 
for future sale by the Government, and one section was 
set apart in each for the maintenance of the public 
schools. 

The public territory immediately west of the Great 
Miami-was surveyed in 1799 and the following year, and 
the first sales under the act of Congress putting it 
into the market were held at the newly established land, 
office in Cincinnati, under direction of the receiver, Gen- 
eral James Findlay, beginning the first Monday in April, 
1801; and were by public vendue. The minimum price, 
as before mentioned, was fixed by the act at two dollars 
an acre. Not much more than this was commonly bid. 
Jeremiah Butterfield and associates, for example, by the 
bid of ten cents per acre more than the minimum, se- 
cured two thousand acres along the river, in the north 
part of this county, and south part, of Butler, which is 
among the finest land in the Miami country, and is to-day 
worth at least two hundred thousand dollars. Five per 
cent of the purchase money was to be deposited at the 
time of purchase, and to be forfeited if an additional sum 
making the whole amount equivalent to one-fourth of the 
price were not paid within forty days after the sale. An- 
other fourth must be paid within two years; the next 
within three; and the final installment, with all accu- 



£8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



mulated interest, within four years from the day of sale. 
The land-office was kept in Cincinnati for many years, 
or until the sales of Congress lands within its jurisdiction 
were very nearly completed. Colonel Israel Ludlow was 
the first register, and General Findlay first receiver. The 
line of registers was continued by Charles Killgore, Daniel 
Symmes (who was appointed after the expiration of his 
term as judge and served till near the time of his death, 
May lo, 1 817), and Peyton S. Symmes, who had his office 
in 1819 at the corner of Lawrence and Congress streets, 
while General Findlay, still receiver, had his at 30 North 
Front street, "in the hotel." The latter Symmes held 
the post for many years — so lately as 1833, at least. Of 
the names of receivers after Findlay, we have only 
those of Andrew M. Bailey, who was receiver in 1829; 
Morgan Neville, receiver in 1831, and probably for some 
years before and after; and of Thomas Henderson, who 
was appointed July 28, 1838. 

THE SCHOOL LANDS. 

Congress, by its early compact with the people, sug- 
gested in the ordinance of 1785, and embodied in the 
act of 1802, by which Ohio became a State, gave them 
one thirty-sixth part of the public domain northwest of 
the Ohio river for the education of their children. The 
lands set apart for this purpose, in this State, at least, 
were often appropriated by squatters, and through un- 
wise, careless, and sometimes corrupt legislation, the 
squatters were actually vested with a proprietorship with- 
out consideration. Mr. Atwater, in his history of Ohio, 
says: "Members of the legislature not unfrequently got 
acts passed and leases granted, either to themselves, to 
their relatives, or to their warm partisans. One senator 
contrived to get by such acts seven entire sections of 
land into either his own or his children's possession." 
From 1803 to 1820 the general assembly spent much 
time every session in passing acts relating to these lands, 
without advancing the cause of education to any appre- 
ciable extent. In 1821 the house of representatives in 
the State legislature appointed five of its members — 
Messrs. Caleb Atwater, author of the history just cited, 
Lloyd Talbot, James Shields, Roswell Mills, and Josiah 
Barber — a committee on schools and school lands. This 
committee in due time made a report rehearsing the 
wrong management of the school land tract on behalf of 
the State, and warmly advocating the establishment of a 
system of education and the adoption of measures which 
would secure for the people the exercise of the rights 
which Congress intended they should possess. In com- 
pliance with the recommendation of the committee, the 
governor of the State, in May, 1822, having been so 
authorized by the legislature, appointed seven commis- 
sioners of schools and school lands, viz.: Caleb Atwater, 
the Revs. John Collins and James Hope, D. D., Nathan 
Guilford, Hon. Ephraim Cutler, Hon. Josiah Barber, and 
James M. Bell, esq. The reason why seven persons 
were appointed was because there were as many descrip- 
tions of school lands in the State — i. e., section num- 
bered sixteen in every township of the Congress lands 
and in Symmes' Purchase, and a similar proportion in the 



Virginia Military District, the Ohio Company's Purchase, 
the Refugee lands, and the Connecticut Reserve. For 
the three different grants represented in the lands of 
Hamilton county the commissioners were: For the Mil- 
itary lands, Mr. Bell; for the Congress lands, Mr. Col- 
lins; for the Symmes Purchase, Mr. Guilford. The 
commission of seven was finally reduced, by various 
causes, to three members, Messrs. Atwater, Collins, and 
Hoge, who performed the arduous duties incumbent 
upon them with little remuneration and (at the time) few 
thanks, though posterity has not been wholly unmindful 
of their valuable services. Mr. Guilford, of Cincinnati, 
always a warm friend of education and an active pro- 
moter of the public school interest, though his name may 
not much appear in the later transactions of the commis- 
sion, was specially prominent and influential in its forma- 
tion and earlier work. 

The legislature of 1823 adjourned without having 
taken any definite action upon the report presented by 
the commission; but during the summer and autumn of 
the next year the subject of the sale of the school lands 
was warmly agitated, and the friends of this measure tri- 
umphed over the opposition so far as to elect large ma- 
jorities to both branches of the general assembly in favor 
of its being made a law. The quantity of land conse- 
crated to this purpose was carefully ascertained, and 
amounted in 1825 to a little more than half a million of 
acres, valued at something less than a million of dol- 
lars. A portion of these lands was sold by the State 
government, under due authority of Congress, and the 
remainder was leased, the avails of the leases and sales 
forming a part of the present school fund of the State. 

THE MIAMI PURCHASE. 

The time had come for planting the foundations of 
"the State first born of the ordinance of 1787." That 
organic act had called the attention of the New World 
to the great fertile wastes to the north and west of La 
Belle Riviere. The rich valleys and deep forests had 
been growing into knowledge and fame for more than a 
generation, and had even attracted the notice and 
prompted the official remark of members of the British 
government. In 1 750-1 Christopher Gist, as agent of 
the old Ohio Land Company, which had been organized 
a year or two before by some Enghshmen, and the Wash- 
ingtons, Lees, and other Virginians, accompanied by 
George Croghan, reached the Great Miami in his journey 
across the wilderness country from the present site of 
Pittsburgh, and explored its valley for about a hundred 
miles to its mouth. His companion had brought liberal 
presents from Pennsylvania to the Miamis, and in 
return obtained the concession to the English of the 
right to plant a fortified trading house at the junction of 
Loramie's creek and the Miami, in the country of the 
Piankeshaws, the subsequent county of Shelby — an en- 
terprise carried into effect the next year, the stockade 
then erected being considered the first point of English 
settlement in Ohio. It was taken by the French and In- 
dians in 1752, and in 1782 was plundered and destroyed 
by George Rogers Clark, in his expedition against the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



39 



Miami towns. The soldiers who returned from these in- 
cursions, and particularly the Virginians and Marylanders 
who accompanied Lord Dunmore in his campaign to the 
Scioto valley in 1774, carried back glowing accounts of 
the beauty and fertility of the virgin country, and pre- 
pared the way for its subsequent colonization. The Mi- 
ami valleys were carefully inspected by Daniel Boone, 
when a captive among the Shawnees in 1778, and by the 
war ])arties led from Kentucky by Bowman and Clark, 
against the Indians on the Little Miami and Mad rivers. 
In the autumn and winter of 1785, scarcely more than 
three years before the permanent occupancy began, Gen- 
eral Richard Butler, with a company comprising Parsons, 
Zane, Finney, Lewis, and others who were or became ce- 
lebrities, voyaged on a tour of observation and official 
duty from Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) to the mouth of the 
Great Miami, where they built a fort, dwelt for some 
months, and concluded an impartial treaty.. In the 
years about this time, 1784-5-6, the way was cleared 
by Indian treaties and Congressional legislation — 
specially by the ordinance of May 20, 1785, providing 
for the survey and sale of the public lands — for the set- 
tlement of southern Ohio. The more renowned ordi- 
nance of July 13, 1787, erecting the Northwest Territory, 
and certain minor measures adopted by Congress at the 
same session, granting authority to the Government 
"board of treasury" to contract for the sale of the lands 
thus opened to civilization, completed the preliminaries 
necessary to regular and permanent settlement. A be- 
ginning of this was promptly made the next year, as is 
well known, by the settlement of the Ohio Company, 
mainly New Englanders, under the leadership of General 
Rufus Putnam, upon their purchase at and about the 
mouth of the Muskingum, where they founded Marietta, 
named from the hapless Marie Antoinette, at that time 
queen of France. 

Among those who had been attracted by a visit to the 
Miami country was one Captain (or Major) Benjamin 
Stites, of. Redstone, Old Fort, now Brownsville, Pennsyl- 
vania, who was the prime mover in the inception of the 
Miami Purchase. Stites is, indeed, the real hero of the 
Purchase, as regards the original conception of it. He 
was, like many of the first colonists in the tract, a native 
of New Jersey, born at Scotch Plains, Essex county. 
While still young he emigrated to western Pennsylvania 
and settled on Ten Mile^ creek, in the present county of 
Green. Here he became a captain in the militia, and 
took an active part in the frontier struggles with the In- 
dians. In the spring of 1787 he descended the Ohio 
from Redstone with a trading venture, in the shape of a 
flat-boat loaded with flour, whiskey, and other wares 
adapted to the river market of that day, and floated 
down to Limestone, or Limestone Point, now Maysville, 
Kentucky. Here his sales had small success, and he 
pushed with his goods into the interior at Washington, a 
few miles back, where he had better fortune. While 
here the Indians came upon a marauding expedition into 
the neighborhood, and ran off some horses, taking other 
property with them. Stites was a man of great strength 
and courage, and accustomed to Indian warfare. He at 



once volunteered to go with a party in pursuit. It was 
speedily raised, and he hastened with it across the coun- 
try on the Indian trail until the river was reached, below 
where Augusta now stands, when they kept the Kentucky 
shore down to a point opposite the mouth of the Little 
Miami. Here it was ascertained that the red robbers 
had made a raft and crossed with their booty, evidently 
striking for their towns in the Miami country. The 
whites likewise made a raft, crossed themselves and their 
horses, and pursued the enemy to the vicinity of Old 
Chillicothe, a few miles north of Xenia, near the head- 
waters of the Little Miami, which it was deemed prudent 
not to approach closely, and the expedition retraced its 
steps. The return through the valley was made more 
leisurely, and Stites had the better opportunity to observe 
its beauty and fertility. Before recrossing the Ohio he 
had decided to come back to the valley with a colony, 
and make a permanent settlement. The idea of 
the Miami Purchase, in its rude outlines at least, was 
born in his sagacious mind. He closed his business at 
Washington as soon as possible and returned to his fam- 
ily. Some time afterwards he went to New Jersey for 
means with which to accomplish his intents; and there, 
at Trenton,* met him whose name was to be forever more 
conspicuously identified with the memory of the Pur- 
chase than his, the active agent in the prosecution and 
consummation of the enterprise — Judge John Cleves 
Symmes. 

Judge Symmes held at this time an influential position 
as a member of Congress from the State of New Jersey. 
This celebrated Ohio pion eer was born Iul;^2i, 1742, 
at River head, Long Island, th e oldest son of the Rev. 
Timothy and Mary (Cleves) Symmes. In early life he 
was engaged in teaching and land-surveying. He went 
to New Jersey some time before the war of the Revolu- 
tion, in which he bore an active and honorable part — 
was chairman of the Sussex county Committee of 'Safety 
and colonel of a militia regiment in 1774, and took his 
regiment in March, 1776, to New York, and buill fortifica- 
tions, and was afterwards in the battle of Saratoga. He 
was presently elected delegate to the New Jersey State 
convention, and helped to draft the State constitution. 
During the remainder of the war he performed important 
military and civil services. In his own State he was suc- 
cessively lieutenant-governor, member of the council, and 
twelve years a judge of the supreme court; and was for two 
years a member of the Continental Congress. February 
19, 1788, he was elected by Congress one of the judges 
of the Northwest Territory. He was thrice married, his 
last wife being a daughter of Governor Livingston, of 
New Jersey,' He had two daughters as his sole offsping, 
one of whom, Maria, married Major Peyton Short, of 
Kentucky, and the other, Annie, became the consort of 
General William H. Harrison. ' He was the founder of 
North Bend and South Bend, upon the Purchase secured 
by himself and colleagues, and, after a long and useful 

* We here follow the narrative of Dr. Ezra Ferris, of Columbia, af- 
terwards of Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, in his communication to the Cin- 
cinnati Daily Gazette oi July 20, 1844. The common statement is that 
Stites met Judge Symmes in New York, during tlie session of Congress. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



but troubled life, he died at Cincinnati February 26, 
1814. In his later years he became so straitened in 
circumstances that he was compelled to assign his 
property to his sons-in-law. Some further notice of 
Judge Symmes, including a copy of his remarkable will, 
may be found hereafter in the annals of Cincinnati. He 
is fitly called by Mr. Cist, author of numerous booksand 
miscellaneous writings upon Cincinnati and early local 
history, "the patriarch of the Miami wilderness," "the 
William Penn of the West," "the Columbus of the 
woods." The compiler of Annals of the West has neatly 
applied to him the words (with slight variation) of R. J. 
Meigs' poem, pronounced at Marietta during the Fourth 
of July celebration of 1788 : 

To him glad Fancy brightest prospect sliows, 
Rejoicing Nature all around Iiim glows; 
Where late the savage, hid in ambush, lay, 
Or roamed the uncultured valleys for his prey. 
Her hardy gifts rough Industry extends, 
The groves bow down, the lofty forest bends. 
Arid see the spires of towns and cities rise. 
And domes and temples swell unto the skies. 

To Judge Symmes Major Stites, probably for the sake, 
mainly, of Symmes' influence in Congress and with the 
officers of fhe Government, proposed the purchase, for 
themselves and their associates, of a large body of land 
in the Miami country, the first eligible tract west of the 
Ohio company's purchase and the Virginia Military reser- 
vation. Symmes is said to have visited the land of 
promise, with five companions, no doubt in the summer 
of 1787, before deciding upon the proposal; and on his 
return began operations in his own name by the following 
memorial : 
To his excellency, the President of Cotigfess: 

The petition of John Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey, sboweth: 
I'hat your petitioner, encouraged by the resolutions of Congress of the 
twenty-third and twenty-se\'enth of July last, stipulating the condition 
of a transfer of Federal lands on the Scioto and jMuslcingum rivers 
unto Winthrop Sargent and Manasseh Cutler, esqrs. , and their asso- 
ciates of New England, is induced, on behalf of the citizens of the 
United States westward of Connecticut, wlio also wish to become pur- 
chasers of Federal lands, to pray that the honorable the Congress will 
be ]3leased to direct that a contract be made by the Ironorable the 
coiiimissioners of the treasury board with your petitioner, for himself 
and his associates, in all respects similar in form and matter to tlie said 
grant made to Messrs. Sargent and Cutler, differing only in quantity 
and place where, and, instead of two townships for the use of a uni- 
versity, that one only be assigned for the benefit of an academy; that 
by such transfer to your petitioner and his associates, on their comply- 
ing with the terms of the sale, the fee may ]Dass of all the lands lying 
within the following limits, viz; Beginning at the mouth of the Great 
Miami river, thence running up the Ohio to the mouth of the Little 
Miami river, thence up the main stream of the Little Miami river to 
the place where a due west line, to be continued from the western 
termination of the northern boundary line of the grant to Messrs. Sar- 
gent, Cutler & Company shall intersect the said Little Miami river, 
llience due west, continuing the said western line, to the place where 
the said line shall intersect the main branch or stream of the Great 
Miami river, thence down the Great Miami to the place of beginning. 
[Signed] John C. Symmes. 

New York, August 29, 1787. 

This was the same day, as a letter of the next June 
from the treasury commissioners shows, when a favorable 
act of Congress was passed, in regard to contracts for 
the pubHc lands. Another act, of similar character, was 
passed on the twenty-third of October, authorizing the 
board of treasury to contract with anyone for tracts of 



not less than a million acres of western lands in a single 
purchase, the front of which on the Ohio, the Wabash, 
or other river, shall not exceed one-third the depth. Un- 
der this, as we shall see. Judge Symmes presently sub- 
mitted a second proposal. His associates in this under- 
taking were a number of friends of his, mostly, if not all, 
Jerseymen, and a number of whom had been fellow- 
officers in the Revolution. Chiefly notable among them 
was Captain Jonathan Dayton, also a delegate in Con- 
gress from New Jersey, and subsequently speaker, under 
the constitution, of the house of representatives, and the 
gentleman from whom Dayton, Ohio, was named. He 
was the principal mouthpiece of the association (called 
the "East Jersey Company") in the long and complica- 
ted correspondence and negotiations with Symmes which 
ensued. Their scheme looked to the acquisition of two 
millions of acres, which, in the imperfect knowledge then 
had of the country, was supposed to be included within 
the limits designated, though the survey ultimately 
showed but about six hundred thousand acres there. 
Symmes drew up a plan for the management and dis- 
posal of the vast estate they expected to acquire, which 
was approved by his associates. His petition had been, 
on the second of October, as an endorsement upon it 
states, referred to the board of treasury to take order. 
The "board of treasury" was a small body of Govern- 
•ment officials, representing the treasury department, and 
entrusted with the power of disposal of the public lands, 
which was afterwards vested in the Secretary of the 
Treasury, and finally in the general land office. The 
reference of Symmes' petition to Congress to the board 
"to take order" gave them discretionary power in the 
premises; and they presently agreed to negotiate the 
sale to Symmes and his associates. 

Meanwhile, so confident was the judge of the success 
of his application, that he soon began to advertise the 
lands and make conditional grants thereof. On the 
twenty-sixth of November, 1787, he issued at Trenton, 
in pamphlet form, "Terms of Sale and Settlement ot 
Miami Lands," a sort of elaborate circular addressed "to 
the respectable public." In this the advantages of the new 
country are suitably set forth. The price of the lands 
offered is fixed for the present at sixty-six and two-thirds 
cents; but, "after the first of November next, the. price 
of the lands will be one dollar per acre, and after the 
first day of November next [ensuing], the price will rise 
higher, if the country is settled as fast as is^xpected." 
The certificates raised by this augmentation in the 
price shall be applied towards the making of roads and 
bridges in the purchase. One penny proclamation, or 
the ninetieth part of a dollar, per acre, in specie or bills 
of credit of the States of New York, New Jersey, or 
Pennsylvania, must be paid by the purchaser at the time 
of purchasing the land- warrant. This fee of. one penny 
per acre is to defray the expense of surveying the country 
into townships and lots, agreeably to the land ordinance. 
And one farthing proclamation, or the three hundred and 
sixtieth part of a dollar, per acre, in specifti ar paper 
money aforesaid, to be paid by the purchaser to defray 
the expense of printing the land-warrants, purchasing 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



41 



proper books for record, accommodating and paying the 
register for his services in attending to the recording of 
entri-es, and other incidental charges which will necessa- 
rily accrue. It was further expressly stipulated as to "al' 
purchasers of lands from the said John Cleves Symmes, 
within his grant from the United States, of lands lying 
between the Great and Little Miami rivers, that if the 
locator (purchaser) shall neglect,-for two years, after loca- 
tion entered, to make a settlement on every section 
which he or they may have located, or to settle some 
other persons thereon, or in some station, who shall con- 
tinue to improve the same for seven years, in such case 
one-sixth part of every such neglected section or quarter- 
part of a section, to be taken off in a regular square at 
the northeast corner, shall be forfeited, and shall revert 
back to the register for the time being, in trust so far as 
to authorize him to grant the same gratis to any volun- 
teer settler who shall first make application to the register 
thereof; and the register shall proceed to make out a 
deed to such volunteer settler for such forfeited sixth 
part." 

In this prontinciamento Symmes reserved to himself 
the entire township lowest in the neck between the Ohio 
and the Great Miami, and the three fractional parts of 
townships north, west, and south between that and the 
rivers. These he would pay for himself, and lay out "a 
handsome town plat " thereon. It was here, evidently, 
that the judge expected to locate the future metropolis of 
the Ohio, and where, indeed, he did made his pioneer 
settlement. The tract reserved included what afterwards 
became Miami, Green, and Delhi townships, in Hamilton 
county. He also proposed an appropriation or reserva- 
tion, for the benefit of an academy or college, of one full 
township, to be laid off as nearly opposite to the mouth 
of the Licking river as an entire township might be 
found eligible in respect to soil and situation. 

Mr. Symmes likewise began the issue of certificates or 
"Miami land warrants," the first of which, date of De- 
cember 17, 1787, authorizing the location of six hundred 
and forty acres in the Purchase, was issued to Mayor' 
Stites, and seems to have been used by him "at the point 
betwixt the mouth of the Little Miami and the Ohio in 
the pint," in securing the tract upon which he after- 
wards set down the first stakes of Columbia. Stites does 
not appear in the history of the Purchase thereafter, ex- 
cept as a pioneer settler and prominent citizen at Colum- 
bia. He had, however, a liberal arrangement with 
Symmes, by which he was entitled to locate ten thousand 
acres in the Purchase, as near as might be about the 
mouth of the Little Miami. These, however, as we shall 
see, he was in imminent danger of losing some time after, 
by the determined effort made to compel Symmes to fix 
his eastern boundary upon a line drawn northeastward 
from a point on the Ohio twenty miles above the mouth 
of the Great Miami. 

On the eleventh of June following Symmes addressed 
another letter to the board of treasury, reciting the diffi- 
cultier ^^ had experienced in arranging credits with "the 
late Jersey line" — the soldiers of the New Jersey contin- 
gent in the war of the Revolution — in regard to their 



bounty lands, so- as to help his first payment on the ex- 
pected contract for the Purchase, and asking a new con- 
tract "for a part of the same lands of one million of acres 
fronting on the Ohio and extending inland from the Ohio 
between the Great Miami river and the Little Miami 
river, the whole breadth of the country from river to 
river, so far as to include on an east and west rear line 
one million acres, exclusive of the five reserved sections 
in every township, as directed in the ordinance of the 
twentieth of May, 1785, and that the present grant be 
made on the principles laid down by the resolution of 
Congress of the twenty-third of October last." The 
board now declined to agree to these boundaries, and pro- 
posed the inclusion of a million of acres within confines 
starting from a point on the Ohio river twenty miles above 
the mouth of the Great Miami, along the courses of the 
former and following the latter, an east and west line on the 
north, and a line running nearly parallel with the general 
direction of the Miami to the place of beginning. This 
point was within the present limits of Cincinnati. Aline 
drawn northwestward from it would leave Stites and other 
purchasers (for Symmes continued to sell the lands be- 
tween the Little Miami and that line) outside of the Pur- 
chase. More than three years afterwards — July 19, 1791 
— Governor St. Clair issued his proclamation warning 
against such purchases, and threatening ejection by the 
officers of the United States, at the same time defining 
the boundaries of the Purchase pretty nearly as in the 
letter of the treasury board. Much annoyance was 
caused to Symmes, and much trouble and alarm to the 
settlers of Columbia and elsewhere on the west side of 
the Little Miami, by this uncertainty as to their lands; 
but the patent finally granted and fixing the Miamis as 
the eastern and western limits of the Purchase, quieted 
and confirmed their titles. 

Shortly after the action of the board of treasury agree- 
ing to the proposed Miami purchase, Thomas Hutchins, 
then geographer of the United States, offered Israel Lud- 
low, a young surveyor from New Jersey, an appointment 
to survey the boundary of the tract, "being assured," he 
wrote, "of your abilities, diligence, and integrity." He 
was also commissioned to survey the Ohio company's 
purchase, and received an order from the Secretary of 
War on the frontier posts for sufificient troops to serve as 
an escort into the wilderness. He accepted the appoint- 
ment, and made repeated application for escorts to Major 
Zeigler and Generals Harmar and St. Clair; but without 
success, on account of the weakness of the garrisons, 
until October 21, 1791, when St. Clair gave him a ser- 
geant and fifteen men. With these he accomphshed the 
survey of the Ohio company's boundaries, but, he writes, 
"with the loss of six of the escort, and leaving in the 
woods all my pack-horses and their equipage, and being 
obliged to make a raft of logs to descend the Ohio as far 
as Limestone, from opposite the mouth of the Great 
Sandy river." At Fort Washington he now applied to 
Major Zeigler, commandant, for an escort on the Miami 
survey, but could get none, and undertook the work, in 
the winter of 1791-2, with sin:iply the protection of three 
woodsmen to serve as spies and give notice of approach- 



\ (" 



42 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



ing danger. He Vent with these a hundred miles up the 
Great Miami, through deep snow and severely cold 
weather, during which his men had their feet frozen and 
were unable to hunt for the supply of the expedition; 
and he consequently returned. When the season moder- 
ated, he made another attempt to run the boundaries, 
with but three armed men in the party; but was fright- 
ened back by signs of Indians, and was again denied an 
escort at J'ort Washington. By May 5, 1792, Ludlow 
could only report to the Government that "I now have 
the satisfaction to present to you the whole of the survey 
of the Ohio and part of the Miami purchases executed 
agreeably to instructions." The full commission was, 
however, finally executed by Colonel Ludlow, and in good 
shape. He was subsequently the surveyor of the original 
site of Cincinnati, in which he was also a joint proprietor. 

Messrs. Dayton and Marsh, representing the Synimes 
company, concluded a contract with the treasury com- 
missioners May 15, 1788, for two millions of acres, in 
two separate and equal tracts. The judge in July made 
up his mind to take but one million-acre tract, and, after 
his departure for the west, Dayton and Marsh arranged 
a new contract with the Government for that amount of 
land between the Miamis, but its eastern boundary begin- 
ning at a Hne twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth 
of the Great Miami. This agreement seems now absurd, 
in the light of knowledge that less than six hundred thou- 
sand acres are included in the entire tract between the 
rivers south of a line from the headwaters of the Little 
Miami due west to the other stream, and that, between 
the boundaries now agreed upon, less than half the 
quantity of land was enclosed that had been solemnly 
bargained for. 

On the fourteenth of July, 1788, Judge Symmes again 
addressed the treasury board, expressing his desire "to 
adhere to the banks of both Miamis in the boundaries 
of the one million acres," but asked permission to enter 
the tract with a party of settlers and cause a survey to be 
made and an accurate map of the country to be prepared, 
"on which you may delineate your pleasure. Until we 
have better knowledge," he adds, reasonably enough, "I 
conceive any further stipulations of boundaries would be 
rather premature." The board made no concession, 
however, and withheld the desired permission for him to 
enter upon the premises. Confiding in the ultimate decis- 
ions of Congress, he nevertheless, as Stites and other 
purchasers had already started for the Miamis, and part 
of his own following had been equipped and had crossed 
the Delaware en route westward, set out with a consider- 
able caravan, reached Pittsburgh August 20th, and the 
mouth of the Great Miami on the twenty-second of Sep- 
tember. From here he explored the country as far up as 
the north side of the fifth range of townships, and re- 
turned to Limestone, from which he did not set out with 
his party to. make permanent settlement at North Bend 
until the twenty-ninth of the next January. 

Limestone was still a small place. Only three years 
before. General Buder, one of the commissioners to ne- 
gotiate treaties with the Indian tribes, passed it with a 
large party, and thus recorded his impressions in his diary. 



This I think to be a settlement of fine land, and believe the people 
will do very well, provided they have peace. There are about fifteen 
good cabins for families, kitchens, etc., included, and twenty-five houses. 
Here is a small creek, and from here a good wagon-road to Lexington 
and other places. The people seem determined to defend themselves; 
every man walks with his rifle in his hand, so enured are they to alarm. 
They are very civil, but possess that roughness of manner so univer- 
sally attendant on seclusion from general society. 

Meanwhile, though, the settlement of Columbia had 
been made by Major Stites and others, and surveying 
parties sent out by Symmes to begin the survey of the 
proposed Purchase, a party on each of the Miamis, each 
to move north to points sixty miles in a straight line from 
the Ohio. The Losantiville (Cincinnati) colony had also 
made its settlement opposite the mouth of the Licking. 
The occupation of the Purchase had fully begun. Con- 
gress took alarm at the departure of Symmes before the 
closing of the business, fearing that he would get posses- 
sion of the tract and set the Government at defiance. 
Judge Burnet, in his Notes on the settlement of the 
Northwestern Territory, says a resolution was offered in 
the body, ordering Colonel Harmar to dispossess him and 
pay the expenses of any military operations thus made nec- 
essary, out of the moneys deposited for his first payment; 
but that, through the representations of Dr. Boudinot and 
Captain Dayfon, two of his associates and also members of 
Congress, the message was withdrawn. Certain it is, a reso- 
lution was moved in Congress a month after Symmes left, 
repealing the several acts of the previous October, by which 
the board of treasury was authorized to contract for the 
sale of western territory. It was referred to a commit- 
tee, who consented to waive their report of the resolu- 
tion back with recommendation of its passage, upon the 
intercession of the gentlemen named, together with Dan- 
iel Marsh, also of the East Jersey association. These 
persons urged its suppression mainly upon the ground 
that Judge Symmes, before departure, had completed 
his first payment in certificates and "army rights," and 
that in accepting it the United States were as firmly 
bound as if a contract had been signed. They agreed, 
in consideration of the failure to report the resolution, to 
sign a contract with the Government for the Purchase, 
with the limits prescribed by the board in the letter of 
June 1 6th. Symmes had given Marsh a power of attorney 
at Pittsburgh, and, although technical objection was made 
to it, a tripartite contract was finally concluded October 15, 
1 788,* after many difficulties and disputes with the treasu- 
ry board, between the board representing the Government 
as party of the first part, Dayton and Marsh as party of 
the second, and Symmes and his associates as party of 
the third part, for one million of acres in the Miami 
country, to be bounded as insisted upon by the commis- 
sioners and agreed to by Dayton, Boudinot, and Marsh. 

The contract stipulated that if Symmes, of the party of 
the third part, should neglect or refuse to execute it, the 
same should inure to the benefit of the parties of the 
second part, who, in that case, covenanted to perfect it 
themselves. It was further stipulated that the association 
should have the privilege of selling and locating as much 

* This instrument was not entered in the official records of Hamilton 
county until March 17, 1821. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



43 



of the remainder of the Purchase as they chose to take 
at the contract price — sixty-six and two-thirds cents per 
acre, payable in cirtificates of Federal indebtedness. 
These could then be bought for five shillings on the 
pound, Pennsylvania currency — so that the original cash 
price of lands in the Miami Purchase, paid by Syrames & 
Company was but fifteen pence, or sixteen and two- 
thirds cents per acre. In pursuance of this provision 
the community at large was publicly invited to become 
associated with the company and avail themselves of this 
privilege. The terms of this offer bore a general and in 
some respects close resemblance to the original "Terms of 
Sale and Settlement," issued at Trenton in November, 
1787. To induce them to do so without loss of time, 
it was stipulated that after the first of May then ensuing 
the price of the land should be one dollar "proclamation 
money," but that it would be still further increased as 
the settlement of the country would justify. It was ex- 
pressly promised that all moneys received on those sales, 
above the Congress price, should be deposited with the 
register and expended in opening roads and erecting 
bridges for the benefit of the settlements. It was also 
stipulated that a register should be appointed by the as- 
sociates to superintend the location of the land and to 
receive and apply the surplus money to those purposes. 
This provision, however, was neglected by the company, 
Mr. Symmes himself acting practically as register, receiv- 
ing and using all moneys paid in after as well as before 
the raising of the price. ' The consideration money was 
to be paid to the parties of the second and third parts in 
six semi-annual equal instalments, and they were to re- 
ceive patents for proportionate parts of the lands. Pur- 
chasers could pay one-seventh of the amount in military 
land warrants, issued by the Government to the Revolu- 
tionary officers and soldiers; and, for the convenience of 
those who wished to do so, Colonel Dayton was appointed 
to receive such payments. Subsequently the third entire 
range of townships in the Purchase was conveyed to Day- 
ton, in trust for persons holding these warrants; it hence 
was called the Military range. It is now in Butler 
and Warren counties. Every locator was required to 
place himself or some other person on the land he 
purchased, within two years from entering his location, 
or in some station of defence, beginning improvement 
on every tract if it could be done with safety, and con- 
tinuing the improvement seven years, if not disturbed by 
Indians, on penalty of forfeiture of one-sixth of each 
tract. This fractional part the register was to lay off at 
the northeast corner in a regular square, and grant to any 
settler who should first apply and perform the require- 
ments. The object of this was to secure actual inhabi- 
tants, who would open up the country, and to make sure 
of at least one bona fide settler on each section. The 
tract thus held in abeyance was commonly called the 
"forfeiture." No register, as before noted, was appointed, 
though the forfeiture tracts were reserved ; and the busi- 
ness was otherwise somewhat loosely conducted, so that 
it is considered doubtful whether any "forfeiture" title in 
the purchase was free from incumbrance; but when they 
came into litigation, the courts and juries took liberal 



views of the equities of the case and sustained the settlers. 

Symmes and his associates were to survey the Purchase 
at their own expense, and adopted a plan which was more 
economical than accurate. The principal surveyor — at 
first John Filson, and, after his death at the hands of the 
Indians, Colonel Israel Ludlow — was instructed to run a 
line east and west from one Miami river to the other, 
sufficiently north to avoid the bends of the Ohio, for a " 
base line, and to plant stakes every mile. The assistant 
surveyors were to run meridian lines by compass from 
each of these stakes, and plant a stake at the end of each 
mile for a section corner. Purchasers were then allowed 
to complete surveys by running east and west lines be- 
tween the corners, at their own expense. This was, of 
course, a very defective plan, and it resulted that scarcely 
two sections could be found in the purchase of the same 
shape or of equal contents. Some were too narrow, 
others too wide. It was doubted whether there was one 
in the entire tract of which the corresponding corners, 
either on the north or south side, were in the same east 
and west line. In some instances, says Judge Burnet, 
the corner on one meridian would prove to be ten, 
twenty, and sometimes thirty rods north or south of the 
corresponding corner on the other meridian. This irreg- 
ularity was very much the subject of complaint. Three 
or four years afterward, when many of the sections had 
been occupied and improved. Judge Symmes adopted a 
plan to remove the difficulty, which rather increased it. 
He caused the meridian line, part of which formed the 
eastern boundary of the site of old Cincinnati, to be re- 
measured, and new stakes to be set at the terminus of 
each mile. This line he then declared to be the stand- 
ard, and directed purchasers and settlers to run their 
lines anew east and west from these stakes, and re-estab- 
lish their corners at the points of intersection on the me- 
ridians. This plan, had it been persisted in, would have 
changed every original corner in the purchase. Some of 
the land owners followed the judge's directions, and 
bounded their possessions by the new lines thus estab- 
lished. Much confusion and trouble resulted; but not 
for a great while, since a decision was presently obtained 
from the supreme court of the State, which confirmed 
the old corners on the ground that the original surveys 
had been made under authority of an act of Congress 
and accepted at the treasury department, and were there- 
fore final and obligatory, and not to be disturbed by 
either party. The territorial lines of many parts of Ham- 
ilton county therefore remain to this day exceedingly un- 
even. The county maps show its northern line, for ex- 
ample, about as angular, in places, as a Virginia rail fence. 

About the same time a similar difficulty arose as to 
the boundaries of the Military range; but in this case also 
the original surveys were confirmed by the supreme court. 

In the former case, as some sections were too large 
and others too small. Judge Symmes adopted a rule that 
he would pay the purchasers four dollars an acre for the 
amount that their land was short of the quantity bar- 
gained for, and require the payment of a like sum per 
acre for those who had secured too much by the incor- 
rect surveys. Notwithstanding all his eflbrts to obviate 



44 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the dififiiculties, however, they continued to multiply, re- 
sulting in much litigation, kept up in some cases even 
after the decision of the supreme court. 

The contract of October, 1788, required the payment 
of the purchase money to be completed within three 
years after the boundary lines of the entire tract had been 
surveyed and plainly marked by the geographer of the 
United States or some other person appointed for the 
purpose. The last instalment fell due early in 1792, 
when only the first and part of the second payment had 
been made; and so the entire contract became liable to 
forfeiture. Symmes had sold not only in the purchase 
as defined by the contract, but also most of the land be- 
tween his east line and the Little Miami. In the spring 
of that year he petitioned Congress to allow the altera- 
tion of the contract extending the eastern boundary to 
that river, as originally asked. It was fortunately granted 
by an act of April 12, 1792, and by this a large number 
of innocent purchasers were secured in the quiet posses- 
sion of their lands. It also provided for the reservation 
of fifteen acres to the Government, near the first town 
plat of Cincinnati, upon which Fort Washington was 
afterwards built. . Judge Symmes then petitioned for a 
law authorizing the President to issue to him a patent for 
so much of the purchase as he had paid and could pay 
for. This, too, was allowed May 5, 1792, and two years 
thereafter he visited Philadelphia, then the seat of Gov- 
ernment, settled with the Treasury department, found he 
had paid for two hundred and forty-eight thousand five 
hundred and forty acres, and received a patent signed by 
President Washington and dated September 30, 1794, 
for three hundred and eleven thousand si.x hundred and 
eighty-two acres, which included total reservations of 
sixty-three thousand one hundred and forty-two acres, 
fifteen acres for Fort Washington, and all sections 
or lots numbered eight, eleven, twenty-six, and twenty- 
nine, for such purposes as Congress might direct. All 
these, including the Fort Washington reserve, were re- 
leased and put into the market by Congress in 1808. 
The remainder of the original Miami Purchase under the 
contract of course reverted to the Government. Sections 
sixteen were also reserved for public schools, and the 
equivalent of a section at or near the mouth of the Great 
Miami river, probably for a fortificaton, but afterwards sold 
to the Symmes' company; and one full township, to be lo- 
cated as near the center of the tract as possible, "for the 
purpose of establishing an academy and other public 
schools and seminaries of learning." The boundaries of the 
tract were substantially defined as the Great and Little Mi- 
ami rivers, the Ohio, and a parallel of latitude to be drawn 
between the two former rivers, so as to comprise three hun 
dred and eleven thousand six hundred and eighty-two 
acres. These enclosed, of course, all of Hamilton county 
between the rivers, and parts of the present counties of 
Butler and Warren to the northern boundary of the third 
range of townships, on an east and west line several 
miles north of the subsequent site of Lebanon. The 
tracts sold by Symmes north of this line were allowed by 
the Government to be regularly pre-empted and entered 
at Cincinnati by the purchasers, they taking the usual 



patents therefor at two dollars per acre. This re- 
sult was not reached without long delay and much dif- 
ficulty. Doubts of his right to sell lands so far to the 
northward had previously harassed purchasers, and they 
finally insisted that he should take steps for their security. 
They wanted to petition Congress, but he dissuaded 
them, went again to Philadelphia in the fall of 1796, 
and spent the following winter and spring in efforts to 
induce the Government to take his offered money and 
make him a further grant in the Purchase, which would 
cover his troublesome sales. The arrangement of 1792 
had apparently left open the contract of 1788, as to the 
remainder of the million acres bargained for; and, even 
so late as 1797, Symmes and his agents continued to 
offer lands in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and even the tenth 
range of townships "in the Miami Purchase." Congress 
finally decided, however, that the law of 1792 and the 
settlement and patent of 1794 constituted a fiill adjust- 
ment of his claims and a full performance by the Gov- 
ernment of its obligations toward the company, and that 
he had no further rights under the contract. The situa- 
tion of his grantees outside the Purchase was now despe- 
rate. Many had paid in full, all had in part, and most 
had spent much money and labor in improvements, 
which they were now liable to lose, together with their 
lands. Several towns had been laid out and settled upon 
this tract, mills built, orchards planted, and other im- 
portant beginnings made. Of all these there was danger 
the rightful proprietors would be dispossessed, without 
remuneration. Congress was memorialized, and was 
generous in its provisions for relief By an act passed in 
1799 all persons having made written land contracts with 
Symmes before Aiml ist of that year, outside his patent, 
were secured preference over all other purchasers from 
the Government. Two years thereafter the right of pre- 
emption was extended to all purchasers from Symmes 
prior to the first of January, 1800. The extension of 
credit by Congress was so liberal that many were enabled 
to complete their payments from the produce of the 
farms; and all, it is believed, by the indulgence of the 
Government from year to year, were at last made secure 
in their titles. 

The act of Congress March 3, 1801, provided in ef- 
fect that any person who had contracted in writing, be- 
fore the first of January, 1800, with Judge Symmes, or 
any of his associates, or had made payment to them 
for the purchase of any land between the Miami rivers, 
within the limits of the survey of the Purchase made by 
Ludlow, and not within the tract which Symmes had re- 
ceived, his patent should be entitled to preference in 
purchasing said land from the United States, at the then 
fixed price of public lands, two dollars per acre. Under 
another section of the act President Jefferson appointed 
Messrs. John Reily and William Goforth to act with 
General Findlay, receiver of public moneys at Cincin- 
nati, as commissioners to hear and determine the rights 
of claimants under the law. A year did not suffice for 
the settlement of all claims, and by another law of May 
I, 1802, the provisions of the former act were extended 
twelve months longer. Mr. Reily was re-appointed com- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



45 



missioner; Dr. John Sellman was also appointed; and the 
two, with General Findlay, as commissioner ex officio, 
closed up the business within the year. 

The following copy of the letter of transmittal ac- 
companying the commission to Dr. Goforth, a well-known 
member of the board, will be read here with interest: 

Treasury Department, October 9, 1801. 

Sir: — The President of the United States having thought proper to 
appoint you a commissioner, tinder the fourtli section of an act of 
Congress, passed March 3. 1801, entitled "an act giving a riglit of 
pre-emption to certain persons who have contracted with John Cleves 
Symmes, or liis associates, for lands lying between the Miami rivers, 
in the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio," I en- 
close to you, herewith, a commission for that purpose. 

The duties to be performed, and the compensation to be allowed to 
you therefor, being fully detailed in the act above recited, I shall only 
remark that, as the commissioners will not arrive in time to admit of 
the three weeks' notice required by the law, all practicable means 
should be employed to apprise the parties concerned of the appoint- 
ment of the commissioners, as well through the medium of the news- 
paper published at Cincinnati, as by hand-bills posted up in the neigh- 
boring districts. As it will be proper, however, that the commissioners 
should act in concert in this, and all other matters confided to them, I 
. beg leave to recommend that a meeting be immediately held for that 
purpose. I am, very respectfully, sii, 

Your obedient servant, 

Albert Gallatin. 

William Goforth, esq., at Cincinnati. 

THE "college township" 

also gave Judge Symmes and others much embarrassment. 
He had sold all or most of the township proposed 
to be reserved for academic purposes, which, originally 
advertised in his "Tenns of Sale and Settlement," was 
one of the best tracts in the purchase. It is now Green 
township — the only regular thirty-six section township in 
the county. Strictly, the Purchase was not entitled by law 
to a college township, since the ordinance under which 
the early sales of public lands were made only allowed it 
when a purchase of two millions or more of acres was 
made. When Symmes' associates and agents reduced 
the Purchase to one million, he accordingly gave up 
the idea of a college township, erased the entry of it 
which had previously been marked out upon his map, 
and sold its lands with the rest. But when the bills for 
the change of boundaries and the grant of the patent 
were before Congress, Dayton had secured the insertion 
of a provision for such township, for "an academy, or 
other school of learning, to be located within five years 
in nearly the center of the patent as might be." There 
was now not an entire township left unsold in the Pur- 
chase. Symmes, in 1799,' offered the Government 
the second township of the second fractional range; 
but' that had also been sold in large part, and the 
offer was rejected successively by the Federal and 
Territorial Governments, the State legislature, and then 
Congress again, to whoin he in turn offered it, holding 
previous sales from it to be void. After the State gov- 
ernment was formed Congress granted the legislature an- 
other township, or thirty-six sections, from the public lands, 
in lieu of one in the Purchase, which was selected by a 
commission appointed in 1803, from unsold lands west 
of the Great Miami. These form the pecuniary foundation 
— such as it is, through mismanageinent and waste — of 
Miami University, established by the legislature in 1809, 



located at first by the commissioners at Lebanon, within 
the Purchase, but afterwards fixed by the legislature at 
the present village of Oxford, Butler county, where it 
has since remained.* 

The troubles of Judge Symmes concerning his Pur- 
chase were endless, and embittered much of his later life. 
In 1 811 his house at North Bend was burned, presum- 
ably by an enemy who was angered at him for having re- 
fused to vote for the incendiary for some local office. In 
the destruction of this house also perished the certificates 
of the original proprietors of Cincinnati, upon which the 
judge had made deeds to purchasers after he was enabled 
to do so by the obtainment of his patent. In some cases 
they had been irregularly and fraudulently secured; in 
others deeds had been made to assignees of certificates, 
upon assignments asserted by the original holders to be 
fraudulent. It was also important to learn whether all 
deeds for lots in the town had been authorized by the 
proprietors; but, whatever the facts were, the loss of 
certificates, which was irreparable, shut off investigation, 
and operated as a quietus for the claimants in possession. 
The agitations created by the disaster, however, increased 
seriously the burdens of the now aged pioneer. Four 
years thereafter the enterprising adventurer and hero of 
the Miami Purchase found rest in the grave, where, 

After life's fitfnl fever, he sleeps well. . 



CHAPTER VL 

THE MIAMI IMMIGRATION. 

' ' I beheld, too, in that vision 
All the secrets of the future, 
Of the distant days that shall be. 
I beheld the westward marches 
Of the unknown, crowded nations. 
All the land was full of people — 
Restless, struggling, toiling, striving. 
Speaking many tongues, yet feeling 
But one heart-beat in their bosoms. 
In the woodlands rang their axes, 
Smoked their towns in all the valleys, 
Over all the lakes and rivers 
Rushed their great canoes of thunder." 

— H. W. Longfellow, "Hiawatha." 

THE FIRST PARTIES TO START. 

By the winter of 1788-9 there were white settlements 
on all sides of the Miami Purchase, though some of 
"them were distant. Pittsburgh was founded; the Ohio 
company's colony was set down at Marietta; Limestone 
Point, or Limestone, afterwards Maysville, was much 
nearer at the eastward, and Lexington and Louisville, in 
the same State, both founded already ten years or more, 
lay at other points of the compass; while Detroit at the 

* Almost the entire account of the contract of 1788, and the subse- 
quent transactions, has been derived from Judge Burnet's interesting 
and instructive Notes upon the settlement of the Northwestern Terri- 
tory. 



46 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



northward, Vincennes to the west, and St. Louis yet be- 
yond, might be said to complete a cordon, though some- 
what far away, of civilized settlement. In Kentucky, 
particularly at Lexington, as we shall see more fully in 
opening the history of Cincinnati, a lively interest be- 
gan to be taken, in the summer and fall of 1788, in the 
colonization of the fertile tract between the Miamis. 
Attention was especially directed to the eligible site oppo- 
site the mouth of the Licking, which many of the men 
of Kentucky had seen, as they crossed the Ohio going 
upon or returning from their expeditions against the 
Indians. In this region the first steps were taken for the 
planting of Losantiville, which became Cincinnati, the 
"Queen City." So far had the project gone in early 
autumn that the fifteenth of September of that year was 
appointed "for a large company to meet in Lexington 
and make a road from there to the mouth of the Licking, 
provided Judge Symmes arrives, being daily expected." 

The first organized parties for the settlement of the 
Miami country, however, set out from the far east. A 
feeble scatter of emigrants had come to the Purchase and 
its vicinity on either side, from time to time, in the spring 
and summer of 1788; none of whom, however, dared at- 
tempt permanent settlement as yet, through fear of the 
savages and the total want of military protection. Some 
of them, on their return, remained at Limestone and 
joined the early expeditions back to the Miami country. 
Meanwhile the material of those expeditions was collect- 
ing, under the auspices of Symmes and Stites, away in 
the comparatively old districts of Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey. The latter started with his party, at just what 
date we know not, but probably in the early summer of 
1788, and waited at Limestone until and for some time 
after the arrival of Judge Symmes. The latter left New 
Jersey late in July of the same year, with an imposing 
train of fourteen four-horse wagons, and, with the wagons 
and on horseback, sixty persons, including his own family. 
He travelled leisurely across the then difficult country to 
Pittsburgh, and thence to Wheeling, sending his horses 
by land to the latter place from Devon's Ferry, on the Mo- 
nongahela, while he embarked his people and their effects 
on the river. He regretted afterwards that he had not 
purchased ox-teams instead of horses, declaring that he 
should have saved three hundred pounds by it. He 
recommended his eastern friends proposing to immigrate 
to come with oxen, "as they are cheaper by one half in 
the first purchase, not so much exposed to accidents — 
the Indians have never disturbed them in any instance 
(except in the attack on Colerain, when the enemy took 
all the cattle for the supply of their small army) — and 
after long service they are still of their original value." 
He was not troubled by Indians on the route, but was 
delayed somewhat by heavy rains and bad roads, which 
caused the breakage of several of his axles by the time 
Pittsburgh was reached. He remained in that city but 
two days, and pushed on to Wheeling, as before recited, 
from which the party floated briskly down, the Ohio being 
in flood at the time, to the infant colony at Marietta, and 
thence to Limestone, at which he arrived the latter part 
of September, two months from his departure from New 



Jersey. This place was to be his base of operations for 
some months. He paid an early visit of exploration to 
the Miami country, but was doomed to weeks of weary 
waiting, at first for a sufficient military escort to justify 
the completion of his journey and the execution of the 
Muskingum treaty pending with the Indians, which was 
delayed till almost midwinter; then for supplies. He 
complained bitterly of the delay of General Harmar in 
sending him troops from the fort at Marietta; and when, 
on the twelfth of December, Captain Kearsey reached 
Limestone with a force of forty-five men, the arrival was 
"much more detriment than use," as Symmes wrote, 
since he was not ready to start, St. Clair not yet having 
advised him of the conclusion of the treaty, and, the 
troops coming to him with very limited supplies and 
Harmar failing to send more, he had to feed them from 
his own stores. The purchases he was compelled to 
make from the surrounding country after a time were ef- 
fected with difficulty and at large cost, since the "amaz- 
ing emigration, " as he called it, into Kentucky had al- 
most exhausted the Limestone region and put every kind 
of provisions up to three times the price at Lexington. 

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

There had been a numerous gathering at Limestone, 
waiting to go on to the Miamis. Major Stites, however, 
got away the twenty-fifth of November with the surveyors 
dispatched by Symmes into the Purchase, determined to 
wait no longer for the beginning of his meditated settle- 
ment at or near the mouth of the Little Miami. The 
two or three block-houses (Fort Miami) erected by the 
party, with the adjoining cabins, formed the nucleus of 
Columbia, now the oldest part of Cincinnati and the old- 
est white settlement in Hamilton county or anywhere in 
the Purchase. A sergeant and eighteen men were pres- 
ently sent to Stites. A sergeant and twelve men were 
also started with a party of settlers coming down the 
river for the "Old Fort" at the mouth of the Great Mi- 
ami; but all these were turned back at Columbia by ice 
in the river gorging it and damaging their boats, and re- 
turned, discouraged but in safety, to Limestone. Just 
one month after the departure of Stites's company, on 
the twenty-fourth of December, the throng at Limestone 
was further relieved by the exodus of the party led by 
Colonel Patterson, of Lexington — which, however, was 
composed much more of eastern men than of Kentuck- 
ians. Their objective point was the coveted spot opposite 
the debouchure of the Licking into the Ohio, to which 
they moved accordingly, and successfully arrived, though 
with some trouble from floating ice — probably on the 
twentj'-eighth of December, 1788. The town they found- 
ed here took at first the name suggested by the pedantic 
Filson, who was one of the original projectors — "Losanti- 
ville," a name compounded of little words from several 
languages, and intended to signify "the village opposite 
the mouth of the Licking river." Thus was the second 
settlement in the Purchase made. The third was effect- 
ed by Judge Symmes himself and the party then over 
six months out from their New Jersey homes. He had 
taken a house for himself and family at Limestone, ex- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



47 



pecting to be detained there until spring. He waited 
vainly and long, struggling with the difficulties of subsist- 
ing the troops and his following there, for a boat-load of 
flour which had been ordered from up the river, and 
which had been promised him by Christmas at furthest, 
or for Harmar to forward supplies. But the last of Jan- 
uary bringing an enormous freshet in the river, sweeping 
out the ice and furnishing a current favorable for rapid 
movement down the stream, he determined to tarry no 
longer. This determination was hastened also by mes- 
sengers from Stites, who came on foot through the wil- 
, derness along the river banks, to advise him of the ex- 
pressed friendship of the Indians and their eagerness to 
see him. A second message of this kind led him to fear 
that, if his journey were longer delayed, the savages 
would retire in disgust and anger; and he decided to 
leave. Collecting with much difficulty a small supply 
of flour and salt, he embarked his family and furniture, 
with Captain Kearsey and the residue of the force, and 
committed his fortunes to the swelling waters on the 
twenty-ninth day of January, 1789. Reaching Columbia, 
he found it flooded, with the soldiers driven to the gar- 
rets of the block-houses and finally to boats, and only 
one house, built on high ground, out of water. Passing 
on to Losantiville he found the people there entirely out 
of the floods; but, knowing from his previous observa- 
tions of the country at the mouths of the Miamis that 
the land about the "Old Fort" would be flooded, he 
abandoned his project of founding a city at the point 
between the Great Miami and the Ohio, and, at three 
o'clock in the afternoon, as he carefully notes, on the 
second of February, 1789, in an inclement season, his 
party stepped ashore at the site of North Bend. Im- 
provement here was speedily begun; and Howe, in his 
Historical Collections of Ohio, says that about the same 
time another beginning was made, three miles below this 
place and two from the Indiana line, on the tract which 
afterwards formed part of the farm of the younger Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison. This took the name of the 
"Sugar Camp Settlement," and at one time, says Howe, 
had as many as thirty houses. The block-house built 
here was still standing in 1847, though almost a ruin. 
Soon after the North Bend occupation, a site was select- 
ed by Judge Symmes for another town, which was des- 
tined to have a short career and a limited fame — South 
Bend, at the southernmost point of the Ohio in the pur- 
chase. North Bend, says Mr. Francis W. Miller, in 
Cincinnati's Beginnings, obtained its appellation from 
being farther to the north than any other northwardly 
extending deflection of the Ohio between the Muskingum 
and the Mississippi. Judge Symmes wrote in August, 
1 791, that "South Bend is pretty well established," and 
Mr. Miller says "the village which was started there 
soon showed such signs of progress as to be considered 
for a time a competitor in the race for supremacy." In 
September, 1791, it had eighteen or twenty families. 
The entire chain of settlements along the river, particu- 
larly Columbia, Losantiville, and North Bend, received 
rapid accessions of immigration. In the years 1789-90 
the first -named had the largest population of any of them. 



THE "stations." 

At all periods of its history, the vast majority of immi- 
grations to the Miami country has come in by way of the 
river Ohio. In the early day there was rarely an arrival 
by any other means of transportation, from the absence 
or paucity and poorness of roads in the interior. It was 
natural, therefore, that the settlements along the north 
bank of that river should be the first made in the Pur- 
chase. The policy of Judge Symmes, however, was to 
disperse settlers through the entire tract. In this he dif- 
fered from the Ohio company. He wrote to Dayton in 
May, 1789: 

At Marietta, the directors of tlie company settled tlie settlers as tliey 
pleased, on the New England plan of concentrating in towns and vil- 
lages, so as to gtiard against Indians. In "Miami" every purchaser 
chose his ground, and converted the same into a station, village, or 
town at pleasure, with nothing to anticipate but fear of the Indians. 
If ten or twelve men agree to form a station, it is certainly done. 
This desultory way of settling will soon carry many through the Pur- 
chase, if the savages do not frustrate them. Encouragements are 
given at every man's will to settlers, and they bid on each other, in or- 
der to make their post the more secure." 

In accordance with this wise policy, Symmes was soon 
able to announce (to Dayton, April 30, 1790): 

We here established three new stations some distance up in the coun- 
try. One is twelve miles up the Big Miami, the second is five miles up 
Mill creek, and the third is nine miles back in the country from Colum- 
bia. These all flourish well. 

The first of these small forts or stockades was named 
"Dunlap's station," at Colerain, seventeen miles north- 
west of Cincinnati, about which a good many settlers 
early concentrated; the second, although at first called 
by Symmes "Mill Creek station," is better known as Lud- 
low's, and was at Cumminsville, within the present limits 
of Cincinnati; and the third was probably " Covalt's sta- 
tion." A few months later, in November, after Harmar's 
defeat, Mr. Symmes writes: " But for the repulse of our 
army, I should have had several new stations advanced 
further into the Purchase by next spring; but I now shall 
be very happy if we are able to maintain the three ad- 
vanced stations." 

THE SETTLEMENTS OF THE NORTH. 

The next year, in September, General St. Clair, while 
marching to his defeat, established Fort Hamilton on 
the Great Miaini, in the Purchase, twenty-five miles from 
Cincinnati, which speedily became the nucleus of a 
thriving settlement, and finally gave way to the town 
(now city) of Hamilton, founded in 1794. Long before 
this, in June, 1789, when the Mad river region was pre- 
sumed to be included in the Purchase, Major Stites and 
other Columbians, arranging with Symmes for the pur- 
chase of the seventh entire range of townships, drew a 
superb plan for a town upon the subsequent site of Day- 
ton, for which they proposed the name "Venice." The 
project failed, from difficulties in obtaining title from 
Symmes, and very likely also from fear of the savages. 
As soon, however, as the Indian troubles were pacificated 
this very desirable site at the mouth of the Mad river 
was occupied by a company composed of Governor St. 
Clair, General Dayton, General Wilkinson, and Colonel 
Ludlow, who founded and secured a rapid early growth 
for their new town of "Dayton." They had negotiated 



48 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



for the land with Symmes, but were compelled, of course, 
eventually to purchase from the Government, as, by the 
Judge's patent of 1794, it lay far outside of his tract. 
At an early day, also, Lebanon and other towns and 
country settlements in the Miami country, in and out of 
the Purchase, made their hopeful beginnings. 

DISCOURAGEMENTS. 

Thus rapidly, under the circumstances, was setting in 
the tide of Miami immigration. Some of those circum. 
stances were specially formidable to the rapid develop- 
ment of the country. Notwithstanding the peaceful 
auspices under which the first treaties and settlements 
had been made, and the comparative freedom from 
attack which the httle communities enjoyed for some 
time, the fear of savage inroads was ever present, and 
even afar off it deterred the intending immigrant from 
making his venture. The fear of Indian massacre, cap- 
tivity, and torture hung like a pall over the advance 
guard of civilization in the Miami wilderness. This was 
greatly increased by the disastrous defeats of Generals 
St. Clair and Harmar, and was not entirely removed 
until after the victory of Wayne at the battle of the 
Fallen Timbers, and the subsequent peace of Greenville. 
An era of security and peace then set in. The inhabi- 
tants could now leave their fortified stations and remove 
to tracts selected in the open country. Here they built 
their cabins anew, and began to subdue the forest and 
get in their first crops. Other immigrants rapidly arrived 
on the news of apparently permanent peace, to join 
them; and the wonderful growth of the region fairly 
began. . 

Another cause operated almost as powerfully, early in 
the immigration, to deter settlement. This was the hos- 
tility of the Kentucky people, who, from being warm 
friends of the Miami country, had become its bitter ene- 
mies, and lost no opportunity to decry it. They doubt- 
less suffered "the piques of disappointment," as Symmes 
put it, at seeing the rich prize of the Purchase carried off 
by eastern men, after they, the leading K=ntuckians, had 
fixed their longing eyes upon it. Nevertheless, many 
land-jobbers from that region had bargained with the 
judge for tracts of his land, and had been granted gen- 
erous terms — abundant time in which to pay the fees for 
surveying and registering required of land-buyers at that 
time, and to make their first payments. In most cases 
they utterly failed in these ; and after waiting a reason- 
able length of time, their negotiations or contracts were 
declared void by Mr. Symmes. They consequently took 
especial pains, particularly at Limestone, where all parties 
of immigrants going down the Ohio called, to discourage 
settlers from locating in the purchase. Symiiies writes 
to Dayton in May, 1789: 

At Limestone they assert with an air of assurance that the Miami 
country is depopulated, that many of the inhabitants are killed and 
the settlers all fled who have escaped the tomahawk, adjuring those 
bound to the falls of the Ohio not to call at the Miamis, for that they 
would certainly be destroyed by the Indians. With these falsehoods 
they have terrified about thirty families, which had come down the 
river with a design of settling at Miami, and prevailed with them to 
land at Limestone and go into Kentucky. Nevertheless, [added the 
stout-hearted pioneer] every week, almost every day, some people 



arrive at one or other of our towns, and become purchasers and set- 
tlers. . . Many persons who have been with us, made pur- 
chases, built houses, and are fully satisfied and much pleased with the 
country, go back and get their families. 

But later the feeling in Kentucky seems to have 
changed, or the disappointed and pestilent landsharks 
there had lost their influence; for a large immigration 
from that very region northward to the Miami valley was 
promised. Judge Symmes wrote November 4, 1790: 

Never had been finer prospects of speedy sales and settlement of 
lands in the Purchase, than were about the time the army marched to 
Harmar's defeat. Great numbers were arranging their business to 
emigrate from Kentucky and the Pittsburgh country: but the strokes 
our army has got seem to fall like a blight upon the prospect, and for 
the present seem to' appall every countenance. 

Still another source of discouragement was found in 
1 79 1, in the arbitrary conduct of Governor St. Clair to- 
wards Judge Symmes, and of the governor and the 
mihtary towards the citizens of Cincinnati and the pur- 
chasers of lands in the southeast corner and elsewhere 
in the Purchase. On the twelfth and fourteenth of July 
in that year St. Clair addressed somewhat dictatorial let- 
ters to the judge, on the subject of his continued sales 
of lands between the Little Miami and the new hne es- 
tablished by the Treasury board as the eastern boundary 
of the Purchase, and on the nineteenth issued the proc- 
lamation of warning and threat mentioned in our Chap- 
ter V. Mr. Symmes wrote : 

EN'ery person must admit that the Governor has treated me and the 
settlers in a most cruel manner. 

He also writes of the proclamation, which seems to 
have been preceded or followed by another placing Cin - 
cinnati, or some part of it outside of the fort, under 
martial law: 

The Governor's proclamations have convulsed these settlements be- 
yond your conception, sir, not only with regard to the limits of the 
Purchase, but also with respect to his putting part of the town of Cin- 
cinnati under military government. 

The governor had shortly before summarily arrested a 
respectable setrter from New England, named Knoles 
Shaw, although he lived beyond the limits of martial 
law, as prescribed by the proclamation, put him in irons, 
as the jadge was "credibly informed," and finally, with- 
out hearing before judge or jury, exiled him and his 
family from the territory, while his house had been burned 
by the troops, under St. Clair's orders. The charges 
against him related to the purchase of some articles of 
soldiers' uniform and the advising soldiers to desert ; but 
they rested solely upon the assertion of a soldier who 
deserted and was retaken, against whom Mr. Shaw 
stoutly asserted his innocence, and they wer,e not, even 
if fully substantiated, such as called for the severe penal- 
ties inflicted, had the governor legal power to inflict 
theni at discretion. Some of the military oflScers, par- 
taking of St. Clair's spirit, had been guilty of other high- 
handed and unwarranted acts. One Captain Armstrong, 
commanding at Fort Hamilton, for example, ordered out 
of the Purchase some of the settlers at Dunlap's station, 
and threatened to eject them vi et armis if they did not 
go. Previously, under Harmar's command at Fort 
Washington, the regular officers at the fort committed 
"many other acts of a despotic complexion," "beating 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



49 



and imprisoning citizens at tiieir pleasure," writes Symraes. 
When, late in the same year, the defeat of St. Clair by 
the Indians was added to the disastrous repulse of Har- 
mar, the combined discouragements certainly looked as 
if the Purchase would be ruined. Symmes wrote to 
Dayton : 

I expect, sir, that the late defeat will entirely discourage emigration 
to the Purchase from Jersey for a long time. Indeed, it seems that we 
are never to have matters right. What from the succeeding defeats of 
our army, and the Governor's arbitrary conduct towards the settlers^ 
still more discouraging at the time than even the defeats, many settlers 
became very indifferent in their attachment to the Purchase, and num- 
bers had left it on accoimt of the Governor's conduct before his unpar- 
alleled defeat. 

Yet the elasticity of the indomitable spirit of the 
pioneers and their leaders rebounded from all depres- 
sions, and the immigration, after a period of relapse, went 
bravely on. It is estimated that there were two thou- 
sand white persons already in the Miami country in 1790, 
and that ten years thereafter the number had jumped to 
fifteen thousand. In 1810 Hamilton county alone had 
fifteen thousand two hundred and four, and the entire 
Miaini country about seventy thousand, or one-seventh of 
the whole population then in the State. By August, 
1815, it was judged by Dr. Drake that one hundred thou- 
sand at least were in the same region, or twenty-five per 
square mile, scattered over about four thousand square 
miles. It was a remarkable growth for the first quarter 
of a century. 

The expectations entertained of the whole Ohio coun- 
try, long before it was permanently settled, are well shown 
by an official communication addressed in 1770 to the 
Earl of Hillsborough, then attached to the British govern- 
ment as Secretary of State for the North American De- 
partment, in which the following passage occurs: 

No part of North America will require less encouragement for the 
production of naval stores and raw materials for manufactories in 
Europe, and for supplying the West India islands with lumber, provi- 
sions, etc., than the country of the Ohio. 

The writer then gives six excellent reasons for the faith 
that is in him, with observations that involve many com- 
pliments to and a high appreciation, of the beautiful 
fertile land watered by the Ohio and its tributaries. 

THE MIAMI COUNTRY. 

It was a beautiful land to which the Miami immigra- 
tion was invited — 

A wilderness of sweets ; for Nature here 
Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will 
Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, 
Wild above rule or art ; the gentle gales. 
Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense 
Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 
Those balmy spoils. 

Judge Symmes had called it, with tolerably clear pre- 
science, "a country that may one day prove the brightest 
jewel in the regalia of the nation." The forest was lux- 
uriant, and fertile in native fruit products. The fine bot- 
tom lands in the valleys had been cultivated by the sav- 
ages, and by the Mound Builders before them, for untold 
centuries, and were found by the early settlers as mellow 
as ash heaps, and with their fertility unimpaired by long 
culture, much less exhausted. Said Symmes to Dayton, 
in a letter from North Bend, May 27, 1789: "The coun- 



try is healthy, and looks like a mere meadow for many 
miles together in some places." The "Turkey Bottom," 
still so-called, a clearing of about six hundred and forty 
acres, or a "section," made ready to the hand of civiliza- 
tion, a mile and a half above the mouth of the Little 
Miami, on the east side of the Purchase, with the produce 
of soiTie smaller lots near Columbia, furnished the entire 
supply of corn for that hamlet and for Cincinnati during 
their first year. This tract, like many others in the val- 
leys, was extremely fertile. Benjamin Randolph, one of 
the occupants, planted a single acre of corn upon it, 
which he had no time to hoe, hastening back to New 
Jersey upon some errand of affection or business; and 
when he came back in the fall, he found that his neglect- 
ed acre had one hundred bushels of excellent maize ready 
for him to husk. From nine acres of this tract, the tra- 
dition goes, the enormous crop of nine hundred and 
sixty-three bushels was gathered the very first season. 

Oliver M. Spencer, one of the earliest residents at this 
corner of the Purchase, thus pleasantly records his im- 
pressions of the Miami country in the primitive time: 

The winter of 1791-92 was followed by an early and delightful 
spring ; indeed, I have often thought that our first Western winters 
were much milder, our springs earlier, and our autumns longer than 
they now are. On the last of February some of the trees were putting 
forth their foliage ; in iVIarch the redbud, the hawthorn, and the dog- 
wood, in full bloom, checkered the hills, displaying their beautiful col- 
ors of rose and lily ; and in April the ground was covered with May- 
apple, bloodroot, ginseng, violets, and a great variety of herbs and 
flowers. Flocks of paroquets were seen, decked in their rich plumage 
of green and gold. Birds of various species and every hue, were flit- 
ting from tree to tree, and the beautiful redbird and the untaught song- 
ster of the west made the woods vocal with their melody. Now might 
be heard the plaintive wail of the dove, and now the rumbling drum of 
the partridge or the loud gobble of the turkey. Here miglit be seen 
the clumsy bear, doggedly moving off; or, urged by pursuit into a la- 
boring gallop, retreating to his citadel in the top of some lofty tree ; or, 
approached suddenly, raising himself erect in the attitude of defence, 
facing his enemy and waiting his approach ; — there the timid deer, 
watchfully resting or cautiously feeding, or, aroused from his thicket, 
gracefully bounding off, then stopping, erecting his stately head for a 
moment, gazing around, or snuffing the air to ascertain his enemy, in- 
stantly springing off, clearing logs and bushes at a bound, and soon 
distancing his pursuers. It seemed an earthly paradise ; and, but for 
apprehension of the wily copperhead, which lay silently coiled among 
the leaves or beneath the plants, waiting to strike his victim ; the hor- 
rid rattlesnake, which, more chivalrous, however, with head erect 
amidst its ample folds, prepared to dart upon his foe, generously with 
the loud noise of his rattle apprised him of danger ; and the still more 
fearful and insidious savage, who, crawling upon the ground or noise- 
lessly approaching behind trees or thickets, sped the deadly shaft or 
fatal bullet, you might have fancied you were in the confines of Eden or 
the borders of Elysium. 

Many, notwithstanding these drawbacks, were the 
charms, attractions, and delights of the Miami country. 
The immigration thereto, as we shall now see, was every 
way worthy of it. 



5° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE MIAMESE. 
I hear the tread of pioneers, 

Of nations yet to be ; 
The first low wash of waves, where soon 

Shall roll a human sea. 
The elements of empire here 

Are plastic yet and w.arm. 
And the chaos of a mighty world 

Is rounding into form. 

— J. G. Whittier. 

"The Miamese (so we call ourselves)," wrote Symmes 
to Dayton in 1789. They were the noble men and 
women of the earliest Miami immigration. Very fortun- 
ate was the Purchase, from the beginning, in the charac- 
ter of its settlers. The general expression of those who 
met them personally, or have known them as represented 
in their descendants, concurs with thetestimony of Mr. F. 
W. Miller, in his valuable work on Cincinnati's Beginnings : 

Whoever traces his lineage up to the early emigrants to the Miami 
Purchase comes of a stock which may be extolled on grounds that will 
bear scrutiny. Of course, those who were the first to seek homes in 
this section of the country, while yet in its primitive condition, were not 
so self-sacrificing as to suppose they were coming to a field which was 
likely to prove ungrateful to the laborer's toil. On the contrary, the 
idea was universally entertained that the field was one of great promise' 
Still, the promise was not of a nature to attract, to any considerable 
e.xtent, a kind of adventurers who abound in some of our new settle- 
ments nowadays — people who come merely with a view of making a 
sudden impact on some oleaginous deposit, and, in the pursuit of their 
object, are usually more or less affected with an apprehension of eon. 
tingencies which may render an expeditious change of their location 
desirable or necessary within a brief period, and such like carpet-bag- 
gers of the worst description. The early emigrant hither sought here a 
permanent abode, looking forward to a time when he might expect to 
repose in peace and plenty under his own vine and fig-tree, yet well 
aware that there was a great preliminary work to be performed — the 
work of reclaiming a wilderness , and naturally a goodly portion of the 
first-comer's were such as came with characters and capacities adapted 
to the task which they saw before them. Moreover, those who pro- 
jected and managed the commencement of the civilizing process in this 
quarter were persons who could have given, as well as any Sir 'Wise" 
acre, the answer to the question, "'What constitutes a State?" 

The late E. D. Mansfield, in his Life of his brother-in- 
law. Dr. Daniel Drake, published in 1855, gives yet more 
glowing and eloquent testimony to the valor and virtues 
of the Ohio pioneers: 

The settlement of the Ohio valley was attended by many circum- 
stances which gave it pecuhar interest. Its beginning was the first hui^ 
■ of the Revolution. Its growth has been more rapid than that of any 
modern colony. In a period of little more than half a century, its 
strength and magnitude exceed the limits of many distinguished nations 
Such results could not have been produced without efficient causes. It 
is not enough to account for them by referring to a mild climate, fer- 
tile soil, flowing rivers, or even good government. These are important. 
But a more direct one is found in the character and labors of its early 
citizens ; for in man, at least, consists the life and glory of every State. 

This is strikingly true of the States and institutions which have gone 
up on the banks of the Ohio. The first settlers had no such doubtful 
origin as the fabled Romulus, and imbibed no such savage spirit as he 
received from the sucklings of a wolf. They were civilized — derived 
from a race historically bold and energetic ; had naturally received an 
elementary, and in some instances a superior, education ; and were 
bred to free thought and brave actions in the great and memorable 
school of the American Revolution. If not actors, they were the chil- 
dren of those who were actors in its dangers and sufferings. These 
settlers came to a country magnificent in extent and opulent in all the 
wealth of nature. But it was nature in her ruggedness. All was wild 
and savage. The wilderness before them presented only a field of bat- 
tle or of labor. The Indian must be subdued, the mighty forest leveled, 
the soil in its wide extent upturned, and from every quarter of the globe 



must be transplanted the seeds, the plants, and all the contrivances o 
life which, in other lands, had required ages to obtain. In the midst of 
these physical necessities and of that progress which consists in con- 
quest and culture, there were other and higher works to be performed. 
Social institutions must be founded, laws must be adapted to the 
new society, schools established, churches built up, science culti- 
vated, and, as the structure of the State arose upon these solid columns, 
it must receive the finish of the fine arts and the polish of letters. 
The largest part of this mighty fabric was the work of the first settlers 
on the Ohio — a work accomplished within the period of time allotted 
by Providence to the life of man. If, in after ages, history shall seek 
a suitable acknowledgment of their merits, it will be found in the sim- 
ple record that their characters and labors were equal to the task they 
had to perform. Theirs was a noble work, nobly done. 

It is true that the lives of these men were attended by all the common 
motives and common passions of human nature ; but these motives and 
passions were humbled by the greatness of the result, and even co.m- 
mon pursuits rendered interesting by the air of wildness and adventure 
which is found in all the paths of the pioneer. There were among 
them, too, men of great strength and intellect, of acute powers, and of 
a freshness and originality of genius which we seek in vain among the 
members of conventional society. 

These men were as varied in their characters and pursuits as the parts 
they had to perform in the great action before them. Some were sol- 
diers in the long battle against the Indians ; some were huntsmen, like 
- Boone and Kenton, thirsting for fresh adventures ; some were plain 
farmers, who came with wives and children, sharing fully in their toils 
and dangers; some lawyers and jurists, who early participated in coun- 
cil and legislation ; and with them all, the doctor, the clergyman, and 
even the schoolmaster, was found in the earliest settlements. In a few 
years others came, whose names will long be remembered in any true 
account (if any such shall ever be written) of the science and literature 
of America. They gave to the strong but rude body of society here its 
earliest culture, in a higher knowledge and purer spirit. 

THE ELEMENTS. 

It was a hopeful mixture of elements and stocks in 
this part of the valley of the Ohio. Various States and 
nationalities had their representatives here, and some of 
the "crosses" of blood were fortunate for the history of 
their succeeding generations. New Jersey, at first and 
later, contributed such representative men as Judges 
Symmes and Burnet; New England appeared by her dis- 
tinguished son, Jared Mansfield, and by others before 
and after him; Pennsylvania sent citizens of the mental 
and moral stature of Jeremiah Morrow, Judge Dunlavy, 
and Major Stites; the Old Dominion had worthy sons 
among the pioneers in the persons of William H. Harri- 
son, William McMillan, and others; while Kentucky 
spared to the rising young empire beyond its borders a 
few noted and useful citizens like Colonel Robert Patter- 
son, one of the original proprietors of Cincinnati for a 
time, and later and more permanently, the Rev. James 
Kemper, one of the founders of Lane seminary. In the 
one settlement of Columbia, among its founders or very 
early settlers were not only Stites and Dunlavy, but the 
Rev. John Smith, afterwards United States Senator, Col- 
onels Spencer and Brown, Judges Goforth and Foster, 
Majors Kibby and Gam, Captain Flinn, Messrs. Jacob 
White and John Reiley, and others equally worthy of 
mention — all of them men of energy and enterprise, and 
most of whom were then or subsequently distinguished. 
The letters interchanged by Symnies and his associates 
of the East Jersey Company show that many people of 
the best class, as Senator Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, 
the Rev. Dr. David Jones, of Pennsylvania, and others, 
were inquiring with a view to purchase or settlement in 
the new country. Those who actually did so, as the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



SI 



event has proved, were the very sort of persons, in the 
words of Judge Symmes himself, already quoted, "to re- 
claim from savage men and beasts a country that may one 
day prove the brightest jewel in the regalia of the nation." 
In much of the material of the succeeding immigration 
the purchase was equally fortunate. Dr. Drake, a care- 
ful and conscientious writer, was able to say in 1815: 
"The people of the Miami country may in particular be 
characterized as industrious, frugal, temperate, patriotic, 
and religious; with as much intelligence as, and more 
enterprise than, the families from which they were de- 
tached." 

Such were the "Miamese," the pioneers of one of the 
grandest armies the earth ever knew, an army whose hosts 
are still sweeping irresistibly on, and which now, after 
more than ninety years, has hardly yet fully occupied the 
country it has won. It was the army of peace and civiliza- 
tion, that came, not to conquer an enemy with blood and 
carnage and ruin, but to subdue a wilderness by patient 
toil, to make the wild valleys and hills to blossom as the 
rose, to sweep away the forest, till the prairie's pregnant 
soil, make fertile fields, and hew out homes, which were 
to become the abodes of happiness and plenty. The 
pioneers were the valiant vanguard of such an army as 
this. They came not, as has already been suggested, to 
enjoy a life of lotus-eating and ease. They could admire 
the pristine beauty of the scenes that unveiled before 
them; they could enjoy the vernal green of the great forest 
and the loveliness of all the works of nature spread so lav- 
ishly and beautifully about them; they could look forward 
with happy anticipation to the life they were to lead in 
hte midst of all this beauty, and to the rich reward that 
would be theirs from the cultivation of the mellow, fer- 
tile soil — but they had, first of all things, to work. The 
seed-time comes before the harvest, in other fields than 
that of agriculture. 

THE DANGERS 

to which these pioneers were exposed were serious. The 
Indians, notwithstanding their peaceful attitude at first, 
could not be trusted, and, as will be detailed in the next 
chapter, often visited the early settlements with devasta- 
tion and slaughter. The larger wild beasts were often a 
cause of dread, and the smaller were a source of constant 
and great annoyance. Added to these was the liability, 
always great in a new country, to sickness. In the midst 
of all the loveliness of the surroundings, there was a 
sense of lonehness that could not be dispelled; and this 
was a far greater trial to the men and women who first 
dwelt in the western country than is generally imagined. 
The deep-seated, constantly recurring feehng of isolation 
made many stout hearts turn back to the older settle- 
ments and to the abodes of comfort, the companionship 
and sociability they had left in the Atlantic States or in 
the Old World. 

PRIMITIVE POVERTY. 

Many of the Miamese arrived at their new homes with 
but little with which to begin the battle of life. They 
had brave hearts and strong arms, however; and they 
were possessed of invincible determination. Frequently 



they came on alone, to make a beginning; and, this hav- 
ing been accompHshed, would return to their old homes 
for their wives and children. It was hard work, too, get- 
ting into the country. On this side of Redstone and 
Wheeling there were for a long time no roads westward, 
and the flat- or keel-boats used in floating down the Ohio 
were so crowded with wagons, horses, cows, pigs, and 
other live stock, with provisions, and with the emigrant's 
"plunder," that there was scarcely room for a human 
being to sit, stand, or sleep. There was much inevitable 
exposure to the weather and many dangers from ice, 
snags, and other perils of the stream. 

THE BEGINNINGS. 

The first thing to be done, after a temporary shelter 
from the rain or snow had been provided, was to prepare a 
little spot of ground for some crop, usually corn. This was 
done by girdling the trees, clearing away the underbrush, 
if there chanced to be any, and sweeping the surface 
with fire. Ten, fifteen, twenty, or even thirty acres of 
land, by a vigorous arm, might thus be prepared and 
planted the first season. In autumn the crop would be 
gathered carefully and garnered with the least possible 
waste, for it was the food supply of the pioneer and his 
family, and life itself depended, in part, upon its preserva- 
tion. • Their table was still largely furnished, however, 
from the products of the chase, and supplies of the 
minor articles of food, of salt, etc., were often only to be 
obtained at a distance. In this respect the settlers in the 
southern part of the Purchase were more favored than 
those in the interior, since merchants were in all their 
towns almost from the beginnmg, and with stocks pretty 
weH supplied. By January, 1796, Judge Symmes wrote, 
"we have twenty or more merchants in Cincinnati." At 
first there was much difficulty in getting grain ground, as it 
had to be done often at a great distance, and in a clumsy 
and rude way by floating mills, whose wheels were turned 
by the current of a stream or by horse-power. Some had • 
hominy hand-mills at home, or grated the grain or 
pounded it into the semblance of meal or flour with an 
extemporized pestle. In default of cultivated breadstuff's, 
as sometimes happened, certain roots of wild grasses and 
plants served for food. This was particularly true of the 
beargrass, which grew abundantly on the Turkey bottom 
and elsewhere in similar places. Its bulbous roots were 
gathered by the women, washed, dried on smooth boards, 
and pounded into a kind of flour, from which bread and 
other preparations were made. Many families at Colum- 
bia, at one time of scarcity, lived on this food. Some- 
times even this was wanting. One person, who was a 
boy in the first days of Columbia, long afterward averred 
that he had subsisted for three days together upon noth- 
ing more than a pint of parched corn. Crops were liable 
to be damaged or destroyed, if near a stream, by its over- 
flow; and sometimes serious inconvenience to the settler 
and his family resulted. It was hard to keep one's 
horses, and most other portable property, from being 
stolen by the Indians; and from this fact, as late as 1792, 
according to a note in one of Judge Symmes' letters, 
"more than half the inhabitants were obliged to raise 



52 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



their corn by the hoe, without the aid of ploughs." The 
redskins commonly refused, however, to meddle with the 
slow ox. 

While the first crop was growing, the settler busied 
himself with the building of his cabin, which must serve 
as shelter from the coming storms of winter and from 
the ravages of wild animals, and, possibly, as a place of 
refuge from the savage. If he was completely isolated 
from his fellows, his lot in this was apt to be hard, for 
without assistance he could construct only a poor sort of 
habitation. In such cases the cabin was generally made 
of light logs or poles, and was laid up roughly, only to 
answer the temporary purpose of shelter, until others had 
come into the neighborhood, by whose help a more solid 
structure could be built. In the Miami country, how- 
ever, as has been observed, the plan at first was to gather 
in small clusters of population at fortified stations, where 
sufficient help \yas always available. Assistance was 
readily gi-'en one pioneer by others, whether near or far 
removed, within a radius of many miles. The usual plan 
of erecting a log cabin was through such union of labor. 
The site of a cabin, home was generally selected with 
reference to a good water supply, often by a stream or 
never-failing spring, or, if such could not be found, it was 
not uncommon first to dig a well. When the cabin was 
to be built, the few neighbors gathered at the site, and 
first cut down, within as close proximity as possible, a 
number of trees as nearly of the same size as could be 
found, but ranging from a foot to twenty inches in diame- 
ter. Logs were chopped from these, and rolled to a 
common centre. This work, and that of preparing the 
foundation, would consume the greater, part of the day 
in most cases, and the entire labor would very likely oc- 
cupy two or three days, and sometimes four. The logs 
were raised to their places with handspikes and skid-poles, 
and men standing at the corners notched them with axes 
as fast as they were laid in position. Soon the cabin 
• would be built several logs high, and the w-ork would be- 
come more difficult. The gables were formed by bevel- 
ing the logs, and making them shorter and shorter as 
each additional one was laid in place. These logs in the 
gables were held in position by poles, which extended 
across the cabin from end to end, and served also as 
rafters, upon which to lay the rived clapboard or "shake" 
roof The so-called "shakes" were three to six feet in 
length, split from oak or ash logs, and made as smooth 
and flat as possible. They were laid side by side, and 
other pieces of split stuff laid over the cracks so as to 
keep out the rain effectually. Upon these logs were laid 
to hold them in place, and these in turn were held by 
blocks of wood placed between them. The chimney 
was an important part of the building, and sometimes 
more difficult to construct, from the absence of suitable 
tools and material. In the river valleys, and wherever 
loose stone was accessible, neat stone chimneys were fre- 
quently built. Quite commonly the chimney was made 
of sticks, and laid up in a manner very similar to the 
walls of the cabin. It was, in nearly all cases, built out- 
side of the cabin, and at its base a huge opening was cut 
through the wall to answer as a fireplace. The stakes in 



the chimney were held in place, and protected from fire 
by mortar, formed by kneading and working clay and 
straw. Flat stones were procured for back and jambs of 
the fireplace, and an opening was sawed or chopped m the 
logs on one side the cabin for a doorway. Pieces of 
hewed timber, three or four inches thick, were fastened 
on each side by wooden pins to the ends of the logs, and 
the door, if there were any, was fastened to one of these 
by wooden hinges. The door itself was apt to be a rude 
piece of woodwork. It was made of boards, rived from 
an oak log, and held together by heavy cross-pieces. 
There was a wooden latch upon the inside, raised by a 
string which passed through a gimlet-hole, and hung 
upon the outside. From this mode of construction arose 
the old and familiar hospitable saying, "You will find 
the latch-string always out." It was pulled in only at 
night, and the door was thus easily and simply fastened. 
Many of the pioneer cabins had no doors of this kind, 
and no protection for the entrance except such as a 
blanket or skin of some wild beast afforded. The begin- 
ners on the banks of the Ohio frequently enjoyed the 
luxury of heavy boat-planks and other sawed material 
obtained from the breaking up of the boats in which they 
came (a quite customary procedure), from which floors, 
doors, or roofs, and perhaps other parts of the cabin, 
were constructed. The window was a small opening, 
often devoid of anything resembling a sash, and seldom 
glazed. Greased paper was not infrequently, used in lieu 
of the latter, but more usually some old garment consti- 
tuted a curtain, which was the only protection at the 
window from sun, rain, or snow. The floor of the cabin 
was made of "puncheons" — pieces of timber split from 
trees about eighteen inches in diameter, and hewed toler- 
ably smooth on the upper surface with a broadaxe. They 
were made half the length of the floor. Some of the 
cabins first erected in this part of the country had nothing 
but the earthen floor which Nature provided. At times 
they had cellars, which were simply small excavations for 
the storage of a few articles of food or, it may be, of 
cooking utensils. Access to the cellar was readily gained 
by lifting a loose puncheon. There was generally a small 
loft, used for various purposes, among others as the 
guest-chamber of the house. This was reached by a 
ladder, the sides of which were split pieces of sapling, 
put together, like everything else in the house, without 
nails. It is worthy of note that Judge Symmes, writing 
from North Bend New Year's day, 1790, some descrip- 
tion of his new houses at that place, took pains to 
mention those that were "well-shingled with nails," and 
the "good stone chimney" and "sash-windows of glass" 
that several of them had. 

THE FURNITURE 

of the pioneer cabin was in many cases as simple and 
primitive as the cabin itself A forked stick, set in the , 
floor and supporting the poles, the other ends of which 
rested upon the logs at the end and side of the cabin, 
formed a bedstead. A common form of table was a 
split slab, supported by four rude legs, set in auger-holes. 
Three-legged stools were made in a similar simple man- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



S3 



ner. Pegs, driven in auger-holes in the logs of the wall, 
supported shelves, and others displayed the limited ward- 
robe of the family not in use. A few other pegs, or per- 
haps a pair of deer's antlers, formed a rack where hung 
rifle and powder-horn, which no cabin was without. The 
cradle for the pioneer babe was more likely than not to 
• be a bee-gum or a sugar-trough. Some who became 
prominent citizens of Cincinnati and other parts of the 
Purchase were rocked in sugar-troughs. These, and 
perhaps a few other simple articles brought from the old 
home, formed the furniture and equipment of many a 
pioneer cabin. The utensils for cooking and the dishes 
for table use were few. The best were of pewter, which 
the careful housewife of the olden time kept shining as 
brightly as the more pretentious plate of our latter-day 
fine houses. It was by no means uncommon that wooden 
vessels, either coppered or tinned, were used upon the 
table. Knives and forks were few, crockery scarce, and 
tinware by no means abundant. Food was simply 
cooked and served, but it was, in general, very excellent 
of its kind and wholesome in quality. The hunter kept 
the larder supplied with venison, bear meat, squirrels, 
wild turkeys, and many varieties of smaller game. Plain 
corn-bread, baked in a kettle, in the ashes, or upon a 
board in front of the great open fireplace, answered the 
purpose of all kinds of pastry. The wild fruits in their 
season were made use of, and afforded a pleasant variety. 
Sometimes a special effort was made to prepare a deli- 
cacy, as, for instance, when a woman experimented in 
mince-pies, by pounding wheat to make the flour fo rthe 
crust and using crab-apples for fruit. In the cabin-lofts 
was usually to be found a miscellaneous collection that 
made up the pioneer's materia medica, the herb medicines 
and spices, catnip, sage, tansy, fennel, boneset, penny- 
royal, and wormwood, each gathered in its season; and 
there was also store of nuts and strings of dried pump- 
kin, with bags of berries and fruit. 

THE HABITS 

of the Miamese were of a simplicity and purity in 
conformity with their surroundings and belongings. 
The men were engaged in the herculean labor, day 
after day, of enlarging the little patch of sunshine 
about their homes, cutting away the forest, burning off 
brush and debris, preparing the soil, planting, tending, 
harvesting, caring for the few animals which they brought 
with them or soon procured, and in hunting. 

THE FEMALE MIAMESE. 

While the men were engaged in the heavy labor of the 
field and forest or in following the deer or other game, 
their helpmates were busied with their household duties, 
providing for the day and for the winter coming on, 
cooking, making clothes, spinning, and weaving. They 
were commonly well fitted, by nature and experience, to 
be consorts of the brave men who first came into the 
western wilderness. They were heroic in their endurance 
of hardship, privation, and loneliness. Their industry 
was well directed and unceasing. Woman's work, then, 
like man's, was performed under disadvantages since re- 
moved. She had not only the common household duties 



to perform, but many now committed to other hands. 
She not only made the clothing of the family, but also 
the fabric for it. The famous old occupation of spin- 
ning and weaving, with which woman's name has been 
associated throughout all history, and which the modern 
world knows little, except through the stories of the grand- 
mother, which seems surrounded with a halo of romance 
as we look back to it through tradition and poetry, and 
which alwyas conjures up visions of the graces and virtues 
of a generation gone — that was the chief industry of the 
pioneer women. Every cabin resounded with the softly 
whirring wheel, and many forest homes with the rhyth- 
mic thud of the loom. The pioneer woman, truly, an- 
swered the ancient description of King Lemuel in the 
Proverbs: ''She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh 
willingly with her hands : she layeth her hands to the 
spindle, and her hands hold the distaff." Almost every 
article of clothing not made of deerskin, as many a hunt- 
ing shirt and pair of leggins was, and, indeed^-about all 
the cloth to be found in some of the old cabins, was the 
product of her toil. She spun flax and wove linen and 
woolen for shirts and pantaloons, frocks, sheets and 
blankets. Linen and wool, the "linsey-woolsey" of the 
primitive day, furnished most of the material for 

THE CLOTHING 

of the men and women, though some was obtained from 
the skins of wild beasts. Men commonly wore the hunt- 
ing shirt, a kind of loose frock reaching half-way down 
the thighs, open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot 
or more upon the chest. This generally had a cape, 
which was often fringed with a ravelled piece of cloth of a 
different color from that which composed the garment. 
The capacious bosom of the shirt often served as a pouch, 
in which could be carried the smaller articles that a hunter 
or woodsman needs. It was always worn belted, and 
was made of coarse linen, linsey, or buckskin, according 
to the taste or fancy of the weaver. In the belt was worn 
a hunting or "scalping" knife," unhappily too ready at 
hand, as was sometimes proved at the cost of a human 
life, upon occasions of deadly quarrel. Breeches were 
made of heavier cloth or dressed deer-skin, and were 
often worn with leggings of the same material or some 
kind of leather, while the feet were frequently encased in 
moccasins after the Indian fashion, which were quickly 
and easily made, though they often needed mending. 
The buckskin breeches or leggings were very comfortable 
when dry, but seemed cold when wet, and were almost 
as stiff as wooden garments would be when next put on. 
Hats or caps were generally made of coonskin, wildcat, 
or other native fur. The women, when they could not 
procure "store duds," dressed in linsey petticoats, coarse 
shoes and stockings, and wore buckskin mittens or gloves, 
not for style, but when any protection was required for 
the hands. All of her wearing apparel, like that of the 
men, was made with a view to service and comfort, and 
was quite commonly of home manufacture throughout. 
Other and finer articles were worn sometimes, but they 
were brought from former homes or bought at the stores 
in the settlements along the river, in the former case being 



54 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



often the relics handed down from parents to children. 
Jewelry was not common; but occasionally some orna- 
ment was displayed. 

PIONEER LITERATURE. 

In the cabins of the more cultivated pioneers were 
usually a few books — the Bible and a hymn-book, the 
Pilgrim's Progress, Baxter's Saint's Rest, Hervey's Medi- 
tations, Esop's Fables, Gulliver's Travels, Robinson 
Crusoe, and the like. The long winter evenings were 
spent pardy in poring over a few well-thumbed volumes 
by the light of the great log fire, and partly in curing and 
dressing skins, knitting, mending, and other employ- 
ments. Hospitality was simple, unaffected, hearty, and 
unbounded. The latch-string was "always out" at nearly 
every cabin. 

WHISKEY 

was in common use, and was furnished on all occasions 
of sociability. It was brought in from Kentucky and the 
Monongahela country, and down the Ohio and Licking 
rivers. A few years later many of the settlers put up 
small stills, and made an article of corn whiskey that 
was not held in so high esteem, though used for ordinary 
drinking in large quantities. Nearly every settler had 
his barrel of it stored away. It was quite the universal 
drink at merry-makings, bees, house-warmings, and wed- 
dings, and was always set before the traveller who chanced 
to spend the night or take a meal at a pioneer cabin. In 
this the settler but followed the custom of other pioneer 
communities. 

SOCIETY. 

As settlements increased, the sense of loneliness and 
isolation was dispelled, the asperities of life were soft- 
ened, its amenities multiplied, social gatherings became 
more numerous and enjoyable, the log-roUing, harvesting, 
and husking bees for the men, and the apple-butter 
making and quilting parties for the women, furnished 
frequent occasions for social intercourse. The early set- 
tlers took much pride and pleasure in rifle-shooting, and, 
as they were accustomed to the use of the gun in the 
chase and relied upon it as a weapon of defence, they 
exhibited considerable skill. A wedding was the local 
event of chief importance in the sparsely setded new 
country. The young people had every inducement to 
marry, and generally did marry as soon as able to pro- 
vide for themselves. When a marriage was to be cele- 
brated, all the neighborhood turned out. It was custom- 
ary to have the ceremony performed before dinner, and, 
in order to be on time, the groom and his attendants 
usually started from his father's house in the morning for 
that of the bride. All went on horseback, riding in 
single file along the narrow trails. Arriving at the cabin 
of the bride's parents, the ceremony would be performed, 
and after that dinner was served. This was a substantial 
backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and deer or bear 
meat, with such vegetables as could be procured. The 
greatest hilarity prevailed during the meal. After it was 
over, dancing began, and was usually kept up till the 
next morning, though the newly made husband and wife 
were, as a general thing, put to bed by the company in 
the most approved old fashion and with considerable 



formality, in the midst of the evening's rout. The tall 
young men, when they went on the floor to dance, had 
to take their places with care between the logs that sup- 
ported the loft floor, or they were in danger of bumping 
their heads. The figures of the dances were three and 
four-handed reels, or square sets and jigs. The com- 
mencement was always a square four, which was followed 
by "jigging it off." The settlement of a young couple 
was thought to be thoroughly and generously made when 
the neighbors assembled and raised a cabin for them. 

AGRICULTURE. 

During all the early years of the settlements, varied 
with occasional pleasures and excitements, the great work 
of increasing the tillable ground went slowly on. The 
implements and tools were few, compared with what the 
farmer may command nowadays, and of a primitive kind; 
but the soil, that had long held in reserve the accumu- 
lated richness of centuries, produced splendid harvests, 
and the husbandman was well rewarded for his labor. 
The soil was warmer then than now, and the seasons ear- 
lier. The bottom lands, if not flooded by the freshets, 
were often as green by the first of March as fields of 
grain now are a month later. The wheat was pastured 
in the spring, to keep it from growing up so early and 
fast as to become lodged. The harvest came early, and 
the yield was often from thirty-five to forty or more bush- 
els per acre. 

PIONEER MONEY. 

The first circulating medium in the new country was 
composed mainly of raccoon and other skins from the 
forest. Mr. John G. Olden says, in his entertaining His- 
torical Sketches and Early Reminiscences: "A deer-skin 
was worth and represented a dollar; a fox-skin, one-third 
of a dollar; a coon-skin, one-fourth of a dollar; — and 
these passed almost as readily as the silver coin. The 
buffalo and bear-skins had a more uncertain value, and 
were less used as a medium of trade." Spanish dollars, 
very likely cut into quarters and eighth pieces, sometimes 
appeared, and in time constituted, with the smaller pieces 
of Mexican coinage, the greater part of the currency 
afloat. Smaller sums than twelve and a half cents were 
often paid or given in change in pins, needles, writing- 
paper, and other articles of little value. A Cincinnati 
merchant named Bartle brought in a barrel of copper 
coins to "inflate the currency" in 1794, but his fellow- 
merchants were so exasperated at his action that they al- 
most mobbed him. These troops at Fort Washington were 
paid in Federal money, commonly bills of the old Bank 
of the United States, of which a three-dollar note was 
then the monthly pay of a private. The bills were usu- 
ally called "oblongs," especially at the gaming tables, 
which many of the officers and soldiers frequented. The 
funds disbursed at Fort Washington made valuable addi- 
tions to the currency of the lower Miami country, and 
greatly facifitated its commercial and mercantile growth 
and business operations there. 

PRICES. 

From some parts of the Purchase long journeys had 
to be made upon occasion, and very likely on foot, when 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



55 



medicines or delicacies were required for the sick, or 
some indispensable article for the household or farm was 
to be procured. The commonest goods at first com- 
manded large prices, from the distance of the wholesale 
houses in the Eastern cities where they were purchased, 
and the cost of transportation. In parts of Ohio, if not 
in the Miami Purchase, in the early days coffee brought 
seventy-five cents to a dollar; salt five or six dollars a 
bushel of fifty pounds; and the plainest calico one dollar 
a yard. What was raised in the country, however, was 
cheap enough. Judge Syrames notes in August, 1791, 
that "provisions are extremely plenty; corn may be had 
at Columbia for two shillings cash per bushel; wild meat 
is still had with little difficulty; and hogs are increasing 
in number at a great rate, so that I expect any quantity 
of pork may be had next killing time at twenty-five shil- 
lings per hundred." 

A WAR-PERIOD. 

During the War of 181 2 many of the pioneer husbands 
and fathers volunteered in the service of the United 
States, and others were drafted. Women and children 
were left alone in many an isolated log-cabin all through 
Ohio, and there was a long reign of unrest, anxiety, and 
terror. It was feared by all that the Indians might take 
advantage of the desertion of these homes by their nat- 
ural defenders, and pillage and destroy them. The dread 
of robbery and murder filled many a mother's heart; but 
happily the worst fears of this kind proved to be ground- 
less, and this part of the country was spared any scenes 
of actual Indian violence during the war. After it end- 
ed, a greater feehng of security prevailed than ever before. 
A new motive was given to immigration, and the country 
more rapidly filled up. An 

ERA OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY 

was fairly begun. Progress of the best kind was slowly, 
surely made. The log houses became more numerous 
in the clearings; the forest shrank away before the wood- 
man's axe ; frame houses began to appear in many local- 
ities where they were before unknown; the pioneers, as- 
sured of safety, laid better plans for the future, resorted 
to new industries, enlarged their possessions, and im- 
proved the means of cultivation. Stock was brought in 
greater numbers from Kentucky and the east. Every 
settler now had his horses, oxen, cattle, sheep, and hogs. 
More commodious structures about the farm took the 
place of the old ones. The double log cabin, of hewed 
logs, or a frame dwelling, took the place of the smaller 
one; log and frame barns were built for the protection of 
stock and the housing of the crops. Then society began 
more thoroughly to organize itself; the school-house and 
the church appeared in all the rural coinmunities ; and 
the advancement was noticeable in a score of other ways. 
The work of the Miamese pioneers was mainly done. 
Their hardships and privations, so patiently and even 
cheerfully borne in the time of them, were now pleasantly 
remembered. The best had been njade of what they 
had, and they had toiled with stout hearts to lay the 
foundations of the civilization that began to bloom about 
them. Industrious and frugal, simple in their tastes and 



pleasures, happy in an independence, however hardly 
gained, and looking forward hopefully to an old age of 
plenty and peace which should reward them for the toils 
of their earliest years, and a final rest from the struggle 
of many toilsome seasons, they were ready to join in the 
song which was pleasantly sung for them long after by 
the Buckeye poet, William D. Gallagher, dedicated to the 
descendants of Colonel Israel Ludlow, and entitled ' 

SIXTY YEARS AGO. 
A song of the early times out west and our green old forest home, 
Whose pleasant memories freshly yet across the bosom come! 
A song for the free and gladsome life in those early days we led, 
With a teeming soil beneath our feet and a smiling heaven o'erhead ! 
O, the waves of life danced merrily and had a joyous flow, 
In the days when we were pioneers, sixty years ago! 

The hunt, the shot, the glorious chase, the captured elk or deer! 
The camp, the big, bright fire, and then the rich and wholesome cheer; 
The sweet, sound sleep at dead of night by our camp-fire blazing high, 
Unbroken by the wolfs long howl and the panther spnnging by, 
O, merrily passed the time, in spite our wily Indian foe. 
In the days when we were pioneers, sixty years ago! 

We shunn'd not labor; when 'twas due, we wrought with right good-will; 

And for the homes we won for them, our children bless us still. 

We lived not hermit lives, but oft in social converse met; 

And fires of love were kindled then that burn on warmly yet. 

O, pleasantly the stream of life pursued its constant flow. 

In the days when we were pioneers, sixty years ago! 

'We felt that we were fellow-men, we felt we were a band 
Sustain'd here in the wilderness by Heaven's upholding hand ; 
And when the solemn Sabbath came we gather'd in the wood. 
And lifted up our hearts in prayer to God, the only good. 
Our temples then were earth and sky; none others did we know 
In the days when we were pioneers, sixty years ago! 

Our forest life was rough and rude, and dangers closed us round ; 
But here, amid the green old trees, we freedom sought and found. 
Oft through our dwellings wintry blasts would rush with shriek and moan : 
We cared not, though they were but frail ; we felt they were our own. 
O, free and manly lives we led, 'mid verdure or 'mid snow. 
In the days when we were pioneers, sixty years ago! 

But now our course of life is short; and as, from day to day. 
We're walking on with halting step and fainting by the way. 
Another land, more bright than this, to our dim sight appears, 
And on our way to it we'll soon again be pioneers; 
Yet, while we linger, we may all a backward glance still throw 
To the days when we were pioneers, sixty years ago! 

Without an iron will and an indomitable resolution, 
they could never have accomplished what they did. Their 
heroism deserves the highest tribute of praise and admi- 
ration that can be awarded, and their brave and toil- 
some deeds should have permanent record in the pages 
of history. 



S6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE MIAMESE AND THE INDIANS. 
Let us welcome, then, the strangers. 
Hail them as our friends and brothers. 
And the heart's right hand of friendship 
Give them when they come to see us, 
Gitche Manito, the Mighty, 
Said this to me in my vision. 

H. W. Longfellow, "Hiawatha." 

Friendship was in tlieir loolcs, but in their hearts there was hatred. 

Straight there arose from tlie forest the awful sound of the war-whoop. 

And, lilce a flurry of snow in the whistling wind of December, 

Swift and sudden and keen came a flight of feathery arrows ; 

Then came a cloud of smoke, and out of the cloud came the lightning, 

Out of the lightning thunder, and death unseen ran before it. 

Longfellow, "Courtship of Miles Standish." 

SYMMES' PROCLAMATION. 

It was remarked in the last chapter that, while Tyflge 
Symmes was detained with his party at Limestone, he 
had repeated information from Major Stites, then just 
getting settled in his block-houses and cabins at Colum- 
bia, that Indians had coine in to see him (Stites) and 
share his hospitality, and that they had expressed a strong 
desire to see the great man of the Miami Purchase and 
make a peace compact with their new white brethren. 
This information was evu^ntly considered important by 
the pioneer Columbian, since he dispatched two mes- 
sengers on foot, in the inclement days of early December, 
to make their way for sixty miles along the banks of the 
Ohio, to convey his tidings to the leader still tarrying at 
Limestone. Symmes not appearing, and the Indians con- 
tinuing their visits and beginning to express some impa- 
tience at his delay, another message was sent to him, 
which, as we have seen, had the effect of hastening his 
departure with the colony for the settlement contem- 
plated near the mouth of the Great Miami. Before his 
expedition set out, however, he, remembering, perhaps, 
the great example of Penn in his dealings with the In- 
dians, prepared and dispatched the following unique 
proclamation or letter to the red men of the Miamis: 

Brothers of the JVyandots and Shawancei : Hearken to your brother, 
who is commg to live at the Great Miami. He was on the Great Mi- 
ami last summer, while the deer was yet red, and met with one of your 
camps ; he did no harm to anything which you had in your camp ; he 
held back two young men from hurting you or your horses, and would 
not let them take your skins or meat, though your brothers were very 
hungry. All this he did because he was your brother, and would live 
in peace with the red people. If the red people will live in friendship 
with him and his young men, who came from the great salt ocean, to 
plant corn and build cabins on the land between the Great and Little 
Miami, then the white and red people shall all be brothers and live to- 
gether, and we will buy your furs and skins, and sell you blankets and 
rifles, and powder and lead and rum, and everything that our red 
brothers may want in hunting and in their towns. 

Brothers ! a treaty is holding at Muskingum. Great men from the 
thirteen fires are there, to meet the chiefs and head men of all the na- 
tions of the red people. May the Great Spirit direct all their councils 
for peace. But the great men and the wise men of the red and white 
people cannot keep peace and friendship long, unless we, who are their 
sons and warriors, will also bury the hatchet and live in peace. 

Brothers ! I send you a string of beads, and write to you with my 
own hand, that you may believe what I say. I am your brother, and 
will be kind to you while you remain in peace. Farewell ! 

JNO. C. Symmes. 

Jan. the 3d, 1789. 

What was the immediate effect of this epistle upon the 
aboriginal mind has not been recorded; but a few months 



afterwards a white man, Mr. Isaac Freeman, going in from 
the Maumee towns, with several captives released by the 
Indians, was charged in reply with the delivery of the 
following address to Judge Symmes : 

Mawme, July 7, 1789. 

Brothers ! Americans ! of the Miami Warriors ! Listen to us war- 
riors what we have to say. 

Now, Americans ! Brothers ! we have heard from you, and are glad 
to hear the good speech you sent us. You have got our flesh and blood 
among you, and we have got yours among us, and we are glad to hear 
that you wish to exchange. We really think you want to exchange, and 
that is the reason we listen to you. 

As the Great Spirit has put your flesh and blood into our hands, we 
now deliver them up. 

We warriors, if we can, wish to make peace, and our chiefs and 
yours will then listen to one another. As we warriors speak from our 
hearts, we hope you do so too, and wish you may be of one mind, as 
we are. 

Brothers, Warriors — when we heard from you that you wished to 
exchange prisoners, we listened attentively, andnowwe send some, as all 
are not here nor can be procured at present, and therefore we hope you 
will send all ours home; and when we see them, it will make us strong 
to send all yours, which cannot now all be got together. 

Brothers, Warriors — when we say this, it is from our hearts, and we 
hope you do the same; but if our young men should do anything wrong 
before we all meet together, we beg you to overlook it. This is the mind 
of us warriors, and our chiefs are glad there is hope of peace. We 
hope, therefore, that you are of the same mind. 

Brothers, Warriors — it is the warriors who have shut the path which 
vour chiefs and ours formerly laid open; but there is hope that the 
path will soon be cleared, that our women and children may go where 
they wish in peace, and that yours may do the same. 

Now, Brothers, Warriors — you have heard from us; we hope you will 
be strong like us, and we hope there will be nothing but peace and 
friendship between you and us. 

In explanation of a part of this missive it should be 
said that Symmes held at North Bend ten Indian 
women and children, who had been ■ left with him by 
Colonel Robert Patterson, as captives taken in a raid 
from Kentucky to the Indian towns, to be exchanged for 
whites when the opportunity should offer. Freeman had 
been sent by Symmes to the Maumee, with a young In- 
dian for interpreter, to arrange such exchanges. Subse- 
quently, while under a flag of truce approaching the In- 
dians on a friendly mission, Freeinan was fired upon and 
killed. 

THE MURDER OF FILSON. 

The reference of Judge Symmes' letter to his visit to 
the Great Miami the preceding "summer" seems rather 
to refer to his tour of exploration in that valley in the 
early fall, thus mentioned in a letter of his dated Octo- 
ber, 1788: "On the twenty-second ultimo I landed at 
Miami, and explored the country as high as the upper 
side of the fifth range of townships. " About forty miles 
inland, at some point on the Great Miami, his party came 
upon a small camp of the savages, so small that they 
could easily have destroyed it and its inhabitants. In 
his company were a number of Kentuckians, who had 
accompanied Colonel Patterson and the surveyor Filson, 
two of the projectors of Losantiville, in the "blazing" of 
a road, through the forest from Lexington to the mouth 
of the Licking, as one of the preliminary steps to the 
proposed settlement opposite that point, and had incited 
him to make the exploration by promising him their es- 
cort until it was finished. These men, sharing the in- 
veterate hostility of their people to the red man, desired 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



57 



to make away with this little band of wandering savages 
and their humble property at once. Symmes prevented 
them, however, and would not allow the Indians to be 
harmed or their stuff to be taken. About half the Ken- 
tuckians, therefore, after giving him all the trouble they 
dared by their disorderly conduct, deserted his party and 
started for^horae, leaving him almost defenceless in the 
perilous wilderness. The rest of the men of Kentucky 
soon also showing an intention to desert, he was obliged 
to leave his exploration but partially accomplished, and 
make his way as rapidly as possible back to the Ohio, up 
which he pushed again to his headquarters at Limestone. 
Filson, who, together with Patterson, had accompanied 
the expedition, also deserted it about the time the first 
Kentuckians went, through fear of remaining longer with 
either detachment of the party; but, strange to say, in 
his eagerness to make greater haste out of the wilderness, 
he decided to confront its dangers solitary and alone, and 
so swung away from even the feeble protection which he 
had with Symmes and the remainder of the escort. He 
was never seen or directly heard from again. Within 
three hours from the time of his abandonment of the 
party, it is supposed he had fallen a victim to the ferocity 
of the Indians. The locahty of the occurrence, thinks 
Mr. Miller, author of Cincinnati's beginnings, was "prob- 
ably not far from the northern boundary line of Hamilton 
county, and the northeast corner of Colerain township. " 
With Filson also perished his plan of Losantiville, which 
had been carefully prepared at Lexington, and is believed 
to have been on his person at the time. 

FRIENDLINESS AND HOSTILITY. 

Notwithstanding subsequent hostilities between the 
Indians and the whites of the Purchase, the feeling of 
the sons of the forest toward Judge Symmes personally 
appears to have been kind and friendly — perhaps in mem- 
ory, if not of his proclamation or letter, yet of his re- 
straint of the Kentuckians when some of their people 
were threatened with pillage and murder, and of his sub-' 
sequent kindness to them. He does not appear ever to 
have, been attacked or otherwise molested by them in his 
own person or property; and nearly seven years after- 
wards, at the negotiation of the treaty of Greenville, 
some of the Indians assembled there told him that they 
had often been on the point of shooting him, but had 
recognized him in time to save his life. Nevertheless the 
kind-hearted and hospitable judge was sorely tried and 
troubled by their hostility to his settlers on the Purchase 
— a feeling which early developed in cruel and bloody 
deeds. The traditions of the region were those of in- 
veterate warfare and hatred between the races. Only ten 
years before Symmes' settlement at North Bend, Colo- 
nels Bowman and Logan had led a hundred and si.xty 
Kentuckians up between the rivers against the Shawnee 
towns on the Little Miami, within the present limits of 
Greene county, in retaliation for atrocities committed by 
the Indians in Kentucky shortly before, and had experi- 
enced some sharp fighting. The Indians pursued them 
to the mouth of the Little Miami, where they recrossed 
the Ohio on their homeward march. The next year 



after this e.xpedition the redoubtable George Rogers 
Clark headed a troop of a thousand Kentuckians against 
the Little Miami and Mad river towns, and destroyed the 
Indian village at Piqua and much corn of the growing 
crops of the Indians. It is said that after crossing 
the Ohio at the mouth of the Licking, on their north- 
ward march, they built two block-houses on the present 
site of Cincinnati, and that the force was disbanded there 
on their return, homeward bound. 

BLOCK-HOUSES, OR FORTIFIED STATIONS, 

were destined to play an active part in die Indian and 
pioneer affairs of the Symmes Purchase. They were 
erected by associations of colonists for mutual safety, 
upon a plan of settlement proposed by Judge Symmes as 
best for the development of the country. A strong log 
block-house being put up, it was surrounded by the cabins 
of the settlers, rather closely crowded together, and the 
whole was then encircled by a stout stockade or picket, 
made of tree trunks or logs set pretty deep in the ground, 
and making, in some cases, a really formidable work of 
defence. Not until this was completed did the settlers 
venture to begin clearing land and planting crops. Even 
then they were- obliged to work with their rifles near and 
sentinels constantly on the alert. At sunset all returned 
to the - stockade, taking everything portable and of value 
with them. These stations were made as numerous as 
the number of settlers, and more particularly the number 
of troops that could be obtained for each from the mili- 
tary commander in this region, would warrant. It might 
be presumed that, in the exposed state of the country, 
nothing would have been easier than to get or retain sol- 
diers for the protection of the settlers, since that was pre- 
cisely for what the forces of the United States were sent 
to the valley of the Ohio. But it was not always so. We 
have recorded the difficulties and detentions which beset 
Judge Symmes at Limestone, while endeavoring to get 
his colony to its destination, through the failure of Gen- 
eral Harraar to send him an escort promptly. After he 
had secured the protection of Captain Kearsey and the 
small remnant of his troop, and had made his settlement 
at North Bend, he was very soon unceremoniously de- 
serted by Kearsey and all but five of his command, the 
rest putting off down the river to Louisville, without even 
building him a stockade or block-house. It was then 
nearly a month before the earnest persuasions of Symmes 
prevailed with Major Wyllys, the commandant at that 
place, to secure him a garrison, consisting of an ensign 
and eighteen men, which speedily, by desertion and In- 
dian attack, was reduced to twelve, and Luce, after build- 
ing a tolerable block-house and remaining four months, 
transferred his little force to Losantiville, again leaving 
Symmes' hamlets nearly or quite unprotected. The 
country had no adequate protection, indeed, until the 
early part of the following summer, when Major Doughty 
arrived from Fort Harmar with two companies of sol- 
diers and began the erection of Fort Washington. Even 
then, and for some time after, troops were arbitrarily sent 
to or withdrawn from the stations. 

In a letter from North Bend, January 17, 1792, Symmes 



58 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



relates how "General St. Clair, by much importunity, gave 
Mr. Dunlap a guard of six soldiers. With these the set- 
tlers returned to Colerain [Dunlap's station]. In a very 
few days after the station was re-settled, the Governor 
ordered the six soldiers back again to Fort Washington. 
But the next day General St. Clair set out for Philadel- 
phia, and Major Zeigler came to the command. His 
good sense and humanity induced him to send the six 
men back again in one hour's time, as I am told, after 
General St. Clair left Fort Washington, and he assured 
Mr. Dunlap that he should have more soldiers than si.\, 
rather than the station should break. Majors sometimes 
do more good," he naively adds, "than generals." 

Dr. Goforth, then of Columbia, wrote September 3, 
1791: 

The number of militia at these stations, from the best accounts I 
have received, are at Columbia, 200; Cincinnati, 150; South Bend, 20; 
City of Miami, 80 ; Dunlap's, 15 ; and Covalt's, 20. 

A considerable number of these stations, more or less 
strongly fortified, are known to have existed within the 
present limits of the county during the period of Indian 
warfare ; and it is quite possible that the memory of others 
has disappeared. So far as known, they were as follows: 

1. Covalt's Station, at Round Bottom, twelve miles 
up the Little Miami, below the present site of Milford. 
This was erected in 1789, and Mr. John G. Olden, author 
of Historical Sketches and Early Reminiscences of Lock- 
land and Reading, is disposed to place it first in chrono- 
logical order, although similar claims have been made for 
Clemens', Gerard's, Dunlap's, and Ludlow's stations. 

2. Clemens' station, also on the Round Bottom, about 
, half a mile below Covalt's. 

3. Gerard and Martin's station, on the west side of 
the Little Miami, and about two miles from its mouth, 
near the present Union bridge. 

4. Dunlap's station, established in the early spring of 
1790, in Colerain township, on the east side of the Great 
Miami and in the remarkable bend of that stream which 
begins about half a mile south of the county line. 

5. Campbell's station, also on the east bank of the 
Great Miami and in Colerain township, opposite the 
present site of Miainitown. 

6. Ludlow's station, whose site is now embraced 
within the limits of Cincinnati, about five miles from 
Fountain square, in the north part of Cumminsville. It 
was also established in the spring of 1790. This was the 
most famous of all the stations. 

7. White's station, probably established in 1792, on 
the bank of Mill creek, northeast of the present site of 
Carthage, near the aqueduct, and about where the ice- 
pond now is. 

8. Tucker's station, on section four, Springfield town- 
ship, east of the old Hamilton road and about a mile and 
a half northwest of Lockland. 

9. Runyan's station, also of 1792, on section nine- 
teen, Sycamore township, about a mile and a half north 
of Sharonville, and near the present county line. This 
was the outpost in that direction. 

10. Griffin's station, established, probably, in the fall of 
1793, about half a mile west of White's station, where the 



Carthage and Springfield turnpike now crosses Mill creek. 

11. Voorhees' station, in the south part of section 
thirty-three, Sycamore township, on the west bank of 
Mill creek, built early in 1794. 

12. Pleasant Valley station, on the line between sec- 
tions four and ten, Springfield township, near the "Sta- 
tion Spring." Also built in the spring of 1794, by the 
builders of Tucker's station, to protect them and another 
party which had moved in to the westward. 

13. McFarland's station, in Columbia township, near 
the site of Pleasant Ridge, established in the spring of 
1795, and believed to be the last founded of the pioneer 
stations in this county. 

Some of these stations were the scene of fierce Indian 
attacks, and others of cowardly murders by the savages. 
Their story will be more particularly related in the histo- 
ries of the townships. 

In 1794-5 Mr. Benjamin Van Cleve, then of Cincin- 
nati, but soon afterwards of Dayton, made many interest- 
ing memoranda of affairs in the Miami country, among 
which we find the following, made in the latter year: 

On the twentieth [ot August], seventeen days after the treaty [of 
Greenville], Governor St. Clair, General Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton, 
and Israel Ludlow contracted with John Cleves Symmes for the pur- 
chase and settlement of the seventh and eighth ranges, between Mad 
River and Little Miami. One settlement was to be at the mouth of Mad 
River, one on the Little Miami in the seventh range, and one on Mad 
River above the mouth. 

Two parties of surveyors set off [from Cincinnati] on the twenty- 
first of September — Mr. Daniel C. Cooper, to survey and mark a road 
and cut out some of the brush, and Captain John Dunlap to run the 
boundaries of the Purchase. I went with Dunlap. There were at this 
time several stations on Mill Creek : Ludlow's, White's, Tucker's, 
Voorhees's, and Cunningham's,* The last was eleven miles from Cin- 
cinnati. We came to Voorhees's and encamped. 

A limited number of regulars was stationed at several 
of these by General Harmar or his subordinate officers. 
All together they afforded protection and food to a large 
number of pioneer families, who must otherwise have 
been driven out of the country. They were of use else- 
where among the early settlements, as well as for local 
defence, and the pioneers in other parts of southern 
Ohio were less annoyed after their establishment, because 
the Indians had to spend a part of their time in watch- 
ing the stations, instead of taking the war-path against 
the scattered and isolated settlers. They regarded these 
defences, indeed, with peculiar disfavor. Judge Burnet 
accompanies an interesting paragraph upon the stations, 
in his Notes, with these remarks: 

The Indians viewed these stations with great jealousy, as they had 
the appearance of permanent military establishments, intended to re- 
tain possession of their country. In that view they were correct ; and 
it was fortunate for the settlers that they wanted either the skill or the 
means of demolishing them. The truth is, they had no idea of the 
flood of emigration which was setting towards tlieir borders, and did 
not feel the necessity of submitting to the loss to which immediate 
action would subject them. . . Their great error consisted in 
permitting those works to be constructed at all. They might ha\'e pre- 
\ented it with great ease, but theyappeared not to be aware of the serious 
consequences which were to result, until it was too late to act with ef- 
fect. Several attacks were, howe\'er, made at different times, with an 
apparent determination to destroy them ; but they failed in every in_ 
stance. 

* Cunningham's settlement, according to Mr. Olden, "was not a regular sta- 
tion in the proper sense of that term. No block-house or other defensive work 
were erected, and there was no organized community. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



59 



"captain blackbeard. " 
Shortly after the permanent location of Judge Symmes 
upon the Purchase, he had the honor to entertain, in his 
rude shelter at North Bend, a Shawnee chief bearing the 
English piratical name of "Captain Blackbeard," who 
lived some scores of miles to the northward, near Roche 
de Boeuf, on the Maumee river. The Judge has left the 
following entertaining account of the interview: 

The chief (tlie others sitting around him) wished to be informed how 
far I was supported by the United States, and whether the thirteen 
fires (States) had sent me hitlier. I answered in the affirmative, and 
sf)read before them the thirteen stripes which I had in a flag then in 
my camp. I pointed to the troops in their uniform, then on parade, 
and informed the chief that those were the warriors which the thirteen 
fires kept in constant pay to avenge their quarrels, and that, though 
the United States were desirous of peace, yet they were able to chas- 
tise any aggressor who should dare offend them, and to demonstrate 
this I showed them the seal of my commission, on which the American 
arms are impressed, observing that while the eagle had a branch of a 
tree as an emblem of peace in one claw, she had strong and sharp 
arrows in the other, which denoted her power to punish her enemies. 
The chief, who observed the device on the seal with great attention, 
replied to the interpreter that he could not perceive any intimation of 
peace from the attitude the eagle was in, having her wings spread as in 
fiight, when folding of the wings denoted rest and peace; that he could 
not understand how the branch of a tree could be considered a pacific 
emblem, for rods designed for correction were always taken from 
the boughs of trees; that to him the eagle appeared, from her bearing 
a large whip in one hand and such a number of arrows in the other, 
and in full career of flight, to be wholly bent on war and mischief. I 
need not repeat here my arguments to convince him of his mistake, 
but I at length succeeded, and he appeared entirely satisfied of the 
friendship of Congdis (for so they pronounce Congress) to» the red 
people. 

Captain Blackbeard staid a month or so in the neigh- 
borhood of Judge Symmes, with whom he had frequent 
friendly conferences, and whose hospitality he accepted, 
especially when it took the form of whiskey, without 
reservation or stint. Notwithstanding subsequent martial 
events, some of which must have come very near to his 
lodge on the Maumee, Blackbeard seems to have re- 
mained friendly to the whites, and long afterward he 
repaid with interest the kindness and hospitality he had 
received from Symmes by requitals to Judge Burnet 
and other lawyers and federal officials on their way 
through the wilderness from Cincinnati, to attend the 
courts in Detroit. 

treachery and murder. 

Much of the promise of the Indians to thetri, however, 
was to be broken to the hope. Their expressed friend- 
liness was undoubtedly, in some cases, used to mask 
treachery. Scarcely more than two months after the de- 
parture of Blackbeard, namely, on the ninth day of April, 
1789, one of Symmes' exploring parties was fired upon 
by the savages while leaving its camp, and two of its 
number — a man named Holman, from Kentucky, and 
Mr. Wells, from Delaware — were instantly killed. John 
Mills and three others, staying not to fight the foe and 
standing not upon the order of their going, escaped to 
the settlements.* A straggler into the forest from the 

* The year before Symmes came with his colony, about the twentieth 
of May, a large party of whites, descending the river in three boats 
was attacked by the Indians a little below the mouth of the Great 
Miami, and cut off or captured to a man. Samuel Purviance, a prom- 
inent citizen of Baltimore, was one of the company, and was never 
afterwards heard of, though General Harmar caused a long and careful 



villages had now and then also been picked off, and on 
the twenty-first of May an attack was made in some force 
from the Ohio shore upon a boat-load of settlers whom 
Ensign Luce, the officer then stationed at North Bend, 
was escorting with a detachment of his men from that 
place up the river to South Bend. The boat was not 
captured with its precious freight ; but by the fire one of 
the soldiers — Runyan, a New Jersey recruit — was killed, 
and four others of the troops were wounded. Mills, also 
a Jerseyman, who had escaped the previous disaster, was 
now among the wounded, being shot through the lungs; 
but was taken in hand by friendly squaws and cured with- 
out much difficulty. One of the settlers — William Mont- 
gomery, of Kentucky — was also hurt, and so badly as to 
be sent to Louisville for treatment. The affair created 
intense excitement and fear at- North Bend, where the 
garrison was now felt to be utterly inadequate; and 
Symmes, in an indignant letter to Dayton, bitterly re- 
news his complaints of the neglect of the commanders 
to send him troops enough for protection. He says: "We 
are in three defenceless villages along the banks of the 
Ohio, and since the misfortune of yesterday many citi- 
zens have embarked and gone to Louisville; and others 
are preparing to follow them soon; so that I fear I shall 
be nearly stripped of settlers and left with one dozen 
soldiers only. Kearsey's leaving the Purchase in the man- 
ner he did, ruined me for several weeks." Five days later 
he writes : " I believe that fifty persons of all ages have 
left this place since the disaster of the twenty-first. The 
settlers consider themselves as neglected by the Govern- 
ment. . . We are really distressed here for the 
want of troops." About this time the jealous and angry 
Kentuckians, before mentioned, began to designate the 
Purchase as "a slaughter-house," from the danger of mas- 
sacre they really had some reason for representing as ex- 
isting there. 

TROUBLE BREWING THE BRITISH. 

At this time the settlers at Losantiville and Columbia 
were tilling their in. lots, as well as out-lots, with firearms 
at their elbows and sentinels carefully posted. Weeks 
before the pacificatory letter of the Indians at "Mawme" 
to Symmes, it became evident that, as soon as they could 
prepare for serious inroads, the tribes would show their 
thorough-going antagonism to the new settlements being 
planted upon the Ohio, whatever their verbal or written 
words might be. The most alarming reports were brought 
in by Mr. Isaac Freeman, who had penetrated the Indian 
country on an errand from Symmes, and had returned in 
safety and with several released captives, and also the ■ 
olive-branch missive from "Mawme," but, writes the 
judge, he "brings such terrifying accounts of the warlike 
preparations making at the Indian towns, that it has raised 
fresh commotions in this village, and many families are 
preparing to go down to the Falls" [Louisville]. British 
influence was busy in stirring up the Indians to acts of 
hostility. In the same letter Symmes writes : 

While Mr. Freeman was at the Indian towns he was lodged at the 

search to be made for him. It was one of the most terrible and sweep- 
ing disasters from Indian attack that ever occurred in the valley of the 
Ohio. 



6o 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



house of a chief called Blue Jacket, and while there he saw the pack- 
horses come to Blue Jacket's house loaded with five hundred weight of 
powder and lead equivalent, with one hundred muskets; this share he 
saw deposited at the house of Blue Jacket. He says the like quantity 
was sent them from Detroit, to every chief through all their towns. 
Freeman saw the same dividend deposited at a second chief's house in 
the same town with Blue Jacket. On the arrival of the stores from De- 
troit, British colors were displayed on the housetop of every chief, and 
a prisoner among the Indians who had the address to gain full credit 
with them and attended at their council-house every day, found means 
to' procure by artifice an opportunity of conversing with Freeman. He 
assured Freeman that the Indians were fully determined to rout these 
settlements altogether; that they would have attempted it before this 
time, but had no military stores; but these being then arrived, it would 
not be long before they would march. 

Confirmation of these reports was received about the 
same time from two widely separated points at the east 
and west, from Vincennes and from Pittsburgh. 

INDIAN OUTRAGES. 

We can find in Mr. Freeman's account one reason at 
least why the infant settlements along the Ohio were for 
so many months spared from Indian outrage, conflagra- 
tion, and general massacre. Individual cases of capture, 
maiming, or murder were not wanting, however. Judge 
Symmes writes, January i, 1790: "We have already had 
a man murdered by the Indians within the squares of 
the city." This may refer to the case of a young son of 
John Hilliers, a settler at the Bend, who had gone out on 
the morning of the twelfth of December next previous, 
to drive home the cows, and, when scarcely half a mile 
from the block-house, was tomahawked and scalped, and 
his gun and hat were carried off. On the seventeenth of 
the same month two young men from the settlement, 
James Lafferty and Andrew Vaneman, hunting along the 
river, were surprised by Indians while sitting at night by 
their camp-fire, and were both killed at the first shot. 
Their bodies were then stripped of clothes, and toma- 
hawked and scalped in the most barbarous manner. A 
letter from Judge Symmes, written in May following, re- 
ferring to matters at North Bend, says: "Things were 
prosperous, considering the mischief done there this 
spring by the Indians. They plant considerable corn, 
though much more would have been planted if no mis- 
chief had been done. Many fled on those occasions — 
two men have been killed. The Indians are universally 
hostile, and the contrary opinion is ill-founded." 

On the other side of the Purchase, the settlers at Co- 
lumbia were greatly troubled after the depredations and 
attacks once began, which was not until nearly a year 
after the founding of the colony. In time too soon, how- 
ever, the dreaded blows fell. Among the cultivators of 
the soil to whom Major Stites had leased the rich clear- 
ing known as Turkey Bottom was one James Seward, 
who occupied a lot upon it for his daily labor, but had 
his residence on the hillside near the village. Two sons 
of his, Obadiah and John, aged respectively twenty-one 
and fifteen years, were at work in this field one afternoon, 
September 20, 1789, when they were surprised by a small 
party of Indians, at a hickory tree which had been felled 
for nuts, whose bushy top gave the savages an excellent 
opportunity for concealment and stealthy approach. 
Obadiah gave himself up at once, and was securely bound 
by withes or twigs; but the other ran for his life, in a cir- 



cuitous course towards home. The Indians easily gained 
upon him, however, and one of them hurled his toma- 
hawk at the boy with such force as to cleave his skull 
immediately behind the right ear. He dropped in his 
tracks, and, when overtaken an instant later, was again 
tomahawked and was then scalped. His mangled form 
was not found until the next morning, when John Claw- 
son, one of the pitying neighbors who gathered around, 
carried it on his back to the bereaved home. Strange to 
say, young Seward was not yet dead, though unconscious, 
and in his delirium, as his clothing and the surroundings 
showed, he had dragged himself round and round upon 
his knees. He actually survived the terrible injury for 
thirty-nine days, his senses returning to him, and even 
cheerfulness and good spirits, so that he was able to give 
a correct and detailed account of the affair. Obadiah 
was for some time unheard from; but a captive returning 
at length from the Indian country brought word that he 
had been killed by a bloodthirsty and drunken Indian, 
simply for taking the wrong fork of a trail. The young 
man, it is said, had long cherished a presentiment that 
he should perish at the hands of the savages. The 
doubly bereaved father afterwards removed to Springdale, 
where he suffered the loss of another son by the fall of a 
tree. 

The captive just mentioned was Ned Larkin, an em- 
ploye of Mr. John Phillips who was seized and taken by 
the Indians the same day the young Sewards were at- 
tacked. He was alone in the field at the time, cutting 
and binding cornstalks for fodder, and was bound and 
marched through the wilderness to Detroit, where his cap- 
tors sold him to a French trader. By this man, who 
seems to have had a heart in his bosom, Larkin was lib- 
erated not long after, and with other released captives 
made his way to Pittsburgh, whence he found conveyance 
down the river to Columbia. 

In 1790 there were further outrages by the Indians at 
this place. At one time the families, of whom there 
were several, located on that part of the face of the hill 
afterwards called Morristown, lost all their clothes hung 
out to dry. A party of the thieving redskins being sus- 
pected, was pursued, the property found in their posses- 
sion and partially recovered; but they had already de- 
stroyed the coverlets to make belts. James Newell, one 
of the most valued of the early settlers of Columbia, also 
lost his life by the red hand of Indian murder — at just 
what date we have not ascertained. 

One of the most interesting incidents of the Indian 
period in Hamilton county occurred July 7, 1792, on the 
river between Cincinnati and Columbia, and about four 
miles from the present Broadway, then Eastern Row. 
It was the custom of boats on the river, both large and 
small, to hug pretty closely the Kentucky side, as being 
the safer from Indian attack; but a canoe which left Cin- 
cinnati for Columbia on the afternoon of the day named, 
had neglected this precaution, and was proceeding up 
what was designated, from its perils, as the "Indian 
shore." It contained one lady, Mrs. Coleman, wife of a 
settler at Columbia, two men named Clayton and Light, 
and another whose name has not been preserved, and a 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



6i 



young lad, Oliver M., the only son of Colonel Spencer, 
a prominent pioneer then residing at Columbia, and who 
had served gallantly in the war of the Revolution. The 
boy had been to Cincinnati to spend the Fourth of July, 
and had remained for two or three days after. The 
stranger, a drunken soldier from the fort, presently lurched 
overboard, nearly upsetting the canoe; but managed to 
get ashore, and was soon left behind, thus escaping mas- 
sacre, although his late companions, looking back at him, 
remarked that he "would be good food for Indians." 
The boy also took to the water-side path, and walked 
along near the party remaining in the canoe. A pair of 
Indians had concealed themselves near the path which 
connected the two villages, and as the boat approached 
fired a volley upon its occupants. Clayton was wounded 
at the first fire, fell overboard, was at once dragged 
ashore by the Indians, killed and scalped. Light was also 
wounded in the arm, but not severely, and throwing him- 
self into the stream, swam off with one arm through the 
fire of the Indians and escaped. Mrs. Coleman like- 
wise flung herself into the water, and the Indians, saying, 
"squaw must drown," left her to her fate. She was 
buoyed up by her clothing, however, and floated down 
a mile, to a point where she could get ashore, then took 
the path for Cincinnati, crossing Deer creek at its mouth, 
went to the house of Captain Thorp, at the artificer's yard 
near Fort Washington, where she obtained dry clothing, 
and remained until recovered from her fright and fatigue. 
The Indians had seized young Spencer, wdthout doing 
him injury, and hastily departed with him, carrying him 
into captivity. He was taken to their towns on the head- 
waters of the Great Miami, where he was adopted into 
an Indian family, and lived with them several months, 
when he was ransomed for one hundred and twenty-five 
dollars through the intervention, it is said, of President 
Washington, who had a very high regard for his father, 
Colonel Spencer, and secured the ransom of the son 
through the British Minister and the commandant of the 
British forces at Detroit. Young Spencer afterwards be- 
came a distinguished citizen, a clergyman and bank 
officer in Cincinnati. In his manhood he wrote and pub- 
lished a narrative of his capture and captivity. 

The settlers at Columbia became exceedingly hostile to 
the red men, and with reason, as these narratives show. 
Their labors were greatly interrupted by the constant 
necessity for the exercise of vigilance against the onset 
of the wily foe. For a time they had to work and watch 
in equal divisions, as many as one-half standing guard, 
while the other half labored, the divisions being ex- 
changed in the morning and afternoon. Their annoy- 
ances, and the outrages from which they suffered, bore 
their natural fruit in an intense and abiding desire for re- 
venge. On the principle, we suppose, that the devil must 
be fought with fire, they even adopted some of the Indian 
methods. Colonel Whittlesey, of Cleveland, contributes 
this corroborative paragraph in one of his valuable his- 
torical pamphlets: 

In 1844 I spent an evening with Benjamin Stites, jr., of Madison- 
ville, Ohio, the son of Benjamin Stites, who settled at Columbia, near 
Cincinnati, in 17S8. Benjamin, junior, was then a boy, but soon grew 



to be a woodsman and an Indian figliter. Going over the incidents of 
the pioneer days, he said the settlers of Columbia agreed to pay thirty 
dollars in trade for every Indian scalp. He related an instance of a 
man who received a mare for a scalp, under this arrangement. The 
frontier men of those times spoke of "hunting Indians," as they would 
of hunting wolves, bears, or any other wild animal. I met another old 
man who then lived near Covington, on the Kentucky side of the Ohio, 
who said he had often gone alone up the valley of the iVIiami on a hunt 
for scalps. With most of these Indian hunters the bounty was a 
minor consideration. The hatred of the red man was a niucli stronger 
motive. 

A tradition goes that on one occasion a reeking scalp, 
just torn from the head of an Indian, was brought on 
the Sabbath into or near the house of God in Columbia, 
breaking up the meeting and sending the inhabitants 
home to prepare against an attack from the savages. 

The settlers of Cincinnati of course shared the gen- 
eral peril. Some fifteen or twenty of them were killed 
by the Indians in the one year 1790. Not only was it 
necessary to post sentinels when at work in the out-lots 
or improving the town property, but rifles were carried 
to service by the congregation of the First Presbyterian 
church, whose place of meeting was close by where the 
the same society worships now, near the corner of Main 
and Fourth streets. A fine of seventy-five cents was 
imposed upon male attendants neglecting this precau- 
tion; and it is said to have been actually inflicted upon 
Colonel John S. Wallace, a noted hunter and Indian 
fighter of those days, and perhaps upon others. 

In 1790 the road from Cincinnati eastward crossed 
the mouth of the water-course near the then eastern 
limits of the town, as noted in the account of the adven- 
ture to Mrs. Coleman. At the point of crossing there 
was a dense forest of maple and beech, with tangled 
grape-vines and a heavy undergrowth of spicewood. Mr. 
Jacob Wetzel, of the village, had had a successful day of 
hunting, October 7th, of that year, and on his way home 
to get a horse with which • to bring in his heavier spoils, 
sat down here upon a decayed tree-trunk to rest. He 
shortly heard a rustling in the woods; his dog pricked 
up his ears, growled, and a moment afterwards barked 
loudly as he saw an Indian presenting his rifle from 
behind a large oak tree. Wetzel caught sight of him at 
the same instant, and, springing behind another tree, 
both fired together. He received the Indian's fire un- 
harmed, and succeeded in wounding his enemy's left 
elbow. Before the Indian could reload, Wetzel took 
the offensive and charged upon him with his hunting 
knife, and the Indian drew his to defend himself. The 
conflict that ensued was sharp and desperate, a life-or- 
death struggle. The white man made the first blow as 
he rushed, but the red one parried it, knocking the 
other's knife from his hand to a distance of thirty feet or 
more. Nothing daunted, Wetzel seized him with a vice- 
like grasp about the body, holding down and tightly 
against it the arm with the knife. In the struggle both 
were thrown, but the Indian got uppermost and was 
about to use his knife with deadly effect, when the dog 
sprang at his throat with such a savage attack as made 
him drop the weapon, which Wetzel seized and instantly 
stabbed his antagonist to the heart. The Indian so far 
had maintained the contest on his side alone; but after 



62 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the victor had despoiled his body of its armament and 
gone a little distance on his way home, he heard the 
whoop of a party of savages, and ran hastily to the river, 
where he seized a canoe and escaped to the cove then 
existing at the foot of Sycamore street. He afterwards 
learned that the Indian killed was one of the bravest 
chiefs of his tribe, by whom he was greatly lamented. 

The savages were also making mischief this year on the 
other side of the river, in the interior. Judge Symmes 
wrote the last of April ; 

The Indi.ins are beyond me.isure troublesome throughout Kentucky. 
They have destroyed Major Doughty and a party of troops on the 
Tennessee. If the President knew of half the murders they commit, 
he surely would rouse in indignation and dash those barbarians to some 
other clime. 

After the defeat of General Harmar in two actions by 
the Indians, in October, they grew bolder, but still made 
no concerted attacks upon the settlements on the 
Symmes Purchase until January, when Dunlap's station 
was attacked, as will be presently narrated. November 
4th the judge writes : 

The strokes our army has got seem to fall like a blight upon the 
prospect, and for the present seem to appall every countenance. I con- 
fess that, as to myself, I do not apprehend that we shall be in a worse 
situation with regard to the Indians than before the repulse. What the 
Indians could do before, they did, and -they now have about one hun- 
dred less of their warriors to annoy us with than they had before the 
two actions; besides, it will give them some employment this winter to 
build up new cabins and repair by hunting the loss of their corn. 

The settlers at them [the stations] are very much alarmed 
at their situation, though I do not think that the houses will be at- 
tacked at those stations; yet I am much concerned for the safety of the 
men while at work, hunting, and travelling. 

Judge Symmes did not divine with his usual prescience 
in this case. Scarcely more than two months had passed 
after this dehverance before the Indians appeared in 
force but a few miles from his home and made a desperate 
attack upon one of his stations. On the eighth of Janu- 
ary, 1791, Colonel John S. Wallace, of Cincinnati, lately 
mentioned in this chapter, together with Abner Hunt, 
who was a surveyor, John Sloane, and a Mr. Cunning- 
ham, engaged in exploring the country, fell in with this 
war-party, or a detachment of it, somewhere on the west 
bank of the Great Miami, where the whites had encamped 
the night before. When setting out that morning to ex- 
plore the bottoms above their camp, towards Colerain, 
or Dunlap's station, they had got but about seventy yards 
away when they were assailed by savages from the rear, 
an ambuscade having evidently been prepared for them. 
Cunningham was shot down instantly; Hunt was vio- 
lently dismounted by the fright of his horse, and made 
prisoner; and Sloane was shot through the body, but 
managed to keep his feet and effect his escape. Wallace 
also dashed off, but on foot, and was followed by two In- 
dians, when he overtook Sloane and mounted Hunt's 
riderless horse, which had kept along with its companion. 
Both Wallace and Sloane thus escaped safely and unin- 
jured to Dunlap's station. Colonel Wallace had a nar- 
row escape, however. He was repeatedly fired upon in 
his flight, and at the first shot his leggings became loose, 
the fastenings perhaps cut by the missile, when he tripped 
and fell. Coolly but rapidly he retied the strings, in time 
to resume his flight without being overtaken. Hunt's 



fate was terrible, being that which too often befell the 
captive among the savages. During a lull in the siege of 
Dunlap's station, the third night after the capture, they 
occupied themselves in the torture of the hapless pi is- 
oner. He was prostrated across a log with his legs and 
arms stretched and fastened in painful positions to the 
ground; he was scalped, his body agonized by knife- 
wounds, and the cruel work completed, as one account 
relates, by building a fire upon his naked abdomen, or, 
as others have it, by thrusting blazing firebrands into his 
bowels, which had been exposed by the cutting and 
slashing to which he had been subjected. In this 
dreadful situation his remains were found aftei^ the In- 
dians had retired, and were taken up decently and buried 
by the garrison. 

The attack on Dunlap's began in the early morning of 
January roth. About five hundred Indians appeared be- 
fore the stockade, with three hundred more in reserve in 
the neighborhood, and demanded its surrender, promis- 
ing the garrison and settlers safety. They are believed 
to have been led by the notorious white renegade, 
Simon Girty, who was guilty of so many atrocities and 
barbarities toward the whites, and is said to have died, 
himself, in the centre of a blazing log-heap, where he 
was placed by a party of avengers, who recognized him 
long after Indian hostilities had ceased. Girty's brother 
was also in the attacking force, with Blue Jacket and 
other well-known chiefs. During the parley with 
Kingsley, which lasted two hours, Simon Girty was seen 
holding the rope with which the prisoner's (Hunt's) arms 
were tied, and sheltered behind a log. Lieutenant 
Kingsley was in command, but had only eighteen reg- 
ulars, who, with eight or ten armed residents, made but 
a feeble garrison in point of numbers. Nevertheless the 
Indian demand was refused and fire was opened by the 
garrison, being promptly returned by the besiegers. As 
soon as possible a runner was got off to Fort Washing- 
ton for reinforcements, and the defence continued to be 
stoutly maintained. The women in the station kept up 
the supply of bullets to their defenders by melting spoons 
and pewter plates and running them into balls; and the 
fire on both sides was scarcely intermitted for hours. 
The Indians entirely surrounded the stockade on the 
land side, their flanks resting on the river; and their fire 
was hot and distressing. It was kept up until late in the 
afternoon, when the Indians drew off and during the 
night put Hunt to the torture in full view of the garrison, 
between the fort and an ancient work remaining near. 
The attack was renewed in the evening and maintained 
in a desultory way until midnight, when the beleagured 
people again had comparative rest, but no refreshment in 
their weariness and terror except parched corn, their sup- 
ply of water being cut off by the merciless foe. The 
Indians in this attempt set fire to the brush about the 
station and threw many blazing brands upon the struc- 
tures within it, but they were happily extinguished before 
serious mischief was done. Again the Indians came on 
the next day, but were met with the steady, unrelenting fire 
of the garrison, and hastily withdrew, probably hastening 
their retreat from the report of their scouts that relief was 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



63 



marching from Fort Washington. In their retreat the 
Indians shot all the cattle within their reach. A force of 
thirty regulars and thirty-three volunteers had been dis- 
patched from Fort Washington, under the command of 
Captain Timmons, reaching the neighborhood of the 
station the next forenoon about ten o'clock, but finding 
the Indians already gone. They went in pursuit at once, 
but with litde effect, the detachment not being numerous, 
enough to make an effective attack. 

This heroic defence of Colerain against an overwhelm- 
ing force of savages is one of the most noteworthy inci- 
dents in the history of the county. Sometime before the 
fight David Gibson and John Crum, of the station, had 
been taken prisoners by the Indians, and Thomas Lawi- 
son and William Crum driven to the stockade, to the 
imminent danger of their lives. The inhabitants there 
were kept in a pretty constant state of alarm, and, after 
the defeat of General St. Clair the following November, 
the settlers at Dunlap's, vividly remembering the attack 
which followed Harmar's misfortune, and reasonably ex- 
pecting a similar sequel to St. Clair's, abandoned the sta- 
tion, and were only persuaded to return with considerable 
difficulty. It was important that this station should- be 
maintained. Judge Symmes wrote in January, 1792: 
"Colerain has always been considered the best barrier to 
all the settlements, and'when that place became re-peo- 
pled the inhabitants of the other stations became more 
reconciled to stay." 

At North Bend, during the same year, there were fresh 
attacks by the Indians. In September, 1791, a Mr. Ful- 
ler and his son WiUiam, employes of John Matson, sr., 
were accompanied by Matson's mother and George Cul- 
lum to a fish-dam that was planted in the Great Miami, 
about two miles from North Bend. Towards night Ful- 
ler sent his son away alone, to take the cows to the settle- 
ment, when he disappeared, and was seen no more until 
after Wayne's victory, or nearly four years after he was 
taken by the Indians, when he was restored to his friends 
by Christopher Miller, a white man who was among the 
savages at the time of his capture. 

The outrages at Cincinnati were also numerous in 
1791. In May of this year Colonel Wallace, whose 
misfortune it was to figure considerably in the Indian his- 
tory of this period, was at work with his father and a 
small lad, hoeing corn upon the subsequent site of the 
Cincinnati hospital, while two men named Scott and 
Shepherd were plowing corn upon a spot near the corner 
of Central avenue and Clinton street. To them suddenly 
appeared five or six Indians, who jumped the fence and 
raised a yell, whereupon the plowmen took to their heels, 
and were fortunately not caught by the pursuing savages, 
though they were chased as far as the corner of Fifth and 
Race streets. Colonel Wallace may have been forgetful, 
as before noted, about taking his rifle to church; but he 
had it with him on this occasion, lying in an adjacent 
furrow, and telling the rest to escape to town as quietly 
as possible, snatched it up and fired at an Indian about 
eighty yards distant, who took himself off at once. The 
other Indians rode away on the plow-horses at the top of 
their speed. Contrary to their usual custom, however, they. 



in the haste of their flight, unintentionally, of course, left 
something by way of exchange. Light blankets and blan- 
ket capotes, a leg of bear meat, a horn of powder, and 
some other small articles, were the spoils from the raiders; 
but they hardly made up an equivalent for the horses 
taken. As soon as the alarm could be given and pre- 
parations made, the best foresters and hunters in town 
started in pursuit, mounting all the horses available, a 
party going ahead at once on foot. The chase was fol- 
lowed up the Great Miami valley to where Hamilton now 
stands ; but unavailingly, as the Indians had just crossed, 
and the pursuers were turned back by tremendous rains 
and floods. 

On the twenty-first of the same month Benjamin Van- 
Cleve and Joseph Cutler, while engaged in clearing an 
out-lot, were fired at, and the latter captured, carried off, 
and never heard of afterwards. The trail of the party 
was easily followed, as Cutler had lost a shoe, and was 
kept at full run till dark, and resumed the next day; but 
the Indians got off safely with their captive. 

Eleven days after, on the first of June, Mr. VanCleve, 
again working in his out-lot, with two others, was attacked 
and pursued. He started first in the retreat; but was 
stopped an instant by a fallen tree-top, giving an Indian 
time to seize him. VanCleve threw his assailant, but 
the savage rose at once and stabbed him, following this 
by the usual barbarity of scalping. He then took himself 
out of the way of the two white men who were running 
some distance in VanCleve's rear, and who found their 
companion lifeless when they reached the spot. On the 
same day Sergeant Michael Hahn, of the garrison, with 
a corporal and a young man from Colerain, taking a cow 
to Dunlap's station, the party was attacked soon after 
starting, within the present limits of the city, and all were 
killed and scalped. 

These are recorded as the last cases of assasination by 
the red men in Cincinnati; but they continued to prowl 
about the outlying streets and roads, and sometimes 
killed cattle; in one case, it is said, an Indian shot his 
stone-headed arrow clean through the body of an ox. 
They also stole horses from time to time, and committed 
other depredations, until Anthony Wayne instituted his 
energetic measures for the protection of this region in 
1793 and 1794. 

In the spring of the latter year, however, John Lud- 
low, brother of Colonel Israel Ludlow, of the station, 
left his late residence in Cincinnati to return to his farm, 
near the junction of the old Hamilton road with the hill 
road to Carthage. An attack had been made on White's 
station, in the country, which, with a defeat sustained by 
Lieutenant Lowrey near Eaton, Preble county, had greatly 
alarmed the Cincinnatians. Mr. White himself was in 
this party, which was escorted by Colonel Ludlow and 
his company of militia. They reached the farm without 
molestation, and began unloading the wagon with them, 
while White, mounted on a sick horse, went on toward 
his station. When he reached a point abtfut two hun- 
dred yards from the stream since called Bloody run, he 
heard rifle-shots, and presently saw four pack-horses 
where as many whites had been waylaid by the Indians. 



M 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



One of them was killed, tomahawked, and scalped; his 
body was found in the river. Another was mortally 
hurt, but managed to get to Abner Benton's place, at 
Ludlow's Ford on Mill creek, where he died of his 
wounds. A third was sjightly wounded, and the fourth 
escaped unhurt. White now abandoned the journey to 
his station, and returned to Ludlow's party to give the 
alarm. Pursuit was promptly taken up by the whole 
company and the Indians followed vainly for five or six 
miles, when the party rode back to the scene of the at- 
tack and buried the dead. 

One of the saddest incidents of this time occurred 
while Wayne's campaign was in progress. Colonel 
Robert Elliott, a Pennsylvanian born, but a resident of 
Hagerstown, Maryland, was a contractor for the supply 
of General Wayne's army, and was in person superin- 
tending the delivery of supplies. While on the way from 
Fort Hamilton to Cincinnati, on the present Winton 
road, he was fired upon and killed by the enemy, his 
servant escaping in safety with both horses. An attempt 
was made to scalp the Colonel, which, from the absence- 
of his natural capillary covering and the adoption of a 
substitute, led the Indian attempting it to the exclama- 
tion, as is reported in English, "bigd — d lie!" Mr. 
Elliott's body was recovered the next day, put in a box, 
and started for Cincinnati in one of his own wagons. 
Near or exactly at the place where the Colonel was shot, 
the servant, by .a singular fatality, received' a second fire 
from the savages, and was this time killed. The escort 
was stampeded, and the Indians seized the box and 
broke it, but did not further disturb its contents, though 
they took away the horses that drew it. An armed party 
was then detached from Fort Washington, which went 
out and brought the body in. It was buried in the old 
Presbyterian cemetery at the corner of Main and Fourth 
streets, and afterwards removed to the new " God's acre " 
of that church on Twelfth street. A monument was 
erected many years after, to commemorate the tragedy, 
by Commodore Elliott, his son, with an inscription as 
follows: "In memory of Robert Elliott, slain by a party 
of Indians near this point, while in the service of his 
country. Placed by his son, Commodore J. D. Elliott, 
United States Navy, 1835. Damon and Fidelity." 

Several outrages whose history we have found recorded, 
and doubtless many others so far unnoticed to the writer, 
occurred during the period of Indian warfare, some of 
whose dates we are not able to fix with certainty. Judge 
Symmes, in April, 1790, notes that a lad had been "cap- 
tivated" by the Indians a few weeks before at the Mill 
creek (Ludlow's) station; but adds: "Otherwise not 
the smallest mischief has been done to any, except we 
count the firing by the Indians on our people mischief, 
for there have been some instances of that, but they did 
no hurt. " Not a great many years ago a large elm might 
still be seen on one of the roads leading north from the 
city, about three miles from the old corporation line, be- 
hind which a small party of Indians had been concealed, 
to await the approach on horseback of a man named 
Baily, whom they halted, seized, and took prisoner. 

At Blue Bank, a locality on the Great Miami near 



Dunlap's station, while Michael Hahn, one of the early 
settlers of Cincinnati, Martin Burkhardt, and Michael 
Lutz, were viewing lots on the second of January, 1792, 
Lutz was killed and scalped, and finally stabbed by the 
Indians. Hahn was shot through the body, but ran for 
the station, within sight of which the Indians followed 
him, and there, seeing they were otherwise likely to lose 
the chance of his scalp, shot a second time and brought 
him down?" Burkhardt was shot through the shoulder 
and took to the river, where he was drowned and his 
body found near North Bend six weeks subsequently. 
Thus perished this whole party by Indian massacre. 

About two miles below the same station, at a riffle in 
the Great Miami, a canoe in which John McNamara, 
Isaac Gibson, jr., Samuel Carswell, and James Barnett 
were taking a millstone up the river, was fired upon with 
mortal effect. McNamara was killed, Carswell wounded 
in the shoulder and Gibson in the knee, Barnett alone 
escaping unhurt 

Elsewhere in the county, at Round Bottom, two set- 
tlers named Hinkle and Covalt, while engaged in hewing 
logs in front of their own cabin, were instantly killed by 
the barbarians. 

An interesting narrative of the captivity of Israel Don- 
alson, contributed to the American Pioneer for Decem- 
ber, 1842, contains a passage which is of some local 
value, especially as illustrating the character of a famous 
old-time citizen, long since passed away. Donalson was 
captured by the Indians April 22, 1791, while on a sur- 
veying expedition with Massie and Lytle, four miles above 
Manchester, on what was called from that day Donalson 
creek, and escaped a few days afterwards, reaching the 
Great Miami, and following down Harmar's trace until 
he arrived at what he called "Fort Washington," now Cin- 
cinnati. Mr. Donalson says: 

On "W^ednesday, the day that I got in, I was so far gone that I 
thought it entirely useless to make any further exertion, not knowing 
what distance I was from the river ; and I took my station at the root 
of a tree, but soon got into a state of sleeping, and either dreamt or 
thought that I should not be loitering away my time, that I should get 
in that day ; which, on reflection, I had not the most distant idea. 
However, the impression was so strong that I got up and walked on 
some distance. I then took my station again as before, and the same 
thoughts occupied my mind. I got up and walked on. I had not 
travelled far before I thought I could see an opening for the river ; and 
getting a little farther on I heard the sound of a bell. I then started 
and ran, at a slow speed, undoubtedly ; a little farther on I began to 
perceive that I was coming to the river hill, and having got about half- 
way down, I heard the sound of an a.xe, which was the sweetest music 
I had heard for many a day. It was in the extreme out-lot ; when I 
got to the lot I crawled over the fence with difficult)-, it being very high. 
I approached the person very cautiously till within about a chain's 
length, undiscovered ; I then stopped and spoke ; the person I spoke to 
was Mr. "W^illiam "Woodward, the founder of the Woodward high school. 
Mr. Woodward looked up, hastily cast his eyes round, and saw that I 
had no deadly weapon ; he then spoke : "In the name of God," said 
he, "who are you?" I told him I had been a prisoner and had made 
my escape fi'om the Indians. After a few more questions he told me 
to come to him. I did so. Seeing my situation, his fears soon sub- 
sided ; he told me to sit down on a log and he would go and catch a 
horse he had in the lot, and talie me in. He caught his horse, set me 
on him, but kept the bridle in his own hand. When we got into the 
road, people began to enquire of Mr. Woodward, "Who is he — an 
Indian?" I was not surprised nor offended at the enquiries, for I was 
still in Indian uniform, bareheaded, my hair cut off close, except the 
scalp and foretop, which they had put up in a piece of tin, with a bunch 
of turkey feathers ; which I could not undo. They had also stripped 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



65 



off the feathers of about two turkeys, and hung them to the hair of my 
scalp ; these I had taken off the day I left them. Mr. Woodward took: 
me to his house, where every kindness was shown me. They soon gave 
me other clothing ; coming from different persons they did not fit me 
very neatly ; but there could not be a pair of shoes got in the place that 
I could get on, my feet were so much swollen. But what surprised me 
most was, when a pallet was made down before the fire, Mr. Woodward 
condescended to sleep with me. 

The next day, soon after breakfast, General Harmar sent for me to 
come to the fort. I would not go. A second messenger came : I still 
refused. At length a Captain Shambrough came ; he pleaded with me, 
told me I might take my own time, and he would wait for me. At 
length he told me if I would not go with him, the next day a file of men 
would be sent, and I would then be compelled to go. I went with him; 
he was as good as his word, and treated me very kindly. When I was 
ushered into the quarters of the commander, I found the room full of 
people waiting my arrival. I knew none of them except Judge Symmes, 
and he did not know me, which was not surprising, considering the fix 
I was in. The General asked me a great many questions ; and when 
he got through he asked me to take a glass of liquor, which was all the 
aid he offered ; meantime had a mind to keep me in custody as a spy, 
which, when I heard, it raised my indignation to think that the com- 
mander of an army should have no more judgment when his own eyes 
were witnessing that I could scarce go alone. 

RELIEF AT LAST. 

The glorious victory of General Wayne brought infi- 
nite relief to the harassed people. They no longer 
trembled with anxiety and fear of Indian outrage. One 
immediate effect of the victory and the treaty of Green- 
ville was the partial abandonment of the river villages 
and the stations, by the desire of the people to settle in 
the open country. August 6, 1795, Judge Symmes 
wrote from Cincinnati : 

This village is reduced more than one-half in its numbers since I left 
it to go to Jersey in February, 1793. The people spread themselves 
into all parts of the Purchase below the military range since the Indian 
defeat on the twentieth of August, and the cabins are of late deserted 
by dozens in a street. 

Another letter of his the next year, however, shows 
that the Indians were again giving trouble, though not 
very serious this time : 

They now begin to crowd in upon us in numbers, and are becoming 
troublesome. We have but one merchant in this part of the Purchase 
[North Bend], and he will not buy their deer-skins. The next result is 
to beg from me, and I was compelled last week to give them upwards 
of forty dollars value, or send near forty of them away offended. 

They must have a market for their skins, or they can purchase 
nothing from us. Though we have twenty or more merchants at Cin- 
cinnati, not one of them is fond of purchasing deer-skins. Some 
attention of Government is certainly necessary to this object. 
Some of our citizens will purchase horses from the Indians, The con- 
sequence is that the Indians immediately steal others, fo rnot an Indian 
will walk if he can steal a horse to ride. I wish it was made penal by 
Congress to buy horses directly or indirectly from the Indians. 

But these annoyances and losses were petty, compared 
with the awful dangers of the earlier years. The Miami 
country, though not without occasional alarms, especially 
during the Indian war of 181 1 and the war with Great 
Britain that began the ne.xt year, was thenceforth almost 
exempt from savage atrocities. "Poor Lo," with the inev- 
itable destiny of his race, was being crowded westward 
and to eventual extermination. 



CHAPTER IX. 

CIVIL JURISDICTION— ERECTION OF HAMILTON COUNTY. 

What constittites a State? 
Not high-raised battlements or labored mound. 

Thick wall or moated gate; 
Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned; 

Not bays and broad-armed ports, 
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride; 

Not starred and spangled courts. 
Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. 

No; — men, high-minded men. 
With powers as far above dull brutes endued. 

In forest, brake, or den. 
As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude, — 

Men who their duties know, 
But know theii rights, and, knowing, dare maintain. 

Prevent the long-aimed blow. 
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain; — 

These constitute a State. 

— Sir William Jones. 

"IROQUOIS." 

In chapter IV it was remarked that upon some of the 
early maps of the territory which includes the present 
State of Ohio, a geographical district was marked and 
entitled "Iroquois," since the confederated tribes called 
by that generic name claimed jurisdiction over it. It is 
not probable that their government was represented here 
by satrap, prator, viceroy, or other governor; but theirs is, 
we believe, the first authority distinctly recognized by 
geography or history as existing over this region. One of 
the maps of 1755 designates this as Tunasoruntic, or 
"the deer-hunting country," a part of "the country of the 
confederate Indians," covering the present territory of 
New York, Ohio, and Canada, and thus signifying about 
the same thing as the former "Iroquois." 

"new FRANCE." 

The Ohio country, however, was long before this time 
claimed by the French, as an integral part of their great 
North American possessions, "New France," by virtue of 
the discoveries of her brave explorer, Robert, Cavalier de 
la Salle, and the earlier voyage (1640) of the Jesuit 
Fathers Charemonot and Brebceuf, along the south shore 
of Lake Erie. With the Iroquois they were constantly 
at war, and the claims of the confederated tribes to the 
territory weighed nothing with the aggressive leaders of 
the French in the New World. When, some time in the 
first half of the eighteenth century, the French built a 
fort on the Iroquois lands near Niagara falls, the governor 
of Canada proclaimed their right of encroachment, say- 
ing that the Five Nations were not subjects of England, 
but rather of France, if subjects at all. But, by the 
treaty of Utrecht, April 11, 17 13, Louis XIV, Le Grand 
Monarque, renounced in favor of England all right to the 
Iroquois country, reserving only the St. Lawrence and 
Mississippi valleys to France. Boundaries were so vaguely 
defined, however, that disputes easily and frequently 
arose concerning the territories owned by the respective 
powers; and in 1740, the very year after that in which 
the Ohio Land company of the Washingtons, Lee, and 
others was organized under a grant from George II, to 
occupy half a million acres west of the AUeghanies, De 
Celeron, the French commandant of Detroit, led an ex- 



66 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



pedition to the Ohio dispatched by the Marquis de la 
GalHssoniere, commander-in-chief of New France, buried 
a leaden tablet "at the confluence of the Ohio and 
Tchadakoin" (?) "as a monument of the renewal of pos- 
session which we have taken of the said river Ohio, 
and of all those that therein fall, and of all the lands on 
both sides, as far as the sources of said rivers" — a sweep- 
ing claim, .truly. He ordered the English traders out of 
the country, and notified the governor of Pennsylvania 
that if they "should hereafter make their appearance on 
the Beautiful River, they would be treated without any 
delicacy." The territorial squabbles which then ensued 
led up to the Frenchand Indian war of 1755-62, which 
closed by the cession to England, on the part of France, 
of Canada and all her American possessions east of the 
Mississippi, except some fishing stations. Thus the Ohio 
region at length passed into the undisputed possession of 
the British crown. 

IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. 

In 1766 (though some confidendy say 1774*), the 
British Parliament insisted upon the Ohio river as the 
southwestern boundary, and the Mississippi river as the 
western limit of the dominions of the English crown in 
this quarter. By this measure the entire northwest, or 
so much of it as afterwards became the Northwest Terri- 
tory, was attached to the province of Quebec, and the 
tract that now constitutes the State of Ohio was nomi- 
nally under its local administration. 

BOTETOURT COUNTY. 

In 1769 the colony of Virgjnia, by an enactment of 
the house of burgesses, attempted to extend its jurisdic- 
tion over the same territory, northwest of the river Ohio, 
by virtue of its royal grants. By that act the county of 
Botetourt was erected and named in honor of Lord Bote- 
tourt, governor of the colony. It was a vast county, 
about seven hundred miles long, with the Blue Ridge for 
its eastern boundary, and the Mississippi for its west- 
ern boundary. It included large parts of the pres 
ent States of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Ilh- 
nois, and was the first county organization covering what 
is now Hamilton county. Fincastle, still the seat of 
county for the immensely reduced Botetourt county, was 
made the seat of justice; but so distant from it were the 
western regions of the great county, that the thoughtful 
burgesses inserted the following proviso in the creative act : 

IV/u-rcas. The people situated on the Mississippi, in the said county 
of Botetourt, will be very remote from the court house, and must neces- 
sarily become a separate county as soon as their numbers are sufficient, 
which will probably happen in a short time, be it therefore enacted by 
the authority aforesaid, that the inhabitants of that part of the said 
county of Botetourt which lies on the said waters, shall be exempted 
from the payment of any levies to be laid by the said county court for 
the purpose of building a court-house and prison for said county. 

"west AUGUSTA." 

In 1776, the present territory of Ohio was included in 
what was known as the "District of West Augusta, fbut 
we are not informed to what State or county authority it 
was subordinated — though probably to that of Virginia, as 
was the Kentucky region at this time. 

*As Isaac Smucker, in Secretary of State's report for 1877. 
tBryant's Popular History of the United States, Vol. I., 6io. 



ILLINOIS COUNTY. 

Government was still nominal, however, so far as the 
county organization was concerned, between the Ohio 
and the Mississippi rivers ; and the Indians and few 
white settlers within those borders were entirely a law 
unto theinselves. After the conquest of the Indiana and 
Illinois country by General George Rogers Clark in 1778 
the county of Illinois was erected by the Virginia legisla- 
ture out of the great county of Boietourt, and included 
all the territory between the Pennsylvania line, the Ohio, 
the Mississippi, and the northern lakes. Colonel John 
Todd was appointed the first county lieutenant and civil 
commandant of the county. He perished in the battle of 
Blue Licks, August 18, 1782; and Timothy de Montbrun 
was named as his successor. At this time there were no 
white men in Ohio, except a few Indian traders, some 
French settlers on the Maumee, and the Moravian mis- 
sionaries on the Tuscarawas. 

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

After the title of the United States to the wide tract 
covered by Illinois county, acquired by the victories of 
the Revolution, had been perfected by the cession of 
claims to it by Virginia and other States and by Indian 
treaties. Congress took the next step, and an important 
one, in the civil organization of the country. Upon the 
thirteenth of July (a month which has been largely as- 
sociated with human liberty in many ages of history), in 
the year 1787, the celebrated act entitled "An ordinance 
for the government of the territory of the United States 
northwest of the river Ohio," was passed by Congress. 
By this great organic act — "the last gift," as Chief Justice 
Chase said, "of the Congress of the old Confederation 
to the country, and it was a fit consummation of their 
glorious labors" — provision was made for various forms 
of territorial government to be adopted in succession, 
in due order of the advancement and development of 
the Western country. To quote Governor Chase again: 
"When the settlers went into the wilderness, they found 
the law already there. It was impressed upon the soil 
itself, while it yet bore up nothing but the forest." This 
measure was succeeded, on the fifth of October of the 
same year, by the appointment by Congress of General 
Arthur St. Clair as governor, and Major Winthrop Sar- 
gent as secretary of the Northwest Territory. Soon 
after these appointments, three territorial judges were ap- 
pointed — Samuel Holden Parsons, James Mitchell Var-' 
num, and John Armstrong. In January the last named, 
not having entered upon service, declined his appoint- 
ment, which now fell to the Hon. John Cleves Symmes, 
the hero of the Miami Purchase. The appointment of 
Symmes to this high office gave much offence in some 
quarters, as it was supposed to add to his opportunities of 
making a great fortune in the new country. It is well 
known that Governor St. Clair's appointment to the 
Northwest Territory was promoted by his friends, in the 
hope that he would use his position to relieve himself of 
pecuniary embarrassments. There is no evidence, how- 
ever, that either he or Judge Symmes prostituted the 
privileges of their places to such ends. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



67 



All these appointments being made under the articles 
of confederation, they expired upon the adoption and 
operation of the Federal constitution. St. Clair and 
Sargent were reappointed to their respective places by 
President Washington, and confirmed by the senate on 
the twentieth of September, 1789. On the same day 
Parsons and Symmes were reappointed judges, with Wil- 
liam Barton as their associate. Meanwhile, on the ninth 
of July, 1788, the governor arrived at Marietta, and pro- 
ceeded to organize the territory. He and the judges, of 
whom only Varnum and Parsons were present, consti- 
tuted, under the ordinance, the territorial legislature. 
Their first law was proclaimed July 25th, and on the 
twenty-seventh Governor St. Clair issued a proclamation 
establishing the county of Washington, to cover all the 
territory to which the Indian title had been extin- 
guished between Lake Erie, the Ohio and Scioto rivers, 
and the Pennsylvania line, being a large part of the 
present State of Ohio. Marietta, the capital of the 
Territory, was made the seat of justice for Washington 
county. The next civil division proclaijmed was 

HAMJLTON COUN 



On the second of January, 1790, in the thirteenth 'month 
and second year ab urbe co?idita, the governor arrived at Lo- 
santiville. His august approach was duly heralded, and as 
he stepped ashore from his flat-boat, pirogue, or barge, 
he was received with a salute of fourteen guns, and four- 
teen more were fired as he moved with his suite to the 
embattled precincts of Fort Washington. He dispatched 
a message to North Bend for Judge Symmes, who ar- 
rived the next day, and, after consultation, the ensuing 
day (the fourth) was signalized by the erection, as the 
Judge put it in a subsequent letter, of "this Purchase in- 
to a county." St. Clair's proclamation established the fol- 
lowing as the boundary hues of the new creation : "Begin- 
ning on the bank of the Ohio river, at the confluence of 
the Little Miami, and down said Ohio river to the mouth 
of the Big Miami', and up said Miami to the Standing 
Stone forks, or branch of said river, and thence with a 
line to be drawn due east to the Little Miami, and down 
said Little Miami to the place of beginning." This was 
a long and narrow county, decidedly inconvenient in 
shape, if it had been settled throughout all its borders; 
but it was no doubt formed in accordance with the sug- 
gestions of Judge Symmes, and its northern boundary 
was much better defined than was that of the Miami 
Purchase at that time, or at any time until the patent for 
the Purchase was issued. The Judge writes: "His ex- 
cellency complimented me with the honor of naming the 
county. I called it Hamilton county, after the Secretary 
of the Treasury" — Colonel Alexander Hamilton, the dis- 
tinguished revolutionary and cabinet officer, now but 
thirty-three years old, in the prime of his powers, and 
considered the pride of the Federal party, perishing mis- 
erably fourteen and a half years afterwards, from a mor- 
tal wound received in the duel with Aaron Burr. It is 
altogether probable that Judge Symmes may have desired 
to do the secretary fitting honor; but it is also not impos- 
sible that, since the negotiations for the Purchase were still 



incomplete, and the duties of the late treasury board, in 
regard to the sales of the public lands, had now, under 
the new constitution and before the organization of the 
general land office, devolved upon the Secretary of the 
Treasury, he was also prompted by a lively sense of favors 
to come. He adds, in his notes of this affair: "The 
governor has made Losantiville the county town by the 
name of Cincinnata [thus Symmes spells it, for reasons 
that will appear by and by], so that Losantiville will be- 
come extinct." St. Clair soon afterwards made it the 
capital of the Northwest Territory, and in 1799 the first 
session of the territorial legislature was held there. 

On the same day that Hamilton county was proclaimed 
commissions were issued by the gov^nor for a county 
court of common pleas and general. Quarter sessions of 
the peace, for said county. Messrs.' Wi lliam McMillan , 
William Goforth, and WiUiam Wells — a triumvirate of 
Williams — were appointed judges of the court of com- 
mon pleas and justices of the court of general quarter 
sessions of the peace. They were also appointed and 
commissioned as justices of the peace and of the quorum 
in said court. Other justices of the peace were appointed 
for the new county, in the persons of Benjamin Stites, 
our old Columbia pioneer, John Stites Gano, another 
Columbian, and Jacob Topping. J. Brown, "Gent," 
was commissioned sheriff "during the governor's pleas- 
ure;" Israel Ludlow, esq., was made prothonotary to the 
court of common pleas and clerk of the court of general 
quarter sessions of the peace. 

Some appointments were also made at this time to 
commands in the "First Regiment of MiUtia in the 
County of Hamilton." Israel Ludlow, John S. Gano, 
James Flinn, and Gershom Gerard, were commissioned 
as captains; Francis Kennedy, John Ferris, Luke Foster, 
and Brice Virgin, as lieutei'iailts; and Scott Traverse, 
Ephraim Kibby, Elijah Stites, and John Dunlap, as en- 
signs. Provision seems to have been made by these 
appointments for the formation of but four companies. 

On the twenty-fourth of the following May the organi- 
zation of the county was furthered by the appointment 
of William Burnet as register of deeds, and on the next 
fourteenth of December Mr. George McCullum was 
added to the justices of the peace. 

The boundaries of the county were afterwards changed 
by the governor, as the settlements widened ; and its area 
was greatly enlarged. By his proclamation September 
15, 1796, erecting Wayne county (now, as reduced, in 
Michigan), with Detroit as its seat of justice, St. Clair 
described the eastern boundary of Hamilton county as a 
"due northern line from the lower Shawnees' town upon 
the Scioto river," which was a long remove to the east- 
ward from the Little Miami." 

By, proclamation June 22, 1798, an alteration was 
made in the boundaries of Hamilton, Wayne, and Knox - 
(now, as reduced, in Indiana) counties, by which the west- 
ern line of Hamilton was laid down as follows : 

The western boundary of the county of Hamilton shall begin at the/ 
spot on the bank of the Ohio river where the general boundary line 
between the lands of tlie United States and the Indian tribes, estab- 
lished at Greenville the third day of August, 1795, intersects the bank 
of that river, and run with the general boundary line to Fort Recovery, 



68 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and from thence by a line to be drawn due north from Fort Recovery 
until it intersects the south boundary line of the county of Wayne;- 
and the said line from the Ohio to Fort Recovery, and from thence to 
the southern boundary line of the county of Wayne, shall also be the 
eastern boundary of the county of Knox. 

Fort Recovery was a stockade upon a bend of the 
Wabash, very near the present western boundary of 
Ohio, and also near the line dividing Darke and Mercer 
counties. The mouth of the Kentucky river is at Car- 
roUton, fifty miles in a direct line southwest of Cincinnati, 
though much further by the winding river. The treaty 
of Greenville defined the "general boundary line" men- 
tioned above, as to run thence (from Fort Recovery) 
southwesterly in a direct line to the Ohio, so as to inter- 
sect the river opposite the mouth of Kentucke or Cut- 
tawa river. Hamilton county, then, by this time, com- 
prised a considerable triangular tract in the southeastern 
part of what is now the State of Indiana. It was a very 
large county that was enclosed between the east and west 
lines above described, the Ohio, and the southern boun- 
dary of Wayne county. It is estimated to have included 
five thousand square miles, or over three millions of 
acres, and to have been equal to about one-eighth part 
of the tract that became the State of Ohio. 

Just before the creation of a number of new coun- 
ties from its territory, by one of the first acts of the first 
State legislature, the county is said, somewhat vaguely, to 
have stretched from the Ohio one hundred miles north- 
ward to the headwaters of the Great Miami, and west- 
ward from a meridian line drawn from the eastern sour- 
ces of the Little Miami to the Ohio, to a meridian from 
the mouth of the Great Miami to the parallel drawn 
from the headwaters of that stream. These boundaries, 
if correctly stated, represent a vast enlargement of the 
original county, and included the present counties of 
Hamilton, Clermont, Warren, Butler, Montgomery, 
Preble, Darke, Miami, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, and 
Greene. The Western Annals, third edition, says that 
the county "comprehended the whole country contigu- 
ous to the Ohio, from the Hocking river to the Great 
Miami." 

A gubernatorial proclamation, dated September 20, 
1798, attached a part of Hamilton to Adams county — 

To begin on the bank of the Ohio, where Elk river, or Eagle creek, 
empties into the same, and run from thence due north until it intersects 
the boundary of the county of Ross, and all and singular the lands ly- 
ing between said north line and Elk river, or Eagle creek, shall, after 
the said twentieth day of September next, be separated from the 
county of Hamilton and added to the county of Adams. 

From the great county of Hamilton, or from coun- 
ties carved out of it, there are said to have been organ- 
ized, by -1 8 1 5, the counties of Clermont, Warren, Butler, 
Preble, Montgomery, Greene, Clinton, Champaign, 
Miami, and Darke. St. Clair undertook to erect Bel- 
mont, Fairfield, and Clermont sometime before his 
resignation in 1802, but Congress refused to recog- 
nize his action, holding him "not endowed with such 
power, in view of the existence of the territorial legis- 
lature. Early in 1802 the inhabitants of Hamilton 
residing north of the south boundary of the third or 
Military Range, petitioned Mr. Charles Willing Bird, 
then secretary of the territory and acting governor in the 



absence of General St. Clair, for a division of the county. 
He replied in a respectful letter, of the fifteenth of May, 
1802, saying that he could not grant the petition, but 
promising that it should be laid before the territorial 
legislature and recominended to their serious consider- 
ation — which was undoubtedly the proper course in the 
premises. 

The people in all the northern parts of Hamilton 
county, above a line pretty nearly the same as the present 
north boundary of the county, had their wishes promptly 
gratified. Part of the Northwest Territory became the 
State of Ohio in the winter of 1802-3; ^^^ '^^^ ^^ '^'^^ 
first acts passed by the new legislature, in session at 
Chillicothe, was that of March 24, 1803, erecting from 
Hamilton the counties of Warren (named from General 
Joseph Warren, the Revolutionary hero), and Butler 
(named from General Richard Butler, also a distinguished 
Revolutionary and Indian fighter, who fell in St. Clair's 
defeat); and from Hamilton and Ross the counties of 
Montgomery (named from General Richard Montgomery, 
who fell in the attack on Quebec December 31, 1775), 
and Greene (named from General Nathaniel Greene, 
still another hero of the Revolution). The act was to 
take effect May i, 1803, which is therefore the proper 
natal day of these counties. In the separation of the 
new counties it was made lawful for the coroners, 
sheriffs, constables, and collectors of Hamilton and Ross 
counties "to make distress for all dues and officers' fees 
unpaid by the inhabitants within the bounds of any of 
the said new counties, at the time such division shall take 
place, and they shall be accountable in like manner as if 
this act had not been passed." The courts of Hamilton 
and Ross were to maintain jurisdiction in all actions 
pending at the time of the separation, try and determine 
them, issue process, and otherwise conclude the pending 
matters. Temporary seats of justice were established 
for the new counties: For Warren, at the house of 
Ephraim Hathaway, on Turtle creek; for Butler, at the 
house of John Warrener, in Hamilton; for Montgomery, 
the house of George Newcum, in Dayton; and for 
Greene, the house of Owen Davies, on Beaver creek. 

The boundaries of Butler county, that one of the new 
erections which is Hamilton's next neighbor on the north, 
were defined as follows: "Beginning at the southwest 
corner of the county of Warren, running thence west to 
the State line; thence with the same north to a point 
due west from the middle of the fifth range of townships 
in the Miami Purchase ; thence east to the northwest 
corner of the aforesaid county of Warren; thence 
bounded by the west line of the said county of Warren 
to the place of beginning." The south line thus de- 
scribed, being the boundary between the counties of 
Hamilton and Butler, appears not to have been satis- 
factory, no doubt owing to the irregularity in the early 
surveys, and the consequent cutting across many sections 
or parts of sections by a straight east and west line, and 
an act was passed by the legislature February 20, 1808, 
re-establishing the boundary line thus: "Beginning at 
the southwest corner of the county of Warren and at the 
southwest corner of section numbered seven, in the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



69 



third township of the second entire range of townships, 
in the Miami Purchasej thence westwardly along thehne 
of said tier of sections to the Great Miami river; thence 
down the Miami river to the point where the line of the 
next original surveyed township strikes the same; thence 
along the said line to the west boundary of the State. " 
This act allowed Hamilton county to retain the irregular 
north line to be seen upon the later as well as earlier 
maps. 

^ THE TOWNSHIPS. 

&6me of the townships of Hamilton county at or near 
>its beginnings can hardly be identified now. JH*e*e^s 
not much trouble in recognizing Cincinnati^ Columbia, 
Miami, Anderson, Colerain, and Springfield. "^South 
Bend" included the tract which afterwards became Delhi 
and the major part of Green; and Dayton, Fairfield, 
Franklin, Ohio, Deerfield, Washington, and St. Clair, were 
no doubt on territory now belonging to other counties. 

The erection of townships in the early day is among the 
most difficult topics for the local historian. Prior to the 
formation of the State constitution they were created in 
the several counties by order of the courts of general 
quarter sessions of the peace; after that by the county 
commissioners and the associate judges of the court of 
common pleas, acting with concurrent jurisdiction, until 
the act of the legislature of February 19, rSio, which gave 
the county commissioners the exclusive jurisdiction in the 
matter they have since retained. Sources of information 
are thus, in an old county, widely dispersed through the 
offices and records, and full and satisfactory data are ex- 
ceedingly difficult, and in this instance probably impossi- 
ble to reach. So long ago as 1839, near the middle year 
of the county's history, when it would seem to have been 
much easier to prosecute the inquiry than now, Mr. H. 
McDougal, then county auditor for Hamilton, in answer 
to a circular from the Hon. John Brough, State auditor, 
issued in pursuance of a legislative requirement of that 
year, reported as follows: "I find it almost impossible, 
from the data in my possession, to give ;ill the required 
information. Most of the townships within the lines of 
this county were organized under the Territorial Gov- 
ernment. ... I cannot tell when they 
were organized." He was able to furnish only the dates 
of the organization of Fulton and Storrs, respectively, as 
1830 and 1835; and in regard to the former of these he 
was clearly mistaken, as Fulton appears in the list of 
townships so early as 1826, and it was created, as was 
also the township of Symmes, at some time between 1820 
and that year. The other township he mentions disap- 
peared some years ago, through the growth of the city- to 
the westward, which absorbed it; and Fulton was pre- 
viously absorbed by its extension to the eastward; so that 
these two of the "second growth" townships are al- 
ready wiped out. 

The original townships in the old Hamilton county 
were only Cincinnati, Columbia, and Miami, the three 
representing the three settlements on the Ohio in the 
Purchase, and together extending the whole distance be- 
tween the rivers, their north boundaries being at the 
Military Range, on a line six miles north of the present 



Springdale. The townships named in the records, down 
to 1796-7, were, in the order of their mention: Cincin- 
nati, Columbia, Miami, Anderson, Fairfield, Deerfield, 
Dayton, Iron Ridge (taken into Adams county in 1797), 
South Bend, Colerain, and Springfield. 

Iron Ridge township was created on the application of 
Nathaniel Massie to the quarter-sessions court in 1793, 
to be received among the townships of the Hamilton 
county group. The request was granted, and ofScers for 
it duly appointed; but the township soon disappeared 
from Hamilton county history. It lay north of the Ohio 
river, east of White Oak creek, around the town of 
Manchester, in what is now Adams county. 

Washington township is found mentioned in 1798, 
also Ohio and St. Clair; and Franklin township was rec- 
ognized in 1797. 

The following table of 1799 (which, of course, omits 
Iron Ridge, but includes all the others), representing the 
assessment for taxation on the several duplicates of the 
townships and their acting constables at that time, has 
some interest just here : 

TOWNSHIPS. ASSESSMENT. CONSTABLES. 

Columbia $66056 James Spears. 

Cincinnati 723 3° John Bailey. 

South Bend 55 69 Robert Levy. 

Miami 192 88 John Willdnson. 

Anderson 32662 Josiah Crossly. 

Colerain 106 81 Allan Shaw. 

Springfield 281 15 John Patterson. 

Fairfield 26048 Darius Orcutt. 

Dayton 23372 Samuel Thompson. 

Franklin 282 83 Enos Potter. 

Deerfield 37174 William Sears. 

Washington ; 339 61 William Laycock. 

Ohio 10988 Isaac Miller. 

^'- Clair 134 72 John Newcomer. 

Total $4,079 99 

Fairfield township was laid off by the quarter-sessions 
in 1795. It began at the northwest corner of Spring- 
field township, thence north along the then Colerain six 
miles to its northeast corner; thence west to the Miami; 
thence up that stream to a meridian which is the eastern 
boundary of township numbered three, in the first entire 
range; thence south to Springfield; thence west six miles 
to the place of beginning. The brand of its cattle 
was ordered to be "H." Its first officers in 1795 were: 
John Greer, town clerk; William B. Brawnes, constable; 
Patrick Moore, overseer of the poor; Darius Orcutt 
supervisor of highways; Charles Bruin, Patrick Moore 
and William B. Brawnes, viewers of enclosures and ap- 
praisers of damages. Fairfield is, of course, now in But- 
ler county. Dayton, of the present county of Mont- 
gomery, was also established by the Hamilton County 
court in 1795. Benjamin Van Cleve says in his memor- 
anda, published in McBride's Pioneer Biography, in a 
volume of the Ohio Valley Historical Series, that Day- 
ton township included all the Miami country from the 
fifth range of townships upward. He took the returns 
of taxable property for it in 1801, and found three hun- 
dred and eighty-two free male persons over the age of 
twenty-one between the two Miamis, from- the south line 
of the township to the heads of Mad river and the Great 
Miami. West of the latter stream there were twenty- 



7° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



eight such inhabitants in the township, and east of the 
Little Miami less than twenty. He received less than 
five dollars in fees for his immense toil and exposure in 
rendering this public service. 

The names of some of the constables previous to this 
date have been preserved: Cincinnati township, Abraham 
Gary, 1797; Levi McLean, 1798; Columbia, Amos Mun- 
son, 1796; James Spears, 1797-8; Miami, Andrew Hill, 
1797-8; Anderson, Josiah Crossly, 1797-8; Fairfield, 
George Codd, 1797; Darius Orcutt, 1798; Deerfield, 
Isaac Lindly, 1797; Joshua Drake; Dayton, Cyrus Os- 
born, 1797; James Thompson, 1798; Iron Ridge, Damon 
McKinsey, 1796; "South Bend, Isaac Wilson, 1797; 
William Cullum, 1798; Colerain, Allan Shaw, 1797; 
Springfield, James Lowes, 1797; Washington, Jacob 
Williams, 1798; FrankUn, Jos. Henry, 1798. 

Colerain township was created in 1794, and Springfield 
in 1803. Cincinnati, Miami, and Springfield townships had 
important changes made in their boundaries in 1809, by 
the creation of Mill Creek and Green townships iri that 
year. In 1800 Sycamore township appears to have been 
in existence. Whitewater township was erected in 
1803, to include all the territory of Hamilton county 
west of the Great Miami river. Its boundaries were 
more elaborately defined the next year, when Crosby town- 
ship was also mentioned, and probably erected at that 
time. This is about the sum of the knowledge possessed 
in this year of grace 1881, concerning the old townships 
of Hamilton county. But more may appear in the 
township histories. 



CHAPTER X. 

PROGRESS OF HAMILTON COUNTY. 

Sweet clime of my kindred, blest land of my birth — 
The fairest, the dearest, the brightest on earth ! 
Where'er I may roam,_howe'er blest I may be, 
My spirit instinctively turns mito thee. 

— Anonymous. 

THE FIRST ELEVEN YEARS. 

About two thousand people were in the Miami coun- 
try, which may be considered as practically identical with 
Hamilton county at this time, by 1790, although the first 
settler had pitched his camp at Columbia but thirteen 
months before. It was a very humble and modest 
beginning that the infant county had, except in reach of 
fertile territory and the possibilities of the future. Had 
a census qualification been required for the erection of a 
county in that day, as nowfor the admission of a State to 
the Federal Union, it must needs have been a very mod- 
erate one, or the Northwest Territory would have waited 
longer for the birth of the county which has since be- 
come as great in wealth and population, in arts and arms, 
and in the higher arts of civilization, as it was then great 
in ar:ea and resources waiting to be developed. In a very 



few years, however — as soon as the peace of Greenville 
gave assurance of safety to the immigrant against Indian 
massacre or the plunder of his property — the country 
began to fill up with some rapidity. The census of 1800, 
the first taken in the county, although its enumerators 
probably missed many of the settlers in so wide and 
sparsely settled a tract, exhibited the goodly number of 
fourteen thousand six hundred and ninety-one persons as 
the white population of Hamilton county. It is interest- 
ing to note, in this early day, when the conditions of 
life were so different from those prevailing in the older 
communities, how this number was divided between the 
sexes, and also between the different ages of which the 
census makes record. There were, of children under ten 
years of age, three thousand two hundred and seventy- 
three males, three thousand and ninety females; young 
persons between ten and sixteen years, one thousand three 
hundred and thirty-five males, one thousand and sixty-five 
females; between sixteen and twenty-six, one thousand 
five hundred and two males, one thousand two hundred 
and ninety-seven females; adults between twenty-six and 
forty-five years, one thousand two hundred and fifty-one 
males, nine hundred and fifty-four females; over forty- 
five, four hundred and eighty males, three hundred and 
forty-four females; — total, fourteen thousand six hundred 
and ninety-one, of whom seven thousand eight hundred 
and forty-one were males, and six thousand eight hun- 
dred and fifty females. 

The noticeable facts in this brief statement are ; 

1. The disparity of the sexes, which was particularly 
marked in this country when new. Usually, in a long- 
settled community, notably in the State of Massachusetts, 
as the censqs shows, the gentler sex is somewhat in the 
majority, and sometimes very^much so ; but here we find, 
at the end of the first eleven to twelve years of coloniza- 
tion, that the males led by very nearly one thousand in 
less than fifteen thousand, or by about six and eight- 
tenths per cent, of the whole. Or, to make the differ- 
ence appear more striking, there were nearly one-sixth 
more males than females, or about fifteen per cent. — a 
considerable and important difference. Even with young 
children, and through all the ages noted, the disparity is 
marked; but particularly so in the more vigorous working 
ages, from sixteen to twenty-six, and thence to forty-five, 
where the percentages of difference are over sixteen and 
nearly thirty-one, respectively. Still more striking is the 
inequality of numbers where we should least expect it, 
among adults over forty-five years of age, where it 
amounts, in this case, to forty per cent, advantage in 
point of numbers, in favor of the men. These facts ar- 
gue well for the ma'terial foundations in Hamilton county, 
in the laying of which the male mind, in its maturity and 
strength, as well as the muscle of the man in his prime, 
were imperatively needed. 

2. The comparative paucity of old persons, or of men 
and women distantly approaching old age, is to be noted. 
Of really aged persons there were probably very few; but 
as to this we have no exact data. The census figures 
show that, reckoning all down to the age of forty-five, 
there were but eight hundred and twenty-four, or only 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



71 



five and six-tenths per cent, of the whole; while of those 
in the hardier laboring ages there were over nineteen and 
fifteen per cent, respectively, leaving for the youngest 
children and the younger youth sixty per cent, of the 
whole. 

3. The last statement offers a fact of considerable in- 
terest. Three of every five in the total population were 
c hildren under sixteen years of age. This demonstrates 
how large a share of the early settlers brought their fam- 
ilies with them, apparently coming to stay and aid in lay- 
ing the foundations of stable communities, in which law 
and order should ever abide. Contrast with this the im- 
migration at mining camps and settlements, which usually 
consists, with almost absolute exclusiveness, of men only. 
The beginnings were certainly well made in Hamilton 
county. 

THE SECOND DECADE. 

In 18 10 the census exhibited a population for the 
county of but little more than the enumeration of 1800 
had shown — fifteen thousand two hundred and four, or 
but five hundred and thirteen more than were in the 
county ten years before. It must be borne in mind, how- 
ever, that the Hamilton county of 1800 was still, for the 
most part, the great county of Governor St. Clair's second 
creation — that it might be said, indeed, in a general way, 
to be pretty nearly coterminous with the broad and long 
"Miami country," since that was estimated to contain 
fifteen thousand white people at the beginning of the 
century, while the county itself was shown by official 
count to have fourteen thousand six hundred and 
ninety-one. Ten years later Hamilton had been shorn 
of its fair proportions, and reduced to be', as it is now, 
one of the smallest counties in the State in territorial 
dimensions, having, as we have seen, less than four 
hundred square miles. A population of fifteen thou- 
sand two hundred and four, or forty to the square 
mile, represented a very creditable growth for a county 
just coming of age in its twenty-first year. It is also 
noteworthy, when placed against the figures of 1800, 
which showed scarcely three white persons to the section 
in the vast county. In 1810 the Miami tract, formerly 
almost identical with Hamilton county, was estimated to 
contain seventy thousand civilized inhabitants, or about 
one fourth of the entire white and colored population of 
the State, indicating that growth of settlement through- 
out this region was by no means confined to the Ohio 
valley, but extended far up the Miami valleys as well. 

Within this decade were founded three of the oldest 
villages in the county — Reading, in 1804; Montgomery, 
in 1805; and Springfield, in 1806. 

THE THIRD DECADE. 

The map prefixed to Dr. Drake's Picture of Cincin- 
nati, pubhshed in 1815, shows the towns and villages of 
the county at that time to have been Cincinnati (three 
miles east of Mill Creek), Columbia, Cleves, Colerain, 
Crosby, Springfield, Reading, Montgomery, and New- 
town, with roads running from Cincinnati to each of 
these points, and one other road making into Indiana. 
Four years later Cincinnati had become a chartered city, 



and Carthage and Miami were added to the list of vil- 
lages. Nearly all places in the county were considered 
worthy of mention in the State Gazetteer of that year 
only as "post towns," with their respective locations and 
distances from Cincinnati. The county had now twelve 
townships — Cincinnati, Crosby, Colerain, Springfield, 
Sycamore, Anderson, Columbia, Mill Creek, Delhi, 
Green, Miami, and Whitewater. The aggregate valua- 
tion of property in the county, for purposes of taxation, 
was five million six hundred and four thousand nine 
hundred and fifty-foiir dollars. 

By 1815 the beginnings of the Miami and Erie canal 
had been projected, so far as an artificial water-way up 
the valley of Mill creek to Hamilton would go. The 
text of Dr. Drake's Picture notes the mills on this stream 
as "numerous, but the loose and unstable composition 
of its bed renders the erection of permanent dams as 
difficult and expensive, in proportion to its width, as on 
the Miamis." Prices of land had greatly appreciated 
throughout the county. Judge Symmes and his asso- 
ciates, twenty-seven years before, had bought the Pur- 
chase for sixty-six and two-thirds cents per acre (really for 
sixteen and two-third cents per acre, in specie), and sold 
most of it at a uniform price of two dollars, except at 
auction, when it often commanded higher rates. The 
reserved sections also formed an exception: they were at 
one time fiixed to be sold at eight dollars per acre, but 
afterwards sold at four. In 1815, Dr. Drake observes: 

Within tliree miles of Cincinnati, at tliis time, tlie prices of good 
unimproved land are between fifty dollars and one hundred and fifty- 
dollars per acre, varying according to the distance. From this point to 
the extent of twelve miles, they decline from thirty dollars to ten dol- 
lars. Near the principal villages of the Miami country, it commands- 
from twenty dollars to forty dollars: in the remaining situations it is 
from four to eight dollars — improvements in all cases advancing the 
price from twenty-five to four hundred per cent. An average of the 
settled parts of the Miami country, still supposing the land fertile and 
uncultivated, may be stated at eight dollars; if cultivated, at twelve 
dollar's. . . These were not the prices in 1812, the war, by 
promoting immigration, having advanced the nominal value of land 
from twenty-five to fifty per cent. 

Mr. Burnet (not the judge), a traveller through this 
region two years afterwards, ina published account of his 
journeyings, supplies the following interesting note : 

The land round Cincinnati is good. Price, a mile or two from the 
city, fifty, eighty, and one hundred dollars per acre, according to qual- 
ity and other advantages. This same land, a few years ago, was 
bought for two and five dollars per acre. Farms with improvements 
ten miles from the town, sell for thirty and forty dollars per acre. Fifty 
si.xty, and one hundred miles up the country, good uncleared land may 
be bought for from two dollars to five dollars per acre. The farms are 
generally worked by the farmer and his family. Labor is dear, and 
not to be had under fourteen or sixteen dollars per month and board. 
They have but little machinery and no plaster or compost, but what 
is made by the farmer is used for manure. Taxes, in the country, are 
a mere nothing. Farmers, in any part of the State of Ohio, who have 
one hundred acres of their own, well stocked, do not pay above 
five to ten dollars per annum. 

The population of Hamilton county, in 1820, footed 
up thirty-one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, 
divided among the townships as follows: Cincinnati, 
nine thousand six hundred and forty-two ; Columbia, two 
thousand eight hundred and fourteen; Mill Creek, two 
thousand one hundred and ninety-eight; Springfield, two 
thousand one hundred and ninety-seven (Springfield vil- 



72 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



lagetwo hundred and twenty); Sycamore three thousand 
four hundred and sixty-three; Whitewater, one thousand 
six hundred and sixty-one ; Anderson, two thousand one 
hundred and twenty-two; Colerain, one thousand nine 
hundred and six; Crosby, one thousand seven hundred 
and twenty-one; Delhi, one thousand one hundred and 
fifty-eight; Green, one thousand four hundred and fifty- 
six; Miami, one thousand four hundred and twenty-six. 
The population of Springfield and Sycamore townships 
this year, each appears larger than their respective popu- 
lations by the census of 1830; but the formation of new 
townships from them sufficiently accounts for that, since 
they had then to part with a portion of their people, 
thenceforth to be enumerated in the new divisions. 

This decade was signalized by the laying-off (or at 
least recording the plats) of an extraordinary number, 
for the period, of town and village sites. In 1813, by 
the date of record, Harrison was founded; in 1815, 
Carthage; 1816, New Burlington and Miamistown; 1817, 
Elizabeth town and "Symmestown"; 18 18, New Haven, 
Cheviot, Sharon, and "Clevestown"; and, in 1819, New 
Baltimore. Most of these have survived, at least as local 
post offices and hamlets; but others, several in number, 
have made little more figure in history or in actual ex- 
istence than the countless "paper towns" that studded 
the prairies and the banks of western rivers (in imagina- 
tion and speculative description and platting) twenty 
years later. 

THE FOURTH DECADE. 

The Ohio State Gazetteer of 182 1 notes: "There has 
been an uncommonly rapid increase of emigrants from 
other States into this county during several years past; 
and, the land being of a peculiarly good quality for the 
production of grain, one of the principal articles neces- 
sary for subsistence, this county has, therefore, become 
an important section of the State." 

The thickening of population in parts of the county 
made the size of some of the old townships incon- 
venient for a part of the voters and residents therein ; 
and the new townships of Fulton and Symmes were 
presently created. There were fourteen townships iry 
1826; Georgetown, Lockland, Lewistown, Madison, 
Nassau, and Prospect Hill, were added during the decade 
to the list of villages whose plats were recorded; and the 
suburb of "Eastern Liberties" was laid off adjacent to 
the city of Cincinnati. The population of the county 
was estimated that year at forty-four thousand, about one- 
eighteenth of all the inhabitants of the State, while the 
year before the aggregate value of taxable property in the 
county, assessed on the ad valorem system, was six mil- 
lion eight hundred and forty-eight thousand four hun- 
dred and thirty-three dollars, or more than one-eighth of 
the entire valuation of the State. A very satisfactory and 
rather remarkable increase in the wealth of the county, 
both absolute and relatively to population, as compared 
with other parts of the State, is thus shown. 

The convictions for crime in Hamilton county during 
1826 were: Murder in the first degree, one; rape, one; 
perjury, one; assault with intent to murder, one; assault 
with intent to commit mayhem, two; stabbing with in- 



tent to kill, one; burglary, two; uttering counterfeit 
money, three; horse-stealing, three; grand larceny, four; 
petit larceny, four; total convictions, twenty-three. So 
the county was making progress, unhappily, in the accu- 
mulation of a crime record, as well as in more reputable 
and honorable affairs. 

The census of 1830 exhibited the handsome total of 
fifty-two thousand three hundred and eighty, an increase 
of twenty-one thousand six hundred and sixteen, or 
sixty-six per cent., upon the count of ten years before. 
Much of this increase, of course, was in the city, which 
had jumped from nine thousand six hundred and forty- 
two to twenty-four thousand eight hundred and thirty-one 
increasing fifteen thousand one hundred and eighty-nine 
people during the decade, or one hundred and fifty-seven 
per cent. The remaining townships of the county had 
now population as follows : Anderson, two thousand 
four hundred and ten; Colerain, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and twenty-eight; Columbia, three thousand and 
fifty-one; Crosby, one thousand eight hundred and 
ninety-five; Delhi, one thousand five hundred and twen- 
ty-seven; Fulton, one thousand and eighty-nine; Green, 
one thousand nine hundred and eighty-five; Miami, one 
thousand five hundred and forty-nine; Mill Creek, three 
thousand three hundred and fifty-six; Springfield, three 
thousand and twenty-five; Sycamore, two thousand seven 
hundred and seventy-nine; Symmes, one thousand one 
hundred and fifty-eight; Whitewater, one thousand seven 
hundred and thirty-four; total in the townships, twenty- 
seven thousand four hundred and eighty-six. This was 
the last of the Federal censuses in Hamilton county in 
which the country population outnumbered the city, as 
it now did, but by only two thousand six hundred and 
fifty-five. At the next census Cincinnati was nearly 
thirteen thousand in advance of all the county besides. 
It had this year twenty-four thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-one inhabitants. The total for the county was 
fifty-two thousand three hundred and seventeen. 

THE FIFTH DECADE. 

The enumeration of 1830 showed the population of 
each of four of the townships — Columbia, Crosby, Delhi, 
and Symmes — to be somewhat greater than it proved to 
be at the next census — a falling off to be accounted for in 
one case by the erection of a new township (Storrs), which 
took place in this decade. The county's growth in most 
parts continued hopefully and satisfactorily; and when the 
count of 1840 was made, it displayed an increase of 
twenty-seven thousand seven hundred and eighty- five, or 
nearly fifty per cent, within ten years. Cincinnati had, 
as ever in this county since 1810, the lion's share of the 
spoils, all the new immigration and natural increase, so 
far as represented by the figures upon their face, going to 
the city, except six thousand three hundred and twenty- 
one. About three-fourths of the total growth of the 
county in population was claimed by the city, which now 
had forty-six thousand three hundred and thirty-eight 
people. The townships were assigned the following 
numbers: Anderson, two thousand three hundred and 
eleven ; Colerain, two thousand two hundred and seventy 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



73 



two; Sycamore, three thousand two hundred and seven; 
Columbia, three thousand and forty-three; Fulton, one 
thousand five hundred and six; Mill Creek, six thousand 
two hundred and forty-nine; Crosby, one thousand eight 
hundred and seventy-six; Symmes, one thousand and 
thirty-four;. Delhi, one thousand four hundred and sixty- 
six; Storrs, one thousand and thirty-four; Green, two 
thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine; Miami, two 
thousand one hundred and eighty-nine; Springfield, three 
thousand and ninety-two; Whitewater, one thousand 
eight hundred and eighty-two. Nearly two-fifths of the 
increase in the county during this decade belongs to Mill 
Creek township, about one-sixth to Green, one-tenth to 
Miami, and the rest is pretty nearly divided between the 
townships which show any increase. Mill Creek, being 
very favorably situated next the'city, had, and retains, so 
much of it as is left from the annexations, special advan- 
tages for growth. It nearly doubled its population, as 
may be seen by comparison of previous sunnnaries of 
the census, between 1820 and 1830, and again in the de- 
cade 1830-40. The entire population of the county was 
now eighty thousand one hundred and forty-five — an 
average of a little over two hundred and five to the 
square mile, or, leaving out the city's area and popula- 
tion, an average of nearly eighty-nine to the mile. 

The assessed valuation of property in the county in 
1836, as exhibited by the tax duplicate, was nine million, 
seven hundred and one thousand, three hundred and 
eighty-seven dollars, an increase of nearly fifty per cent 
since 1825. The tax paid the former year was one hun. 
dred and fifty-nine thousand six hundred and seventy- 
eight dollars. 

During this decade were founded, according to record- 
ed plats, the villages of Carrsville and Walnut Hills, Ver- 
non Village, and the suburb of "Northern Liberties." 

THE SIXTH DECADE. 

The increase in valuation during this period was very 
rapid. In 1S41 the valuation of the county was ten mil- 
lion, seven hundred and sixty thousand, four hundred 
and ninety-four dollars, but one million and fifty-nine 
thousand, one hundred and seven dollars more than it 
had been for years before. For Cincinnati, however, 
now set in an era of great prosperity and growth in man- 
ufactures, trade, and commerce; and the valuation in- 
creased forty-five millions in nine years. In 1850 it was 
fifty-five million, six hundred and seventy thousand, six 
hundred and thirty-one dollars; and we may anticipate 
the course of this narrative a little by saying just here, 
while surprising figures are in hand, that the valuation of 
1855 was one hundred and twelve million, nine hundred 
and forty-five thousand, four hundred and forty-five dol- 
lars; that of 1S60 was one hundred and nineteen million, 
five hundred and eight thousand, one hundred and 
seventy dollars; that of 1868, one hundred and sixty-six 
million, nine hundred and forty-five thousand, four hun- 
dred and ninety-seven. The increase in nine years 
(1841-50) was over four-fold, and was three-fold in the 
nineteen years 1850-69. From i860 to '69 the increase 
was thirty-two per cent. 



The increase of population in the city of Cincinnati 
was not less surprising. In the ten years 1840-50 the 
number of its inhabitants had jumped from forty-six 
thousand three hundred and thirty-eight to one hundred 
and fifteen thousand four hundred and thirty-eight — an 
absolute increase of sixty-nine thousand one hundred, or 
very nearly one hundred and fifty per cent. — an average 
of fifteen per cent, or six thousand nine hundred and 
ten persons every year. Nineteen immigrants, on an 
average, arrived in this city every day, Sundays and all, 
during the ten years. The country, however — the town- 
ships — increased but four thousand six hundred and five, 
or less than fourteen per cent, during the decade. The 
population of the city, by the canvass of 1850, was one 
hundred and fifteen thousand four hundred and thirty- 
eight; of the townships, forty-one thousand four hundred 
and twelve; — total, one hundred and fifty-six thousand 
eight hundred and fifty. 

The Mexican war, which occurred during this decade, 
had no appreciable effect in retarding the growth and 
prosperity of Hamilton county. 

THE SEVENTH DECADE. 

At the expiration of this (in i860) the population of 
the county had mounted to the high figure of two hundred 
and fifteen thousand six hundred and seventy-seven, of 
which Cincinnati, with its now seventeen wards, had 
nearly three-fourths, or one hundred and sixty-one thou- 
sand and forty-four. The remainder of the population 
was dispersed as follows: Columbia township, two 
thousand nine hundred and thirty-one; Sycamore, three 
thousand four hundred and twenty-seven; Anderson, 
three thousand four hundred and thirty-nine; Green, 
four thousand four hundred and twenty-six; Mill Creek, 
thirteen thousand eight hundred and forty-four; Spring- 
field, four thousand eight hundred and forty; .Cole- 
rain, three thousand nine hundred and thirty-three; Delhi, 
two thousand seven hundred; Miami, one thousand six 
hundred and eighty-three; Crosby, one thousand one 
hundred and eighty-two; (Reading village, one thousand 
two hundred and thirty); Whitewater, one thousand four 
hundred and twenty-one; Harrison, one thousand three 
hundred and fort)'-three; Symmes, one thousand one 
hundred and seven; Storrs, three thousand eight hun- 
dred and sixty-two; Spencer, two thousand five hundred 
and fifty-two. Total, fifty-four thousand six hundred and 
thirty-three. 

In this decade the village of College Hill was incor- 
porated, and several other towns were surveyed and their 
plats recorded. The township of Harrison was also 
formed. 

THE EIGHTH DECADE. 

In 1870 the |3opulation of the county was two hun- 
dred and sixty thousand three hundred and seventy. 
The chief productions of the year, according to the cen- 
sus, were one hundred and sixty-two thousand six 
hundred and seven bushels of wheat, one million two 
hundred and twenty-six thousand seven hundred and 
twenty-six of Indian corn, two hundred and sixty-eight 
thousand and eighty-nine of oats, ninety-six thousand 



74 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



nine hundred and seventy-nine of barley, five hundred 
and sixty-two thousand five hundred and thirty-seven of 
potatoes, seven hundred and seventy-three thousand 
three hundred and eighty-seven pounds of butter, one 
hundred and twenty-six thousand four hundred of cheese, 
and twenty-five thousand three hundred and four tons of 
hay. The county possessed eight thousand five hundred 
and thirty-one horses, twelve thousand four hundred and 
thirteen milch cows, three thousand two hundred and 
fifty-four other cattle, three thousand six hundred and 
forty-seven sheep, and twenty-one thousand one hundred 
and sixty-five swine. The manufactories of all kinds 
numbered two thousand four hundred and sixty-nine, 
with a total capital of forty-two million six hundred and 
forty-six thousand one hundred and fifty-two dollars, and 
an annual product of seventy-eight million nine hundred 
and five thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars. The 
value of real and personal property in the county in 
1870 was three hundred and forty-one million two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars. 

Notwithstanding the great civil war during nearly half 
of this decade, the growth of the county was very satis- 
factory. Lockland, Mt. Airy, Cumminsville, Woodburn, 
Avondale, Riverside, Mt. Washington, and Carthage, were 
incorporated and the foundations of other flourishing 
villages were laid. 

THE NINTH DECADE. 

The earlier part of this was marked by numerous 



annexations to the city, which rapidly grew from seven to 
twenty-four square miles, and corresponding losses to 
the townships. The census of 1880, in consequence of 
the financial crisis and industrial prostration which 
characterized nearly all the years of this decade, did not 
exhibit surprising growths of'population for either city or 
county. Still, the increase was healthy, and on the 
whole satisfactory, being fourteen thousand one hundred 
and thirty-one for the townships, or about thirty-two per 
cent, for the decade; and in the city thirty-nine thousand 
three hundred and sixty-nine, or about eighteen per cent. 
The totals of population for the townships were fifty- 
eight thousand two hundred and sixty-two; for the city, 
two hundred and fifty-five thousand six hundred and 
eight; aggregate for the county, three hundred and thir- 
teen thousand eight hundred and seventy. Most of the 
townships showed a good increase, and Columbia had 
nearly trebled its population. 

THE CENSUSES. 

A comparative statement or table of the censuses taken 
by the Federal officers since the first enumeration of the 
county was made, will help to the -rapid comprehension 
of its growth from year to year. For those of 1800 and 
1810 we have the total footings for the county, from 
which the aggregate population of the townships is ob- 
tained by subtracting the known population of Cincinnati 
at the respective periods : 



TOWNSHIPS. 



Anderson 

yColerain 
Columbia 

Crosby 

Delhi 

Fulton 

/6reen 

v Harrison.. 

Miami 

Mill Creek 

Spencer 

Springfield 

Storrs 

Sycamore 

Symmes 

Whitewater 

Total 

Cincinnati 

Total for the county. 



13.942 
750 



14.692 



22,122 
9,642 



31.764 



2,410 
1,928 
3.051 
1.89s 
1.527 
1,089 



I.S49 
3.356 



2,779 
1,158 
1.734 



27,486 
24,831 



1840. 



2,311 
2,272 

3.043 
1,876 
1,466 
1,506 
2,939 

2,189 
6,249 
740 
3,092 
1.034 
3.207 
1.034 



34,840 
46.338 



81,178 



1850. 



3.050 
3.125 
2,416 
2,488 
1,942 
3,323 
3,951 

1,557 
6,287 
1,656 
3.632 
1.675 
3.731 
1,115 
1.567 



41.515 
"S.438 



'56.953 



3,439 
3.933 
2,931 



4,426 
2,059 
1,683 
13,844 
2,552 
4,840 
3,862 
3.427 
1. 107 
1,421 



53,406 
161,044 



1870. 



4,077 
3.689 
3.184 
2,514 
2,620 

4,358 
758 
2,105 
3.291 
2.543 
6,548 

5,460 
1.377 



44.133 
216,239 



260, 372 



4,158 
3,721 
9,101 
1,043 
4,738 

4,854 
2,279 
2,317 

".235 
998 

7.979 

6,374 
1,633 
1,575 



67,005 
255,608 



322,613 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



75 



The indebtedness of Hamilton county July, 1879, was 
but four hundred and two thousand five hundred and 
ninety-eight dollars, principally in court-house building 
bonds. 

• The valuations of personal property in Hamilton county 
for 1879 and 1880, exclusive of Cincinnati, which will be 
found hereafter, as returned for taxation to the county 
auditor's office last June are as follows: 



TOWNSHIPS AND COKPORATIONS. 



Anderson Tp., Northern Pt.* 

Anderson Tp. , Central Pt 

Anderson Tp. , Southern Pt 

Mt. Washington Cor.,* Anderson Tp, 

Colerain Tp. , Northeastern Pt 

Colerain Tp., Southwestern Pt 

Columbia Tp., Eastern Pt 

Columbia Tp., Western Pt 

Columbia Tp., Central Pt 

Columbia, Oakley Pt 

Madisonville Cor., Columbia Tp 

Crosby Tp 

Delhi Tp., Eastern Pt 

Delhi Tp., Western Pt 

Riverside Cor., Delhi Tp 

Home City, Delhi Tp 

Green Tp., Northeastern Pt 

Green Tp., Northwestern Pt 

Green Tp. , Southeastern Pt a. 

Green Tp. , Southwestern Pt 

Mt. Airy Cor., Green Tp 

Westwood Cor. , Green Tp 

Harrison Tp 

Harrison Cor. , Harrison Tp 

Miami Tp 

Cleves Cor. , Miami Tp 

North Bend Cor., Miami Tp 

Millcreek Tp., Bond Hill Pt 

Millcreek Tp. Northeastern Pt 

Millcieek Tp., St. Bernard Pt 

Millcreek Tp., Winton Pt 

Avondale Cor. , Millcreek Tp 

Carthage Cor. , Millcreek Tp 

Clifton Cor., Millcreek Tp 

College Hill Cor., Millcreek Tp 

Mt. Airy Cor., Millcreek Tp 

St. Bernard Cor., Millcreek Tp 

Western Pt., Millcreek Tp 

College Hill Pt., Millcreek Tp 

Soencer Tp. , Southern Pt 

Linwood Cor. , Spencer Tp 

Springfield Tp. , Eastern Pt 

Springfield Tp., Western Pt 

Springfield, Northeastern Pt 

Springfield, Southeastern Pt 

Carthage Cor. , Springfield Tp 

Glendale Cor., Springfield Tp 

Hartwell Cor., Springfield Tp 

Lockland Cor., Springfield Tp 

Wyoming Cor., Springfield Tp 

Sycamore Tp., Eastern Pt 

Sycamore Tp. , Sharon^^lle Pt 

Sycamore Tp. , Reading Pt 

Lockland Cor., Sycamore Tp 

Reading Cor., Sycamore Tp 

Symmes Tp., Northern Pt 

Symmes Tp., Camp Dennison Pt. . . . 

Loveland Cor., Symmes Tp 

West Loveland Pt., Symmes Tp 

Riverside, Storrs Tp 

Whitewater Tp., Northern Pt 

Whitewater Tp. , Southern Pt 



PERSON- 


BONDS, 


PERSON- 


ALTY, 


ETC., 


ALTY, 


1880. 


1880. 


1879. 


$141,335 


$ 


$152,750 


100,632 


7,876 


100,929 


92,139 


4.515 


90,988 


58,720 


19,940 


45.586 


283,543 


16,900 


288,034 


77.225 


1,100 


77.350 


85,822 


9,420 


80,288 


247,863 


35.750 


225,688 


122,925 


36,060 


122,456 


133.8.56 


12,700 


317.709 


80,211 


49.450 


91,309 


205,882 


1. 195 


204,498 


170.557 


9,600 


160,008 


91,822 


5.650 


133.923 


57, 806 




55.767 


36.850 


3.150 




60,637 


4.450 


61,161 


68,486 


5.090 


62,942 


112,366 


47.750 


118,732 


67,003 


1,000 


67,056 


14.733 


30,400 


15,286 


105,722 


4.750 


93.508 


105,173 


9,500 


112,283 


188,268 


6,680 


193,822 


65.792 


1,500 


62,874 


20,825 




20,207 


202,490 


300 


147,490 


54.533 




58.150 


30.580 




6,628 


32,210 




20,044 


160,917 




143.138 


525.114 


11,000 


586,182 


27,065 


11,950 


25.863 


548.753 




484.254 


347.614 


73.900 


76.614 


13.693 




14,712 


119.953 


3.500 


103,074 


46,026 




46,386 


9.005 




13.583 


11,582 


651 


15,072 


43.847 


4.300 


39.527 


28,132 


2,100 


29,691 


320,433 


55.050 


315.242 


257.493 


1,200 


256.558 


32.474 


14,303 


37,760 


9,188 




5.987 


136,306 




143,089 


47.567 


8,600 


50.455 


68,433 


47.100 


54.557 


183,967 


6,000 


165,361 


165.794 


5.435 


146,777 


186,373 


7,605 


158,078 


95.898 


700 


88,000 


68,997 




70, 146 


70,819 


2.550 


69. 137 


81,008 


12,600 


100,113 


26, 107 


4,000 


14.454 


17.433 




13.179 


19.961 






76,385 




92,698 


68,175 




68,669 


53.530 


20,450 


70,968 



BONDS, 
ETC., 



930 
1,850 
25.778 



54.935 
3,196 

14,600 
5,600 



4.250 
8,000 
11,000 



500 
9,050 
3,900 



9,500 
59.627 
4.500 



2,500 
400 

3,000 
42,050 

5,400 
22,200 

17.550 



6,100 
2,500 
10,165 



The comparative statement for 1879-80 of the taxable 
value of new structures erected during those years, in all 
parts of the county, except Cincinnati, is as follows. 
The figures are presumed to represent the actual value 
added to the property by the improvements of those years : 



Precinct — Corporation. 



TOWNSHIPS AND CORPORATIONS. 



Anderson Township, Northern Precinct 

Anderson Township, Central Precinct 

Anderson Township, Southern Precinct . . 

Mt. Washington Corporation, Anderson Township 

Colerain Township, Northeastern Precinct 

Colerain Township, Southwestern Precinct 

Columbia Township, Eastern Precinct 

Columbia Township, Western Precinct 

Columbia Township, Central Precinct 

Columbia, Oakley Precinct 

Madisonville Corporation, Columbia Township.. . . 

Crosby Township 

Delhi Township, Eastern Precinct 

Delhi Township, Western Precinct 

Riverside Corporation, Delhi Township 

Home City Delhi Township 

Green Township, Northeastern Precinct 

Green Township, Northwestern Precinct 

Green Township, Southeastern Precinct 

Green Township, Southwestern Precinct 

Mt. Airy Corporation, Green Township 

Westwood Corporation Green Township 

Harrison Township 

Harrison Corporation, Harrison Township 

Miami Township 

Cleves Corporation, Miami Township 

North Bend Corporation, Miami Township 

Millcreek Township, Bond Hill Precinct. 

Millcreek Township, Northeastern Precinct 

Millcreek Township, St. Bernard Precinct 

Millcreek Township, Winton Precinct 

Avondale Corporation, Millcreek Township 

Carthage Corporation, Millcreek township 

Chfton Corporation, Millcreek township 

College Hill Corporation, Millcreek Township. . . . 

Mt. Airy Corporation, Millcreek Township 

St. Bernard Corporation, Millcreek Township 

Western Precinct, Millcreek Township 

Spencer Township, Southern Pr;cinct 

Linwood Corporation Spencer Township 

Springfield Township, Eastern Precinct 

Springfild Township, Western Precinct 

Springfield Township Northeastern Precinct 

Springfield Township, Southeastern Precinct 

Carthage Corporation, Springfield Township 

Glendale Corporation, Springfield Township 

Hartwell Corporation, Springfield Township 

Lockland Corporation, Springfield Township 

Wyoming Corporation, Springfield Township 

Sycamore Township, Eastern Precinct 

Sycamore Township, Sharonville Precinct 

Sycamore Township, Reading Precinct 

Lockland Corporation, Sycamore Township 

Reading Corporation, .Sycamore Township. 

Symmes Township, Northern Precinct 

Symmes Township, Camp Dennison Precinct 

Loveland Corporation, Symmes Township 

Riverside, Storrs Township 

Whitewater Township, Northern Precinct 

Whitewater Township, Southern Precinct ■. 



TAXABLE 


VALUATION 


NEW STRUCT- 


URES. 


1880. 


1879. 


$ 2,850 


$ 


3.975 


1,800 


825 


900 


1,800 


1,800 


2.100 


5.900 


1.950 


700 


750 


3.850 


2,450 


2,680 


2,300 


2,100 


1,200 


10,200 


7.100 


3.370 


2,850 


800 


1.450 


5,460 


6,300 


7,600 


19.450 


4,600 


1,700 




1.650 


3.940 


1,500 


1,650 


6, goo 


3,100 


3.300 


2,140 


350 


1,400 


10,600 


3.520 


600 


1. 575 


3.250 


1,700 


1,800 






3.950 




3.650 


7,500 


10,650 


5,200 




6,050 




2,500 


250 


22,500 


17.750 




9,100 


13.300 


4.375 


1,500 


620 


1,050 


200 


2,100 


900 


1,800 


4,000 


3,100 


2,550 


2,450 


2,200 


1,500 




11,000 


300 


6,800 


3,400 


10,380 


4,780 




1,200 




6,300 


2,275 


2,750 


6,500 


800 


2,100 




2,606 


1.250 


900 


2,420 


1.500 


680 


500 


1,300 




1.050 


1,700 


1,700 




930 



As a sort of a foot-note or appendix to these notes 
of progress, we here more appropriately, perhaps, than 
anywhere else in this division of the History, make men- 
tion of 

SOME FIRST THINGS. 

The first church built in Hamilton county was that at 
Columbia, for the Baptist society, organized in that set- 
tlement March 24, 1790. It was, further, the first meet- 
ing-house erected in the territory now covered by the 
state of Ohio, except the church building of the Mora- 
vian missionaries at Schonebrunn and Gnadenhutten, in 
the valley of the Tuscarawas. 

The first ordination of a clergyman in the Miami coun- 
try was that of the Rev. Daniel Clark, a young Baptist 
minister at Columbia, by the Rev. Messrs. Gano and Smith, 
in a grove of elms near that place, September 23, 1793. 



76 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



The first school in the county was opened July 21, 
1790, also in Columbia, by John Reily, afterwards a 
distinguished citizen of Butler and Hamilton counties. 
The next year Francis Dunlavy was joined in the. in- 
struction of the school, taking a classical department, 
while Mr. Reily confined his labors to the English stu- 
dies. The first regular school-house was probably there. 

The first ferry from the front of Hamilton county on 
the river to the Kentucky shore at the present site of Cov- 
ington was run in 1790 by Robert and Thomas Kennedy, 
one of whom lived at each end of the line. The first to 
Newport was run by Captain Robert Benham, under a 
license from the Territorial government, granted Septem- 
ber 24, 1792, from Cincinnati to the opposite bank, the 
present Newport, on the east side of the Licking. 

The first mill run in Hamilton county was started by 
Mr. Neaiad Coleman, a citizen of Columbia, soon after the 
planting of the colony. It was a very simple affair, quite 
like that known at Marietta in the early day, and figured 
in Dr. S. P. Hildreth's Pioneer History. The flat- 
boats were moored side by side near the shore, but in the 
current, and with sufficient space between them for the 
movement of a water-wheel. The grindstones, with the 
grain and flour or meal handled, were in one boat, and 
the machin'ery in another. This rude mill, kept going 
by the cultivation 'of the rich soil at or near Colum- 
bia, was the chief source of supply for the soldiers of 
Fort Washington and the citizens of Cincinnati for one 
or two years. Without it, there would at one time, at least, 
have been danger of abandonment of the fort, if not of 
the settlements. Before its construction, settlers who had 
no access to hand-mills or who wished to economize their 
labor, went far into Kentucky to get their grinding done. 
At one time Noah Badgeley and three other Cincinnati 
settlers went up the Licking to Paris, for a supply of 
breadstuff, and on their return were caught in a flood, 
their boat overturned, Badgeley drowned, and the others 
exposed to peril and privation upon branches of trees in 
the raging waters for two or three days. It is possible 
that Coleman's mill is identical with that mentioned in 
early annals as the property of one Wickerslham (Wicker- 
ham he is called in Spencer's Indian Captivity, probably 
by error of the types), which is sometimes referred to as 
the first mill, and was situated at a rapid of the Little 
Miami, a little below the Union bridge, where Philip Tur- 
pin's mill was afterwards erected. 

Soon after Coleman started his grist-mill, another, but 
of different character, was built on Mill creek, near Cin- 
cinnati. A horse-mill existed in that town at a very early 
day, near the site of the First Presbyterian church, and 
some of the meetings of that society were held in it. 

The first cases of capital punishment in the county 
occurred at the southeast end of Fort Washington in 
1789 — the execution of two soldiers, John Ayers and 
Matthew Ratn:iore, for desertion. The first execution by 
the civil authorities was that of John May, in Cincinnati, 
near the close of the century, by hanging, under sentence 
for the murder of his friend, Wat Sullivan, whom he stab- 
bed with a hunting-knife during a drunken brawl at a 
party given in a log cabin then standing near the corner 



of Sixth and Main streets. He was hanged by Sheriff 
Ludlow, at the spot on the south side of Fifth street, east 
of Walnut, where B. Cavagna now has his grocery store, 
and where the first jail stood. The country for fifty 
miles around turned out its population to see the execu- 
tion. 

Other "first things" will be recorded in connection 
with the special histories of Cincinnati and other parts of 
the county, where full notes will be made of these to 
which we have given rapid mention. 



CHAPTER XL 

MILITARY HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY. 

The landis holy where they fouglu, 

And holy where they fell ; 
For by their blood that land was bought, 

The land they loved so well. 
Then glory to that valiant band, 

The honored saviors of the land ! 

The God of battles heard their cry, 
And sent to them the victory. 

They left the plowshare in the mould, 

Their flocks and herds without a fold. 

The sickle in the unshorn grain. 

The corn, half garnered, on the plain; 

And mustered, in their simple dress. 

For wrongs to seek a stern redress. 

To right their wrongs, come weal, come woe. 

To perish, or o'ercome their foe. 

A BRILLIANT RECORD. 

Probably no county in the United States — certainly 
none in the States that date their origin since the war of 
the Revolution — has a more brilliant military record than 
Hamilton county. In the Indian period, during the last 
war with Great Britain, the skirmish with Mexico, and 
the great civil war, the men of Cincinnati, and of Hamil- 
ton county at large, bore full and honorable part. Their 
patriotism from the beginning has been clear and un- 
doubted; their readiness to serve the country in any hour 
of its peril has been equally manifest, whenever the occa- 
sion for its exhibition has come. From Fort Washington, 
near the old Cincinnati, marched the troops ofHarmar, of 
St. Clair, and of Wayne, in their several campaigns 
against the savages of the north country; and hence, 
much later, moved gaily out, likewise on the Hamilton 
road, and one bright May morning, the Fourth regiment 
of infantry in the Federal army, which formed the main 
stay of the beleaguered force at the battle of Tippecanoe. 
From Hamilton county went large and gallant contin- 
gents in the War of 181 2-15 and the war with Mexico; 
and her contingent in the war of the Rebellion was num- 
bered by many thousands — a very large percentage, in- 
deed, of the entire force (three hundred and ten thou- 
sand six hundred and fifty-four men) recruited in the 
State of Ohio during the struggle. It is doubtful whether 
any city in the Union furnished more men to the Federal 
cause, in proportion to its population, than Cincinnati. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



77 



The record of the entire county, in this regard, is greatly 
to its honor. Of one hundred thousand two hundred 
and twenty-four men raised for the Union army in Ohio 
in 1861, eight thousand one hundred and ninety-two, or 
very nearly one-twelfth, were from this one county. It 
had at any time, considering its numerous population, 
but an exceedingly light requisition upon it for drafted 
militia. The total quota assigned it for draft during the 
war was but two thousand one hundred and forty-eight, 
of which one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine were 
furnished in voluntary recruits, and the actual entire 
draft from Hamilton county, in the four years of war, 
was but a paltry one hundred and seventy-eight. Through 
some accident, neglect, or failure of calculation — for it 
cannot have been through inability to procure the men, 
or other necessity — this still left the trifling deficit of 
ninety-five men. But there were only twenty-three coun- 
ties in all the State that were not deficient in the filling 
of their quotas; and six of the counties in which there 
was a shortage exhibit on their military record, notwith- 
standing the immense disparity of population, greater de- 
ficits than does Hamilton county. The general work and 
record of the county during the bloody years are better 
shown by the statistical history of 1862. Upon the first 
of September of that year, the number of enrolled militia 
in the county was thirty-nine thousand nine hundred and 
twenty-six, of whom the volunteers in the armies of the 
Union numbered fourteen thousand seven hundred and 
ninety-five. The number then ordered to be drafted was 
one thousand one hundred and seventy-five; but so rapid 
were the enlistments, and so many errors were demon- 
strated in the figuring of the enrolling, recruiting, and 
mustering officers that the number was more than made 
good (credits of one thousand five hundred and twenty- 
nine men being obtained through volunteers and errors 
shown), and there was consequently no draft. 

AT FIRST. 

In almost the earliest days of Cincinnati and Colum- 
bia, as we have seen in chapter IX., and shall see more 
fully hereafter, provision was made for an organized mili- 
tia. One of the first acts of Governor St. Clair, after the 
erection of Hamilton county, was the appointment of 
officers at these two places for a battalion of militia; and 
the protection and defence of the settlements, and the 
punishment of the marauding and murdering savages, 
which had before proceeded in an irregular though 
effective way, was thenceforth under the eye of the Terri- 
torial government. Some of the officers and men of the 
early companies greatly distinguished themselves after- 
wards in the battles of Indian warfare and the War of 
1812, and not a few laid down their lives upon the bloody 
fields. Since the date of their enrollment, ninety years 
ago, Hamilton county has never been without an organ- 
ized military force of her own. 

harmar's campaign and defeat. 
About the middle of the year 1790, Governor St. 
Clair, upon his return to Fort Washington from a pro- 
tracted tour of official duty in the more distant parts of 
the Territory, beginning with the creation of Hamilton 



county at Cincinnati the previous January, had a pro- 
longed consultation with General Harmar, who had 
shortly before, in April, led an unsuccessful expedition 
against the Indians of the Scioto valley. As a result of 
the council, it was determined to send a force against the 
Indians of the Maumee, whose depredations upon the 
settlements along the Ohio had become persistent and 
exceedingly annoying. St. Clair accordingly issued cir- 
cular letters to the militia commanders in Kentucky, Vir- 
ginia, and western Pennsylvania, calling out their troops 
to reinforce the regular army for this campaign. The lat- 
ter formed but two small battalions, commanded by 
Majors Wyllys and Doughty, with an artillery company of 
three field-guns. The Pennsylvania and Virginia militia 
formed another battalion, under Colonel John Hardin; 
and the Kentuckians mustered three battalions, com- 
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Trotter. Virginia seems 
not to have sent enough troops to form a separate organ- 
ization, and the whole force for the expedition consisted 
of but one thousand four hundred and fifty-three men, of 
whom only three hundred and twenty were regular sol- 
diers. They were very poorly equipped, having few of 
the necessaries of military life,. as camp kettles and axes; 
and their arms were generally in bad condition, many of 
them absolutely unfit for service. Some of the Pennsyl- 
vanians had no arms whatever. Not a few old and in- 
firm men and mere boys also appeared among the mili- 
tia. The temper of the volunteers, too, was by no means 
good. They were averse to act with the regular troops, 
and manifested considerable jealousy of them, giving the 
commander of the expedition. General Harmar, a deal 
of trouble. There were also unfortunate quarrels for 
precedence among the principal officers of the volun- 
teers, in which they were stubbornly backed by the men 
of their respective commands. 

On the twenty-second of September, Major Wyllys 
arrived with his detachment of regulars from the garrison 
at the falls of the Ohio; on the twenty-fifth came Major 
Doughty with part of the Fort Harmar garrison, and 
Lieutenant Frothingham followed soon after with the 
remainder. The last of the Pennsylvanians came on the 
twenty-fifth. The Kentuckians had not all arrived when 
the march began; but, as the tardy volunteers were dra- 
goons and mounted riflemen, they were able to overtake 
the moving column, which they did on the fifth of Oc- 
tober. 

About the thirtieth of the previous month, General 
Harmar moved his force from Fort Washington by a 
route represented to him by his guides as the shortest 
and best to the objective points of his campaign, and en- 
camped about ten miles from the fort. Had he been able 
here, as Wayne afterwards was, in the Mill creek valley, 
to halt for better organization and equipment of his mot- 
ley command, and for drill and other necessary prepara- 
tion for the field, a happier story might be told of the 
result. He decided to go on at once, however; and on 
the thirteenth of October the little army neared the 
Maumee villages. Colonel Hardin was detached with a 
company of regulars and six hundred militia, as an ad- 
vance party to find the enemy and keep them engaged 



78 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



until the main body could get up. He found the towns 
abandoned; and when the remainder of the column 
arrived, on the morning of the seventeenth, they were 
destroyed, with a large quantity of corn, estimated at 
twenty thousand bushels, standing in the fields. This 
was the only real damage inflicted upon the savages by 
the campaign, and alone redeemed the movement from 
absolute failure. Colonel Trotter was then sent with 
three hundred men to scout in the woods, but to no 
effect; and Colonel Hardin, on the nineteenth, led an- 
other reconnoisance in force. Falling in with a much 
smaller party of the enemy and being fired upon, the 
whites, without even stopping to form line of battle, dis- 
gracefully retreated in disorder, losing nine militiamen 
and twenty-four regulars killed. Two days afterwards, 
the whole army began to retire; but on the night of that 
day, the twenty-first, Hardin obtained permission to lead 
another detachment the next morning back to the site of 
the Indian villages in hopes of finding and punishing 
the enemy. He did so, and was again defeated with 
much loss ; when further aggressive operations were sus- 
pended. The scene of these disasters was near Keki- 
onga, an Indian village opposite the subsequent site of 
Fort Wayne. The army returned in an orderly way, by 
slow and easy marches, to Fort Washington, pursued 
cautiously by the red men, who did no serious injury. 
Arrived at the fort, the militia were disbanded and dis- 
missed, and the regulars sent again to their garrisons. 
Harmar hastened to Washington, resigned his commis- 
sion, and demanded a court of inquiry, which was 
ordered. Its finding substantially vindicated him, and 
put the blame of the failure of the expedition mainly 
upon the inefficiency of the militia force and the insuffi- 
ciency of their equipment. 

Wilkinson's expedition. 

In July following, at Governor St. Clair's suggestion, 
the Kentucky board of war — a body of leading citizens 
and militia officers authorized by Congress — determined 
upon an expedition against the Elk River Indian towns, 
in the present Indiana country. It was to rendezvous at 
Fort Washington, and be under command of Colonel 
Wilkinson, of that post. On the twentieth of July the 
Kentuckians duly arrived and mounted, and provis- 
ioned for thirty days, began to assemble at the fort, and 
on the first of the next month a column of five hundred 
and twenty-five men began the movement. It marched 
first upon the Maumee villages, but without provoking an 
engagement, Wilkinson intending merely to feint in this 
direction, and on the sixth, after some skirmishing, 
reached an extensive Ouiatenon village called L'Anguille, 
on Eel river, near its debouchure into the Wabash. It 
was captured and destroyed, together with two hundred 
acres of corn in the milk, a number of Indians being 
killed and others taken prisoners. Among the latter were 
the son and sisters of the Ouiatenon chief or "King," as 
Wilkinson calls him in the official report. Advancing to 
the prairies of western Indiana a small Kickapoo town 
was burned and the standing corn destroyed, and on the 
twenty-first of the month, after a march of four hundred 



and fifty-one miles from Fort Washington, he reached 
safely the falls of the Ohio, where the expedition was dis- 
banded. 

ST. CLAIR'S C.\MP.4.IGN AND DEFEAT. 

The Indians derived great encouragement from the 
retreat of General Harmar, although exceedingly exasper- 
ated by the destruction of their villages and crops, and 
they harried the frontier settlements worse than before. 
Another expedition became necessary to punish them, and 
also to establish a military post at an important strategic 
point, near the junction of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's 
rivers, at the head of the Maumee. Governor St. Clair, 
having been made a major-general in the regular army 
and commander in chief of the forces in the northwest, 
was entrusted with the command in this campaign, with 
General Richard Butler second in authority. They 
began preparations early in 1791, and by the middle of 
July the first regiment of the Federal troops, numbering 
two hundred and sixty-nine men, reached Fort Washing- 
ton. Two thousand and three hundred militia and 
regulars, most of whom were raw recruits, were soon 
gathered there, and after encamping for a season at Lud- 
low's Station (now Cumminsville), six miles from the 
fort, along which is now "Mad Anthony" street, the 
army marched, September 17th, to the Great Miami, 
where the city of Hamilton now stands, and where Fort 
Hamilton — named, like this county, from the then Secre- 
tary of the Treasury — was built by St. Clair's men, a 
strong, well-constructed work, about one thousand feet in 
circuit. Leaving a sufficient garrison and resuming the 
march forty-four miles further, the troops halted again 
for twelve days, to buiUi Fort Jefferson, six miles south 
of the present site of Greenville. October 24th the 
final advance into the Indian country began, but under 
many difficulties. St. Clair was seriously ill with the 
gout, having to be carried on a litter; the men were 
deserting singly and in large parties; the trails were ex- 
ceedingly difficult for artillery and wagons; provisions 
were scant, and the march proceeded very slowly and 
toilsomely. Only about fourteen hundred men and 
eighty-six officers remained when the scene of action 
was reached, on the third of November. This was upon 
a branch of the Wabash river, just south of the head- 
waters of the St. Mary of the Maumee, which was the 
stream to which St. Clair supposed he had arrived. 
Fort Recovery was afterward built upon the battlefield, 
and a town of the same name still perpetuates its mem- 
ory. 

The very next morning, at daylight, the Indians at- 
tacked in great force. The first pressure came upon the 
militia, who, as in Harmar's defeat, speedily gave way, 
and in their retreat threw two of the regular battalions 
into much disorder. The enemy were, however, checked 
and temporarily driven back, but their fire was heavy 
and very deadly, particularly among the officers, and the 
raw troops were soon in precipitate flight, abandoning 
the camp and artillery, and strewing the line of retreat with 
their arms and accoutrements. Major Clark's battalion 
courageously covered the retreat, and prevented the 
absolute destruction of the columns. The race to the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



79 



rear was maintained without Halt until Fort Jefferson, 
twenty-nine miles distant, was reached about sunset of the 
same day. Eight hundred and ninety men and sixteen 
officers, more than sixteen per cent, of the whole number 
engaged — were left dead or wounded in this engagement.- 
It is accounted the most terrible reverse the American 
arms ever suffered from, the Indians — even more disas- 
trous than Braddock's defeat. * It was but a feeble rem- 
nant of the expedition that finally, four days after the 
defeat, found rest and shelter within the walls of Fort 
Washington. 

Among the killed were General Butler, the heio of 
the Fort Finney treaty, and second in command of the 
expedition. Lieutenant Colonel ©Idham, and other 
prominent officers. The wounded included Colonel 
Winthrop Sargent, of Cincinnati, secretary of the North- 
west Territory, and the Viscount Malartie, a foreigner of 
distinction, serving as a volunteer aid upon St. Clair's 
staff. He had been a captain in the guard of Louis 
XVI, but left it to join the Gallipolis colony, and volun- 
teered as an aid-de-camp to St. Clair when his expedition 
reached that point on its way down the river. After the 
defeat and his wound, which was severe, he had no 
stomach for more Indian fighting, and soon made his 
way to Philadelphia, and thence back to France. 

Colonel Wilkinson succeeded St. Clair as commandant 
at Fort Washington; and in the following January, the 
troops being idle, he called for volunteers from the sur- 
rounding county to reinforce his two hundred regulars 
for an expedition to the scene of defeat, to bury the 
dead, and bring off the cannon and other public property- 
that might have been left by the Indians upon the field. 
The yeomanry of ^Hamilton county, and some of the 
neighboring Kentuckians, promptly responded, and 
rendezvoused at the fort. The snow lay two feet'deep 
upon the ground, deeper than had been known since the 
white -man's occupancy of that region; and the ice was 
so thick in the Ohio that the Kentucky volunteers.£ould 
not ferry their horses over, and had to cross them upon a 
still stronger tract of ice above the mouth of the Little 
Miami. On the twenty-fifth of the month Wilkinson 
moved out, upon the trace opened by St. Clair, and en- 
camped the first night upon the hill south of Mount 
Pleasant, afterwards occupied by Cary's academy, and 
the second night at Fort Hamilton. By the time he 
reached Fort Jefferson the difficulties and hardships of 
the march were telling severely upon the detachment, 
and he determined to send back the regulars, retaining 
the mounted volunteers and the public sleds whereon to 
bring off the guns. With these he reached the theatre 
of St. Clair's disaster on the first of February, finding 
the snow there also deep, but not completely concealing 
the remains of the dead. As many of these as could 
be conveniently found under the circumstances were 
collected and buried in pits; but so many remained un- 
buried that persons with Wayne's expedition eighteen 
months afterwards reported, doubtless with exaggeration 
(since the Indians carry off their dead), that six hundred 

*Western Annals, third edition, 585. 



skulls were found upon the field, and that it was neces- 
sary to clear the tents of bones before beds could be 
spread upon the surface. Three gun-carriages were 
found and brought away, with some small arms; five 
others had been so damaged as to be useless. The can- 
non had disappeared; but as the adjacent creek was 
covered with thick ice and snow, a thorough search in it, 
where it was believed they had been thrown, was not 
practicable. They were subsequently found, however, 
and mounted on Fort Recovery, where they were used 
M'ith effect during Wayne's occupancy of the battle- 
ground. Evidences were observed of great cruelties in- 
flicted by the savages upon the unfortunates of St. Clair's 
expedition who had been left wounded upon the field. 
Wilkinson was not disturbed by the enemy during his 
brief campaign of humanity, and he returned quietly to 
Fort Washington when its object was accomplished. 
Wayne's campaign and victory. 

The most vigorous measures on the part of the Gen- 
eral Government were now necessary to preserve the 
frontier settlements in the northwest from destruction 
and to prevent the early reflux of the advancing wave of 
civilization. A competent leader was first in demand. 
From a number of able officers of the army, most of them 
Revolutionary heroes, whose names were submitted to 
President Washington, he selected the hero of the storm- 
ing of Stony Point, the brave "Mad Anthony Wayne" — 
he who showed so much method, withal, in his madness. 
In June, 1792, Wayne reached Pittsburgh, with ample 
powers, and set about the slow, yet, as the sad experience 
of Harmar and St. Clair had proved, the indispensable 
preparations necessary to success. He addressed him- 
self at once to the recruiting and drill of the new "Le- 
gion of the United States," which was presently, by a 
bloody victory, to pacificate the savages of the northwest. 

Establishing a camp on the Ohio, twenty-two miles be- 
low Pittsburgh — called "Legionville," from the title of 
his army — he gathered, by December, a considerable 
force there. About the last of April, 1793, he moved it 
down the river to Fort Washington, and thence, as it was 
too numerous to occupy that work, out to a camp he 
formed in the Mill Creek valley, near the village of Cin- 
cinnati, about the spot upon which the gas-works were 
long afterwards erected. This camp was designated by 
him as "Hobson's Choice," since it was the only one in 
the vicinity which the high water of that spring made eli- 
gible for the purpose. 

The following is Judge Burnet's interesting note upon 
the selection of this camp: 

On tlie arrival of General Wayne, at Cincinnati, witli the troops 
from Legionville, late in 1793, he ordered the quartermaster, with two 
or three of his officers, to make a careful examination of the grounds 
adjoining the town, and select the most eligible spot for the construc- 
tion of an encampment. After a careful execution of the order, they 
reported that there was no situation near the town, on which the army 
could be conveniently encamped, and that tlie only ground which was 
in any degree calculated for the purpose was on the river bank, between 
the village and Mill creek. The general replied, "if that be so, we 
have Hobson's choice, and must take it." From that expression the 
place selected was immediately called "Hobson's Choice," and ha.s 
been known by that name ever since. The general was evidently a 
reader of the Spectator, or was at least familiar with the term which 
has its origin in a notable chapter of that work. 



8o 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Here the work of organizing and drilling the soldiers 
went steadily on through the summer. Washington 
wrote to Wayne: "Train and discipline them for the 
service they are meant for; and do not spare powder and 
lead, so the men be made marksmen." One of Wayne's 
sentinels at this time was posted upon the lofty ancient 
mound which stood until 1841 at the intersection of 
Mound and Fifth streets. The force suffered much from 
fevers and influenza and by desertion. Wayne also found 
it difficult to obtain the mounted volunteers he wanted 
from Kentucky, as the militia of that State retained the 
old prejudices, and disliked to serve with regulars. All 
obstacles were, however, gradually overcome; and on the 
seventh of October, the faithful and well directed efforts 
of the Government to secure peace by diplomacy having 
so far failed, the army began an aggressive campaign. 
It numbered two thousand si.x hundred regular troops, 
three hundred and sixty mounted militia, and thirty-six 
guides and scouts. One thousand Kentucky volunteers, 
under General Charles Scott, joined it, soon after, at Fort 
Jefferson. A strong position six miles in front of this work 
was occupied on the thirteenth, and held for several 
months, while the "peace talks" with the Indians were 
renewed by the commissioners of the Government. On 
the sixth of November the Kentucky mounted infantry 
had a sharp affair with the Indians not far from Fort St. 
Clair, a work constructed near the present site of Eaton, 
Preble county, in which the whites lost some men and 
nearly all their horses. 

Wayne's army, now called the "Northwestern," win- 
tered at the new camp on the Stillwater branch of the 
Miami. It was fortified, and many cabins put up during 
the season. Wayne gave the group of huts and fort the 
name of Greenville, which was retained for the flourish- 
ing town that now covers its site. Here he awaited the 
arrival of the convoys with provisions, and continued 
his preparations for the struggle. About the last of De- 
cember a detachment was sent forward to the field of 
St. Clair's defeat, which built and garrisoned Foit Recov- 
ery there. Under the walls of that work an escort of 
one hundred and fifty men, commanded by Major Mc- 
Mahon, was attacked by a thousand Indians, led by Lit- 
tle Turtle, the noted Miami chief; but they were beaten 
off, after a severe action, with great slaughter. The next 
month Wayne was joined by sixteen hundred mounted 
volunteers from Kentucky, and on the twenty-eighth of 
July, 1794, he began his first movement against the 
enemy. August 8th, the army reached Grand Glaize, 
near the union of the Auglaise and Maumee, where Fort 
Defiance was built, and Wayne despatched a firm but 
conciliatory message to the Indians. In reply they gent 
word that if he would wait ten days longer at Grand 
Glaize, they would decide for peace or war; but he 
would not wait, and continued his movement until the 
eighteenth of August, when he reached a place forty-one 
miles from Grand Glaize, where, ascertaining that he was 
almost in the presence of the enemy, he began to throw 
up a light work called Fort Deposit, to cover the trains 
and heavy baggage of the army. On the morning of 
the twentieth, moving cautiously down the north bank of 



the Maumee about five miles, the advance guard was 
ambuscaded by the Indians, and received so severe a 
fire that it was driven back upon the main body. The 
enemy was very favorably posted in high grass and 
among trees felled bv a tornado — which gave the action 
the name of "the Battle of the Fallen Timbers." Among 
these it was impossible for the cavalry to operate with 
effect on a considerable part of the line of battle. They 
were promptly moved against the enemy's flanks, how- 
ever, while the front line of infantry charged the savages, 
which it did with such impetuosity as to oust them 
speedily from their coverts, and in less than an hour to 
drive them more than two miles and disperse them so 
thoroughly that the battle was not renewed. 

The brunt of this gallant affair was borne by less than 
nine hundred of Wayne's men, opposed to more than 
twice their number, representing the Miami, Delaware, 
Ottawa, Shawnee, and Wyandot tribes, and led by sev- 
eral of their bravest chiefs. A number of Canadian 
militia and British regulars, with their officers, were also 
on the field as auxiliaries to the savages; and some of 
them were killed in the fight. In the spring of this year 
a fortification had been constructed by the British in the 
neighborhood of the battle ground, upon the territory of 
the United States. To the vicinity of this (Fort Miami) 
Wayne now moved, and while engaged in a spirited cor- 
respondence with its commander, in regard to the intru- 
sion of the British upon Federal territory, occupied his 
army with the devastation of the Indian villages and 
cornfields above and below the British post. Included 
in the destruction were the buildings and other property 
of Colonel McKee, the British Indian agent and "prin- 
cipal stimulator," as Wayne calls him, of the war on the 
side of the savages, having been personally present on 
the field of the Fallen Timbers. 

Having laid waste the country for miles about the fort, 
Wayne returned to Fort Defiance, and on the fourteenth 
of September moved toward the junction of the St. Jo- 
seph's and the St. Mary's, where the Government had for 
years desired to plant a military work, and where he 
built one whose name is perpetuated by the city of Fort 
Wayne, at the same place. About the middle of Octo- 
ber the Kentucky contingent, which had become muti- 
nous and troublesome, was marched back to Fort Wash- 
ington and mustered out of service. On the twenty- 
eighth the remainder, except a sufficient garrison for the 
new fortification, moved to Fort Greenville, where it win- 
tered. The several tribes, notwithstanding constant 
British instigation to the contrary, one after another de- 
cided to sue for peace. Messages to that effect were 
received in December and January by the commanders 
at Forts Wayne and Greenville; prisoners were ex- 
changed; and in the summer of 1795 a great gathering 
of the leading men of the tribes at the latter place re- 
sulted in the treaty of Greenville, bearing final date 
August 3d, of that year. It was ratified by the Senate 
of the United States in December; and so, through 
Wayne's carefulness and foresight in preparation, his 
masterly strategy in the construction and occupancy of 
a chain of military posts into the hostile country, and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the bravery of his "Legion," the terrible Indian wars 
of the eighteenth century in this country were closed. 
A peace lasting until the temporary outbreak sixteen 
years afterwards, under Tecumseh and the "Prophet," 
was secured by the great convention of Greenville. 

A MINOR EXPEDITION. 

In the spring of 1794, while General Wayne was for a 
time in or near Fort Washington, he was directed by 
President Washington to despatch a force to Fort Massac, 
on the Mississippi, to intercept an irregular, filibustering 
army, understood to be in preparation in Kentucky, and 
expected to invade Louisiana for the conquest of that 
province, then under Spanish domination. Wayne de- 
tached Major Doyle, with a company of infantry and 
artillery, to perform the service, which, with other ener- 
getic measures undertaken by Washington, effectually 
broke up the schemes and intrigues mainly instigated, in 
Kentucky and elsewhere, by the agents of M. Genet, 
then the French Minister to this country. The "French 
party" had enlisted the sympathies of the governor and 
other prominent men in Kentucky, and arranged for 
the rendezvous of two thousand men at the Falls of the 
Ohio (Louisville) to constitute an army of invasion ; so 
that the movement thus checked, in part from Fort 
Washington, was really somewhat formidable. 

A VERY SHORT CAMPAIGN 

seemed to be made necessary in southwestern Ohio at 
one time during the latter part of the first decade of this 
century, by the suspected hostile conspiracies of Tecum- 
seh ■ and his brother, the Prophet, who resided at Green- 
ville from 1805 to 1809. They were visited there by 
many Indians of influence and martial prowess; who 
were roused almost to frenzy by the intrigues of the 
Prophet and the eloquent appeals of Tecumseh. So 
strong became the signs of hostility at last that war was 
confidently expected. The militia of this region were 
called out and rendezvoused at Dayton, supplies gathered, 
wagon- and pack-trains organized, and other preparations 
made. The scare was shortly 'over, however ; and the 
troops, after about a fortnight's service, were disbanded. 
One regiment was out from Hamilton county, command- 
ed by Colonel John S. Wallace, of which Dr. John Black- 
burn, of Cincinnati, was surgeon. 

THE TIPPECANOE CAMPAIGN. 

It is probable that many other men of Hamilton 
county, besides the gallant commander, General William 
Henry Harrison, were out with him in the campaign of 
181 1, against the Indians of the Indian country; but 
their names are not now ascertainable. The sole note of 
.the history of the campaign, connecting Cincinnati and 
the county with it, which we find, is in Mr. E. D. Mans- 
field's Personal Memories. He was then a little boy, 
residing with his father at Ludlow's Station, on the Ham- 
ilton road, upon which he remembered seeing the Fourth 
regiment of infantry march from Cincinnati on a pleasant 
morning in May, on their way to the ultimate victory of 
the campaign at Tippecanoe the following November, 
where they found the main body and chief hope of the 
American army. The renown won by General Harrison 



in the campaign also reflects from it honor upon Hamil- 
ton county, although he was then residing at Vincennes 
as governor of Indiana territory. 

THE WAR OF 1812-15. 

Early in the spring of i8i 2, before this struggle had 
been fully enlisted; the President made a requisition upon 
the State of Ohio for one thousand two hundred mihtia. 
More than enough to fill the quota were soon raised, 
many of them from Hamilton county. They were ordered 
by Governor Meigs to rendezvous at Dayton, on the 
twenty-ninth day of April. By the fourth of May one 
thousand four hundred troops, mostly volunteers, were 
encamped at Camp Meigs, three miles above that place, 
and one hundred more were added within a week. Gen- 
erals Cass and Gano, the latter a Cincinnatian, were in 
command, under the governor, who was commander-in- 
chief The force was divided into three regiments, led, 
respectively, by Lewis Cass, Duncan McArthur, and 
another Cincinnati soldier, James S. Findlay, who, al- 
though a general in the militia, consented to take a col- 
onel's place. May 25th, the equipment of the troops 
being measurably complete. Governor Meigs formally 
surrendered the command of the Ohio contingent to 
General Hull, of the United States army, who was to lead 
it away to the disgraceful surrender at Detroit. 

Upon the outbreak of the contest, Governor Meigs 
had called out the First division of Ohio militia, which, 
rendezvoused in Hamilton county, at Hutchinson's 
tavern (later Jacob Hoffner's, in Curaminsville), on the 
road from Cincinnati through Colerain. Mr. Mansfield 
says the volunteers presented a motley appearance, 
dressed as they were in a great variety of apparel, some 
with hunting-shirts, some with butternut jackets, and 
others in more fantastic costumes. Many of the men 
had rifles or other arms; but most of them drilled with 
sticks and cornstalks in place of firelocks. When the 
governor's call was made, the response was generous 
from this county, as from other parts of the State. Two 
companies volunteered at once in Cincinnati. One was 
of mounted infantrjf, commanded by Captain John F. 
Mansfield, a nephew of Jared Mansfield, the surveyor- 
general. 

He was in the Hull surrender with his command, but 
was presently released. He was extremely mortified by 
the terrible disgrace, and also taking a fever while cross- 
ing Lake Erie, he died soon after his return to Cincin- 
nati — "of fever and a broken heart," says his cousin, Mr. 
Mansfield, in his Personal Memories. Captain Mans- 
field is thus further eulogized by his distinguished rela- 
tive, Hon. E. D. Mansfield, in his Memories of Dr. 
Drake : 

He was a most extraordinary young man, whose character produced 
a more intense and enduring impression upon those who knew him 
than did any one of whom I have ever heard. The impression made 
upon others — an impression deep and durable — is the highest testimony 
to the reality of a great and noble character. The fleeting effect of 
brilliant genius, or the doubtful applause given to talent without virtue, 
may be possessed by many ; but it is seldom we find that perfection of 
character which demands a praise which never wavers and which no 
time destroys. Still more seldom do we find in it such kindly affection 
as draws within its embrace the hearts of both strangers and friends. 
Such was the character of Captain Mansfield ; and 1 judge it only by 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the concurrent testimony of a large number of persons, from the pass- 
ing citizen to tlie near relatives, from the soldier who served with him 
to the officer who commanded. 

Returning after Hull's suirender, in an open boat on the lake and 
river, he was seized with an autumnal fever. Enfeebled by disease, he 
was not less broken in spirit; and his sensitive mind seemed to have 
sunk under the stain of disgrace and disappointiuent. In this state 
Dr. Drake found him, when returned to Cincinnati. No power of 
medicine or care of friend availed against his deep-seated malady of 
mind and body. He was already delirious, and soon sank to the grave. 
He was only in his twenty-fifth year; and one so young, so unassum- 
ing, and so full of worth, was never so much lamented by so many 
who knew what worth was. The public honors paid to his memory — 
not a few — were small compared to the tribute of sorrows poured out 
by hearts bound to him by no tie of nature, but endeared by strong af- 
fection. 

Neither the roll of Captain Mansfield's company (the 
Cincinnati Light infantry), nor of Captain J. W. Sloan's 
dragoons (the Cincinnati troop), nor of any other com- 
pany known to have been from Hamilton county, is in 
the office of the adjutant-general of the State ; and we 
have been unable to recover any such roll from private 
hands. The rules of the adjutant-general's office at 
Washington do not permit the copying of military rosters 
there, through fear of frauds in the procurement of 
bounty lands and otherwise. Another company that 
went out from Cincinnati during the war was that of Cap- 
tain Carpenter, and Captains McFarland and Hugh 
Glenn are said to have had Hamilton county companies 
in this service, but we are likewise unable to present a 
copy of their rolls of honor. The entire regiment com- 
manded by General Findlay was from the Miami coun- 
try. The two companies first enlisting marched to join 
Hull's army with the Fourth United States infantry, 
which had crossed from Newport Barracks to take the 
road northward; and a sermon was preached to them be- 
fore starting, on the fourth of May, 1812, by the Rev. 
Dr. Wilson. Mr. Mansfield thus related the incident, at 
a pioneer celebration in 1874: 

Just before they set out they were called into the First Presbyterian 
church, corner of Main and Fourth streets, to hear an address from 
Dr. Joshua L. Wilson. The text was, in substance: "Cursed be he 
that goeth not forth to battle, and cursed be he that keepeth back his 
hand from blood." The brave, earnest, patriotic Wilson never hesi- 
tated to speak his mind, and speak it freely. That noble army was 
surrendered without a cause; and none who did not know those men, 
can know with what anguish and sorrow and indignation that surren- 
der was received. 

August 5, I Si 2, orders were sent by Governor Meigs 
to General John S. Gano, at Cincinnati, to march imme- 
diately with three hundred men of his division to Ur- 
bana, in charge of Captain Sutton. They were to be "un- 
der the command of a major," and furnished with a 
blanket and knapsack, arms and ammunition. "Volun- 
teers under the law of Ohio will be preferred," wrote the 
governor. No pubhc money was in hand for the pur- 
pose of recruiting or equipment; the credit of the Gov- 
ernment was low; and many of the military and naval 
operations of the war were conducted only under pledges 
or pecuniary obligations for which private persons be- 
came responsible. This order gave General Gano a 
similar opportunity. Fifteen days after the order was 
despatched he wrote : 

I had to get Major Barr to join me to put our note in bank for three 
thousand five hundred dollars, payable in ten days, which is all we 



could raise, and the bills on Government will not command the cash 
here — there are so many drawn they cannot be accommodated. 

I have six as good companies as I have seen in the State ; 
four have marched from here yesterday to join two others at Lebanon, 
where they will elect their major. . . . The detatchment 

is as follows; Captain Jenkinson with his company of artillery, fitted 
completely with muskets, etc., etc.: Lebanon Light infantry, inexactly 
the same uniform as Mansfield's company; four companies of riflemen 
completely equipt, one company one hundred strong. All can instantly 
fix bayonets to their rifles; the others every man a tomahawk and knife. 
The whole are volunteers, except the light infantry of Lebanon. 

On the sixth of September, 1813, when the events of 
the war were rapidly thickening. Colonel Henry Zumalt, 
of Cincinnati, was ordered by General Gano to march 
his regiment of militia, near eight hundred strong, "this 
evening, if possible," to Daytoij, thence to Franklinton, 
the present western division of Columbus. He was to 
be joined on his way by two companies from Hamilton 
and two from Lebanon. Extra pay was offered if the 
troops should be called into actual service. He was in- 
structed to procure musicians, if possible; and an order 
was given on Major Morton for fifty stand of arms and 
accoutrements. 

The story of the war need not be recounted here. It 
will be sufficient if some mention of the deeds of Hamil- 
ton county's sons is made. This was admirably done by 
General Harrison, in an after-dinner speech at the cele- 
bration of the forty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of 
Cincinnati and the Miami country, held in Cincinnati on 
the twenty-sixth of December, 1833, ^Y natives of Ohio. 
We extract in full that portion of his address referring to 
their exploits: 

Your young orator [Joseph Longworth, esq.] has mentioned the per- 
formances of our own Buckeye population in the late war, in terms as 
elocjuent as they were just. I could not think of trespassing upon the 
patience of the company by recounting the merits of all who distin- 
guished tiiemselves ; but I cannot resist the gratification of informing 
the citizens of Cincinnati that they have amongst their number some 
who were as conspicuous for their gallantry as any from Ohio or else- 
where. 

As those who are truly brave are always backward and retiring, I 
think it probable that the anecdotes I shall relate are unknown to the 
greater portion of the inhabitants of this city. To do full justice to my 
gallant friend whom I perceive at some distance on my right [Major 
Gwynne], I must necessarily recount the circumstances which afforded 
the opportunity for distinguishing himself to which I have referred. 
The siege of Fort Meigs had continued some days, when the enemy, 
despairing of making an impression upon our works from their position 
in front, took possession of one on our right flank, on which, in the 
night, they erected two batteries, with the view of enfilading our lines. 
It became necessary to dislodge them, and a sortie for that purpose was 
ordered. I had no means of ascertaining the force by which these bat- 
teries were defended. But it was impossible to suppose it very small, 
and allow their commander the possession of any military knowledge, 
as a large river separated them from his main body- It became neces- 
sary, therefore, to make the detachment ordered on this duty as strong 
as circumstances would permit. It was composed of the com- 
panies of the Seventeenth and Nineteenth regiments of the line 
then in the fort ; the former raised in Kentucky, the latter in Ohio. 
The whole rank and file of .both regiments was about three hundred and 
fifty. To these were added the battalion of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 
and Petersburgh, Virginia, volunteers of about one hundred, and a 
small company of Boone county, Kentucky, militia, for flankers. The 
aggregate of the detachment being about five hundred rank and file, 
were put under the command of Colonel John Miller, of Ohio, the com- 
mandant of the Nineteenth regiment. These troops were drawn up in 
a deep ravine which flanked the fort, to prevent, if possible, the enemy 
from knowing the object they were intended to accomplish. Before the 
advance was ordered the troops were addressed, and the necessity of 
their succeeding and the motives for every one to perform his duty 
pointed out. They were ordered to advance witli trailed arms, to pre- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



83 



vent their fire from being expended before they reached the enemy, and 
the most positive directions given to put to death any man who should 
fire before orders were given to do so. 

The advance was made in hne, the regular troops on the left, their 
centre directly opposite the batteries of the enemy, on their right the 
Pittsburgh and Petersburgh volunteers, and the Kentucky company of 
militia still farther on that flank. From the shape of the ravine from 
which the advance was made, the regular troops had reached the sum- 
mit before the volunteers, and the latter were in some measure masked 
by the hill, when the whole of the enemy's fire was poured upon the 
regulars. The meditated attack was discovered by the enemy, who 
looked into the ravine by climbing trees, and were of course prepared 
to receive it. The effect of the fire was dreadful, as may well be sup- 
posed, from a thousand Northwestern Indians and upwards of two 
hundred British troops in position, delivered from the corner of a wood 
upon troops in line marching through an open plain. I have always 
been of opinion that the loss was greater for the numbers engaged, and 
for the period that the firing lasted, than has ever occurred before or 
since in America. A moment's halt was necessary to close the ranks 
and to disencumber them of the killed and wounded. This was done 
with the precision and coolness of a parade exercise. In another 
moment the "march! march!" was given by the gallant commander, 
and the whole line, regulars and volunteers, rushed upon the enemy. 
They did not remain to receive the shock, although still possessing the 
advantage of position, and then outnumbering the assailants by three 
to one. With the exception of the extreme left flank of Indians, 
their whole line, British and Indians, and Tecumseh, the commander 
of the latter, 'fled; the British to their boats and the Indians to the 
swamps. The company to which your fellow-citizen. Major Gwynne, 
then a lieutenant of the Nineteenth infantry, was attached, was on the 
right of the line of regulars. The battle being over in front, he dis- 
covered that on the right the Kentuckians were still engaged with the 
Indians who had composed the enemy's extreme left, and that they had 
cut them off from our line. Seeing that the danger was pressing, with- 
out waiting for orders he changed the front of his company, charged 
the Indians on the rear, relieved the brave Kentuckians, and, with their 
assistance, completely routed them. That Major Gwynne by this bold 
and prompt movement saved many valuable lives, there can be no 
doubt. The highest reward bestowed upon a Roman soldier was given 
to him who saved the life of a Roman in battle. 

But I perceive that there is another Buckeye at the table who merited 
well of his country under my command in the late war. I am per- 
suaded that a relation of the circumstances will not be unacceptable to 
the company. When the enemy were first discovered advancing on 
Fort Meigs, and their Indians had already encircled the fort, it became 
necessary to send orders to Brigadier-General Green Clay, who was, as 
I knew, advancmg with a brigade of Kentucky militia to join me. As 
it would have been improper to send a written order, when there were 
so many chances of its falling into the hands of the enemy, a person 
was wanted who, to the quahties of sagacity, bravery, fortitude, and 
perseverance, united unquestionable patriotism. For a service of that 
character it is not usual to command its performance by an officer. 
Your fellow-citizen. Major Oliver, at that time an officer of the commis- 
sariat, proffered his services. They were accepted, and he performed 
the duty to my entire satisfaction. The hazard of the undertaking was 
very great, and it was of that kind that even the bravest men would dis- 
like to encounter. The fame which is acquired by such a death, is one 
of the strongest motives to distinguished actions in the field. If Major 
Oliver had perished on this occasion, and the chances were greatly 
against him, he certainly would have been "wept" by his numerous 
friends, but to requote what has been already given, he would have been 
"unhonored and unsung." What have been the rewards of Major 
Gwynne and Major Oliver from their country for the services they 
rendered, I cannot say. Indeed, it appears that the Buckeyes have 
been rather unfortunate in that respect, although always in the hour of 
danger and on the day of battle, they appear to have been frequently 
'overlooked in the division of the spoil. 

A glance at the president of the day [Major Daniel Gano] reminds 
me of the important services rendered by his father; and as he is the 
proper representative of that father, it is within the rules that I should 
mention them. When I first saw the late Major-General John S. 
Gano, it was in the hard winter of 1791-2, at the head of some forty or 
fifty volunteers, united with a body of regular troops, on an excursion 
to the scene of the disastrous battle-ground of the preceding fourth of 
November. An uncommon fall of snow made it necessary for General 
(then Colonel) Wilkinson, who commanded the detachment, to leave 
the infantry and proceed with the mounted volunteers. The great 



depth of snow prevented the accomplishment of the pious purpose of 
burying the dead, for which the enterprise was undertaken. In a few 
weeks from this time. Captain Gano again joined us on the hazardous 
expedition to erect the fort which was named St. Clair. With similar 
small bodies he was ever on the alert— ever ready to afford any assist- 
ance in his power toward the protection of the frontiers, until the gen- 
eral peace with the Indians in r795. In the last war he served under 
my command as major-general at the head of the Ohio quota of mihtia, 
and during my absence on th northern frontier he commanded the 
Ninth Military district, as general-in-chief I can state with confi- 
dence that in all of these situations, whether at the head of forty men 01 
of some thousands, he discharged his duty with the strictest fidelity, 
usefulness, and honor. 

It is unnecessary for me to speak of the military services of my long 
tried and valued friend immediately on my right [General Findlay]. It 
is well known that at the head of a gallant regiment of volunteers, dis- 
ciplined by himself, he sen-ed on the first northwestern campaign of the 
late war. It is equally wefl known that, if his advice and that of his 
gallant compeers (the other colonels of the army) had been adopted, 
the campaign would have had a different result, and the honor of our 
arms would not have been tarnished by an inglorious surrender. 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

"Upon the requisition of the President under an act of 
Congress approved May 13, 1S46, Ohio was called upon 
to furnish three regiments of infantry to the army being 
prepared for the invasion of Mexico. They were promptly 
raised and forwarded, notwithstanding many citizens of 
the State were opposed to the war, and one of them had 
said, upon the floor of Congress, that, were he a Mexi- 
can, he would welcome the Americans "with bloody 
hands to hospitable graves." Colonel Curtis, George W. 
Morgan, and A. M. Mitchell commanded the first regi- 
ments despatched. The next year a fourth regiment was 
called out, and sent to the field in command of Colonel 
Charles H. Brough, who died some years after in Cin- 
cinnati. 

Of the entire Ohio contingent, however, the roll of 
but one company is on file in the adjutant-general's office 
at Columbus. It is that of Captain Otto Zirckel's com- 
mand, in the Fourth regiment of Ohio volunteers, com- 
manded by Colonel Brough. The regiment was mustered 
into service at Cincinnati, May 2.7, 1847, by Colonel 
Ewing, United States army, and mustered out at the 
same place July 18, 1848. The following names are re- 
corded upon the roll of Captain Zirckel's company as , 
those of Hamilton county men : 

Musician Henry Snyder. 

PKIVATE.S. 

Christopher Kastner, Charles Hantzsche, Benedict Diesterweig, John 
Gobler, George Schatzman. 

The rendezvous at Cincinnati was at Camp "Washing- 
ton," established for the purpose of this war in a conve- 
nient locality near Mill creek, upon ground now covered, 
in part, by the city workhouse and the house of refuge. 
The headquarters of the camp are still shown, in a long, 
low building, now used for residence and saloon keeping, 
not far south of the workhouse. The district yet bears 
the old name, though not in a corporate capacity, it now 
and for many years past being a part of the city. 

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

It would require a huge volume to write, in full detail, 
the honarable record made by this county during the 
great civil war. Special chapters will be given in this 
work to "Cincinnati in the War," "The Siege of Cincin- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



nati,"and "The Morgan Raid Through Ohio;" and due 
notices of patriotism and patriotic efforts will be made in 
the histories of the townships. These will allow us to be 
very brief in this introduction to what is, after all, the 
best exhibit of good deeds during the fearful struggle — a 
roster of the immense contingent furnished by Hamilton 
county to the Federal armies. 

The number of camps of rendezvous and equipment 
established in the county would, of itself, furnish evidence 
of the activity of her people in the maintenance of the 
war. The following minor encampments may be enu- 
merated: 

Camp Harrison, north of Cincinnati; established by 
order of Governor Dennison, and named from ex-Presi- 
dent Harrison. 

Camp Clay, at Pendleton, in the then eastern suburbs 
of Cincinnati. 

Camp John McLean, near Cincinnati; named from 
Justice McLean, of the United States Supreme court. 
The Twenty-fifth Ohio infantry, commanded by Colonel 
N. E. McLean, a son of the judge, was quartered here. 

.Camp Gurley; named from the Hon. John A. Gurley, 
one of the members of Congress from Cincinnati. 

Camp Dick Corwine, also near the city; named from 
Major Richard M. Corwine. 

Camp Colerain, near the place of that name, ten miles 
north of Cincinnati. 

Mention is also made of a Camp Wheeler, near Union 
Ridge, in this county, where "Tod's Independent Scouts" 
made their headquarters in July, 1863. 

In September, 1861, the Thirty-first Ohio infantry ren- 
dezvoused at the orphan asylum in Cincinnati; and many 
other public buildings in and about the city were tempo- 
rarily used for quarters at various times during the war. 

The great camp, however, one of the most famous 
cantonments in the county at the time, was Camp Denni- 
son, near Madisonville, in the eastern part of the county, 
on the Little Miami railroad, seventeen miles from the 
then limits of Cincinnati. It was named from Hon. Wil- 
liam Dennison, governor of the State at the outbreak of 
the war, at whose request a site for such camp was se- 
lected in the latter part of April, 1861, by General Rose- 
crans, then a retired army officer in business in Cincinnati. 
One of the prime objects in establishing a large encamp- 
ment in this region was to give a feeling of security to 
the people of the city, in view of the doubtful position of 
Kentucky at this early stage of the war. Captain George 
B. McClellan, president of the Ohio & Mississippi rail- 
road, also a young officer of the regular army, who had 
resigned to engage in civil pursuits, had been appointed 
by Governor Dennison major-general of the Ohio mili- 
tia; and by his invitation Rosecrans accepted the post of 
topographical engineer upon his staff, and proceeded to 
select the camp. The site chosen was a stretch of level 
land, not very broad or long, but sufficient for most pur- 
poses of the camp. The ground was necessarily leased 
at the high rates put ujjon it by the owners ; and the gov- 
ernor was much blamed for what was deemed an extrav- 
agant outlay. It was named from him by General Mc- 
Clellan, who was put in command of the camp, but soon 



left it to assume his new duties as a major-general in the 
regular army. At first it was in charge of the State, and 
gave the governnor and other Ohio officers infinite 
trouble through complaints of bad treatment, insufficient 
food, clothing, tents, arms, etc., and other ills. It was 
early turned over to the General Government, however; 
and was one of the two great camps (the other being 
Camp Chase) maintained by the United States in Ohio 
during and for some time after the Rebellion. Scores of 
regiments were recruited or rendezvoused, equipped, and 
drilled here. Countless thousands of "boys in blue'' 
passed its gates going into or out of the service, or re- 
turning from rebel prison pens to refit for the field. Little 
of it now remains, save a glorious memory, the cemetery 
where rest its hero dead, and the old sign at the entrance. 
The very name of the post office maintained there, sad 
to say, has been changed. The old camp, however, with 
all its bustle, in the pomp and circumstance of war, will 
long live in the recollections of the myriad citizen-soldiers 
who from time to time inhabited it. 

The military committee of Hamilton county should not 
pass without a notice. Its intelligent activity and patriotic 
zeal, in aiding the recruitment of troops and otherwise for- 
warding the Federal cause, were eminently serviceable to 
our armies, and were gratefully acknowledged by the au- 
thorities of the State and the Union. It was originally ap- 
pointed by Governor Dennison, and was mantained, with 
some changes in its personnel, until the close of the war. 
At the end of 1863 it was composed as follows: General 
Joshua H. Bates, chairman; W. H. Davis, secretary; Hon. 
N. W. Thomas, Colonel A. E. Jones, W. W. Lodwick, 
John W. Ellis, Francis Weisnewski, Thomas Sherlock, Eli 
Mushmore, Amzi Magill. Its headquarters were of course 
in Cincinnati. 

It may here also be observed that, besides the long list 
of general officers in the service, who reflected honor upon 
Cincinnati, and who will be enumerated hereafter, the 
county elsewhere furnished to the Northren armies dis- 
tinguished soldiers in the persons of Brigadier-General 
Jacob Am men, of Lockland, and brevet Brigadiers Thom- 
as Kirby Smith, of Colerain, E. Barrett Langdon, of Lin- 
wood, and Benjamin C. Ludlow, of Cumminsville, a 
native of the old Ludlow's Station, at the same place; be- 
sides many of lesser rank. 

We now come to 

THE IMMENSE ROSTER 

of the Hamilton county contingent in the late war. If 
has been compiled from the rolls in the bureau of the 
Adjutant-General of the State, where every courtesy and 
convenience have been kindly afforded for the work. 
Happily, few RebeUion rolls are missing from this great 
collection, except in some cases of three-months regi- 
ments or companies; and fortunately, too, for twenty-nine 
regiments of infantry, eight regiments of cavalry, and 
seven batteries, at the time this compilation was made, 
the records had been reduced to such system and shape 
that it was possible to present a full roster of each of 
these commands. For the others, the muster-in rolls 
must in general suffice, as is usual in histories of this 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



85 



kind. The writer has been embarrassed, not only by the 
magnitude of the Ust, but by the difficulty, in many 
cases, of identifying officers or men as belonging to 
Hamilton county. No means exist in the adjutant- 
general's office, apart from the rolls, for such identifica- 
tion; and these are not always reliable. Entire com- 
panies, raised in other parts of the State, were re-enrolled 
at Cincinnati or Camp Dennison, and appear accordingly 
upon the rolls, and large numbers of men from other 
parts of the State and country went to these places for 
their original enlistment; while many Hamilton county 
citizens were enrolled at points outside of the county or 
"in the field," particularly for veteran services, and can- 
not now be recognized, except by those who personally 
know the facts, as Hamilton county volunteers. Not- 
withstanding the faithful use of Mr. Raid's invaluable 
book, Ohio in the War, and other available sources of in- 
formation as to the locale of companies, regiments, and 
individual enlistments, it is probable that some hundreds, 
at least, are herein accredited to this county that belong 
to other counties, and that quite as many whose names 
should appear upon this roster, have been omitted, be- 
cause the rolls do not furnish the data by which they can 
be recognized as of the Hamilton "Grand Army." But 
every effort has been made to secure as full and nearly 
accurate a roster as possible under the circumstances. 

In general, it has been thought safest to include in this 
roll of honor all who were recruited in Cincinnati or the 
townships of Hamilton county, so far as shown by the 
records; and to omit those enrolled at Camp Dennison, 
unless some other evidence has been found that they be- 
long to the county. Many names, it will be observed, 
are duplicated, and some, perhaps, triplicated, by re-en- 
listments, transfers, or promotions. In all cases, if the 
period of service is not specified in the history or roll of 
the regiment, it will be understood that the muster-in was 
"for three years, or during the war." The orthography 
of the rolls has'been followed; but discrepancies of spell- 
ing to be found in them make it reasonably certain that 
many whose names appear herein will experience that 
peculiar sort of fame of which Byron speaks — having 
their names spelt wrongly in print. 

HAMILTON MEN IN KENTUCKY REGIMENTS. 

A number of companies recruited in this county, which 
could not be received for the three-months' service, ren- 
dezvoused spontaneously at the Methodist camp-meeting 
ground, on the Colerain pike, eleven miles from the city 
(Camp Colerain). Among these were the Valley guards,, 
recruited in and about Clifton, Cumminsville, and Carth- 
age, of which the following named were officers : 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Flamen Ball, jr. 

First Lieutenant W. H. Hiclcock. 

Second Lieutenant Fredericlc Cook. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

^ First Sergeant John Joyce, 
Sergeant Henry Hayward. 
Sergeant William Scanlan. 
Sergeant S. J. Lawrence. 
Corporal John Shaw. 
Corporal C. Drier. 
Corporal Henry Jessan. 



Colonel P. J. Sullivan was recruiting a regiment in Cin- 
cinnati, and finding it could not be received at Camp 
Harrison, marched a number of his companies, about 
eight hundred men in all, to the camp-meeting ground. 
They included the Rough and Ready guards, Captain 
Spellmyer; the Miami guards. Captain Boyer; the 
Zouave cadets, Captain Joseph A. Stacy; the Beck 
guards. Captain Beck; the Fulton Continentals, Captain 
David Johns; and the Union artillery. Captain Joseph 
Whittlesey. The several companies subsequently went 
to Camp Clay, where they were joined by a company 
from Louisville, for which no provision was made in 
Kentucky, the governor of that State having declined 
to furnish the men asked from that State. Patriotic 
Ohio, however, supplied the deficiency in great part; and 
President Lincoln, upon the solicitations of Judge Chase 
and other Ohioans, consented to receive as the First and 
Second Kentucky regiments the organizations effected at 
Camp Clay. They were equipped and prepared for the 
field at the expense of this State, but >vere in time lecog- . 
nized by the authorities of Kentucky, who issued com- 
missions to their officers. They were as follows : 

FIRST KENTUCKY INFANTRY. 
FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel James N. Guthrie. 
Lieutenant Colonel D. H. Enyart. 
Major Bartholomew Loper. 
Quartermaster Captain Gilbert Clemmens. 

SECOND KENTUCKY INFANTRY. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel William E. Woodruff. 
Lieutenant Colonel George W. Neff. 
Major Thomas G. Sedgwick. 
Quartermaster Captain Joseph Blundell. 

By far the larger part of these, like the men of the regi- 
ments, were Hamilton county citizens — Cincinnatians. 
The commands saw their first service in the brigade of 
General Jacob D. Cox, in the army of West Virginia. 
They served a longer term than the period of original 
enlistment, and made very creditable records in the field. 

THE HISTORIES AND ROSTERS. 

For the material of the following introductionary his- 
tories, recourse has been had almost exclusively to that 
unrivalled repository of information concerning Ohio in 
the war — Mr. Whitelaw Reid's great work bearing that 
name. 

FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 

(Three months' service.) 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

John Bischansen, Nicholas Kirchhimer, Charles Kneip, John Link, 

Robert Visel, Martin Ritter, Henry Speier, Nicholas Schmid, William 

Schubert, Albert Voelkle. 

(Three years' service.) 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Sergeant Major Charles H, Winner. 

COMPANY C. 

PRIVATE. 

Charles A. Stine. 

COMPANY D. 

iNON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Alfred Smift. 
Teamster Daniel Groves. 



86 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



PRIVATES. 

Matthew Asken, Jacob Effinger, .Abraham Busch, Samuel S. Dean, 
Richard Gregory, Hugh Gray, William A. Huddard, George Jamison, 
Chester C. Logan, Cornelius Lowe, Franlilin Moon, John Phillips, 
William A. Withrop, Benjamin Young, Lewis Young. 

SECOND OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was enlisted at first for three months, under the 
call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand men. 
It was mustered into service at Columbus, April 17, 
1 86 1, only three days after Fort Sumter was evacuated. 
It was at the first battle of Bull Run, and bore honorable 
part in the service around Washington until July, when it 
was mustered out at the expiration of its term, and re- 
organized at Camp Denison as a three-years' regiment in 
August and September. A majority of the field, line, 
and staff officers had already seen service with the three- 
months' men. The regiment moved into eastern Ken- 
tucky in September, 1861, and by its good behavior did 
much to ingratiate itself and the Union cause in that 
region. Its subsequent service was with General Buell's 
army, Generals Rosecrans, Thomas and Sherman. It 
was in the battle of Stone River and Chickamauga, in 
those of the Atlanta campaign, and in several minor 
actions. The nucleus of the regiment, like that of the 
Sixth and others raised iri Cincinnati, was formed in one of 
the peace organizations of the city. It was commanded 
during part of its career by Colonel Leonard A. Harris, 
ex-mayor of Cincinnati, and a native of that city. Most 
of the field, staff and band, two companies, and some 
recruits scattered through other companies, were from 
Hamilton county. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Anson G. McCoolc. 
Colonel Leonard A. Harris. 
Lieutenant Colonel John Kell. 
Lieutenant Colonel Obediah C. Maxwell. 
Major William T. Beatty. 
Surgeon Daniel E. Wade. 
Surgeon Benjamin F. Miller. 
Assistant Surgeon Thomas J. Shannon. 
Assistant Surgeon William A. Carmichael. 
Quartermaster Ira H. Bird. 
Adjutant George Vandegriff. 
Adjutant John W. Thomas. 
Chaplain Ma.vwell P. Gaddis. 

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF. 

Sergeant-Major Horace R. Abbott. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Albert F. Fisher. 

Commissary Sergeant Jacob Hogue. 

Principal Musician Charles Seibold. 

Prisoner of War.^oseph C. Ault, Hospital Steward. 

Died. — Marion A. Ross, Jacob Thompson, Sergeant-Majors ; Samuel 
Price, of the band. 

Transferred. — George Cochran, Quartermaster Sergeant ; William 
Dodge, Principal Musician. 

Discharged. — George H. Hollister, Julius F. Williams, Aaron W. 
McCune, Sergeant Majors ; Enoch P. Hoover, Hospital Steward ; 
George Thayer, Ordnance Sergeant. 

REGIMENTAL BAND. 

Burton C. McCoy, Leader; First class musicians, John W. Bates, 
Charles Bates, John Clinton, Cyprian H. Winget ; Second class, 
Hiram Cooli, Franlilin Steven, David Shatter, Ransford R. Whitehead, 
Thomas Witmore ; Third class, John Busby, George Brant, John H. 
Brown, Jason M. Case, George W. Owens, Rosoloo Smith, Benjamin 
F. Tufts. 

COMPANY D. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William A. Smith. 

Captain James Warnock. 



First Lieutenant George W. Landrum. 
Second Lieutenan, John F. Davis. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Anthony W. Henry. 
Sergeant Henry E. Ross. 
Sergeant Ezekiel A. Howard. 
Sergeant James Purden. 
Sergeant Geoige W. Briggs. 
Corporal John H. Quigley. 
Corporal Isaac W. Craig. 
Corporal Albert Jenkins. 
Corporal John C. Wones. 
Corporal George Rust. 
Wagoner James Cowan. 

PRIVATES. 

William Allen, George Ansfaugh, Joseph Binkley, Joseph N. Cutler, 
Thomas Clark, Francis M. Cox, John H. Dressing, Henry Gilson, 
Michael Gallivan, John B. Hunston, Theodore Hughes, John Huddle- 
ston, Alfred Jones, Alexander Johnson, Michael Lynch, John Ludrick, 
Lewis Mangum, George Mollitor, William Menke, George W. Mitch- 
ell, Joseph McAfee, Thomas O'Connor, Marcus O'Connor, Philip 
Reilly, David W. Slusser, William Simpson, Michael Tovey, Amos 
Westfall, William A. Williams, James Welsh, Richard Benson, 
Walter B. Bell, John Clifford, Samuel Graham, John Kennedy, 
David S. Long, Michael Mclneray, John McCune, Bernard 
O'Meally, William Porter, Charles A. Proctor, Hugh Redmon, Julius 
Shelley. 

Prisoners of War. — Albert E. Thatcher, James Peese, John Darragh, 
Walter S. McHugh, James McNally, William Patton, Peter Reenan, 
Jonathan Simpson. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal William H. Jones. Privates Michael 
Bausch, Henry Demeling, James Doyle, Harry Harle, James Henry, 
John Meade, Thomas Traccy. 

Missing. — Corporal William Cunningham. 

Died. — Sergeant Thomas J. Moore, Corporal John C. Elliott, Pri- 
vates Daniel Bannon, Charles H. Beal, Frederick Ropp, Thomas 
Stack, John E. Weaver. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants George N. Gates and John F. Davis, 
Privates Michael Costegan, Murty Gallevan, Augustus Wood, William 
Harvey, Marion Julian, James Matthews, William McCarter, Archibald 
McAfee, Michael Newman, William Pitman, George W. Ross, Henry 
Straddhng, William J. Weist, Hannibal Wilson. 

Transferred. — Sergeant Julius F. Williams, Musician William Dodge, 
Privates Marcus L. Brown, Lawrence Coen, Jacob A. Hogue, George 
Moore, Abraham Smith. 

COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES. , 

Frank Nolte harles McGurn, William M. Tatman (both discharged). 
COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Henell. 

Captain Jacob Totrell. 

First Lieutenant Jerome A. Fisher. 

Second Lieutenant Henry Purlier. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Alfred Lafore. 
Sergeant Augustus Crawford. 
Corporal James McLaughlin. 
Corporal Charles E. Brown. 
Corporal Isaac Wilson, 
Corporal James C. Norton. 
Corporal John Keifer. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles H. Abbott, Jonas Boggs, James Duncan, Michael Doherty, 
George Epke, William Gold, John R. Hallam, Jeremiah Hogan, Rob- 
ert L, Lind, Theodore Spinner, John Striker, John Whistler, Thomas 
Wiggins, Ernest Beerbaum, John Battles, George Cook, William T. 
Gray, Halford H. Heick, John Norvasky, James Rice. ^ 

Prisoners of War. — Sergeants George M. Hall and Benjamin John- 
son: Corporal Philip Lipps; Privates Robert Baggott, Charles W. 
Chard, John Dumas, William Egan, John Hillstrip, Bernard Hester, 
Henry Lanfersiek, John Miner. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal Samuel Hall; Privates George Capp and 
Patrick O'Donnell. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



S7 



Died. — Privates George W. Hacliwalder and James L. Shell. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Henry Purlier; Privates William Camer, 
Lawrence Fagan, John Gold, Ezra Mock, Patrick McCarty, Joseph 
Nealy, Thomas H. Orr, Frederick Quamby, George Thayei, William 
H. Walker. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Aaron W. McCune; Sergeant James A. 
Suter; Privates Timothy Brannon, James Crouch, Joshua Dunkley, 
Charles F. English, James Kirby, John Mageer, Richard N. Ross, Jo- 
seph Wellington, Jesse C. Young. 

On muster-in but not on muster-out roll. — Musician Kendall Edson. 

COMPANY I. 
Private John Kramer, transferred 

THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was raised for the three months' service, 
and was re-enlisted for three years. It was first mustered 
into service April 27, r86r. Its earliest duty was in the 
preparation of Camp Dennison, a few miles from Cincin- 
nati, and it did not take the field until after its re-organ- 
ization in June. Its most notable service was as mounted 
infantry in Colonel Streight's expedition into northern 
Georgia, in early April, 1863, when almost the entire 
command was captured. One company of the three 
years' regiment was from Cincinnati, and the other com- 
panies from the city were in the three months' service. 

(For three months). 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Lewis Wilson. 

Fife Major Jerome F. Dandelet. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George M. Finch. 
First Lieutenant Edwin D. Saunders. 
Second Lieutenant Frederick S. Wallace. 
Lieutenant Stephen M. Athearn. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Swift. 
Sergeant Roswell G. Feltus. 
Sergeant William Buchman. 
Sergeant William Suckles. 
Corporal William Young. 
Corporal James M. Walker. 
Corporal Joseph L. Flenner. 
Corporal Milton H. Lydick. 
Musician E. Vanpelt. 
Musician George T. Suter. 

PRIVATES. 

W. H. H. Taylor, jr., Charles L. Feltus, Henry Hofkanip, William 
Kiefer, Edwin C. Saunders, J. Martin, M. B. Chamberlain, C. D. 
Griggs, A. B, Benton, Charles Hulvershorn, James Vanpelt, J.J. Beahr, 
Frank A. Armstrong, E. S. Cooke, George W. Johnson, J. Frank Mil- 
ler, William W. Miller, William C. Mudge, Thomas L. Wentworth 
George L. Pendery, John Davis, George F. Walters, J. B. Holman, 
John C. Martin, Enoch C. Jacobs, D. S. Pearce, J. L. Hann, Charles 
B. Schondt, A. J. Noble, William Scott, Charles M. Stout, R. C. Steen, 
O. Taxis, Edmond H. Davis, A. King, John L. McElhaney, Joseph 
A. Clark, W. H. Speed, S. A. Harrison, William Weye, D. W. Sny- 
der, Joseph Foss, Robert Cameron, F. McGrew, Thomas Colgan, A. 
Alexander, Charles Guiss, Charles L. Shannon, A. Stevens, Samue. 
Warwick, T. P. Cavanaugh, W. H. McDevitt, P. Bohl, Urath B 
Jones, N. B. Holman, John Holtzwiger, John M. Hubbell, William A. 
Koon, William Torrey, Joseph Ryan, John Nealy, Henry L. Williams. 
George C. Kithchen, Andrew Reuss, Henry De Bus, William Sterritt, 
William Stewart, J. N. Kuntz, W. K. Perrine, Lewis Roderige, James 
R. Smith, Frank Thieman. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain J. E. Baldwin. 
First Lieutenant J. E. Riggs. 
Second Lieutenant G. H. Aiken. 
Lieutenant George Vandergriff. 



Lieutenant C. A. Newman. 
Lieutenant Eugene C. Wilson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant W. E. Oakley. 
Sergeant C. S. Bums. 
Sergeant Charles Mendenhall. 
Sergeant W. G. Ross. 
Corporal B. T. Wright. 
Corporal D. W. Pierson. 
Corporal P. R. Mitchell. 
Corporal L. V. Horton. 
Bugler J. F. Dandelet. 

PRIVATES. 

E. R. Davidson, J. Calhoun Wright, M. Strohraeier, C. W. Miner, 
David S. French, Jacob S. Burnett, A. E. Doisey, C. F. McKenzie, 
W. H. Childs, George H. Hull, W. P. Egan, Charles Faulman, Thomas 
Jones, O. T. Gunn, E. J. Lukens, George McCammon, J. T. Piggott, 
jr., Ira Athearn, E. E. C. Swift, W. W. Wilmot, Charles B, Ellis, 
Thomas T. Wheeler, B. H. Parsons, S. H. Bascom, Thomas Coen 
J. W. Johnston, George H. Palmer, J. W. Craven, P. Bucher, George 
W. Ward, T. Brickham, J. Small, C. H. Phelps, Isaac West, B. H. 
Snyder, R. W. McComas, Thomxs Webb, J. H. Simpson, Nathan 
Guilford, Alfred Koste, L. H. Hill, E. H. Hussey, M. B. Bailey, A. H. 
Russell, William Mitchell, G. Rudolph, H. P. Radcliff, T. Deming, 
E. E. Isabel, B. B. Fearing, T. Wilton, R. R. Martin, H. Tilden, 
Benjamin Harbison, John Snosey, jr., F. S. Taylor, jr., Henry Schultz, 
W. C. Williams, Ogden Mender, John A. Wright, J. A. Arthur, Frank 
Sterns. 

COMPANY I. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Leonard A. Harris. 

First Lieutenant William J. Smith. 

Second Lieutenant John Herrel. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

. First Sergeant Axe.xander Campbell. 
Sergeant Francis N. Gibson. 
Sergeant John Anthony. 
Sergeant Charles C. Martin. 
Corporal Timothy Crannon. 
Corporal Jerome A. Fisher. 
Corporal F. Rickey. 
Corporal John Davis. 

PRIVATES. 

Herman Act, Patrick Burk, John Barrett, Victor Burnham, John H. 
Burnham, Joshua Bailey, Henry Bleaker, Edward Brady, Marshall 
Bruce, Frederick Brodey, Edward Blackburn, Edward Clyde, John 
Cosgrove, Frederick Carson, William I. Campbell, George Curtis, 
John Davis, James Disberry, Irwin C. Darling, John Dixon, William 
Dorley, Simon P. Elliott, Christopher Ellis, John Ernest, John Ford, 
Martin Foltz, John Feber, Benjamin Gylle, Jasper Holman, Adam 
Hass, Henry Hosmanger, Jere Hogan, Thomas Hartless, James Ho- 
ban, Herman Kopper, WiUiam- Johnson, Frederick Johnson, John 
Johnson, Norris JaUison, Henry Kokenbrink, Thomas Kenneday, 
Timothy Lawton, Martin Leopold, Valentine Lenhart, James Lozier, 
Henry McCren, George N. McCabe, John McGovern, George Miller, 
John Mitchell, Patrick Morrisey, James Manshot, Henry M. Nichols, 
Sames N. Nutt, Alfred G. Norissey, Charles Newman, Paul Newmiller, 
James O'Conner, John O'Connell, John Penny, Thomas Powers, 
Thomas Payne, Thomas Reynold, Fjancis Rhody, Anthony Schwagart, 
William Stager, Henry Sanders, Thomas Simons, William Schafer, 
John Sailman, William Swift, John Stewart, David Thayer, Henry 
Vanfield, Christopher Whaking, William Walfeck, Charles Young, 
Herman Bartlett, Charles Cary, Paul M. Farnsworth, Charles Kent, 
Peter N. Smidth. 

(For three years.) 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Philip Fithian. 
Captain Edward M. DriscoU. 
First Lieutenant John Richey. 
First Lieutenant WiUiam A. Curry. 
Second Lieutenant Charles Trownsell. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry D. Bander. 
Sergeant Thomas W. Kruse. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Sergeant Gilbert B. McWhick. 
Corporal Philip Stegner. 
Corporal Jesse Bronson. 
Corporal Thomas B. Teetor. 
Wagoner William Stoul. 

PRIVATES. 

Rudolph Baehr, August Brewer, James Curry, William Dooley, Cal- 
lahill Dooley, Edward English, Benjamin Holmes, Harry Hamilton, 
George W. Howell, Lewis Klingler, William Lawler, Frank Metz, 
Albert Musser, Edwin McMillen, John McClamthan, Frank O'Connor, 
Robert Potts, Henry Phillips, Albert Stimson, John Stanferman, Charles 
Schwab, August Schwager, Andrew Schneller, Fred Vanlieu, Herman 
D. Willman, Joseph Weber, Manasses Brown, George Bellville, Caspar 
Davis, Calvin Bills, Fred Eichenlaub, Parker Ernst, David Finch, James 
Frank, Frank Gallagher, Richard Howe, Harrison Kipp, James King, 
William Linch, John D. Moore, William McMillen, Daniel O'Keef, 
Charles Phillips, John Pohlman, Jacob Smith, Daniel Spencer, Michael 
Str.aber, Frank Stanferman, Thomas Tydings, John Wellman, Conrad 
Webber, John T. Welsh. . 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeant William V. McCoabrie, Corporal Joseph 
Bahlman. Privates Louis Whitmore, Henry Barney, Henry Loche- 
mey, John B. Naylor. 

Died. — Sergeant Charles Cannon. Private Charles Hart. 

Discharged.— First Sergeants William A. Curry, David J. Krule ; 
privates John Atkins, Michael Black, John Baird, Benjamin Bonner, 
Henry C. Bliner, Benjamin Crawford, William Cartman, William Chase, 
John F. Droste, George A. Henry, John Knapp, James Lawrence, 
Arthur Lyle, George Richey, James Smith, Cincinnatus Stinson, James 
Vaulien, Edward Wessel. 

Transferred. — Sergeant Sebastian E. Francis, Musician Richard De- 
Butts ; privates August Birnbriger, John Coste, Alexander Driscoll, 
Frank Dick, Charles Graham, Joan Hartley, WiUiam N. Keys, John 
Lanch, John Lawrence, Emil Miller, William Mills, William H. Mc- 
Graw, Edward Massey, James O'Conner, Charles T. Palmer, Nathan 
Reed, George F. Say, Yeustace Smith, Martin Smith, Joseph Schweder. 
Daniel Shaw, Sylvan'us Stewart, Joseph Shries, Thomas Thackeray, , 
Copple Tippanhauer, James Vermilyea. 

On muster-in, but not on muster-out roll. — Privates James Cottle, 
Charles French, Richard Linch, James Linton, Joseph D. Murry, Wil- 
liam Vandine. 

On muster-in roll March 31, 1864, but not on muster-out roll. — Private 
Cornelius Driscoll. 

FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Mustered into service April 4 and May 5, 1861. 

Private George Wilson. 

FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was also originally one of the three-months' 
organizations, and was made up of young men from Cin- 
cinnati and the vicinity. It went into Camp Harrison, 
near that city, April 20, 1861; was mustered into the 
Federal service May 3d; was transferred to Camp Den- 
nison May 23d; re-enlisted in a body for three years the 
next month, and was re-mustered June 20th, and started 
for the , field in western Virginia, July loth. Its first 
service here was under Brigadier General Charles W. 
Hill, under whom a very toilsome march was taken over 
the spurs of the Alleghanies, in a vain effort to intercept 
the retreating troops of the rebel General Garnet. It 
then engaged in guard duty and drill at Parkersburgh 
until August 5th, when it moved to Buckhannon, and lay 
there until November 3d. Near this point companies A, 
B, and C had a sharp fight with a party of rebels, losing 
one man and killing several of the enemy. Thence the 
regiment marched to New Creek on the Baltimore & 
Ohio railroad, and presently to Romney, where it had 
hard service, entire companies being sent out daily on 
scouts, and supplying very large details for picket duty, 
some of whom had their posts six or seven miles from 
camp. Colonel Dunning, of the Fifth, here took com- 



mand of the forces in and about Romney, in place of 
General Kelly, who was disabled by a wound. Hearing 
of a rebel force of fifteen hundred at Blue's Gap, sixteen 
miles out, he moved a detachment against it during a 
driving snow storm on the night of January 6, 1862, 
surprised the enemy, killing twenty of them, capturing a 
number, with two cannon, and destroying the mill and 
other property of the rebel Colonel Blue, at that point. 
This was the beginning of the Fifth Ohio's reputation for 
bravery and thorough-going dealing with the rebels. 
The confederate papers soundly anathematized the regi- 
ment led "by a butcher," and advised their commanders 
to show its metnbers no quarter. Within fifteen hours 
from the time of starting the regiment was back at Rom- 
ney, having in that short space of time marched thirty- 
four miles and fought a spirited and successful action. 

General Lander took command of the forces shortly 
after, and the regiment was moved in rapid succession 
to a number of places, marching and countermarching 
for more than a month, and suffering much from the 
inclement season. February 13th, with the Eighth Ohio 
and a cavalry force, it made a reconnoisance in force on 
Bloomney Furnace, during which the cavalry engaged 
the enemy and won a victory. March 18th, under Gen- 
eral Shields, it participated in another reconnoisance to 
Strasburgh, the enemy being pushed several miles 
beyond Mt. Jackson, but without bringing on an action. 
On the twenty-second, from Winchester the regiment 
was moved out hastily and the next- day reached Kerns- 
town and took a position to support a battery, where it 
was attacked, with other forces in the battle, about nine 
A. M. It held its place until afternoon, when five com- 
panies were detached and moved alone against an over- 
whelming force, whose fire they sustained alone in an 
open field for some time, returning it with interest, until 
reinforcements came, when the united commands ad- 
vanced and soon routed the enemy. Five color-bearers 
of the regiment were successively shot down in this short 
but sharp fight, among them Captain George B. Whit- 
com, of Cincinnati. The Fifth is believed to have saved 
the day, at least on this part of the field. Not long 
after the rout here the enemy began his retreat, getting 
off without further disaster in the darkness of the night. , 
The Fifth lost forty-seven killed and wounded in the bat- 
tle of Winchester. The regimental colors received 
forty-eight bullet holes in this .action, and the State flag ten. 
A movement was soon after begun beyond , Strasburgh, 
through Woodstock, and to the Shenandoah, where a 
destroyed bridge and Ashby's cavalry on the other side 
checked their advance. A dash was made by the Fifth 
and some cavalry into Mt. Jackson, but the enemy fled 
before their arrival. The regiment then encamped at 
Newmarket, Colonel Dunning commanding the brigade. 
In a fortnight it advanced to Harrisonburgh, where. May 
7th, a beautiful stand of colors was presented by a depu- 
tation from the city council of Cincinnati, as a token of 
appreciation at home of the regiment's bravery and 
efficiency in the late battle. 

May 1 2th another march was begun, which continued 
to Falmouth, one hundred and fifty miles distant. May 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



25th it moved to Front Royal, and June 3d reached the 
Shenandoah again, having marched in three weeks two 
hundred and eighty-five miles through mud and rain 
without meeting an enemy and with scarcely half rations. 
June 9th, however, at Port Republic, it became hotly 
engaged, and behaved with its usual courage and dash. 
After some firing by volley, it charged two rebel regi- 
ments covered by a fence and drove them into the woods, 
where they were again charged and one field gun cap- 
tured. Moving to the left, it repelled a charge upon one 
of our batteries, but had presently to cover a retreat, in 
which it lost one hundred and eighty-five men taken cap- 
tive. Its total loss in this affair — killed, wounded, and 
prisoners — was two hundred and forty-four. Many inci- 
dents of personal valor and cunning occurred to the Fifth 
here. Lieutenant Kirkup, of Cincinnati, after being 
taken, escaped his guard and went but a little way, when 
he met two rebels and claimed them as prisoners. They 
gave up, and under their guidance he got out of the 
mountains and rejoined his command. The colors were 
saved on the retreat by color corporals Brinkman and 
Shaw wrapping them about their bodies and swimming 
the Shenandoah, whence they made their way to General 
Fremont's command four days after. The retreat was 
kept up to Luray, where rest was had till June 24th, 
when the regiment moved through Thoroughfare Gap to 
Bristow's Station, and was thenceforth on daily march for 
five weeks, over more than five hundred miles, compelled 
thereto by the rapid and obscure movements of Stonewall 
Jackson in the valley. When at last halted at Alexan- 
dria, the men o'" the Fifth were completely fagged out, 
were shelterless, and nearly naked. After rest and re- 
equipment on the twenty-fifth of July it went by rail to 
Warrenton, remaining there some days, and thence march- 
ing to Little Washington. Here General Tyler, com- 
manding the brigade, took leave of it, and particularly of 
the Fifth, which was specially endeared to him. Gen- 
eral Geary, afterwards governor of Pennsylvania, suc- 
ceeded him. August 9th, from Culpeper Court-House, 
the regiment made a forced march to the battle-field of 
Cedar Mountain, in which it took full part. Colonel Pat- 
rick commanding. The Union forces were pressed back 
by overwhelming numbers, and the Fifth lost eighteen 
killed, thirteen officers and eighty-nine men wounded, 
and two missing, out of two hundred and seventy-five in 
the action. Among the badly wounded was Lieutenant 
Colonel Armstrong, who was obliged to retire from field 
service. 

The Fifth participated in the retrograde movements of 
Pope's army and the terrible battles on the plains of Man- 
assas. After brief respite it joined the forces pursuing 
the rebels, passing through Frederick City and other 
points, and reaching the field of Antietam September 
i6th. Here it was closely engaged the next day, under 
command of Major Collins, once in a hand-to-hand con- 
flict, in which many of the men used the butts of their 
guns, until the enemy slowly and slubbornly gave way. 
At another point the brigade to which it belonged, reduced 
to five hundred men, held its ground against a much 
larger force, and was so poorly supported that it had to 



fall back to avoid being outflanked. In this battle the 
Fifth emptied its cartridge boxes three times, firing about 
one hundred shots per man, and marking the front of its 
positions by rows of dead rebels. It lost fifty-four men 
killed and wounded, of one hundred and eighty engaged. 
Its next camp was at Dumfries, in December, where the 
garrison was attacked on the twenty-seventh by Stuart's 
cavalry, the action lasting through an entire afternoon, 
when the rebels retreated. Lieutenants Walker and Le- 
Force, of company G, were killed, three of the regiment 
wounded, and five taken. The Fifth then rested at 
Dumfries till April 24, 1863, when it joined the advance 
of Hooker across the Rappahannock, and was engaged 
throughout at Chancellorsville, performing a distinguished 
part in that bloody action. It was also in the great bat- 
tle of Gettysburgh, July 3d, and in the fruitless pursuit 
that followed. Lieutenant Brinkman, one of the heroes of 
Port Republic, was killed at Gettysburgh. In August, 
the regiment was sent to New York city to quell the 
draft riots, and remained there till September 8th, when 
it returned to Alexandria, and after sundry marches was 
taken by rail to Murfreesborough, Tennessee, receiving 
many tokens of regard as it passed through Ohio, but not 
being allowed to visit Cincinnati, where many of the 
men had not been for two and a half years. October 3, 
1863, they reached the intrenchments at Murfreesborough, 
and finding the enemy in the vicinity, whom they assisted 
in repelling. Rejoining the Potomac troops, the Elev- 
enth and Twelfth corps, which had been transported to 
Lookout valley, the Fifth took part in the famous "battle 
above the clouds;" afterwards did post duty at Bridge- 
port, Alabama, was in the advance on Atlanta and some 
of the battles of that campaign, in one of the first of 
which Colonel Patrick lost his life. The time of the reg- 
iment expired during this movement, and it was moved 
to the rear in charge of prisoners. Many of the men, 
notwithstanding their hard service, decided to re-enlist, 
and had the privilege of a short furlough. They soon 
rejoined the conquering host pressing upon Atlanta, and 
were in the march to the sea and through the Carolinas 
and the great reviews at Washington, from which they 
returned to Cincinnati. They were mustered out at 
Louisville, July 26, 1865, and finally paid and discharged 
at Camp Dennison. 

Scarcely any Ohio regiment has a more remarkable 
history. It took part in twenty-eight engagements, in- 
cluding six pitched battles, with many reconnoissances 
and skirmishes, marched on foot one thousand three hun- 
dred and seventy-five miles, travelled nine hundred and 
ninety-three miles by rail, and sustained a total loss of 
five hundred men, killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

(Three Months' Service). 
FIELD AND STAFF. 
Colonel Samuel H. Dunning 
Lieutenant Colonel John H. Patrick. 
Major William Gaskill. 
Adjutant Harry G. Armstrong. 
Quartermaster Caleb C. Whetson. 
Surgeon Alfred Ball. 
Assistant Surgeon Curtis J. Bellows. 
Chaplain Samuel L. Youstice. 
Sergeant Major James W. Miller. 



90 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Quartermaster Sergeant William P. Jackson. 

Commissary Sergeant William F. Sheffield. 

Hospital Steward William F. Tibbals. 

Principal Musician William JVIcAUister. 

Principal Musician Thomas Davis. 

Principal Musician Edward White. 

Band Leader William J. Jewess. 

Band— Henry W. Scherer, Edward Schellhorn, Peter Spryer, Wil- 
liam C. Lynn, Andrew Mather, Alexander H. Bierman, James A. 
Campbell, Alexander H. Hatcher, Thomas C. Sheppard, James D. 
Fuller, James H. Rider, James M. Heyl, Thomas Marlatt, Robert 
Davis. 

(All Other rolls of this regiment, for the three-months' 
service, are missing froin the adjutant general's office). 

(Si.x Months' Service). 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Samuel H. Dunning. 

Colonel John H. Patrick. 

Lieutenant Colonel Harry G. Armstrong. 

Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Kilpatrick. 

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkup. 

Major William Gaskill. 
, Major John Collins. 

Major Henry E. Symmes. 

Major Krewson Yerkes. 

Surgeon Alfred Ball. 

Surgeon Alexander E. Jenner. 

Assistant Surgeon Charles Greenleaf. 

Assistant Surgeon Curtis J. Bellins. 

Assistant Surgeon Orestes L. Fields. 

Assistant Surgeon William F. Tibbals. 

Assistant Surgeon Jairies G. Jenkin. 

Chaplain Samuel L. Yousteer. 

Adjutant Thomas Hefferman. 

Adjutant Charles Smith. 

Adjutant William H. Thomas. 

Adjutant Henry A. Tortman. 

Adjutant Henry C. Koogle. 

Quartermaster John M. Paver. 

Quartermaster Caleb C. Whitson. 

Sergeant Major James Richey. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Ward. 

Commissary Sergeant Andrew J. Barr. 

Hospital Steward Robert S. McClure. 

Fife Major Edward White. 

Drum Major James Lyons. 

Died. — Sergeant Major Robert Graham. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Majors Herman Belmer, Stephen Codding- 
ton, James Clark, Joseph Miller, Augustus Moovert; Quartermaster 
Sergeants Williani Calter, Peter A. Cozine, George P. Humphreys, 
- William P. Jackson, Matthias Schwab, William Tomlinson; Commis- 
sary Sergeants Edward R. Anthony, Charles Baldwin, Joseph L. 
Gaul; Drum Majors George W. Bennett, William McAllister; Fife 
Majors Thomas Davis, Henry Kent. 

Transferred. — Sergeant Major Thomas Hussey; Quartermaster Ser- 
geant William Daum; Commissary Sergeants Alfred G. Swain and 
William Sheffield; Hospital Stewards Francis McNaily and Edward 
White. 

REGIMENTAL BAND. 

Leader, William J. Jervis; first-class, Henry W. Scherer, Edward 
Schellhorn, Peter Schreger; second-class, W. C. Lynn, A. H. Bier- 
man, Andrew Mather, J. A. Campbell; third-class, A. H. Hatcher, 
Thomas C. Sheppard, James D. Fuller, James W. Heyl, Robert Davis, 
James H. Rider, Thomas Marlatt. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Jacob A. Remley. 
Captain Frederick W. Moore. 
Captain Charles Friedshurn. 
Captain Thomas W. Scott. 
First Lieutenant George H. Whiteamp. 
First Lieutenant Thomas Hussey. 
First Lieutenant Austin T. Shirer. 
First Lieutenant Caleb C. Whitson. 



First Lieutenant Edward R. Anthony. 
First Lieutenant William B. Neal. 
Second Lieutenant Peter A. Cozine. 
Second Lieutenant Robert H. Barret. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph W. Miller. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George Heinzenberg. 
Sergeant Christian Krauft. 
Sergeant George Beinhart. 
Sergeant Jacob Rice. 
Sergeant George Spinger. 
Corporal Daniel O'Leary. 
Corporal Anton Brightman. 
Corporal Christian Duer. 
Corporal James McFarland. 
Corporal Jacob Fuchs. 
Corporal Frederick Helwig. 

PRIVATES. 

Robert Barbour, John Birgler, Henry Boy, Cornelius Collins, Robert 
H. Crook, David Casner, David Fitzgerald, Henry Griese, George 
Hamm, Adam Heintz, Nicholas Hernet, Noah Harris, Stephen H. 
Keegan, Conrad Machback, Patrick Malone, Charles H. Miller, 
George W. Moore, William T. Patterson, Archibald Robbins, Kil- 
lian Stranbert, Ralph Sutherland, Henry Yeager, Allen H. Leonard. 
Frederick Best, Charles Backley, Frederick Bojison, Paul Bein- 
hart, Charles B. Baab, Charles Burgman, John Baker, William 
Deter, St. Clair French, Thomas Ferguson, Henry Earwig, David E. 
Harper, Stephen Instner, Philip Myers, James Marshall, Jeremiah 
Pendergrass, Henry Polk, Levi Reischeimer, William Retteger, James 
M. Reed, Charles Trible, Morgan Wade, David Watkins, Patrick 
Walsh, Henry Winters, Michael Welch, John Young. 

Killed in Battle.— Corporals William Craft, Jacob Direling, Martin 
Benneger, William Sharp; Color Corporal William Wessling; Privates, 
Pleasant A. Brown, Conrad Brown, Jacob Gutzter, Edwin Lockwood, 
Christian MetzkeJ, Jesse Riffle, John Snatzer. 

Died. — Privates Adam Backman, Winfield S. Cook, Marcus D. Cald- 
well, Frank Ebbler, John R. McKinley.'^John Sanning, John Thorn- 
kins. 

Discharged. — Sergeants Wesley Crouch, Frederick Fuchs, George 
Kleister, Hess Vincent, Thomas W. Scott; Corporals John Geyer, 
Matthew McFarland, Jacob Ries, William Swinburne; Privates Wil- 
liam H. Avery, Byron Andrews, James Burns, Robert G. Bell, John H. 
Bowser, Daniel Brady, Andrew W. Barber, Thomas B. Beal, Frederick 
Boch, George W. Butler, Leander W. Butz, Charles Bausch, Charles 
Burckhart, Edward Baird, Andrew Bowman, Patrick Birmingham, 
Henry Brant, James Blakesley, William T. Barrett, Edward Burkhart, 
Joseph Burkhart, William Baehr, Nicholas Becker, Frank Betz, Joseph 
B. Channel, Mortimer Cole, Peter H. Coffman, David C. Cross, Pat- 
rick Carroll, Jacob Christ, Hugh Coleman, Oliver C. Donnelly, Fran- 
cis Daum, James Dwyer, Charles Evans' Henry Enye, Francis Engal. 
Charles Ewighause, August Evans, George Fletcher, Joseph Fleming, 
Harmon Foelkin, Caleb Glazier, Frank Hotchkiss, Patrick H. I'viggins, 
George Hochsoilder, James Hastle, William H. Justice, Seth James 
Peter Keifert, Jacob Kunst, Frederick Keirchgreber, Frederich Kohr, 
Robert H. Kind, John H. Lindenwood, .'\lonzo Leavitt, Martin Marsh, 
Francis M. Meek, William Meyer, Henry Menke, William Mullerhause, 
Antone Muller, Truman McMaster, Patrick Maloney, George Munjar, 
Benjamin Meyers, Willis I. Mills, Joseph Noyes, Christian Asteroth, 
Joseph A. Patterson, David Ross, Daniel C. Roderick, Lawrence N. 
Shorts, Peter Sell, John SuUivan, Frederick Sleiter, Christopher Sny- 
der, Joseph Seifert, Lawrence Seifert, John Stofful, Frank Stortz, Peter 
Shyrer, James Thrasher, Ludwig Thobaben, Edward Welch, Richard 
Wessel. 

Transferred. — Musicians, James D. Fuller, James M. Hoyle, William 
T. Jervess. 

On muster-in but not on muster-out rolls. — Javer Stewart, Frederick 
Geyer, Robert Kind, Henry Megers, Michael Batch, John Booker, 
Samuel Bolser, Henry Bateman, Edward Cahill, Ignatius Cannon, 
Frederick Daum, John S. Dale, William Doolsy, William Darrel, John 
F. Drosty, Daniel W. Dewitt, John Ellick, Lawrence Ferncoast, Jacob 
Fuchs, William Fotts, Charles Hoffman, Michael Hite, John W. Jew- 
ett, Lewis Klingler. Frank Kebbler, George Lambertson, John Miller, 
Peter Marks, William Morris, Thomas Miller, Philip Marshofer, John 
Pritchard, William Phillips, George Strubert, George Smith, August 
Shyltheise, Albert Stimpson, Charles Schwabe, Austin F. Sherir, Syl- 
vanus Stuart, James L. Thomson, Joseph Cordeman. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



91 



COMPANY B. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Robert L. Kilpatrick. 
Captain James L. Tliompson. 
First Lieutenant John C. A'IcDonald. 
First Lieutenant Hugh Marshall. 
First Lieutenant George A, Thorpe. 
Second Lieutenant Robert Graham. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant George Haig. 
Sergeant Charles Hamilton. 

PRIVATES. 

Hugh Breen, George Baner, John Cook, David C. Custard, William 
Foster, James Hughs, George Haines, Isaac Hillyer, Eldridge Lemoin, 
William MothersiU, John D. Miller, Donald Macdongal, James Ma- 
hood, John Pigman, Dennis Reardin (No. 2), John Roth, Cooney 
Roth, Charles Riter, Joseph Schlick, Jaines Swinson, Frank Stall, 
August Seifert, Casper Webert, 

Discharged. — Sergeants George Dalzell, Albert Fuhrman, Thomas F. 
Soden ; Corporals Edwin Booth, Henry M. Gastiell, Hugh Liddy, 
William Muirson, Leo Pistner, J9hn Ridnian, Henry Teal, Frank 
Burns, James Bowrie, James Craig, Henry Cunningham, James Davis, 
Robert E. Davis, Henry Dopke, William IJ. Dunlap, Daniel Dooley, 
Alloy Emeru, John C. Edwards, David Ford, John Feidler, John 
Gray, Joseph Grau, William B. Goodling, Edward Garrett, Fred Hoff, 
Joseph Hopkinson, William G. Howell, John G. Hoyhicht, Henry 
Hove, Levi Jackson, William Kelley, James Kelley, George Koyer 
James Lyons, John Lee, Henry Lotze, Charles Lapp, James Moore, 
Charles Meyers, Edward O'Mallay, Peter Philips, Martin Richardson, 
Michael Roth, Thomas Southwait, Michael Sherer, Peter Spreyer, 
George Thomson, George Turpin, Henry Weaving, Thomas Watson, 
Michael Walsh, Daniel Carroll, George C. M. Heglin, Timothy 
Keeshaw, Lewis Koehan, Andrew Manning, John C. Peterson, Dennis 
Reardin (No. i), Jacob Schutt, Thomas Virtue, Robert H. White, 

Killed in Battle. — Corporals Thomas Hozs and Patrick Sullivan ; 
Private George H. Neihaus. 

Died. — Private George Howard. 

Transferred. — Michael Collins, Thomas Davies, Porter Dennin, 
Clemens Rozeman. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Henry E. Symmes. 

Captain Morgan S. Shaw. 

Captain Charles B. Jacobs. 

First Lieutenant Theodore A. Startsman. 

First Lieutenant Fred Fairfax. 

First Lieutenant Wilson B. Gaither. 

First Lieutenant Herman Strieker. 

First Lieutenant John M. Paver. 

Second Lieutenant Charles Friedeborn. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant James H. Cline. 
Sergeant Peter Schneider. 
Sergeant Frank Millen. 
Sergeant William G. Rafferty. 
Corporal Charles S. Horn. 
Corporal Robert Kind. 
Corporal Harrison Goddard. 
Corporal William W. Watkins. - 
Corporal Aaron H. Templeton. 
Corporal Francis H. Defiie. 
Corporal James Crawford. 
Musician James Dwyre. 

PRIVATES. 
William F. Black, Charles E. Burr, James Browsley, George S. 
Bostler, George M. Clayton, Luther Conklin, Alfred Craig, Mathew 
Clyne, John Carroll, John H. Donaldson, Charles A. Etzler, Orlando 
Fox, James Fox, John Fries, Jacob Frietze, John Feldner, Matthew 
Flemming, Charles Gord, William Geaniard, Leonard Hessnold, 
William Haunsz, Charles Johnston, John Kern, James A. Morrow, 
Ludwig Mauhlig, Christian Querner, Benjamin Roasker, Andrew J. 
Sellers, John F. Spriggs, Frederick Sommers, Xavier Switzer, Peter 
Smith, Cyrus E. Watkins, Benjamin Yeates, John Myers, Herman 
Brown, John Casey, George B. Campbell, William Egner, Theodore 
Fox, James Jones, Thomas Kennedy, John Loback, John McDonald, 



Philip A. McConnel, Sylvester P. Maxon, James O'Connor, Richard 
Reeves, John Stotsman, Jacob Wright, Charles Wier, Thomas Wilch. 

Killed in battle.— Corporals John W. Clayton, Parker S. Robinson, 
Charles Talbott, George W. Young ; Privates William Bogart, Wil- 
liam H. Bogart, Charles Gill, Henry C. Jacobs, Charles L. Perkins, 
William H. Arbor. 
• Died. — Corporal Richard Bussey ; Privates John Brumry, Daniel W. 
Beck, Joseph Coleman, John F. Coverdale, George Case, Bonkratz 
Deinline, Peter Gisswood, Hezekiah Smith, Frederick Lousing, Silas 
C. Woolsten. 

Discharged,— Charles Fairfax, Henry P. McKenzie, James A. Mc- 
Collough, Herman Strieker, George W. Stone, William P. Sands, Paul 
CroUey, George W. Gough, Samuel Hall, John Stallcup, Henry A. 
Wetsell, Charles S. Howard, Agustus Querner, Henry Albers, Cornelius 
L. Andrews, James Bogart, Charles Bascom, Moses Bray, Thomas 
Bradley, David Crolley, William Cotter, James S. Cross, John Clucos, 
David A. Casstellen, Daniel K. Charles, Michael Cassiday, Daniel 
Cook, Wyatt Cordell, William Clark, Emery B. Day, William Doug- 
lass, John C. Doudney, Bartholomew Ehlenbest, Frederick Easton, 
Reuben T. Everhard, Henry Foot, Frederick Foot, Frederick Faulkin- 
burg, Joseph Fettevar, George Fiestone, Leonard Griggs, John Good- 
hue, John Gardner, David Goodrich, George Gardner, Henry Hess, 
Thomas Hudson, James S. Hayden, Joseph Horton, George Hazen, 
Reuben Knox, James Leonard, David McDaniel, Thomas G. Morrow, 
William Miller, James Morrow, William McCormick, Frederick Miller, 
Edward Newman, Samuel E. Palmer, Samuel E. Pierpoint, Charles 
Querner, Michael Swier, Charles Sanders, Henry Stuffrigen, George 
W. Shipley, John Story, William J. Skimball, Charles S. Swaine, 
Edward Shellhorn, Robert Shipps, George Shane, John C. Stebbins, 
Joseph Tonacliff, Grafton M. Thrasher, Jacob Troy, Frederick Vocht, 
Henry Walters, Harvey Woodard, William Wiedeman, Nicholas 
Walters, Richard B. Wright, Joseph Wippragtiger. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Joseph L. Gaul; Sergeant Andrew J. 
Barr; Privates William D. Bloom, Thomas H. Turner, Henry Hill, 
Francis W. McNally, Augustus Moonert. 

On muster-in, but not on muster-out roll. — Corporal Henry S. 
Fecheimer. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Robert Hays. 

Captain Robert Kirkup. 

Captain Jere Robinson. 

First Lieutenant Robert Logan. 

First Lieutenant James Clark. 

First Lieutenant Herman Belmer. 

Second Lieutenant Krewson Yerkes. 

NON-CO,MMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Donald McLeod. 

Sergeant John Lee. 

Sergeant Thomas Gorman. 

Corporal Henry Huber. 

Corporal David C. Harrison. 

PRIVATES. 

Archibald Bowie, Paul Bealer, James Craig, Flenry S. Cohn, 
Andrew C. Chamberland, William H. Dunlap, Charles Dubois, Rich- 
ard Evans, John Fords, John Fisk, John Farleigh, Benjamin Fry, 
Henry Fulman, Gottheb Fiedel, Christopher Gable, Henry B. House- 
man, James Hopkinson, Peter Huber, Francis Henskie, James H. 
Jacobs, George W. Lively, Henry Longa, Henry Myers, James H. 
Mahon, Malcolm McMillen, Joseph Morean, James O'Connor, Martin 
Pistner, Martin Richardson, Henry Rist, Joseph Roth, Charles Robin- 
son, Joseph Steinbecker, Jacob Schillenburg, Lucas Sebastian, 
Michael Shirer, John Shumate, Oliver Sturgis, Charles Smith, 
WiUiam Swigart, Frank Thomas, John M. Taylor, Daniel Winters, 
WilUam Wright, Noah Anderson, William Bingham, William J. 
Bradford, ."Uexander Bradford, James Bains, Marion M. Black, Daniel 
Blankman, Dennis Berry, William Conger, William Cox, Milton Car- 
lile, Daniel Corigan, Jere Cronin, Samson Delworth, Samuel W. Down- 
ing, Martin Enderidan, Patrick Fitzgerald, Michael Fitzgerald, Peter 
Gremmell, William Garber, James Graham, John Hannah, James H. 
Howard, William Henderson, John Harris, Nicholas Haust, William 
J. Hastings, Peter Jordon, William Johnson, Henry Johns, Levi Jack- 
son, William Keene, William Kelley, John Kirby, Matthew Kenney, 
William Lister, Daniel McGlinn, Joseph Myers, Charles B. Martin, 
Burnett Moran, Patrick Maloney, Robert Miller, Charles Murphy, 
Joseph Lipphart, Frank Long, Emerson Horton, John Nelson, Josiah 



92 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Paris, William Patterson, Edward Rice, Henry Riese, Archibald Rob- 
bins, James Ryan, James Roecamp, Charles Scott, John Smith, 
Modest Urbine, James Vaughan, Newman Whitney, James Wilson, 
Samuel Winston. 

Killed in battle. —Sergeant David Johnson; Corporals Charles E, 
Gray, Hugh Liddy; Privates Daniel Bowie, Peter Gewton, Martin 
Healy, Albert C. Harrison, Henry Hill, John HoUihan, Charles 
Hausel, Henry Lippen, Henry Myers, James Roberts, Frederick 
Shoemaker, Henry Shaw, Peter Strassell. 

Died. — Frederick Morey, Albert Buchart, John Buike, James Davis, 
John Logan, John Lenhart, John Nolan. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant Wilson B. Gaither; Sergeants Patrick 
Conway, Joseph Doak, Tobias Hattle, John McElhaney, Jere B. 
Roscoe; Corporals Thomas Aitkin, William T. Darlington, Charles 
Dillon, Richard E. Forger, George Gates, George Granger, Michael H. 
Garry, Joseph Morgan, George Peare, Ferdinand W. Schulties; 
Teamster John Solomon; Musician George W. Foster; Privates Wil- 
liam Alexander, Sebastian Butz, Frederick Bruning, Henry A. Bier- 
man, Samuel Balby, Joseph' Bradford, Benjamin Clyne, James Cul- 
bertson, Robert Dow, William Dow, Henry Doner, Baltizer Ernest, 
Marshal H. Folger, William Franks, Adam Felix, Trimble Ford, Wil- 
liam Fortney, John Farrington, Valentine Gibb, William J. Gordon, 
Eddy Goin, John Gibney, William B. Gooding, Peter Griffin, Joseph 
Hollinger, Richard Hassett, Abraham Hening, Thomas Humphreys, 
Thomas Hussey, Robert Hoendorf, Charles Harris, Franklin C. Harvey, 
Edwin Hughes, Philip Hockindhammer, Thomas G. Hooper, Lemuel 
Hisson, Benton Jones, John Kuster, Peter Kummer, Jacob Kummer, 
John Knosp, Thomas Lewis, Philip Lippert, Simon Marienthal, Mat- 
thew McCracken, Jonathan Mitchell, Peter A. Mark, Josiah Mc- 
. Knight, Andrew Noidheim, John O'Neil, Bruman Osmers, Alex- 
ander Patten, John Rentz, Andrew Ryan, Michael Richett, Andrew 
Simons, James Steward, George W. Schmidt, William .Spearing, 
Xavier Stoll, James Trooborn, John Troy, Orlando Van Skiver, James 
York. 

Transferred. — Sergeants Eli Delzell, James Clark; Corporal John 
McGregor; Privates James Deamon, Owen Healy, William McAllister, 
Thomas Mountjoy, Henry Williams, Ulysses Cox, Leopold Ahlenfeld, 
John Laken, George Lanehart, William Schmitte. 

Mustered out with company D, but not on company rolls. — Private 
Emmet Goddard. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George B. Whitcom. 
Captain Louis C. Robinson 
Captain William U. Dick. 
Captain Krewson Yerkes. 
Captain Joseph Plaisted. 
First Lieutenant George A. Thorpe. 
First Lieutenant Heniy Brinkman. 
First Lieutenant Stephen Coddington. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Williams. 
Sergeant Martin Ruffley. 
Sergeant Christian Kroog. 
Sergeant Samuel McCormack. 
Corporal William Miller. 
Corporal James Smith. 

PRIVATES. 

Harry Bloomer, John BaskerviUe, George Beercis, Thomas Bruner, 
James Cavenaugh, Jolin D. Craddick, John Carney, George F. Dun- 
can, Joseph Dupee, Francis G. Davis, John W. Free, William Gal- 
breath, Marcellus Gray, Gustavus Hirsch, Joseph Hughes, James Jack- 
son, William Ketcham, Lawrence King, George Kellogg, John Line, 
James Moorehead, Christian Millingcr, .Aaron Miller, JohnW. Morgan, 
John Manch, Henry McGiven, Joseph Nedderman, Jere Simpson, Al- 
exander Tilton, Samuel Tapping, Henry Weismiller, William Wyatt, 
Gottleib Winkelman, James Anderson, Daniel Burns, John Barrett, 
Thomas H. Burgess, William Crouse, Henry Carr, James Duckworth, 
Andrew L. Dohavant, John Dalton, Cornelius Donohue, Francis Gaff- 
ney, Theophius G. Hammond, William Hefferman, Patrick Kennedy, 
Henry E, Miller, Charles Muegga, Patrick Martin, Micafah T. Nor- 
dyke, James Riley, John Reinhart, Arnold Stuttleberg, Patrick Shea, 
William Vaughn, Edward R. Wood. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeant Edward Swain; Coiporals George W. 
Gentle and Ingersoll B. Sheridan; Privates John W. Armstrong, 
Thomas Burns, Alonzo Carnahan, John Fortune, John Garner, Peter 



Hassel, Joseph Hunter, Franklin Huntly, Jacob Kalcoff, William B. 
Mayjers, Robert Spellman, William .Spellman. 

Died. — Sergeant Lawrence Vial; Privates John G. Hudson, Freder- 
ick Lanfersiek, James Pollock, Perry Wright. 

Discharged.— First Sergeants Charles A. Thorpe and Joseph Plais- 
ted; Sergeant Charles A. Walker, Morgan S. Shaw, William H. Wil- 
liams; Corporals Simson H. Cottle, Emery A. Hurlbut, Benjamin F. 
Kephart, Randolph Minnick, Benton R. Noble; Musician Philip C. 
Maddocks; Teamster Thomas R. Folger; Pri\ates George W. Aldridge 
William Anderson, John Anderson, William L. Anginbaugh, Joseph 
E. Asper, Robert BaskerviUe, Patrick Brady, Charles M. Brown, John 
Brinkman, Alfred Coleman, Charles Cobb, Joseph Corderman, Thomas 
Dale, James Dillon, Joseph Derwoet, Alva H. Doan, Abraham Egger, 
William Enyart, Francis Enyart, Charles A. Fisher, William Fisher, 
Frederick Funk, Cyrus C. Foote, William Foley, John A. Fenner, 
William Gould, Louis Gegan, Joseph Goodall, John J. Gold, Joseph 
Huff, Edwin Hindley, Michael Huber, Perry Hallan, Henry Huene- 
man, Edward H. Hardin, Jonas Heaton, Joseph Hell, John Heyer, 
Eli Heifner, Thomas Hudson, William G. Hanley, Jonas Hale, Fred- 
erick Hauck, Shelton Ingram, John Inquire, James F.Jones, Peter J. 
Jennings, Peter Kraning, John Know, William L. Kee, Adam Long, 
Henry Lawson, John Lewis, Joseph Lansihger, Isaac Listen, John R. 
Lamb, Edward Myers, Robert Morse, James May, John Martin, Peter 
A. Miller, Thomas Poland, George Petzer, George Peet, Michael Phe- 
lan, Elmer S. Rosebrough,*Jacob B. Rahn, Thomas Rice, John Rice, 
Alfred G. Swain, Lewis C. Smith, Edward Stoner, Henry Strock, Eli 
Tarbutton, Robert H. Thrush, Henry Tealbozle, Charles A. Thorpe, 
Henry Wisselman, John W. Wright, Nathan Williams, Theodore 
Wright, Alfred Winter, A. Wilson, Albert Wo'.f, Robert Young, Jacob 
Yeager, Henry Yeager, William Brown. 

Transferred.— First Sergeants Herman Belmer and James Richey; 
Sergeants Henry A. Trotman and Henry C. Koogle; Musician Wash- 
ington G. Bennett; Privates John Collins, George Gates, Franklin 
Morrell, Gersham D. Miller, Andrew Seary, James Woods. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Theopilus Gaines. 

Captain James Kincaid. 

Captain Benjamin Jelleff, jr. 

Captain Stephen Coddington. 

Captain Henry C. Koogle. 

First Lieutenant Robert Brumwell. 

First Lieutenant Alexander A. Littell. 

First Lieutenant Lewis S. Stevens. 

First Lieutenant Joseph Grunkemeyer. 

First Lieutenant Jere Robinson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First .Sergeant Spillman Jones. 

Sergeant Vansant Morris. 

Sergeant Charles Henke. 

Sergeant George Enocke. 

Corporal Frederick Hoff. 

Corj^oral John Lemon. 

Corporal William Parker. 

Musician William Lister. 

PRIVATES. 

Ferdinand Axtell, Edwin Booth, Henry Dowka, William Foley, John 
Gray, Henry Lotze, Herman Pieper, Henry Wellman, Abner C. Wil- 
son, Christian Behring, George W. Belcher, John P. Burns, John 
Brace, Windsor M. Buck, Philip Bolther, John Dillon, Gideon Hyde, 
Mich.ael Laducer, John Lottmair, John Leonhard, David McNally, 
Charles W. McFarlin, Cornelius Morris, John Tompkins, John 
Thompson, William Umstead, Jeremiah Kennedy, Lewis Landers, 
Francis Malloy, William McDonald, Da\id McOllister, Jacob Minet, 
Frank Miller, Nicholas Nernsgen, Henry Ohr, Nicholas D. Patry, Pat- 
rick Varley, Cornelius Welsch. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeant Charles VanHautan; Corporals Valen- 
tine Helde and John McCabe; Privates Frederick W. Drexelions, 
Richard Heringer, Charles Hinck, John H. Haner, William Huchnen- 
koch, John Miller, Frederick Preismyer, Horace Squires, Michael Vo- 
glebauch. 

Died. — Corporal John F. Behrens; Privates Isaac A. Baum, Richard 
Carston, Thomas McCune, John McClintock, George W. Noggle, Wil- 
liam H. Nash, George W. Westerman. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants Jeremiah Robinson and Charles D. 
Moore; Sergeants William H. Lee, George W. Helde, James Kelley, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



93 



Joseph W. Miller, James Fitch; Corporals Joseph Grunkemeyer, Jesse 
McLane, John Baker, Joseph Smoozka, John Stevens, Francisco 
Leach; Privates Wilham T. Aichles, Daniel Belsher, Joseph Brogle, 
Carston Bode, William B. Bennemyer, George Brown, James Britt, 
Henry Brokarap, Michael Boyle, John W. Carr, Daniel L. Carson, An- 
drew Crawford, John Coleman, William F. Cain, Patrick Claffy, 
Charles T. Doney, Reuben Daily, James Emerson, Frederick Evers, 
James Farrell, Jacob Folhorbst, Charles Goble, Thomas Render, 
Moses Harmon, Edward Hemstreal, Henry Hanker, Ferdinand Hab- 
enicht, John Ingle, John Jungciaus. Peter Kunkel, Frederick Knost, 
Francis Kroger, David Ketcham, Francis Ludlow, John Loughner, 
Jonas Lantz, Andrew Myers, Michael Moran, Frederick Mohus, Jacob 
Mumford, Christian Myers, James McFaiiand, Patrick McDonald, 
William McGafifick, William S. Moore, James McKnery, John Martin, 
David W. Merrell, John Messersmith, August Minning, John Myer, 
John McGrork, Isaac N. Moses, Henry Myers, Edward McLean, Bar- 
ney New, Andrew Nesselhof, George Oswalt, Daniel Oswalt, John L. 
Oswalt, Loyd Pardee, John Patterson, Pleasant W. Randall, James 
Robinson, Lewis H. Stevens, Joseph B. Stevens, John Slopner, Jacob 
Stube, James F. Schuier, Adam Fritsch, John H. Wellerman, Cornelius 
Welsch, William A. Hinch, Charles Lapp, Charles Viner; Corporals 
James Reynolds, jr. and John Lally, Teamster John B. Maddocks. 

Transferred. — Corporal Charles Lillelt; Privates Henry Carr, John 
Craddick, Barney Fledderman, Seth James, Jesse McLean, Martin 
Madder, John Springmyer, George Tyce, James Trasher, G. Winkel- 
man. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Alonzo C. Horton. 
Captain Waldo C. Booth. 
Captain Theodore A. Startzman. 
Captain Austin T. Shirer. 
First Lieutenant PYederick W. Moore. 
First Lieutenant Colin F. McKinzie. 
First Lieutenant Alexander Lytell. 
First Lieutenant Morgan S. Shaw. 
Second Lieutenant Patrick McCann. 
Second Lieutenant Augustus Moonert. 
Second Lieutenant Charles Walker. 
Second Lieutenant Charles S. Jessup. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Philip Nunn. 
Sergeant George B. Annawault. 
Sergeant Herbert L. Sheppard. 
Sergeant John T. Callander. 
Corporal David P. Bell. 
Corporal Thomas K. Ross. 
Corporal Andrew M. Morris. 
Corporal Wilham Soller. 
Corporal Henry Eichler. 
Corporal Frank Horst. 
Corporal William Kruse. 
Musician Henry R. Haywood. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Adams, Jason Atterholt, Benjam.in D. Barton, James Blake, 
Frank Bush, Thomas Carroll, Patrick Carroll, John F. Collins, William 
Eichler, Henry Eifert, Jacob Fry, George Geisendorf, Anthony Gerst 
Samuel G. Hyndman, Samuel Jenkins, John Julien, John P. Julien' 
Andrew Lister, Francis Murphy, James McMillen, William H. Ran- 
som, Thomas Trustman, August Worthmiller, William C. Wilson, Nel- 
son Barrett, AlexanderM. Gates, Mallam, John Madden, Michael Quim 

Killed in battle. — Corporals Wilson Gregg, AUonzo Myers, George 
H. Thompson; Privates Andrew Coleman, Anthony LaForce, Thomas 
Nolan, Thomas Mundy. 

Died. — Privates James Estelle, Symond Kohn, Anthony Murville, 
William Papner, Richard P. Ryan. 

Discharged. — Sergeants Benjamin Ford, William Hallam, Charles S. 
Jessup, James Leeke, Patrick McCann, John A. Mohr, William Winter. 
Corporals Henry K. Horton, Charles A. Sperment, Wilham H.Webber' 
Musicians Edwin Lockwood, John L. McDougall; Privates Edward R.An.! 
thony, George Bahn, Noah Brake, Edward Barrett, Richard ConoUy, Wil- 
liam Dorum, Andrew Donovan, Samuel Edgar, Lewis Fries, James Farm- 
er, John C. Foener, William Galbreth, Christopher Google, Oscar 
Gunranet, Marion Hargrave, Samuel Hatcher, George Kerr, Lewis Lee. 
son, Andrew Mather, George Morris, David Pickett, James H. Rider, Mer- 



edith H. Surrener, Frank Schaffer, John Speck, William Ubert, John 
A. Van, Frederick Wolschlager, William P. Worth. 

Transferred. — Corporal Charles Baldwin; Musician James S. Cross; 
Privates Charles Ambruster, William H, Harton, Francis M. Neil, 
George W. Shipley, Henry Webb. 

On muster-in, but not on muster-out roll. — Sergeant Edward D. 
Spooner; Privates Joseph Burkhardt, Charles Evans, John Sullivan, 
John Snatse, Charles Tribbe. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John F. Fletcher. 
Captain William V. Neely. 
Captain Joseph M. Jackaway. 
Captain Alexander Mott. 
First Lieutenant George Frazier. 
First Lieutenant Joseph L. Gaul. 
First Lieutenant Henry C. Koogle. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George W. Tyrrell. 

Sergeant Eugene Jacobs. 

Sergeant Herman Annegam. 

Sergeant Patrick Healy. 

Corporal Conrad Baker. 

Corporal Henry Kane. 

Corporal William C. Powell. 

Corporal Martin Van Hughes. 

Corporal William Barnum. 

Corporal Joseph S. Miller. ^ 

Corporal Michael Varner. 

Wagoner William Myers. 

PRIVATES. 

John Carey, William Cooper, Joseph M. Evans, Terrence Earle, 
Christopher Farlan, Martin Gillum, Timothy Grady, John Lanten- 
schlager, John Michael, John McDermott, WiUiam Kenney, John Rob- 
inson, Frederick Sunderman, George Simpson, Miles Stansifer, John 
J. Wilson, Hugh Best, Oscar Brown, John Dyer, Thomas Dunn, Mar- 
tin Earson, Richard Farrell, Patrick Flanney, Frederick Oilman, Michael 
Kilkarry, Natus Legg, William Moran, Martin Moore, John Madden, 
John Neil, Charles Peterson, Phineas Piatt, Richard Price, David 
Quick, Jacob Snyder, Alfred Wagoner. 

Killed in battle. — Privates Herman Drentler, Jeremiah Hanley, John 
McGoverney, Michael Pennyfeaiher, John Tigur, John Uplicher, Wil- 
liam Washman, Frederick Wermsing. 

Died. — Sergeant William Boyd, Corporal Martin Hoare ; Privates 
John G. Johnte, Leander H. Fisher, Thomas Kelley, William Tyler, 
Moritz Wenalestein, Alexander Weichell. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant Alexander Mott; Sergeants James B. 
Russell, Henry Surls, Joseph M. Jackaway, Charles B. Jacobs ; Corpor- 
als James Card, John Crawley, Daniel Salmon, Jeremiah Osterhaus ; 
Musicians Frank Henlan, George B. Ray ; Bugler William Davis ; 
Wagoner Joseph D. Murray; Privates Adam Alexander, Jesse Alexan- 
der, Joseph Branjanbey, James Belleville, Augustus A. Bond, Robert 
Bussemeyer, Belthazer Clauer, David Clark, Alfred B. Chognill, John 
W. Day, Elijah Dix, James B. Davis, John G. Engler, Samuel Frank 
Michael Freund, George H. Frazier, William Goddard, Lafayette 
Hughes, Alberto Harley, James Jones, Joseph Kaufman, Michael 
Kaufman, Joseph Kerler, Michael J. Kelley, George Limmerie, James 
Linton, Peter Morling, Thomas Manning, Joseph Mantz, James Mc- 
Innes, Joseph McConnaughey, William Mahoney, George Murray, 
Joseph A. Miller, Christian Meuller, David D. Millnime, Segfried Mack, 
John H. Porter, George Peppard, Lawrence Price, Jesse Parker, Wil- 
liam T. Phillips, William Partee, Charles Ponce, William H. Pritchard, 
William Ray, Henry Richper, Samuel Robbins, David Ricketts, John 
Roetgerman, Joseph Raddiger, John Ryder, Simon Rousch, William 
Ray, John A. Sherman, Isaac R. Snyder, Abraham Schnell, Isaac Steffe, 
Benjamin J. Scott, Joel Straub, George Steffe, Joseph Snyder, John 
Schlatter, John Scott, Clinton F. Taggert, William Warnafeldt, George 
Moore. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Michael Ward ; Privates George Bridg- 
nian, James Lyons, James Murray, John V. Smith, Edward White. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Collins. 

Captain Thomas W. Hefferman. 



94 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Captain John C. McDonald. 
Captain Edward R. Anthony. 
First Lieutenant Joseph Rudolph. 
First Lieutenant James Timmons. 
First Lieutenant Charles S. Jessup. 
First Lieutenant Henry C. Koogle. 
Second Lieutenant William H. Thomas. 
Second Lieutenant Hiram R. Treher. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John Ross. 

Sergeant Joseph H. Christy. 
. Sergeant John Griysinger. 
■ Sergeant Joseph B. Bailey, 

Sergeant Victor H. Felix. 

Corporal Henry J. Heckrotte. 

Musician Joseph Ranl^in. 

Teamster Frederick Farmer. 

PRIVATES. 

Manuel Benetes, Cliarles R. Barkley, James Conway, William David- 
son, William Doyle, Delos Hills, Kneelan Hills, George J^. Johnson 
George R. Jones, Henry Miller, James McClellan, Daniel J. O'Con- 
nell, Austin Parrotte, James W. Stephens, Thomas Watts, John Weber, 
WiUiaiTiZurfas. James J. Atkins, Michael CoUing, J oshuaDavidson, Ed- 
ward Martin, Paul C. Preston, William Riley, Smith Richardson, Elihu 
Rising, John Smith, Henry Sullivan, John Zimmerman. 

Killed in battle. — Sergeant George Kent ; Corporals Thomas B, 
Isdell, Frank Luchte; Privates Albert C. Day, George E.xall, Pete^ 
Gillion, Charles H. Helfred, Andrew Zurfas. 

Died. — Corporal Patrick Fitzgibbons ; Privates William B. S. Ander- 
son, Henry A. Balser, William Bragg, John A. Cowan, Alexander S. 
Rower, Leverette H. S. Whitcom. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants Martin Baninger, William H. Thomas, 
James Trumons, Hiram R. Treher; Sergeant Frederick W. Savin ! 
Corporals Henry Wilson, Frank S. Wallace ; Musician H. C. R. Ru. 
dolph ; Privates Mintonville Aokley, John Butler, Francis M. Bates, 
Cassius N. Bentz, John Conway, George W. Chambers, Henry 
Domaille, Stephen D. Evans, John Evans, John R. Gray, Henry P. 
Hewitt, John B. Huffman, Robert B. Isdell, Samuel Jones, Benjamin 
F. Knight, Albert H. Lewis, William H. Mantz, Thomas McLaugh- 
lin, Orlando Moon, Samuel Remley, Jacob Schmucker, William 
Sheffield, James Wilson, James A. Wftrring, William F. Wallace. 

Transferred. — Corporal Joseph B. Hedrick; Musician Henry Kent; 
Privates Thomas Finan, Wesley C. Hickman, William H. H. Hubbell, 
Samuel J. Knof, WiUiam C. Tomlinson. 

On muster-in, not on muster-out roll. — First .Sergeant Harry G. 
Armstrong; Privates Henry Hayward, Thomas Marlatt, Samuel Robin- 
son, Frank Seaman. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles H. Jackson. 
Captain James Kinkead. 
Captain Rolandes E. Fisher. 
Captain Martin Barringer. 
First Lieutenant Thomas W. Hefferman. 
First Lieutenant Stephen Coddington. 
First Lieutenant Matthias Schwab. 
Second Lieutenant Charles W. Smith. 
Second Lieutenant Morgan S. Shaw. 
Second Lieutenant William P. Jackson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Benjamin E. Ford. 
Sergeant Meredith H. Surriner. 
Sergeant Samuel T. Wolf. 
Sergeant William H. Harrison. 
Corporal Frederick Wulschlager. 
Corporal George Crystal. 
Corporal Frank Shafer. 
Teamster Alexander Patton. 

PRIVATES. 

M. Ackley, Richard Barton, Edward Cecilious, Henry Durr, John 
Evans, William J. Hastings, Jeremiah Hirsch, Thomas Higgins, Willis 

J. Mills, Horace Marsh, Charles Querner, Henry C. R. Rudolph, Mar- 
tin Rice, John Speck, Henry Schraff, Tim Shay, Daniel Sullivan, James 
Thompson, Jacob Van Pelt,_ William Wetdeman, Thomas J. Blair, 

John Butler, Antoine Buckley, Charles Bowman, Charles Cronin, Ale.x- 



ander Chatman, William B. Davidson, James H. Dow, Frank Davis, 
William B. Duncan, Peter Derbey, Charles Edwards, Robert Gill, Wil- 
liam Hughes, John Henderson, George Martin, James Ryan, John 
Summer, John N. Smith, John Shewbridge, William J. Scott, Henry 
Tick, John Williams, Thomas White, Milo Wiley, John Williams. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeant James J. Kelley ; Privates George H. 
Bahn, William Givens, Alfred J. Jones, Lorenzo Kendall, John H. Sass. 

Died. — Sergeant Oscar S. Kincaid ; Privates Charles H. Lyon, Con- 
rad Schmuch. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant R. E. Fisher, Sergeants Edwin F. Arm- 
stead, Walter Elliott, Edward L. Quinton, Matthias Schwab, Cadwalla- 
der J. Collins, William Bowman, Andrew Brownell, Thomas Collins, 
Charles EUick, Lycurgus C. Earhavt, Daniel Hudson, Thomas Lukens, 
Roderick Maguire, Samuel Morehead, Charles Pendry, William Trindle, 
James Wheeler, Joseph Westendorf, William C. Wright, Henry C. 
Campbell, John Gray, William Asbury, William Boggs, George Bascom, 
George W. JJailey, Mark A. Bairs, Joseph H. Baldwin, Frederick B. 
Barney, John Craft, Lewis Copp, Cubbertson Collins, Frank Cuppin, 
John Crippin, George C. Cloud, Jeremiah Calden, Jacob S. Crane, 
Herman Clousing, John Cruger, Samuel Craig, Richard Calhoun, 
Charles Connelly, James Doyle, Thomas P. Davis, Charles Dimmick, 
Peter M. Drum, William Evans, JobEsline, John Finley, Jacob Fritch, 
Joseph Ferguson, David J. Gibbon, Lewis C. Gill, Frederick Greenr 
field, Edgar F. Howell, Peter Hemmer, Hiram H. Huntley, Thomas 
Hastings, William R. Hille, William Hodwell, John A. Jamison, James 
Kamboll, William G. Keeley, William H. Knight, Howard H. King, 
James Lamb, John Mason, William Mayan, James Minnis, Cleon Mc- 
Donald, Peter Mettler, John P. Medaris, John M. McClennan, John 
P. Murphy, Charles C. McKinsey, James W. Maddo.x, George Phillips, 
Hiram Preston, William K. Rodgers, John E. Rosser, Clinton J. Riley 
William H. Rungle, Philip Riggs, William C. Ramsdell, Charles Rose! 
burgh, George E. Shoney, Andrew Settle, Daniel Smith, John Swee- 
ney, Cephas Shull, James Sproul, Christopher Silk, Samuel H. Smith, 
Truman B. Sloan, John G. Selig, Samuel Trindle, Frank Taylor, 
George Wilhelm, Henry Wamsley, Thomas Welstead, Andrew White,- 
John Weisner, William D. Ware, Herman Weichert, Levi Withrow, 
William Weaver, Robert Webster, . Oscar Wright, Samuel Walton, 
Samuel Wise, George Williams, Frank Wilder. 

Transferred. — Sergeant Stephen Coddington, John T. Callender, Pe- 
ter A. Cozine, John Ross; Privates Henry Bloomer, Thomas F. Camp- 
bell, George P. Humphries, William P. Jackson, William Siebert, Al- 
fred Spencer, Edward White, Charles Williams. 

On muster in, but not muster out roll. — Private George Scott. 

On muster-in rolls of recruits, but not accounted for on muster-out 
rolls of regiment. — Privates Frank Anthony, Thomas Byrnes, Barney 
Burns, Edward Barrett, David Breedloor, George Curtis, Frank Dorst, 
Charles Druning, Patrick Donahue, John Duffey, James Dorsey, Leon- 
ard Gungel, James Gillen, John Govert, Sidney Haggarty, Charles 
Hassett, Edward Hawthorne, William Jackson, Carl Kray, David F. 
Lewis, Robert S. McClure, John F. Mealy, John Mahony, Jasper N. 
Meeks, Henry Moore, Henry G. Miller, James McFarland, Henry Mc- 
Grew, John Payne, William Roberts, Thomas W. Scott, John Tucker, 
Edwin R. Trenner, William Thompson, Albert Wood, Charles Wil- 
liams, John Williams, Robert T. Wilson, John Wilson, Patrick Wal- 
ters, James Wood, August C. Buckley. 

Drafted men and substitutes for Hamilton county assigned to this 
regiment, but not accounted for on its muster out rolls. — Lewis Burke, 
John Britton, James Campbell, James Stevens, John Williams. 

SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The nucleus of the Sixth was an independent organiza- 
tion in Cincinnati — the Guthrie Gray battalion. It was 
recruited in April, 1861, for three months, and mustered 
April 1 8th, at Camp Harrison, by Major (afterwards 
Major General) Gordon Granger. It reorganized in June 
for three years, and mustered June iSth, with one thou- 
sand and sixteen officers and men.' It arrived at Grafton, 
West Virginia, June 30th, marched to Philippi Indepen- 
dence day, and thence to Laurel Hill, where it took part 
against Garret's rebels and in their pursuit, ending in the 
action at Carrick's Ford July loth. On the twentieth it 
moved to Beverly, where Colonel Bosley took command 
of the post, and in August reached Cheat mountain, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



95 



where it lost Captain Bense, Lieutenants Scheiffer and 
Oilman, and forty men of company I, taken prisoners 
while on picket. In November the regiment was trans- 
ported to Louisville to join Buell's Army of the Ohio, 
and placed in the Fourth division under General Nelson, 
and Fifteenth brigade, Colonel Hascall, commanding. 
It remained in camp of instruction at Camp Wickliffe, 
sixty miles- south of Louisville, till the middle of Feb- 
ruary, 1862, when it was taken up the Cumberland river 
to Nashville, just after the surrender of Fort Donelson. 
It was the first of the Army of the Ohio to reach that 
city, and its regimental flag was the first national color 
hoisted on the State house. Here the Sixth was changed 
to the Tenth brigade. March 27th the army pushed, 
southward, and the Sixth was in the advance of Buell's 
forces that came up to relieve the distressed combatants 
at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, reaching the line just 
in time to repel the last charge made by the rebels upon 
the left that day. It was not very actively engaged the 
next morning, but supported a battery gallantly, under 
heavy artillery fire. After the battle it was encamped 
upon the field until May 24th, when it joined the advance 
on Corinth, took full part in the operations there and in the 
pursuit for sixty miles southward, returning through luka, 
Tuscumbia, and Florence to Athens, Alabama, and there 
staid in camp till July 17th, when the whole division was 
removed to Murfreesborough, and then to McMinnville. 
The Sixth was here quartered in the village, and did duty 
as provost guards. August 17th the retrograde move- 
ment of General Buell to the Ohio began; the Sixth 
moved with its division to Louisville, and was there 
brigaded with the Third brigade, Second division, Four- 
teenth Army corps. It engaged in the chase of Bragg's re- 
treating forces, until near Cumberland gap, and again en- 
camped near Nashville November 23rd. In the advance 
of Rosecrans' army upon Murfreesborough the last of 
December, it did full share of skirmishing and picket 
duty, and was very heavily engaged on the thirty-first, 
losing one hundred and fifty-two by various casualties — 
but only six prisoners — of three hundred and eighty-three 
on the field. Other but smaller losses were sustained 
shortly after. It went into camp for several months, eight 
miles east of Murfreesborough, and while here, received 
from the ladies of Cincinnati a beautiful stand of colors, 
and from the city council a regimental banner, \yhich 
were thenceforth proudly borne by the Sixth to the close 
of its service. ' 

While at Cripple creek, it made several reconnois- 
sances to the front, marched with the army against TuUa- 
homa June 24, 1863, and remained encamped at Man- 
chester from July 7th to August i6th, when the campaign 
against Chattanooga began. It was in the battle of 
Chickamauga, and lost one hundred and twenty-five of- 
ficers and men of three hundred and eighty-four engaged. 
Colonel Anderson was wounded in the first day's fight, 
and Major Erwin commanded the regiment till the return 
of Lieutenant Colonel Christopher from recruiting ser- 
vice. At Chattanooga, after the battle, the Sixth went 
into the Second brigade, Third division. Fourth corps. 
It shared fully the privations of the starvation period 



there, and a number of picked men from it were in the 
action at Brown's Ferry October 25th, which relieved the 
partial blockade. It was with its corps in the advance 
on Orchard Knob, near Chattanooga, November 23rd, 
and in the charge up Mission Ridge two days after. 
Major Erwin was killed in the preliminary skirmish of 
that day. On the twenty-eighth it moved to the relief of 
Knoxville, then menaced by Longstreet, and encamped 
near it December 7th. The winter and part of the 
spring were spent in East Tennessee, in the severest ser- 
vice the regiment had, marching much, living in shelter 
tents, and subsisting scantily. April 12, 1864, it rested 
near Cleveland, and did garrison duty till May 17th, 
when it left to join the Atlanta campaign, and guarded 
the railroad bridge at Resaca till June 6, when it was 
ordered home to be mustered out, which was done at 
Camp Dennison on the twenty-third. It had marched 
three thousand two hundred and fifty miles, and other- 
wise travelled two thousand six hundred and fifty, making 
in all five thousand nine hundred miles. It was in four 
pitched battles, losing three hundred and twenty-five 
killed, wounded and missing, and in several minor ac- 
tions. It had but sixteen deaths by disease, and at least 
two hundred of its officers and men never lost a day's 
duty. Thirty officers and four hundred and ninety-five 
enlisted men were at the muster-out. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel William K. Bosley. 

Colonel Nicholas L. Anderson. 

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander C. Christopher. 

Major Anthony C. Russell. 

Major Samuel C. Erwin. 

Major James Bensc. 

Surgeon Starling Loving. 

Surgeon Alfred H. Stephens. 

First Assistajit Surgeon Fisher W. Ames. 

First Assistant Surgeon Israel Bedell. 

Second Assistant Surgeon William W. Fountain. 

Adjutant Charles H. Heron. 

Adjutant Albert G. Williams. 

Adjutant Everett S. Throop. 

Quartermaster Edward M. Shoemaker. 

Quartermaster Josiah W. Slanksr. 

Sergeant Major Frank H. Mellon. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Edwin A. Hannaford. 

Commissary Sergeant Julius L. Stewart. 

Hospital Steward Charles E. Lewis. 

Principal Musician George W. Pyne. 

Principal Musician John H. Bueltel. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Majors, William E. Sheridan, Henry Gee, 
Albert G. Wihiams, James E. Irwin, James E. Graham; Quartermaster 
Sergeants, Charles C. Peck, William R. Goodnough; Commissary Ser- 
geant Josiah W. Slanker; principal musicians, Joe A. Fifer, Benjamin 
F. Phillips. 

Transferred. — Quartermaster Sergeant Robert W. Wise. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Marcus A. WestroU. ""-— VVvJ C'C^S iCU 

Captain Charles Gilman. 

Captain Frank S. -Schieffer. 

First Lieutenant Henry McAlpin. 

First Lieutenant Jonathan B. Holmes. 

First Lieutenant James R. Reynolds. 

Second Lieutenant James M. Donavan. 

Second Lieutenant Charles H. Foster. 

Second Lieutenant George T. Lewis. 

Second Lieutenant William P. Anderson. 

Second Lieutenant William R. Goodnough. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry A. Petty. 

Sergeant John W. Moore. 

Sergeant Edwin Edwards. » 

Sergeant Robert Delaney. 

Sergeant Brian P. Critchell. 

Corporal John A. Cashing. 

PRIVATES. 

William P. Babbett, Theodore Creager, Henry Coon, William De 
Charmes, . Charles F. Dressel, Alexander Drennen, John A. Forbes, 
Darius H. Gates, John W. Hussey, George C. James, Michael J. 
Kelley. Charles D. Martindale, Charles Messerchmidt, Isaac Newman, 
Christopher Roth, Clement Schivarte, Theodore W. Leib, Oliver H. P. 
Tracy, James Valentine. John A. West, Henry W. Wilson; Under- 
cook (colored), James Malone. 

Killed in battle. — Sergeant James F. Canady; Corporals Kirkland 
W. Caving, James M. Newman, Frank B. Brown, Henry Daggett, 
Frank H. Halliday, William Kromer, Edward B. O'Brien. 

Corporal Joseph Kell; Wagoner George W. Kelly; privates, Sam- 
uel N. CoUings, Henry M. Lewis, Charles D. Murdock, Clement H. 
Marzeretta, Edwin L. Smith. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants Thomas H. Hunt, Jonathan B. 
Holmes; Sergeants William P. Anderson, Albert De Villa, Charles D. 
Jones, Everett Throop; Corporals Joseph A. Culbertson, Frank R. 
Jones, Israel Ludlow, Charles Loomis, Channing Richards; Drummer 
Alfred West; Privates William Bradford, Henry M. Cist, Josiah A. 
Christinan, George De Charmes, Isaac H. Delong, Frank R, Davis, 
Charles M. Evans, Wood Fosdick, Spencer Franklin, James B. Fair- 
child, Louis A. Foot, Thomas Fitzgibbon. Theodore C. Fitch, Lee M. 
Fitzburgh, William M. L. Gwynne, Dudley S. Gregory, Welcome L. 
F. Gates, John W. Gamble, Henry F. Hawkes, Henry Hook, George 
Hadel, WiUiam H. Jenkins, John Krucker, Charles Kensey, David 
Love, Edward Manser, Elias R. Marifort, John E. Miner, James Moore, 
Robert P. Moore, Levi Newkirk, Samuel H. Perry, Walter W. Pad- 
dock, Edward S. Richards, James R. Reynolds, Herman Rodell, Edwin 
F. Smith, Thomas M. Selby, Peter Shaw, John R. Stewart, Charles N. 
Thompson, Thomas D. Vetach, Byron D. West. 

Transferred.— First Sergeant Frederick N. Mellen; drum-major, 
Jacob A. Fifer; Chief Musician Benjamin F. Phillips; Bugler George 
W. Pyne; Privates Henry Herman, J; 
Peck, Josiah W. Slanker, Julius L. Stewart. 

On muster-in, but not no 
Roenel. 



Henahan, Charles C. 



nuster-out roll. — Private Herman F. 



COMPANY B. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



Captain Joseph A. Andrews. 
Captain Henry McAlpin. 
Captain Jules J. Montagnier. 
First Lieutenant Charles B. Russell. 
First Lieutenant James K. Reynolds. 
First Lieutenant Henry C. Choate. 
First Lieutenant Jonathan B. Holmes. 
Second Lieutenant Thomas S. Royse. 
Second Lieutenant Albert G. Williams. 
Second Lieutenant Wesley B. McLane. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George B. Young. 
Sergeant Thomas M. Carr. 
Sergeant Frederick J. Miller. 
Sergeant GuyC. Nearing. 
Sergeant Henry M. Palm. 
Corporal John Harvey. 
Corporal Louis N. Kibby. 
Corporal David Schreiber. 
Corporal Frederick Rodenberg. 
Corporal Henry W. Kahle. 
Wagoner Michael Coleman. 

PRIVATES. 



John Alver, William R. Bartlett, Christian Behrens, Alonzo Burgoyne, 
John C. Bagott, William Barnes, Thomas M. Cleveland, John Cline, 
Carlton C. Cable, Rush Drake, John Duffey, William E. Doherty 
Charles Fitzwater, Emil Fitz, Albert Goetle, HoraceGates, John Keiss, 
Sebastian Lerg, James Mitchell, Daniel T. Miles, Hiram Marsh, 
Henry Miller, William M. Owen, Robert Rippon, Robert Rowell, 



Louis N. Ries, Adam Rohe, Josiah H. Stratton, Samuel F. Smith, 
Andrew Schuttenhelm, Moses Thaunhauser, James Warren, Edward 
Wells, James B. Watkins, Richafd J. Williamson, John A. Zeigler, 
Undercooks (African), Daniel Jennings, Pink Beagler. 

Killed In battle. — Corporals Philip B. Helfenbein, David H. Medary, 
Edwin H. Rowe; privates, Richard R. Allen, John Boerst, Albert 
Hardy. 

Missing in action.— John Logan, Benjamin Lewis. 

Died. — Privates, John Aufderheide, Michael Behrman. 

Deserted, — Corporal Charles W. Tolle; Privates Squier D. Gray, 
Ellis E. Lloyd, Jacob Houck, William A. Mallance, Noah H. Phillips, 
Edwin Stace, Joseph Scholer, John Wilson. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants George W. Cormany, Chailes H. Fos- 
ter, James Y. SeLUple; Sergeants Hibbard H. Hendricks, Stephen A. 
Thayer, Edward B. Warren; corporals, Edward Brettman, John R. 
Taylor; musician, Gustavus Franke; privates, Edwin H. Andrews, 
John Collins, Theophilus Davis, Edward F. Gettier, John Helfenbein, 
Jacob Hannanum, Hugo Hochstedter, Henry P. Jones, Henry Keiss, 
Joseph Loeser, William J. Souther, Paul Merker, John P. Marvin, 
Arthur Parker, Henry E. Roberts, Samuel D. Schroley, Frederick H. 
Smithorst. William H. Windeler, Samuel Winram. 

Transferred. — Sergeant William J. Thorp; Corporals Ebenezer 
Hannaford, William Rowell; Privates Robert Andrews, Charles Burk- 
hardt, Anson Clapper, Edwin A. Hannaford. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain J . W. Wilmington. 
Captain Richard Smithgate, 
First Lieutenant Francis H. Ehrman. 
First Lieutenant John R. Kestner. 
Second Lieutenant Charles Oilman. 
Second Lieutenant Leonard Boice. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Matthew H. Hamilton. 
Sergeant John C. Pope. 
Sergeant Francis H. Thieman. 
Sergeant William Boyd. 
Corporal Edward P. Thome. 
Corporal James Jordan. 
Corporal Mervvin Crowe. 
Corporal John Sykes. 
Corporal John Hefferman. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick Arberdale, William Bente, Anton Brown, John Callahan, 
John Collins, Henry F. Engals, James Estell, David Fitzgibbon, Joseph 
T. Fo.\, Hugh P. Gaddis, William J. Hadskeys, Henry Hane. David 
Henson, Kayran Horan, Casper Keller, John Lurch, William Leick- 
hardt, William Lidell, George Lind, Francis Ludwey, Edward Luthey, 
Mitchell S. Morsbeck, Bernard C. Myers, Thomas J. Ryan, George 
Santhoff, Ernest Schrieber, Francis Scott, Augustus Seiver, William L. 
Smith, Henry Stocklin, Jacob Stocklin, Alfred H. Sulser, Lawrence 
Swartz, Bernard Uhling. Under-cook Nathaniel Burnett. 

Sergeant Bernard O'Farrel; Privates Gustave Bettge, John Burke, 
Joseph Davis, Clements Dulle, Joseph M. Donohue, John Farmer, 
William H. Holder, Joseph W. Haslen, James W. Kitchens, Charles 
Keever, John B. McGee, James B. Meehan, Herman Mosler, George 
Moore, George Mackley, Gustave Rhein, Frederick Smith, Joseph 
Trickier, William H. Van Pelt, George Walters. 

Killed in battle. — Corporal AK'es Kaelin. 

Died. — Drummer William Schock, Corporal Hibbard P. Ward, 
Privates Francis Kelley, William Taaffe, Herman Volkers. 

Dicharged. — John R. Kestner, John Crotly, William Brown, August 
Peters, Francis R. Fresch, Ezekiel Craven, Francis Farley, Thomas 
Kerwin, J. H. Achtermeyer, George M. Backus, Rufus E. Byam, Wil- 
liam A. Baldwin, Dennis Collins, James Collins, Charles Gauckler, 
Frederick B. King, Joseph Kunkle, Horace A. Kelley, Henry W. 
Kruse, William Kochler, Herman Kluffler, William L. Mackenzie, 
Martin Meehan, Francis M. Murphy, Thomas Oliver, Michael Roger, 
Simon B. Rice, John K. Smith, James W. Sharp, Andrew Schube, 
John Saquens, Theodore Wager, Edward Williams, Joseph Weisbrod. 

Transferred. — Privates, Edwin Ayres, Adolph Imaus. James M, Peak, 
William Whiteside. 

On muster-in but not on muster-out roll. — Privates John R. .Auch- 
tumyer, William Burt, Jasper Kelley. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



97 



COMPANY D. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Ezekiel H. Tatem. 
Captain Cliarles B. Russell. 
First Lieutenant John C. ParlvCr. 
First Lieutenant George W. Morris. 
Second Lieutenant Tliomas H. Boylan. 
Second Lieutenant Harry Gee. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph L. Antram. 
Second Lieutenant William R. Glisan. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William F. Bohning. 
Sergeant William Bowers. 
Sergeant Evel West. 
Sergeant Amos Willoughby. 
Sergeant Dennis O'Brien. 
Corporal William A. Clockenburg. 
Corporal William A. Yates. 
Corporal William Drips. 
Corporal John Turner. 
Musician William A. Cormany. 
Musician Oliver D. Blakeslee. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Anter, George W. Brown, August Bristol, John Butcher, 
Herman Brockman, Frederick Bastian, Charles H. Bansley, Luther 
Carpenter, William F. Dill, Frank Dellar, William Darby, Joseph 
Desar, Hugo Edier, William F. Failor, John Farrell, Alexander K. 
Green, Conrad Herring, Thomas Herring, Reinhold Hoffman, Antone 
Imer, Frank Korte, John J. Lodge, Thomas J. Moyan, A. W. H. 
Martheus, John Metchley, Frank A. Manus, Thomas H. B. McNeil, 
George F. Mosher, William C. Rees, Thomas J. Rice, George Rich- 
arter, Andrew Remlinger, Michael Renner, Frederick Speck, William 
Saxon, Frederick Soghan, George G. Sabin, Thomas Scannell, William 
Vont, William H. Weeks, Stephen H. Weeks, Martin Weiderrecht, 
John L. Williams, John Wakemann. 

Killed in battle. — Sergeant James F. McGregor; Privates Joseph 
Imm, George Kopp, Augustus G. Young. 

Died — Anthony Canell, Adam Hugel, Joseph Post, Samuel W. 
Stephenson, Charles Van Way, Simon Week. 

Thomas Daniels, Edward Chatlin, Joseph Livesley, James H. 
Mahon, Adam Roberts. 

Discharged — First Sergeants James H. Cocknower, George F. 
Marshall, James W. Moyan; Corporals Hume Wallace, William Haw- 
kins, James Johnson, Giles D. Richards; Privates John Birmbaum, 
John C. Bender, Christopher C. Cones, Albert Drips, Charles DeLeon, 
Jacob Gross, Samuel Keller, Henry H. Lanius, Frederick Lancaster, 
Charles Mitchell, John E. Rees, John F. Wolfik, Thomas Wolcott, 
George W. Weise, William W. Williams, William R. Glisan. 

Transferred. — Corporal Liberty H. Jinks; Privates Frederick H. 
Alms, William F. Doepke, George W. Lawrence, Levy L. Pritzel, 
Killian Strassher, Edwin D. Smith, Nicholas Stumppf, Edward Ulm. 

On muster-in but not on muster-out roll. — Privates, Levi L. O'Brien, 
Jacob Speck. 

' COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Samuel C. Erwin. 
Captain William E. Shenden. 
First Lieutenant John F. Hoy. 
First Lieutenant James M. Donovan. 
First Lieutenant James F. Graham. 
First Lieutenant Frank S. Schieffer. 
Second Lieutenant George W. Morris. 
Second Lieutenant Henry C. Choate. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Abram R. Lemnion. 
Sergeant James Lawler. 
Sergeant William Fisher. 
Sergeant Joseph Turley. 
Sergeant William Lieke. 
Corporal Pulaski W. Fuller. 
Corporal Alex. Rigler. 
Corporal Peter Ma'ois. 
Corporal George Hewson. 



PRIVATES. 

Joseph Ade, George W. Adams, Israel Arnold, George W. Bowen, 
Christopher C. Bowen, Anthony W. Bowen, John Benedick, Miles 
Blake, Reuben D. Burgess, Henry A. Brown, Mannie D. Brown, 
James Carr, Patrick Corcoran, Eugene Diserms, Andrew Deilman, 
Charles Eckhart, Adam Emmert, George W. Fisher, John Fisher, 
Adam Hess, John Hoban, John G. Jager, John Kincella, Wilbarforce 
Knott, John Kauflin, Joseph Longanback, Jofin E. Long, Abiel Lea- 
ver, James H. Lyons, Richard Lambert, Andrew Miser, Robert Porter, 
John P. Robenstein, Benjamin F. Snell, John H. Simmons, John B. 
Sampson, Joseph Sommers, Samuel Schroder, William Schroder, Oli- 
ver Saffin, George T. Seeley, John C. Spiedel, Abram A. Truesdale, 
Horatio Tucker, Enoch West; Robert Wise, William Wise, William 
Betts, Valentine Cummings, John Climer, Jasper Graham, Charles Ire- 
land, John Jounghaus, Henry Morgan, Hugh O'Donnell, John O'Neil, 
Joseph O'Conner, John Quinn, Albert S. Ritchie, Henry Stanley, Dan- 
iel Wilguss. 

Killed in Battle. — Privates Robert Davis, Charles Davis, Charles 
Deekmyer, Simeon Shattuck, Michael Schaub, Robert E. Truxworth. 

Died. — Corporal Benjamin F. Terry, Privates Edward H. Hall, Aga- 
thon Otto. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Earl W. Stimson, Corporals Charles Wil- 
liams, Robert Howden, Privates Charles H. Baldwin, Oliver Chamber- 
lain, John E. Craig, Herman Fastrom, Joseph L. Ferdon, Matthew 
Grogan, Thomas Greenwood, Carl Korner, Samuel J. Lawrence, Sam- 
uel Pierson, Nicholas Rudolph, Joseph Rebel, Samuel Skelton, John 
Harrison, Matthew Smith, James L. Terry, Ulrich Wahrenburger, 
Benjamin V. Williams. 

Transferred. — Sergeants Joseph L. Antram, Leonard Boice, James 
F. Graham, Corporal Peter H. Britt, Privates Nelson A. Britt, George 
Benn, John HoUister, Peter Kreps, Archibald Mangan, Fairfax W. 
Nelson, Sherwin S. Perkins, Henry B. Stites. 

On muster-in but not muster-out roll. — Privates James H. Clymer, 
Matthew Gwinn, Junius E. Long, Junius H. Lyons. 

COMPANY F. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Charles H. Brutton. 
Captain Justin M. Thatcher. 
First Lieutenant Charles H. Herron. 
First Lieutenant James F. Irwin. 
First Lieutenant Jesse C. La Bille. 
Second Lieutenant Frank S. Schaeffer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant William H. Read. 
Sergeant Otto Brewer. 
Sergeant Wilham E. Jackson. 
Sergeant John A. Seigle. 
Sergeant John E. Hewite. 
Corporal John B. Miller. 
Corporal Edward Lawrence. 
Corporal August Nearman. 
Corporal William R. Wood. 
Corporal Frederick Linnubrink. 
Corporal Milton Lunbaeh. 
Corporal James Wood. 
Corporal Thomas Manning. 
Musician Joseph Lefeber. 
Teamster John McClung. 

■ PRIVATES, 

Harry Blake, Edward Beady, John Battell, Lewis Desbordes, David 
Downey, Henry Eons, Michael Enright, James R. Irwin, Frederick 
Finer, George Hoffman, Bernard Klotte, William Keisemeier, Ernst 
Lawrence, John Lawrence, Henry Leonard, John Linciman, Peter 
Lagaly, Herman Linnis, Franklin Lefeber, James Lefeber, Au- 
gustin Martin, Milton McCuUy, Perry McAdams, Joseph T. Nep- 
per, Seth G. Perkins, Jonathan Reams, Joseph Ruff, Henry Rohl- 
man, Gustave Slube. Levi Sommers, Henry Smith, Anthony Schaeffer, 
Frederick Terpborn, Clement Thusing, Stuart Terwilliger, Daniel 
Toomire, William Witte, Peter West, William Wolf, Charles Young, 
James Yost, William Young, Michael Carrigan, William Gloeb, Louis 
Kolp, Michael Miller, William Overund, George W. Plummer, Irvina 
Rollins, John R. Ramsey, Larkin Smith, David J.' Decamp, Jesse C. 
La Bille, Daniel A. Griffin, Vere W. Royse, John R. Faukeberger, 
Edward P. Perkins, Jacob Crites, Casper N. Gunther, George Hearth, 
Thomas Noble, Henry Nearman, Henry Peters, Charles Rocap, 
George W. M. Vandegrift. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Killed in Battle.— Privates Thomas Brown, James H. Draus, Lewis 
Evers, Joseph Hooth, Joseph Toomire. 

Died. — Privates Christopher Ark, William Brocksmith, Ed^vin Craw- 
ford,' Gottfried Heileman, Andrew Overthal, John Q. Root, Henry 
Willias. 

Under-cooks (African).— Carter Hughes, William Pope. 

Transferred. — First Sergeants William E. Sheridan, Albert G. Wil- 
liams ; Corporal Fredeack Hipp ; Privates Joseph Arumar Ambruster, 
Frank Butsch, Joseph Furst, Charles Hottendorf, Thomas Neald, 
John Ruff, William Simpson, Toby Sayler, Jacob Weaver. 

On muster-in, but not on muster-out roll. — James H. Deans, Herman 
Placke, Seth G. Perkins, George Stube, Robert Wood. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain A. O. Russell. 

Captain William S. Getty. 

First I^ieutenant Jules J. Montaginer. 

First Lieutenant Henry C. Choate. 

First Lieutenant George W. Cormany. 

Second Lieutenant James F. Irwin, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Abraham J. Price. 
Sergeant John W. Easley. 
Sergeant Herbert Sullivan. 
Sergeant Henry F. Howe. 
Sergeant John Peer. 
Corporal Dewitt C. Hayes. 
Corporal Charles S. Dunn. 
Corporal Harry Simmons, 
Corporal Charles A. Hucker. 
Corporal John Sullivan. 
Corporal Thomas Burnett. 
Corporal William Lotze. 
Corporal George W. Miller. 
Drummer Jacob Brauns. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Burkhardt, Peter Balser, Walter Baldwin, Hainer Bradburj', 
William Bodie, Charles Boutwell, Thomas Cranwell, William E. Col- 
lins, Joshua Cain, Andrew M. Dunn, Daniel A, Eagan, Atlas B. 
Fisher, Horace Fisher, Andy Fenhoff, John S. Gilson, William Ganard, 
Peter Hofsase, Nicholas Kehr, Andrew Keller, John H. Lookam, 
Rudolph iWackzum, Robert C. Nelson, William C. Perkins, Albert G. 
Parent, Benjamin Post, John Richards, George Rhynearson, George 
W. Knob, William B. Rowe, Isaac H. Sturgis, William H, Sturgis, 
Anson W. Schenck, William F. Sullivan, John R. Sullivan, William H. 
Servise, John Singer, James A. Taylor, James H. Willis, Peter 
Walton, Henry Zwibrick, Alexander Barclay. Henry Berrutter, Ebon 
R. R. Biles, H. W. H. Dickman, Thomas Fennell, James J. Geldea, 
Isaac Huff, William Morrington, Charles McDoughtin, Robert Nolan, 
Michael P. Way. 

Under-cooks (African). — ^John Jennings. George Washington. 
Killed in battle. — Private John Huddleston. 

Died. — First Sergeant George W. Ridenour, Sergeant William H. 
Loyd, Corporal Oliver P. Rockenfield, Privates Jeremiah A. Colwell, 
Samuel P. Stallcup, Robert Taulman. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Louis Schram ; Corporals William A. Clark, 
Walter Lawrence, Julius C. Schenck ; Privates Alfred Burnett, Joseph 
Biggers, Augustus Clements, William H. Eberle, William J. Graham. 
Gottlie Heirtsbruner, Charles Hebel, William R. Joyce, Joseph 
Metzler, Ambrose A. Philips, Alexander Schenk, August Schraitman, 
William H. Sloan, James J, Wagner, Joseph McMurmes. 

Transferred. — First Lieutenant James F. Irwin, Privates Gustave 
Binder, Silas S. Dunn, John Fenhoff, William R. Goodnough, 
Frederick Haha, Joseph Katching, Joseph Long, Maley Lemings, 
Frank Parsnip, Milton Parvin, Michael G. Ryan. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Henry H. Tinker. 
First Lieutenant John W. Morgan. 
First Lieutenant William E. Sheridan. 
First Lieutenant Joseph L. Antram. 
First Lieutenunt James F. Meline. 
Second Lieutenant Solomon Bidwell. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Benjamin F, Hopkins. 
Sergeant Joseph H. McClintock. 



Sergeant Charles A. Haller. 
Sergeant Joseph S. Wehrle. 
Sergeant Joseph Gang. 
Corporal Albert Speece. 
Corporal Benjamin D. Hall. 
Corporal Joseph R. Northcraft. 
Corporal Frank P. Winstell. 
Corporal Frank D. Wentworth. 
Corporal John A. Bonner. 
Corporal Henry Shaffer. 
Bugler William Schmitt. 
Musician John F, Dressel. 
Wagoner George Harrison. 
Corporal Ashmad Charles. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Armstrong, James F. Attee, William E. Allen, John Cro- 
nin, Joseph O. Clark, Joseph Chloe, John W. Douglass, Henry Du- 
vall, William C. Ellis, August Friday, Henry Frazier, Henry Frillman, 
George Greenfield, Lewis Hahn, Herman Hinkley, John F. Hanley, 
Hannibal M. Hopkins, Thomas Kennedy, Henry Keith, Patrick 
Logue, Robert Menah, Daniel McGillicudy, John Meier, Absalom 
Maxwell, Joseph Nevill, James O'Malley, Cannville Peyrot, Hiram C. 
Page, Stephen Ross, Joseph Kohler, Charles Schuster, Killian Stros- 
ser, Richard Thomson, James B. Willets, George W. Whippy,. George 
Whistler, Robert Andrews, William Carrington, Henry Cahlenburg, 
John Maley, John D. Newman, Nicholas Stumpf, Antonia Smith, 
Henry C. Thatcher, John Wilson. 

Killed in Battle. — Privates, Valentine Merdian, Charles Waltermut. 
Missing in Action. — Michael Munly. 

Died. — Privates, John Christ, Henry Rusher, Martin Seebaur, Ben- 
jamin Worrell. 

Discharged. — Sergeant William H. Pierce, John Mitter, Samuel 
Walker, William A, Ream. Joseph Sandheiger, Levi Thompson, Levi 
H. Banker, John J. Bozle, William Boingard, Deloraine Brown, Eugene 
Brown, Bryan C. Eager, John M. Gay, Lawrence Gay, Max Hen- 
dricks, John Hollister, John G. King, Joseph Legrand, Owen Mur- 
phy, Levi L. Pritzel, John Riley, David Singer, Andrew Sullivan, Ed- 
ward Ulm, Anthony Walsh. . 

Transferred — Privates, Joseph Hahn, Samuel Lawrence, Maley Lem- 
ing, Ferdinand Shvenpedder. Edward M. Shoemaker. 

On muster in, not on muster out roll. — Privates, W. A. Bouregard, 
Levi H. Barchus, Robert Davis, Lawrence Guise, George Hoffman, 
Arthur Inier, John Jager, George Willason, John O'Neil, Joseph 
Reilly, Avoni Rollins, William H. H. Stout, Henry WiUiams, Constan- 
tine Zimmerman. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James Bense. 

Captain Benjamin F. West. 

First Lieutenant Richard Southgate. 

First Lieutenant George T. Lewis. 

Second Lieutenant Walter Lawrence. 

Second Lieutenant Josiah W. Stanker. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, - . 

First Sergeant William S. Woolverton. 
Sergeant John Hanley. 
Sergeant Ferdinand McDonough. 
Corporal William Langenheim. 
Corporal William Crawford. 
Corporal Charles Fahlbush. 
Corporal Richard Garwood. 
Corporal Henry Harmeyer. 
Corporal Frederick Larkcom. 
Musician Edward Frike. 
Teamster Frederick Shoenck. 

PRIV,.\TES. 

Otto Anner, Newton Burknell, Henry Buddenbaum, Frank Brahni, 
George Bruner, Adolph Bruner, Edward P. Catlin, Benjamin Clark, Jo- 
seph Drehr, Antone Frave, Joseph Gutzweiler, Edwin Green, August 
Grass, Adolph Hof, Jacob Hauser, Gottlieb Heller^ James V. Hirlez, 
David Hummel, Roland O.Jones, WiUiam Jurgans, Dennis H. Kenedy, 
Christopher Kohli, John C. Lynch, Jacob Liese, Jacob Landis, Eli 
Miller, Hiram Mosier, William L. May, John McGlone, James Mar- 
tin, August Nischan, Timothy Ryan, John L. Rea, Matthias Seibert, 
Christopher Schweitzer, William C. Webber, Sylvester Webber, Wil- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



99 



Ham Yager, John Zimmerman. Under-cook (African) George Wash- 
ington. Peter Bruner, Frederick Beck, John Biickhart. Michael Con- 
nell, Samuel Erumiger, Robert Fenley, William Geisel, John Little, 
Jacob Litzel, Thomas Marshall, John Oysterbag, Robert H. Pence, 
Michael S. Witmer, Meritz Zink. 

Killed in Battle.— Privates Daniel E. McCarty, Heinrich Nortman, 
Samuel Pulver, Jacob Rappellee, Frederick Springmeyer, Gasquire 
Yehle. 

Missing in Action. — Privates James Carson, William Maygaffoy- 
gan. 

Died.— Privates Ma.x Essinger, Jacob Hillfecker, William Wenzel, 

Discharged. — Privates George T. Lewis, Wesley B. McClane, 
Henry C. Choate, Henry Gibson, George S. La Rue, Thomas Long, 
Edward Roderija, John Williams, Frederick Bender, Thomas Cart- 
wright, Frederick Elerman, William Fenistall, Frank Gerhardt, Ed- 
ward Hof, Otto Hof, Frederick Heckert, John Jackson, John Muhler, 
John Storker, Orlando M. Smith, William T. Swift, William Z. Thor- 
burn, James Wilson. 

On muster in, not on muster out roll. — Privates, Cornelius Collins, 
John Brauns, William Lyons, Joseph Fetz, Linck Morris. 
COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles M. Clark. 

Captain James M. Donovan. 

First Lieutenant August B. D. Merback. 

First Lieutenant Charles C. Beck. 

Second Lieutenant Justin M. Thatcher. 

Second Lieutenant Edward F. Getlier. 

Second Lieutenant Josiah W. Stanker. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George B. Nicholson. 
Sergeant Jethro F. Hill. 
■ Sergeant William S. Squires. 
Sergeant William Gaines. 
Corporal Albert Kimble. 
Corporal Joseph H. Cohagan. 
Corporal Nehemiah V. Pennington. 
Musician Lewis Halt. 

PRIVATES. 

Christopher Albert, George W. Bowlby, John H. Bowlby, John A. 
Barth, Louis C. Brehm, George Buskirk, Henry Beckman, Robert S. 
Culbertson, Francis I. CuUom, Charles Cunningham, Henry Elsing, 
Frederick Eggerman, Constantine Fecker, William Goodwin, Joseph 
Grau, John Hailing, Isaac B. Hart, Daniel Henria? Peter Hoffman, Ja- 
cob Hoffnagle, Lorenz Huber, John A. Roo, August Kreyenhagen, 
Jphn C. Leistner, William A. Lohu, Theodore B. McDonald, Frank 
Meier, Pedro Montaldo, John Moorhouse, Theodore Ostman, Thomas 
Parker, Reason Regin, Clark C. Saunders, Henry E. SchoUe, John 
Leitz, Henry Shelton, George W. G. Shipman, Henry Shockman, 
Joshua Tomson, Samuel Walker, Charles Warner, Frederick Wehking 
George W. Yeager, Gerhard Jumweilde, Frank Christman, Clements 
Dulle, Wesley W. Long, Charles Weideman, George K. Wilder. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeants Thomas G. Drake, John H. Oshng ; 
Corporal Henry F. Fauk ; Privates Louis F. Fautz, Theodore Wessel- 
man. 

Died. — Corporals Henry G. Kreyenhagen, Joseph Martin ; Privates 
Henry L. Ford, Frank Guhra, George Kelsch, David Klein, Jacob 
Nikel, Alexander Schidtman, Rairaond Welling. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant James F. Meline ; Sergeant H. E. W. 
Backus, Henry N. Conden ; Corporals James F. Bargulow, Charles 
Donnelly. Privates George Andrews, Theodore Austin, Frank Crests, 
David D. Davis, Henry C. Davis, Henry Gauckstadt, Joseph Haddock, 
Christopher H. Kuhn, Jefferson McClure, William A. Roebuck, Mor- 
timer Singer, James F. Smith, Freeman C. Tryon, Harrison' Waltz, 
Thomas S. Witherell. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Henry Gee, Sergeant WiUiam Paper- 
brook, Musicianjohn H. Buchtel, Privates John M. Darke, Charies E. 
Lewis, Alexander Love, William McBride, Andrew Murphy. 

On muster in, but not on muster out roll. — Privates Thomas Braun, 
Frederick A. Bemis, John J. Cordry, William Camp, Carneal Conger, 
Henry C. Fowler, Stephen Grove, Joseph L. Gibson, Charles Heine, 
Thomas Johnson, F. H. Lancaster, Frederick Martin, Peter Molloy, 
John Rut, Frank Ross, Luke Rapplee, James W. Roe, Thomas F. 
Ricker, Francis Sutchs, Edwin Thomas, Diedrick Evers, John Fagru, 
Barnard Klenberg, William Lamont, Frederick Madeke, George Mc- 
Laughlin, Conrad Milcher, Albert Malloy, Michael Nolan, Jacob Schaff- 



ner, Julius Winer, Engelhart Wolfer, Jacob Weiber, Frederick Krause, 
Louis Stahl, Martin Erhardt. 

Transferred. — Sergeant Newton McKee, Corporal George B. Crist, 
Privates Frederick Bottles, Victor Liest, Jacob Mattern, Darius Cros- 
line, Rinhard Crist, Samuel Doatwart, Sandy Smith (under-cook, Af- 
rican). 

NINTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Upon receipt of the thrilling news of the fall of Sum- 
ter, the Germans of Cincinnati promptly held a meeting 
at Turner hall, which was addressed by Judge Stallo, 
Colonel R. L. McCook, and other prominent citizens. 
The issue of this gathering was the raising of a German 
regiment, for which two hundred men enrolled at once, 
and within three days fifteen hundred were offered. 
The Ninth was mustered for three months April 2 2d, at 
Camp Harrison, and moved to Camp Dennison May 
1 8th, where it was soon after mustered in for the long 
term, the first three years' regiment from the State, in 
consideration of which the Columbus ladies sent it a 
superb bass drum. It numbered one thousand and 
thirty-five officers and men, with a band of twenty-four. 
On the twentieth of June it took the field in West- 
ern Virginia, made a rapid march from Webster to 
PhiHppi, fifteen miles in three hours, and thence to 
Buckhannon, meeting the enemy at Little Fork bridge, 
but not in force. The Ninth was engaged at Rich 
Mountain directly after, and sustained a small loss. 
From the advance to Cheat Mountain it was ordered 
back to Beverly, and thence to New Creek, on the Po- 
tomac, arriving July 27th. Uncommonly severe guard 
duty awaited it here and continued about a month, 
when the regiment moved to the interior and was as- 
signed to the Second brigade. September 7th the Ninth 
was engaged near Carnifex Ferry, losing two killed and 
eight wounded. For two months and half it was en- 
camped on New river, having frequent skirmishes with 
the enemy, in which a few men were lost. Ordered west, 
it left "Camp Anderson" November 24th, and arrived at 
Louisville December 2d, going from there to Lebanon, 
where it was assigned to the Third brigade. First division, 
Army of the Ohio. January i, 1862, the division moved 
on Columbia, and from there to meet ZoUicoffer. The 
Ninth was in the action at Mill Springs, and made the 
decisive charge of the day. Upon the return to Louis- 
ville in February, the Union ladies of the city presented 
it, and three other regiments, each with a stand of colors, 
for their bravery in this battle. The regiment was then 
transported by water to Nashville, reaching it March 2d, 
and leaving a fortnight after for Pittsburgh Landing, 
where it arrived too late to join in the battle. It was in 
the advance on Corinth, and for some way in the pursuit 
beyond; but was marched to Tuscumbia, Alabama, June 
2 2d. While in camp there the Ninth received an ele- 
gant regimental flag, presented by the city of Cincinnati. 
July 27th it moved toward Decherd, Tennessee, and on 
this march its colonel, Robert L. Cook, commanding the 
brigade, fell ill, and riding in an ambulance ahead of the 
column, was overtaken and cruelly murdered by gue- 
rillas. From Decherd the regiment moved with the 
Army of the Ohio in its toilsome and painful retreat to 
Louisville, which was reached September 27th. October 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



3d it was marched out toward Perryville, and was in ac- 
tion, with small loss, near the close of the battle on the 
8th. After pursuing Bragg to Crab Orchard, it was 
posted at South Tunnel, to clean out the tunnel and 
re-open the railway from Louisville to Nashville. This 
was done by hard, energetic work, between November 8th 
and 26th. The next guard duty was at Pilot Knob, and 
during the battle of Murfreesborough it guarded fords on 
the Cumberland. January 14th to March 6, 1863, the 
Ninth was on duty about Nashville, scouting and recon- 
noitering, when it was ordered to Triune and engaged 
in drilling, building fortifications, etc. It was here 
equipped with Springfield rifles, and also welcomed cordi- 
ally a new regimental band. Marched again June 24th, 
through heavy rains, for seventeen days, to TuUahoma, 
and thence over Lookout Mountain, reaching McLemore's 
cove September loth. On the 17th it moved toward the 
battle-field of Chickamauga, marching all night through 
lanes of burning fences, and was in the thick of the fight 
the next day. It recaptured a lost battery, aided in the 
repulse of Longstreet, and on the second day took part 
in the famous bayonet charge of Van Dervour's brigade. 
In the battle the Ninth sustained one-third of the entire 
loss of its brigade, losing eleven officers and two hundred 
and thirty-seven men, almost exactly half of its whole 
number in action. It then suffered with the rest of the 
army for a season at Chattanooga. When General 
Thomas took command, the regiment entered the Sec- 
ond brigade. Third division. Army of the Cumberland. 
It was in the assault on Mission Ridge, and, with one 
other regiment repulsed, a charge by a greatly superior 
force. December 30th it escorted a battery and train to 
Calhoun; and, February 25, 1864, took part in a sharp 
skirmish at Crow's Valley. In March and April it was 
encamped at Ringgold, and May 5th it started on the 
Atlanta campaign. It was in the battle of Resaca May 
15th, moving thence to the Etowah river, where it re- 
mained on active duty until its terra expired. May 27th. 
Up to the last moment it stood within range of the ene- 
my's guns, and was finally relieved by General Thomas in 
person from the outer picket line. Their fellow-soldiers 
lined the road and gave it enthusiastic cheers by way of fare- 
well. It was received with great enthusiam at Cincinnati, 
and mustered out at Camp Dennison June 7, 1864. The 
attachment of the members of this regiment to its memor- 
ies and to each other is so great that they hold reunions 
every Sunday, at some convenient place in the city, where 
they fight their battles o'er again. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Robert L. McCook. 
Colonel Gustave Kammerling. 
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Sandeshoff. 
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Joseph. 
Lieutenant Colonel Fritz Schweder. 
Major August Willich. 
Major Bartholemevv Benzswig. 
Major Charles E. Boyle. 
Major Conrad Sottheim. 
Assistant Surgeon Rudolph Werth. 
Assistant Surgeon Adam M. Beers. 
Assistant Surgeon James Davenport. 
Adjutant George H. Harris. 
Adjutant Herman Ponitz. 



Quartermaster Joseph Graeff. 

Chaplain William Stacugel. 

Chaplain Joseph A. Fuchshuber. 

Sergeant-Major Robert Gronan. 

Commissary Sergeant Samuel Landaner. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Gustave Brockhous. 

Hospital Steward Louis Zahn. 

Principal Musician Dominie Emrninger. 

Principal Musician Richard Schwenger. 

Discharged. — Hospital Steward William Schmidt, Principal Musi- 
cian Guenther Leidenstrucker, Quartermaster Sergeant Emanuel 
Rodde, musicians, Leopold Praeger, Ernst F, Blum, Albin Studer, 
Richard Meinhardt, Anson Hofichser, Joseph Kilian, Louis Strebel, 
Charles Vogt, John Cochler, George Wolf, Charles Hammel, Theodore 
Niemann, Louis Dorst, Ernst Meinhardt, .Adolph Schenck, Anson 
Bigler, 

Quartermaster Sergeant Frederick Busse, Christopher Schendler. 

Transferred. — Sergeant-Major Raymond Hermann. 

Regimental band. — Principal Musician Richard Sclrvvenzer; musicians, 
Jacob Bauer, John Dietrich, Charles Harvy, Theodore Herth, Charles 
Jutzi, Michael Koch, John Koch, Lorenz Mages, Michael Meiser, 
Leopold Praeger, Andrew Reusing, Herman Weber, Otto Zink, Wil- 
liam Hawk. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Joseph Charles B. Gentsch. 
First Lieutenant Louis Henser. 
First Lieutenant Adam Schuhmacher. 
Second Lieutenant Gustavus Tafel. 
Second Lieutenant Herman Pomitz. 

NON-COMMISSIOND OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Louis Mark. 
Sergeant Charles Teichmann. 
Sergeant Adolph Mueller. 
Corporal August Griess. 
Wagoner William Wittinger. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles Albrecht, Louis Ambrecht, George Ambsler, Hermann Bey- 
land, Julius Bertsch, Albert Booklet, Franz Brawninger, Albert Franke, 
Henry Glyckherr, Henry Gnucklack, Joseph Goessler, John G. 
Himmber, Peter Hahn, Frederick Heyer, Franz Hohendorf, Frederick 
Handel, Joseph Heck, Otto Hack, Philip Hartmann, Theodore Jacker, 
Louis Killer, Charles Klinthworth, Adam Klingel, Ernst Koegal, John 
Loge, Adolph Luethy, August Mathies, William Meyer, Charles Mad- 
dler, Louis Atting, George Popp, Uriah Panzer, Ferdinand Pfister, 
Frederick Kumpf, Henry Rieger, Joseph Ruettinger, George Seihrt, 
Philip Seibert, Gustavus Schultz, Theodore Schatgle, John Schmidt, 
Edward Stremmel, Frederick Wendel. 

Privates, Albert Ahlers, Rudolph Burgmann, Frank Daum, Otto 
Schultz, Andrew Schmidt, William Wachs. 

Joined since organization of company. — Sergeant August Ernst, 
Signer; Corporals Herman Waldenmayer, Thomas Lorenz Mages; 
paivates, Emil Gerhardt, Martin Koch, Louis Lissett, Charles Schatt- 
gen, Adolph Wagoner. 

Killed in battle. — Sergeant William Drewey; Corporals Hugo Tafel, 
Godfrey Krichfuss; Privates August Reyland, Philip Herzog, William 
Dake, Ferdinand Hildebrand, Sadislaw Settler. 

Died. — First Sergeant Frederick Sturbe, Corporal Ferdinand Borz; 
privates, George Wittman, Ferdinand Ludwig, Peter Schraffenbeger, 
Philip Fueller, 

Discharged. — Sergeants, Adam Schumacher, Gustavus Tafel, Her- 
mann Poenitz, Charles Feltan; Corporals Nicholas Peters, Henry 
Baer; musician, Michael Koch; Privates Charles Berkheimer, Gustavus 
Baner, Michael Beyer, Gustave Beigmann, Hermann Franke, Henry 
Hubert, Ma.\ Hupfauf, Louis Hartleb, Adam Hermansderfer, Fred- 
erick Kuchne, Frederick Mueller, Louis Neubacher, Franz Pfeffet, 
George Pfaffinger, John Raepple, Philip Riehl, George Roehrig, Joseph 
Schmitz. 

Prisoners of War. — Sergeant Ernst Riedel; Private Ernst Schultz. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Robert Gronan; Sergeant Herman 
Reinstanz, Corporal Peter Becker, Musician Richard Schwenzer; Fifer, 
Richard Meinhardt; Drummer Frederick Poschner; Privates Adolph 
Begmann, Charles Haebbe, Bernhard Grieschop. 

On muster-in but not on muster-out roll, — Charles Vadler. 



•HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



COMPANY p. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain I'erdinand Mueller. 
First Lieutenant Jacob Mueller. 
First Lieutenant Nicholas Willich. 
First Lieutenant Frederick Bertsch. 
Second Lieutenant Henry Blandowski. 
Second Lieutenant Theodore Rauck. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frederick Maerthesheimer. 

Sergeant George F. Trautner. 

Sergeant John Earth. 

Sergeant Casper Decker. - 

Sergeant Charles Schutz. 

Corporal John Schmidt. 

Corporal Jacob Boehler. 

Corporal Henry Schenk. 

Corporal Augustus Kiefe. 

Corporal Albin Arand. 

Musician Charles Jutze. 

Wagoner John Roos. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Baron, Clemens Breitenbach, Lewis Buchtman, Julius Burk- 
hardt, Arthur Dreifus, Lewis Ehrlich, John Engel, John Engelhardt, 
Frederick Freers, Lewis Freers, Michael Gierten, Augustus Genther, 
Maurice Emery, Gotleib Hauser, Frederick Heine, Otis Howard, Jost 
Hoesh, Frederick Huminan, Henry Jend, August Jungfelass, Theodore 
Klunke, Anton Kutzleb, John Kraes, Charles Macule, George Maeir, 
William May, John Orion, Joseph Piesche, George Rohland, John 
Ruop, John Schaefer, Thomas Schaefer, Henry Schaeringhaus, George 
Scheer, Edward Scheneser, Jacob Schlosser, Peter Schmiegel, John 
Schwarz, Henry Schwessinger, Ferdinand C. Schneeman, Joseph 
Schweler, Augustus Stoeckle, George Tenn, Adolph Thedbold, Henry 
Wahle, Nicholas Wedesty, George Wolpold, John Wuesthop, Charles 
Zahn. 

Privates Gustavus Buehl, Moritz Gross, Jacob Maurer. 

Killed in battle.— Corporals Henry Miller, Henry Wight; Privates 
Jacob Bauer, Joseph Hipp, Andrew Keller, Frederick Lecker, Adam 
Laufer. 

Died. — First Sergeant Adolph Spaeth; Corporals Eugene Huser, 
Charles Pacher; Privates Conrad Hosbach, Casper Mueller, Francis 
Schapf, Henry J. Theobold, John Troester, Joseph Floise. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant Theodore Bauck; Wagoner Philip 
Maenninger; Privates John Bauer, Lewis Benz, Lewis Bluttermann, 
John Boss, Philip Bottler, John Deiters, Emanuel Honeck, Robert 
Kaulig, John Kurhule, George Lauber, Michael Bracker, Julius Lessig, 
Peter Maithic, Charles Rusckert, Joseph Scherer, Francis Schmidt, 
Casper Semmber, John Wirzbricker, Conrad Ulmer, Melchior Wiget, 
Benedict Wiesz, Christopher Fleddermann, Jacob Winzler. 

Transferred. — Gustave Brockhause. 

Prisoner of War. — ^John Pfeifer. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Henry Broderson. 
Captain William Straengel. 
Captain Morris Pohlman. 
First Lieutenant George H. Harris. 
First Lieutenant Henry Liedke. 
First Lieutenant Joseph Haider. 
First Lieutenant Henry Spaeth. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Abel. 
Sergeant George Ess. 
Sergeant William Brinkman. 
Sergeant Matthias Huett. 
Sergeant Joseph Mueller. 
Corporal Francis Reinfurt. 
Corporal Henry Elever. 
Corporal Peter Batz. 
Corporal Jacob Schweitzer. 
Corporal Charles N. Nelson. 

PRIVATES. 

Leoiiard Banen, Christopher Bleiler, Leopold Busam, Coustantine 
Boshardt, August Bunsch, John Bmemmelkamp, George Brueker, 



Jacob Bihl, Albert Denerlich, Martin Eckerle, Henry Gausman, Louis 
Guenther, John Goetz, August Grothe, William Gerhardt, Phillipp 
Guerteth, Louis Gorman, Herman Gerhardt, George Hyde, Martin 
Hankes, Stephen Huber, Phillip Holzmann, Frederick Hafner, Wil- 
liam Hayne, Charles Hoffner, Henry Krauger, Henry Krite, William 
Keiterborn, Joseph Kissiwelter, August Kraeger, Frank Kaiser, Michael 
Lorenz, Nathan Loewenstein, Julius Lentz, Christian Mueller, Peter 
Miller, John Mueller, Louis Mayer, Matthias Meister, Henry Remmin- 
ger, Frederick Rapp, William Stettleberg, Nicholas Schneider, George 
Schneider, Carl Steiner, Christian Lickemeyer, Lorenz Spaeth, Anton 
Schmidt, Christian Thaussen, Herman Upsing, Phillipp Ulrich, Stanis- 
laus, VoUmen, Herman Wiltenberg, Jacob Wenz, Michael Zier, John 
Steek, William Ott, Nicholas Birkman. 

Killed in Battle. — Fred Waltenspeil, William Kaiser. 

Missing in Action. — Fred Frost, Charles Groespel. 

Died. — Corporal Herdia Kilian; Privates Frederick Gimble, Frede- 
rick Shafer, William Hartig, John Rosselit, Sebastian Wipfler, Jacob 
Fry. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant George Schneider; Sergeant Anton 
Miller; Privates Henry Byersderfer, Clemens Bonke, Frederick Buse, 
Bernhardt Bruggemaur, Xavier Fahrubel, Isaac Hessbirg, Joseph Hill, 
Charles Hoerst, Magnus Heyl, Adolph Jost, Jean Joab, Frederick 
Koeffler, Henry Kramer, Henry Lotz, Theodore Pape, William Poppe, 
William Rosenfeld, Charles Schottmueller, John Schulz, Anton Steifes- 
ter, Theodore Steiner, Frederick Vail, Louis Witzell. 

Transferred. — Sergeants Lewis Groos, Louis Kuster, Louis Zahn, Ed- 
lief Thomson, Samuel Lundaner, Frederick Bupe, Frederick Dister, 
Charles Stalder. 

On muster-in but not on'muster-out roll. — John Goob. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frederick Schroeder. 
Captain Gustave F. Kepper. 
First Lieutenant Ernst Reubeum. 
First Lieutenant Richard Schneider. 
Second Lieutenant Daniel Wagoner. 
Second Lieutenant Raymond Herman. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Gustave Grims. 
Sergeant August Witte. 
Sergeant William Minning. 
Sergeant Casper Weger. 
Corporal Adolph Gumelman. 
Corporal Ferdinand Zimmerer. 
Corporal Phillipp Arnold. 
Corporal Gotlieb Strohm. 
Wagoner Louis Nordmann. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles Abraham, Peter Blinn, George Borntrager, Louis Bosch, 
Jacob Buegler, Thomas Burger, Henry Cordes, Bernhardt Dorn, John 
Eberhardt, Martin Eberhardt, Martin Path, Henry Faubel, Rudolph 
Frischkueht, Henry Frederich, William Galle, Henry Gerding, James 
Gerthot, Peter Guerther, Henry Hahn, Jacob Hermann, Peter Hugger, 
Herman J ohanning, Michael Kosh, Andrew Langeubahn, Hermann C. 
W. Suelbert, Francis Massner, Charles Mandell, Bartholomew Malt, 
Frederick Meyer, Henry Meyer, William Meyer, Henry Minning, Wil- 
liam Nenn, Louis Roesler, George Roesoh, Adam Reising, Louis Sand- 
man, Adam Sandrack, John Sauser, Herman Schaf, Hugo Schassner, 
Matthew Schleuker, Herman Schmidt, Christian Schmidt, Michaei 
Schranck, Charles Schnebel, Jabob Schwarztrauber, Charles Seeger, 
William Stagg, William Steinkamp, Christian Strademeyer, Rudolph 
Strademeyer, Francis Studer, Frederick Turbez, Christian Vaneda 
Charles Wirming, Jacob Betzold, George Koch, John Kierz, Henry 
Weyminger, Alexander Pflueger, Joseph Walton. 

Killed in Battle. —Corporal Louis Fohmann; Privates Henry Speller- 
berg, August Waldenspiel, Charles Funke, Frederick Conrade, Anthony 
Mueller, Ernst Kuechler. 

Prisoner of War. — Private John Blessing. 

Died. — Corporal Christian Luchrmann; Privates Gustave Begemann, 
August Engelebrecht, Henry Large, John Luchbrechler. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant Charles Dolezrich; Sergeant August 
Hampe; Privates John Beck, August Begemann, Jerome Helreigel, Wil- 
liam Knichhaus, Joseph Ligner, Gebhardt Meyer, Herman Otten, 
William Voesti, Bernhardt Weikerte, Henry Winter, William Zerer, 
Henry Spaeth. 

Transferred.— Privates Valentine Fleitz, Dominie Einminger. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.' 



COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Bartholomew Benz. 
Captain George H. Harries. 
First Lieutenant Gustavus F, Nepper. 
First Lieutenant Martin Bruner. 
Second Lieutenant Frederick Steimer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George H. Lippert. 
Sergeant Jolin Eigner. 
Sergeant Frederick Saeger. 
Sergeant Henry S. Scheuer. 
Sergeant J olin Kochler. 
Corporal Jolm Mueller, No. i. 
Corporal Frank M. Smith. 
Corporal George S. Starm. 
Corporal John Schular. 
Corporal Louis Mossman. 
Corporal Harry E. Bayer. 
Corpor.al Henry Feieatag. 
Wagoner August Broadeaberger. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Behrens, Balthasar Baeche, Theodore Basch, Richard Baes- 
chia'', Frederick Biedeker, Martin Baabender, Dietrich Dorst, Louis 
Eckelman, Diebold Eschenbrauer, Simon Ernst, John Fauke, Frederick 
Feirp, Charles Fortacbacher, George Fisher, Adam Fath, James G. 
Froever, Frederick Hoffman, Joseph H. Hagelai, John Hoeltzer, John 
Houck, Casper Keller, Christian Laedeke, Henry Mowbrey, Andrew- 
Mayer, John Mueller, No. 2, Frank Natsch, George Obermeyer, James 
Papaner, George Reiger, Christian Rapp, Frank Rarke, George Reip- 
ler, John Rost, Joseph Rein, Jacob Straab. William Schalmeyer, Jacob 
Seebach, William Schraitzer, John Sehatte, ■ Frank Steimer, Frank 
Schick, lohn Schmidt, Phillipp Sommer, Frank Tobergete, John Trick, 
Louis Waltz, Frank Wedericke, Frederick Eberhardt, Sebastian Hen- 
rich, Charles Hoffacher, William Hesse, George Kollae, Andrew 
Schwartz, Herman Whening. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal John Ruoff ; Privates Fidel Edelman, 
Christopher Hornang, Frederick Noeka. 

Died. — Corporal Henry Seimers, Martin Dumbacher, George Gaul, 
Herman Jarger. 

Discharged.— Sergeant Phillip Spangler ; First Sergeant Henry W. 
Sanders; Sergeants John Limberger, Frederick Steiner ; Drummer Fred- 
erick Blamerthal; Pri^■ates Frederick Bruner, Jacob Arnold, Henry 
Barwig, Frederick Gross, Charles Guilharme, Christopher Halbrider, 
William E. Hagedon, John Hellwig, Joseph Kirlack, Charles Kelb, 
John Keiahardt, Adam Mayer, Frederick Meyers, Henry Pfisterer, Da- 
vid Ross, August Scharck. 

Prisoners of War. — Privates Leo Wippel, Frederick Walker. 

Transferred. — Musician Weber Herman, Charles Benninger, Daniel 
Eyser, Joseph Kelderich, Henry J. Kock, Thomas Streiff, Jacob Wed- 
erick. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Gustav Kammerling. 

Captain Louis Henser. 

First Lieutenant Herman Luetkenhaus. 

Second Lieutenant Alexis Hilbrun. 

Second Lieutenant John Baumgartner. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frank Hinman. 

Sergeant Christian Etzell. 

Sergeant John B. Hoenemann. 

Sergeant George F. Feir. 

Corporal Julius Geram. 

Corporal Gerhardt Ferber. 

Corporal Alovis Maver. 

Corporal Joseph Lehman. 

Corporal John Prichtel. 

Corporal Joseph Becker. 

Wagoner Henry Steffens. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Arnold, Matthew Altinger, William Appenfenfelder, Christian 
Bay, Conrad Dahloff, Frederick Engelay, Charles Fenderonich, John 
Gueiither, Frederick Habenicht, William Hunskahl, Henry Hoer, Wil- 



liam Kimberly, Conrad Kramer, Charles Messner, Charles May, Julius 
Nordhoff, Henry Nickel, Henry Neulman, Henry Rume, Andrew Rohr, 
Charles Rothfuss, Phillipp Steuber William Stern, Ernst Straup, Vin- 
cent Schott, August Schoenfeld, William Schoenfeld, John SchmuUing, 
John Schmidt, Christian Schnell, Henry Sander, Anthony Siebelder, 
Lawrence Steuber, Charles Schaefer, Frederick Schroeder, Frank Traw, 
Andrew Vollett, Conrad Vassler, William Wahlbrink, Adolph Brew- 
erer, John Brachle, Jacob Korii, Charles Merroth, Phillip Mella, Wil- 
liam Schroer, Henry L. Weber. 

Killed in Battle. — Privates Gottlieb Hirschmann, George Hirsbrun- 
ner, Anton Knittell, Frederick Mueller, Herman Schmidt, Frederick 
Miefert, Frederick Werth, Christian Gerstaller ; Corporal Charles 
Roman. 

Died. — Privates Matthew Buehl, Charles Roller, John B. Stieff, John 
Wilke. 

Discharged. — Sergeants Frederick Oberkline, John Obervahn, Wil- 
liam Kiliam ; Privates Jacob Arnold, Nicholas Braun, Charles Berger, 
Charles Brill, Prosper Binghard, Christopher Hornickle, Charles Hal- 
ler, Paul Jessing, Martin Kern, Charles Kern, Conrad Kauffman, 
Henry Karp, Henry Moore, George Mietsch, August Nolte, Edward 
Schenkel, Gotlieb Schaffner, Herman Stahl, Casper Rung. 

Prisoners of War. — Sergeant V. Hummell, Charles Corp, Charles 
Daubenmerkel, Henry Pappenberg, Leonard Hermann ; Corporal Jo- 
seph Becker. 

Recruits and Prisoners of War. — Privates John B. Baumgartner, An- 
drew Dietz, Bernhardt Klineberg, Otto Zink. 

Not on Muster Roll. — Private John Trarbauch. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Gustavus Richter. 
Captain Adam Schumacker. 
First Lieutenant Charles Zahn. 
■ First Lieutenant Tlieodore Lammer. 
First Lieutenant Alexander Hillbrum. 
Second Lieutenant Frederick Oberkline. 
Second Lieutenant George Hartung. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Golde. 
Sergeant August Gebhardt. 
Sergeant Frederick Emmert. 
Sergeant Charles Kaschule. 
-Corporal Christian Herman. 
Corporal Henry Nagel. 
Corporal Franz Winter. 
Corporal Charles Schronckhart. 
Corporal Edward Rapp. 
Corporal Herman Schutz. 
Corporal Franz Spahn. 

PRIVATES. 

Adam Wenzel, George Appelman, Ernst Buerkle, Joseph Bleible, 
Frederick Cramer, Charles Doolharte, Charles Dutchman, William 
Diehlmier, Frank Denkinger, Henry Dirkson, Justus Enter, Louis 
Gschwind, Herman Howard, Daniel Hess, Raymond HoU, William 
Heiderman, Henry Hinneche, August Kimple, Jacob Kreiss, John 
Loffler, Frederick Leuke, William Leipnitz, Frederick Maeir, John 
Mueller, Lewis Plattin, Otto Roggenbricker, Philip R. Rack, Bernhaid 
Sextro, Henry Stoddick, Christian Schetler, Joseph Schneider, Peter 
Schneider, Henry Stamm, August Schroppe, Herman Spaemberg, 
Joseph Schander, Christian Schmidt, August Seigmund, John Schmidt, 
Frederick Strick, Louis Schmolze, George Wiedeworth, Peter Wet- 
terick, William Zarsk,e Peter Brummer, Christopher Dammier, John 
Greberstein, Anthony Otto, Casper Oberdries, John Rudel, Henry 
Rupprehct, Jacob Schifferdecker, Conrad Stein, Anthony Zeke. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal Herman Lutz; Privates Frederick Gor- 
dike, William Huth, Otto Kutter, George Kuhne. 

Died. — Sergeant George Honold; Privates Rudolph Arnold, Franz 
Baechle, William Baelser, William Federlin, Frederick Fisch, Henry 
Racke, William Newman, William Trimemeyer. 

Missing in Action. — Private John Ganer. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant Ferdinand Seyper; Corporal Andreas 
Hosfeld; Privates Ehrhart Buettner, Charles Biedenbender, John 
Friker, George Harting, Lucas Haettig, Simon Kaerling, George Lim- 
berger, WiUliam Meir, Henry Mayer, Joshua Mueller, August Pert, 
William Schnellman, Henry Schubrook, Otto Spankuch, Valentine 
Weinheimer. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



103 



Transferred. — Private Charles Barker; Musicians John Deiterich, 
Michael Meiser. 

On muster-in, but not on muster-out roll. — First Lieutenant Charles 
Bahn. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Jacob Glonchovvski. 
First Lieutenant Morris Pohlman. 
First Liuetenant Herman Groskordt. 
Second Lieutenant Adolphus Kuhn. 
Second Lieutenant Louis Kuster. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Robert Haile. 

Sergeant Peter Heischauer. 

Sergeant Frederick Brand. 

Sergeant Wilhelm Besseeke. 

Corporal Carl Kommandera. 

Corporal Charles Stuchle. 

Corporal August Stoeppel. 

Corporal Peter Stoltz. 

Corporal William Meinking. 

Corporal August Kettler. 

Wagoner Andrew Motrz. 

PRIVATES. 

John Bachmann, Charles Brandt, Philip Blum, Louis Bode, Herman 
Buscher, Wilhelm Buscher, John Bulow, Henry DeVenkamp, William 
Doepke, Francis Feuerstein, Charles Fischer, John Frommel, John 
Grothen, John Hazeltein. Jacob Hatman, Nicholas Hanck, Frederick 
Hebenstreel, George Hesch, John Janson, Philip Jacob, Gustave Kaiser, 
Christian Kleinschmit, Henry Krumdick, John Kraus, Isador Kuhn, 
Theodore Koehn, Henry Lubbert, William Meier, Henrich Meinking, 
Frederick Munzer, Frederick Opitz, Bernhardt Ortmann, Frederick 
Poff, Bernhard Quinke, Lorenz Quinke, August Roese, Gustave Rulle, 
John Schaefer, John Schatzben, George Schatzmann, John Schiek, 
Emil Schudert, Albert Schmidt, Matthias Schaller, Jacob Schneider, 
George Seeger, George Severling, Theodore Skinner, Henry Struve, 
Christian Tolle, Christian Voeckel, Andrew Woessner, Joseph Wegner, 
Paul Dilley, Henry Pfaffenbauch, Theodore Hartz, Matthias Meier. 

Died. — Corporal Louis Weghurst; Privates John Blankenheim, George 
Belk, Louis Buscher, Joseph Danner, Andrew Haum, Henry Keifer, 
Theodore Sabin. 

Discharged. — Sergeants George Graff, Henry Marting; Privates Fred- 
erick Abel, George Beigel, Charles Dolletsbeek, Joseph Dietsch, Loyd 
Dixon, WiUiara Gehm, Charles Hillwein, Michael Rapp, Anton Wild. 

Transferred. — Sergeant John Lindner; Corporals Herman Fischer, 
August Wilsbacher; Musician Leopold Praeger; Privates Albert Bender, 
Frederick Brandt, Theodore Herth, Christopher Miller, John Ridder- 
mann. 

Prisoners of War. — Sergeant Joseph Hochler; Privates Christian 
Ehlert, Joseph Hillinger, Bernhard Riddamann, Frederick Vehrenkamp, 
Henry Voss, Henry Foss. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Ganson. 
First Lieutenant William Henbig. 
First Lieutenant Charles Dolezich. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph Graff. 
Second Lieutenant Andrew Jenny. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Ferdinand Opitz. 
Sergeant William Huttenmiller. 
Sergeant George Stenken. 
Corporal Herman Liman. 
Corporal Frederick Jant. 
Corporal John Steffel. 
Corporal Anton Greiner. 
Corporal Herman Warnke. 
Corporal John Schmidt. 
Musician Louis Hoendorf. 

PRIVATES. 

William Bickmeyer, Jacob Boehler, Philip Burckhardt, Emil Becher, 
Christian Balks, William Bock, Joseph Comarth, Herman Demme, 
Leopold Dollen, Philip Fitz, Benjamin Foley, Christian Fleichman, 
Francis FiUan, Michael Graw, Louis Haack, Edward Hammel, Chris- 
tian Haffner, Ignatz Hoch, John Heine, Louis Hoerr, Rudolph Hoel- 



schen, Frederick Hoeller, Fedolin Kaffoden, Charles Leiser, Anton 
Meier, William Muerer, Philip Merty, Adolph Newbrick, Jolin Ort- 
wein, Charles Ohl, Henry Paul, Alexander Ruf, Peter Rohland, Joseph 
Shirm, August Stoecken, William Stoecken, John Schuman, Frederick 
Schmidt, Robert Schmidt, John Seifert, Charles Slants, Christian 
Soberer, Charles Slienle, Fabian Wiemer, Henry Westmeyer, Conrarth 
Wolf, Jacob Blattner, August Beisen, Gustav Becker, Charles Haack, 
Peter Hobstetter, Daniel Schmidt, Leo Schroeder, Christian Schott, 
Daniel Schneider, Joseph Wiclort. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeant Michael Hamman, Corporal Gottlieb 
Reiber; Privates, Lee Bochler, Frederick Frill, John Kental, Charles 
Mueller, William Reichman, Gustav Stoecken, Conarth Springgard. 

Died. — Drummer Thornton Eberhardt; Privates Henry Blomeyer, 
Louis Runk, George Vanan. 

Discharged. — F,rederick Bauenmeister, Christian Constanz, Bern- 
hardt Hoelscher, Urban Keifenheim, George Kapp, Jacob Lava, 
Charles Mensing, John Adam Nay, Charles Taucher. 

Prisoners of War. — First Sergeant James Doll; Sergeant Casper 
Messemer; Corporal Charles Hoppest, Wagoner Jacob Schaeffer Pri- 
vates Daniel Grimm, Edward Uttendenfer. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Richard Schneider; Privates Philip 
Bikel, Frederick Banemeister, Jacob Bauer, John Boccord, Lewis 
Kadow. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George Sommer. 
Captain E. B. Thomson. 
First Lieutenant Theodore Hafner. 
First Lieutenant James Mangold. 
First Lieutenant Louis Grove, 
Second Lieutenant Louis Fricker. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Jacob Mather. 

Sergeant Peter Kinzler. 

Sergeant Charles Kempf. 

Sergeant Lorenz Miller. 

Sergeant Jolui Kempfer. 

Corporal Julius Siegel. 

Corporal Joseph Frichs. 

Corporal Philip Marrer. 

Corporal John Radley. 

Corporal David Thaler. 

Teamster Leonard Wissmeier. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob August, Bernhard Axra, Ferdinand Baldinger, Martin Bassler, 
Henry Bauer, Jacob Beck, Sebastian Beringer, Thomas Buchta, Rein- 
hard Dalmon, Alexander Dalmon, Peter Erbacher, George Fellinger, 
August Fellsman, John Grether, Theodore Gubser, John Geiger, Con- 
stantine Geschwind, Frederick Hartmann, John Hartman, George Hof, 
August Halthof, John Hoch, Jacob Jetter, Joseph Knoble, Leonard 
Kirscher, Jacob Kirschbaum, Martin Kramer, William Lenzer, Anton 
Myer, Emanuel Marthi, George Meixner, Frederick Mueller, Georg 
Mutter, Jacob Mandeiy, John Obenauer, Michael Reutschler, Victor 
Ruedy, Jacob Sommer, John Scheverman, Frederick Schubert, Philip 
Schubert, Martin Seifert, Alpheus Sommerhalder, George J. Schenck, 
Henry Waechler, Jacob Zellweyer, Marcus Ziegenhard, Jacob Hotz, 
Adam Kuehn, George Sommer, Ferdinand Seyfried, John Seidel, Her- 
man Teichert. 

Killed in Battle. — Privates Godfrey Hauth, Gottfried Grosser. 

Missing in Action. — George Roller, Andrew Schuyeck. 

Died. — Privates, William Gerhard, Albert Homcger, Leopold Mar- 
rer, Solomon Schneider, John Schneider, John Seibold, Cyriack Vogt. 

Discharged. — Corporals William Mueller, Anthony Mohler; Pri- 
vates George Buettner, Lewis Bauer, Jacob Honppler, John Kuhn, 
John KuU, Christopher Kull, John Mueller, John Mickel, Henry 
Neuman, Louis Preissel, John Renner, Theodore Rehse, Martin Sel- 
ler, John Schenck, William Sauerwine, Marcus Wieser, Conrad Zie- 
gler, Frederick Zamp. 

Prisoners of War. — Privates William Berg, Charles Rauber. 

Transferred. — Corporal- Joseph Krebs; Privates Adolph Brandner, 
Julius Fischer, George Gruntee, Peter Keltenbach, Jacob Orth, Peter 
Schaus, William Hauck, Charles Henry, Frederick Lauch. 

TENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was one of the several regiments raised at once 
in Cincinnati upon the outbreak of the war. It mus- 



104 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



tered in May 7, 1861, and shortly after marched from 
Camp Harrison to Camp Dennison, seventeen miles, in 
less than four hours. Many officers and enlisted men 
had seen service in Mexico and Europe. It was inspected 
at Camp Dennison by General McClelian, and highly 
complimented by him. In the latter part of May the 
Tenth re-enlisted almost in a body for three years, and was 
again mustered in, June 3d, as a three-years' regiment, 
when the ladies of Cincinnati presented it a splendid 
stand of colors. June 24th it was reported to General Mc- 
Clelian at Grafton, and marched thence to Clarksburgh, 
whence it moved to the relief of a beleaguered force at 
Glenville, but found it relieved without a fight. Two 
months marching and scouting in the mountains followed, 
after which it led the advance of Rosecrans to Carnifex 
Ferry. Here the regiment was hotly engaged and com- 
pelled to fall back. In the subsequent movements the 
Tenth took an active share, serving in every skirmish 
and battle in that campaign, closing with the chase of 
Floyd from Cotton mountain. November 2d, the Tenth 
returned to Cincinnati on its way to Kentucky, and re- 
ceived a most enthusiastic greeting as the "heroes of Car- 
nifex." Some of the streets through which it moved were 
so thronged that space was scarcely left for the column. 
It formed in line on Broadway, opposite Colonel Lytle's 
home, where he was suffering from a wound, but arose 
and accompanied his regiment on its triumphal march. 
After a week in the city it went to Kentucky and was as- 
signed to the Thirteenth brigade. Third division of Buell's 
army. Through Kentucky and Tennessee it shared the 
splendid achievements of General Mitchel, its division 
commander, and upon reaching Huntsville, Alabama, it 
was put on provost guard duty, which it performed to the 
eminent satisfaction of the citizens. Colonel Lytle was 
now commanding the brigade, and led it on the long march 
back to the Ohio. October 2d, the regiment received 
sixty recruits, and the next day moved toward Perryville, 
where it was very sharply engaged, losing almost exactly 
one half the number with which it went into action. 
When General Rosecrans relieved Buell the Tenth was 
announced as headquarters and provost guard of the Ar- 
my of the Cumberland, relieving the Fifteenth United 
States infantry. During the battle of Stone River it pro- 
tected the communications, and was highly commended 
in the official report. Seven companies of the regiment 
saved a train which was being plundered by Wheeler's 
cavalry, besides turning back several thousand fugitives 
from the battle-field. At headquarters, some time after, 
Mrs. Rosecrans personally presented the members of the 
"Roll of Honor" in the regiment with their badges, and 
pinned them herself on the breasts of the veterans. A 
beautiful national flag was also received from the city of 
Cincinnati in appreciation of the gallantry and daring of 
the Tenth. The regiment was present with Rosecrans 
at Chickamauga, and with Thomas at Mission Ridge, 
Buzzard Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, and in the 
Atlanta campaign to Kingston. When its term had near- 
ly expired it was formed in front of headquarters, where 
General Thomas, contrary to his custom, addressed it a 
few words of parting cheer and of compliment for its 



bearing on all occasions. General Whipple, chief of staff", 
sent a eulogistic letter expressing his deep regret that the 
army was about to lose the "glorious old Tenth Ohio." 
The boys gave "three times three" for General Thomas, 
and another for the Army of the Cumberland, and still 
another for the Union cause, and then filed off ho'me- 
ward bound. Its return was cordially welcomed in Cin- 
cinnati, and it was shortly afterward mustered out of ser- 
vice. 

FIELD AND STAFF, 

Colonel William H. Lytle. 
Colonel Joseph W. Burk. 
Lieutenant Colonel Herman J. Korff, 
Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Moore. 
Lieutenant Colonel William M. Ward. 
Major John E. Hudson, 
Adjutant James A. Groves. 
Adjutant Daniel O'Connor. 
Adjutant Thomas A. Patterson, 
Quartermaster Francis Darr. 
Quartermaster Nicholas Lacy, 
Quartermaster Luke Murrin. 
Surgeon Charles S. Muscroft. 
Surgeon Homer C. Shaw, 
Assistant Surgeon John B. Rice. 
Assistant Surgeon Joseph H. Van Deman. 
Assistant Surgeon Francis £. Powers. 
Chaplain William T. O'Higgins. 
Sergeant Major Nicholas Knox. 
Sergeant Major Daniel Troohig. 
Sergeant Major Newton McKee. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Luke Murrin. 
Quartermaster Sergeant John Connolly. 
Commissary Sergeant Matthias Reiddinger. 
Commissary Sergeant John Heber. 
Hospital Steward John J. Memiinger. 
Chief Bugler Jacob Seibeck. 
Principal Musician John O'Grady. 

REGIMENTAL BAND. 

Principal Musician John W. Walter; Musicians John Breslau, Louis 
J. Blackner, William Bierman, Hugh Coyle, Charles Colgan, Daniel 
Finn, John W. Fischer, Hugh Hurley, Frederick C. Krull, John Man- 
oeue, Simon Moeller, William J. O'Neill, Charles A. Rademacher, 
Bernard Strusberger, Peter C. Schickle, Charles Schroth, George F. 
Wedemeyer, Charles Walter, 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John O'Dowd. . 
Captain John Fanning. 
First Lieutenant John Crauley. 
First Lieutenant Daniel O'Neill. 
First Lieutenant Timothy D. McNeff. 
Second Lieutenant WiUiam Lambert. 
Second Lieutenant James Foley. 
Second Lieutenant Isaac Shideler, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Luke Jones. 

Sergeant Thomas Burcell. 

Sergeant Manuel O'Ribe. 

Sergeant Michael O'Brien. 

Sergeant John P, Williams, 

Corporal Samuel Hickman, 

Corporal Patrick Norton. 

Corporal Patrick Troohig, 

PRIVATES. 

James Brown, Thomas Barry, Michael Carey, Dennis Curran, Wil- 
liam Crumley, Patrick Conroy, Thomas Coleman, Thomas Dolan, 
John Deffley, John Fenn, John Gilligan, Patrick Giltman, Matthew 
Herbert, David Higgins, Edward Hanlon, Timothy Hartnett, Richard 
Jennings, James E. Jones, John Kenney, John Logan, Michael Lar- 
kins, Thomas McDonald, Patrick McGarry, James Maloney, John 
Muhan, John I. Murphy, Patrick Nealon, Francis Phillips, Thomas 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



loS 



Ryan, Dennis Ryan, Michael Tydings, Timothy Umford, Michael 
Barry, Felix McHugh, James Smith, James Horan, Charles B. Davis, 
James Boyd, Thomas O'Brien, Michael I. Fatten, Michael Keenan, 
James Tulty, Hugh Dennedy, Henry A. Brown, James Clare, Timo- 
thy Doyle, Patricli J. Gillivan, Patrick Keenan, Patrick McCudgen, 
Samuel McMuUen, Charles Malloy, Robert Kittrich, James McAndre, 
William O'Brien, Patrick O'Neill, Thomas Bryan, John Reed, Patrick 
Stark, Jacob Sage, John Ehiffy, James Galligher, Thomas Dwyer. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeants John Dowd and Patrick Kavanagh; 
t'rivates Thomas German, William Morehouse, Harry Rooney, Patrick 
Keeshaw, Daniel Diffley, James Harrison, James Haley, Bernard Ken- 
ney, Hamilton Keown, Tobias Real. 

Died. — Corporals Joseph Dume and James Fisher; Privates John 
Carey, James McCudley, Patrick Jourdan, Hubert Farrell. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Daniel O'Neill, Daniel Toohig, William Lam- 
bert, James Foley; Privates John Connelly, Charles Dennenhour, 
George Leonard, Charles McDermott, James Malone, Daniel O'Con- 
nor. 

Transferred. — Privates Francis Carroll, James Christy, John Barrett, 
David Cullerton, Michael Cowan, John Gushing, Patrick Dowd, James 
Malone, John Fitzpatnck, Michael Ryan, John Harte, James B. Mar- 
tin, Thomas Mahoney, John Donohoe, Dennis Murphy, Edward Can- 
non, Michael Brophy. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Emil Seib. 

Captain C. F. Nickel. 

Captain Rudolph Seebaum. 

First Lieutenant George Schafanacker. 

First Lieutenant Charles Weber. 

Second Lieutenant Matthias Reidlinger. 

Second Lieutenant William Thede. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant William Grundkemeyer. 
Sergeant August Maak, 
Sergeant Charles Heok. 
Corporal John Keoh. 
Corporal John Dannenhauer. 
Corporal Fritz Tiemann, 
Corporal Henry Toppe. 
Corporal William Hblle. 

PRIVATES. 

John Dicks, Henry Borchers, John Burns, Herman Bnigemann, 
William Caroteus, Abraham Creppel, John Dippel, Christian Drehs, 
Charles Dreyer, Frederick Gleisker, Lorenz Germann, Christian Gill, 
Joseph Hampiiing, Brenhardt Herbert, Ulrich Hepler, Henry Hofle, 
Charles Junket, PhiUip S. Kappes, Andreas Krogner, Fritz Kurz, 
Henry Leive, Charles Linsel. Jacob Manshardt, Henry Mainsen, Ernest 
Mathies, Henry Meyer, Henry Mueller, August Reinfield, George 
Reinfelder, Charles Rosenplanter, Casper Schiller, Henry Schmidt, 
Ernst Schmeisser, Frederick Schoeuben, John Schubert, Thomas 
Schuster, Simon Seiger, Thadeus Sonnentag, John Spery, Fritz 
Weckerlin, Alexander Westerkamra, Frederick Strew, Fritz Weiskopf, 
Wilhelm Westler, Jacob Ziegle, Charles Rukhardt, Clemens Eickhof, 
Conrad Fuchs, Martrias Hoff, August Kelding, Edward Marquardt, 
Jacob Mueller, Andreas Poppe, Peter Pfeifer. 

Killedin battle. — Corporal Moritz Kurz; Privates William Marquardt, 
Kermaux Schramm, William Wellman. 

Died. — Sergeant Theodore Murmann; First Sergeant Henry Gunkel; 
Privates Frederick Kensehler, Frederick Joerger, Anton Koffleer, 
Henry Rodenberg. 

Discharged. — Privates Henry Aul, Frederick Bub, Gotleib Brugmann, 
Joseph Erchenlohr, John Filgar, Franz Franzum, Charles Grau, 
Christian Heck, Franz Krumel, John Kurtz, Francis Kinerehm, Her- 
man Leffering, John Mueller, Frederick Meyer, Henry Nunhuser, 
Rudolph Ruppiller, Charles Sohiker, Lewis Schulze, MatthiesenSonker, 
Rudolph Wiltgenfield. 

Transferred. — Privates John Koller, Charles Hohmann., Michael, 
Hess, John Fuller, Felix Keifel, Folsche Conrad, William Thede, 
Charles Dicks. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John E. Hudson. 
Captain James T. Hickey. 
Captain Thomas J. Kelly. 



First Lieutenant Dominick J. Burk. 
Second Lieutenant Thomas Downey. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Michael Logan. 
Sergeant Patrick McDonnell. 
Sergeant Patrick Menich, 
Sergeant Bernard Duane. 
Sergeant Samuel Backas. 
Corporal Patrick Murphy. 
Corporal Charles Madden. 
Corporal Phillip Baxter. 
Corporal Andrew Philan. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles Allen, Edward Browne, Paul Burns, Lawrence Berry, 
Michael Carroll, Mathew Callahan, Michael Cashen, John Cassedy, 
Henry Clavin, Henry Cramer, William Costello, Michael Davey, James 
Green, WiUiam Hayes, Tim Harris, John Herrmann, Frederick John- 
son, James Kelly, John W. Kelly, Nicholas Kierman, WiUiam Kebblel, 
Mathew Lane, Joseph Langil, Thomas Lonard, Michael Loftus, 
Michael Lowe, Daniel Marble, James Miller, John McCormick, Samuel 
S. Mathews, Thomas B. Parr, Thomas Rooney, William Sellers, 
Michael Stokes, Michael H. Shannon, Michael Shannon, Daniel Shea, 
James Taylor, William Willis, Patrick Dwyer, Terrence Doherty, 
Joseph Guthrie, Charles R. Le Blanc, Corporals John S. Pierce, Peter 
Bruin, Patrick Callahan, John Cavanagh, William Callahan, Thomas 
Daly, Michael Delaney, Thomas Dyer, John Cum.mins, Michael Fitz- 
simmons, Luke Findley, Peter J. Galagher, James Johnson, Michael 
Lally, William Morrison, Cornelius Murphy, Bartholomew O'Donald, 
John Quinn. 

Killed in battle. — Corporals Patrick Brogan, William Spence; Pri- 
vates James Peters, John Reed, James Costello, Thomas Singleton, 
Henry Cohlmann. 

Died.— Sergeant James Smith; Privates John Rymer, John Kelly, 
Terrence Mahon, James M. Smith, Charles 'Cavanagh, Christopher 
Stenfield. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants William D. Harman, Thomas Downey, 
Thomas J. Kelly, Joseph Hoban; Sergeant Joseph Gibson; Musician 
Michael Griffin; Privates Charles S. Brown, Patrick Duffy, Alfred 
Green, Thomas Gillick, John M. Farwell, Patrick Fawley, Patrick 
Knight, John Meyers, Patrick Mahon, James Marion, Thomas Reiley, 
Benjamin Scott, Edward Wolf. 

Transferred. — Corporal Peter Moran; Musician John Keiser; Privates 
William Hickev, Edward McGarrahan, John I. McBride, WiUiam 
Johnson, John Johnson, John Nicholson, Malachi Bonghani, Michael 
Dillon, Daniel Cavanagh, Jonah R. Gregory, Patrick Gilmartin, 
Thomas Twan, Michael E. Joyce, Patrick Sweeney, Michael Lawless. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain R. M. Moore. 
Captain Philip C. Marmion. 
First Lieutenant Eugene R. Eaton. 
First Lieutenant Joseph Donahue. 
First Lieutenant John S. Mulroy. 
Second Lieutenant Peter Gessner. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Matthew J. Redmond. 
Sergeant James J. Quinn. 
Sergeant John Horn. 
Sergeant Michael Fernon. 
Sergeant Matthew Byarl. 
Corporal James Fitzsimmons. 
Corporal Thomas Hannon. 
Corporal Bernard M. Kinney. 
Corporal Bernard C. Corbett. 
Corporal Thomas O'Brien. 
Musician James A. Devine, 
Wagoner Lewis Lee. 

PRIVATES. 

Robert Adamsf Frank Biggins, Daniel Callahan, Felix Devin, John 
Enright, Joseph Enfelder, Bernard Fitzimmons, Dennis Fitspatrick, 
William J. Gray, John H. Greene, John Gleason, James Hector, 
Michael Hill, Luke Kelly, Thomas Lawrence, Michael Meara, James 
Mullen, James Malia, Thomas McDonald, John McHugh, Louis J. 
Nadared, John O'Connel, Edward O'Neil, John Sonday, Richard A. 
Seymour, Thomas Huggins, George Shuck, George Underwood, 
Joseph A. Wise, John C. Wood. 



io6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Killed in Battle. — Privates, George Aichenger, John Corcoran, Cor- 
nelius Haley, Bernard King, Louis Shuck. 

Died. — Corporal John T. Cunningham: Privates James Brannan, 
Patrick Hays, Daniel Higgins, Thomas Higgins, Christopher Jones, 
Conrad Kuich, James Murley, Andrew Reash, Dennis Shannon. 

Missing in Action. — Private Michael Kelly. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Joseph Donohue; Corporal John C. Quinn; 
Privates Lewis H. AuU, Maurice J. Bolger, Luke Brannon, James 
Birmingham, William Cody, Michael Costello, Patrick Devitt, John 
Ferguson, Thomas Hubbard, James Holland, Timothy Holland, Henry 
Heredan, Bryan Kennedy, John Lennon, James Mahoney, Daniel N. 
Mariner, John D. Myers, Thomas D. Munion, Edward O'Neill, Henry 
Witte, William Fitzgerald, James GiUen, John Greany. 

Corporals, Edward O'Connor, John C. Hays, Alfred Edwards, 
Michael Gavin; Privates Richard Busker, Dennis Forbes, James Farley, 
Patrick Hatton, Thomas Hanlin, Andrew Herbert, James Hines, Wil- 
liam A. Jones, Dennis Kennedy, John Lawley, James McMahon, 
Thomas Moore, William O'Connor, Michael O'Cushing, Timothy 
Ryan, Josepii Radle, Thomas Scott, Michael Russell, William Scully. 

Transferred. — Privates, George W. Beadle, Thomas Crow, Edward 
Crolty, William H. Devine, William Duwellen, John Dougherty, 
Thomas Fitzpatrick, James Finley, John Farrell, John Forrester, Jerry 
F. Halpin, Jacob Lubeck, John Lloyd, Michael Lane, William 
Murphy, William H. McElroy, James McGrath, William Noel, 
Thomas Redmund, Michael Reany, Richard A. Thomas, James 
Thompson, Robert Walsh, Patrick Collins. 

COMPANY. E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James M. Fitzgerald. 
Captain Stephen J. McGroarty. 
Captain Luke H. Murdock. 
First Lieutenant James A. Grover. 
First Lieutenant Daniel Twohig. 
Second Lieutenant John Sullivan. 
Second Lieutenant Daniel O'Connor. 
Second Lieutenant Timothy McNeff. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William Donevon. 
Sergeant Timothy Sullivan. 
Sergeant Andrew Cunningham. 
Sergeant John B. Filming. 
Corporal Thomas H. Corcoran. 
Corporal Austin Walsh. 
Corporal Thomas F. O'Shea. 
Musician Lawrence Callahan. 

PRIVATES. 

David Butler, James Butler, William Brown, Peter Campbell, Patrick 
Cannon, John Conway, Patrick Connelly, Michael Caulfield, Michael 
Craig, William Fitzgerald, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Michael Flanagan, 
Patrick Flanagan, Patrick Fosner, James Goffney, Patrick Hen- 
nessy, Michael Hatton, Maurice Joyce, John Kehoe, John Keller, 
Patrick Kelly, John Lewrien, Michael Manian, James Mullen, 
Michael Meehan, Thomas Moken, William H. McKeown ; Pat- 
rick McGown, Michael O'Leary, Timothy Ryan, John Troy, 
Mathias Coughlin, Nicholas Butler, Richard Carroll, John Con- 
nelly, John Carey, James Christy, Patrick Conlier, William Dennis, 
Edward Hasty, Edward Hackett, Thomas Helm, Richard Kelly. 
Charles D. Lynch, Thomas McVey, James McGlinehy, James Makin, 
Patrick TcCabe, Patrick Malloy, John McGrea, Samuel Sullivan 
Michael Smith, William A. Smith, Dennis SchoUord, Dennis Sullivan, 
Patrick Schollord, George W. Truss. 

Killed in battle.— First Sergeant John Kennedy; Privates Michaej 
Fitzgibbon, George Fisher, Patrick Duffy, Patrick McGeven, James 
Robb, John McCostly. 

Died. — Privates John Anderson, John Cook, Daniel Cohill, William 
Dugan, Francis Foley, Robert King, George S. Murphy, James Mc- 
Hugh, Patrick O'Brien. 

Discharged. — Corporal Michael Sorigan; Privates Patrick Burk-, 
Robert Brown, Michael Donnelly, Michael Johnson, Patrick Kenny, 
Francis J. Kestings, Peter Haney, John Mahoney, Cornelius Moran 
Hugh Meriorty, Christopher McCasIin, James P. Rierdon, Richard 
Sweetman, Terrence Sweeney, Patrick Sullivan, John Walsh, William 
Watson. 

Transferred. — Sergeant, Patrick S. Kerney; privates, John Whalen, 
Michael Coogan, John Donovan, Dennis Ennis, Thomas Hoban, James 



Mokin, Thomas Wallace, William Cary, William Gillispie, Patrick W. 
Quinlin, Hamilton Keown, John Johnson, Henry Glass, John O.tbury, 
William H. Stein, George W. Green. 

COMPANY F. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Christian Amis. 
First Lieutenant Conrad Frederick. 
First Lieutenant Alfred Pritle. 

First Lieutenant Luke Murrin. ' 

First Lieutenant Sebastian Eustachi. 
Second Lieutenant George C. MuUer. 
Second Lieutenant WiUhelm Otendorf. 
Second Lieutenant WiUhelm Thede. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frederick Ahlborn. 
Sergeant Valentine Cornelius. 
Sergeant John Schultz. 
Sergeant William Kaiser. 
Sergeant Wendelin Broedler. 
Corporal Charles Schmidt. 
Corporal Michael Kraus. 
Corporal John Meyer. 
Corporal Joseph Fullherbst. 
Corporal Joseph Stranbriger. 
Corporal Ferdinand Henencoart. 
Corporal Frank Betzer. 
Wagoner James Stengel. 

PRIVATES. 

Heinrich -Andres, Henry Bolsinger, Jacob Breckle, George Boepple, 
Wilhelm Braseninger, Anton Bur, Charles Ehrlicker, Wilhelm Fei- 
tag, John Freck, Wilhelm Fischer, John Fritz, Frederick M. Fein, 
Martin Fussz, Charles Grether, Charles Greis, Lorenz Gremler, Henry 
Hetzel, Philip Hess, Christian Kumming, William Kruget, John Klein, 
Martin Kuhn, Jacob Kuhn, Dayobeith King, Fidel Kopp, Rudolph 
Kroeger, Joseph Mayer, John Mueller, Philip Muller, Friedoline Reum, 
John Reutschle, Andrew Schlachterager, Franz Seebach, Frank Sutor, 
Jacob Stroble, Wilhelm Seehaus, John Stalline, John Schaefer, Hein- 
rich Schneider, Edward Tourell, Peter Weber, Joseph Welter, Mein- 
rathZelmder, Joseph Zuleger, Drummer Wilhelm Connelly, Gotleib Eck- 
ert, Conrad Goetz, Henry Long, Richard Meier, John Sticksee, Henry 
Seelinger. 

Killed in Battle. — Privates Christian Heinrich, John Hanus, John 
Kartbauser. 

Missing in Action. — Privates Heinrich Enghausen Edward Fischer. 

Died. — Privates John Berkemer, John Dusbus, Charles Koch, 
Charles Meckel, Ferdinand Rau, Wilhelm Reuzenlimk. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Adolphus Reichel; Corporals Ignatz Wil- 
helm, Friedrich Lutz, John Kleingries; Bugler Joseph H. Franz; Pri- 
vates. Frederick Buck, Charles Dark, Wiihelm Hemriiig, George Hoff, 
Charles P. Harring, Henry Jaeger, Cheistian Koehler, Jacob Kurtzer, 
Richard Lampe, Adam Ney, Adam Pfeifer, August-Sturm, John Steitz, 
Ernst 'Weber, John Winkler, John Zeiman. 

Transferred. — Privates Michael Feller, John Haab, Joseph Halick, 
Henry Kumming, George Rink, Henry Wolf, John Siepe. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James P. Sedam. 
Captain William H. Steele. 
Captain John Sullivan. 
Captain William C. Morgodent. 
First Lieutenant Thomas Burns. 
First Lieutenant Thomas N. Patterson. 
First Lieutenant Granville McSherry. 
Second Lieutenant Henry D. Page. 
Second Lieutenant James A. Grover. 

. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant James Ennis. 
Sergeant David Kimble. 
Sergeant James Gilber. 
Sergeant William Fairlamb. 
Corporal-John Knur. 
Corporal Frederick Englehart. 
Corporal William Liebla. 
Corporal Clements Licking. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



107 



Corporal David Grant. 
Wagoner George Seifart. 

PRIV.\TES. 

Ross Ally, James Dilley, John Elvert, Edward Eikel, Samuel L. Fry, 
William Feeny, Charles Gutheins, Hiram Havelin, Clark Hiett, John 
Hum, Edward Johnson, Oliver Jordan, Henry Light, William Myers, 
Thompson Miller, Frank McGill, August Miller, Jacob Mayer, Thomas 
O'Neil, John Rape, John Rentz, Joseph Sindlebeck, Henry Switzer, 
August Van Horn, William Waring, Charles Anderson, Levine 
Church, Henry Crupper, James Cahill, John Clark, Alfred Hewitt, 
John Hogan, David Johnson, Benjamin Kavits, James Kelley, Wil- 
liam Matheson, Thomas Murry, Frank McCormick, Charles Naylor, 
George Nelson. 

Died. — Privates Conrad Cook, John M. Dowde, Joseph Hockhorn, 
Charles Hughes, John Krirsel, August Shulthouse, Frederick Shaefter, 
Louis Siegel, Louis Weisner. 

Discharged. — Sergeants William P. Martin, Sidney Milner, James 
M. Keefer; Privates Christopher Alexander, John Cox, August Croma, 
William C. Deters, John Donavan, Henry Elfres, John Hunt, Edward 
Hamilton, Stephen Mistbeck, Michael McGuire, Bernard Monagan, 
Walter Mains, John Murphy, Henry Nitchsky, James Nash, Philip 
Quintin, William Smith, Joseph Storer, Washington Seymour, Robert 
Wittemeyer, William Wilson. 

Veterans. — Privates Nelson Duval, James Reynolds, Thomas Sloan. 

Transferred — Sergeants Isaac Shidler and Peter Gifney; Privates Jo- 
seph Colter, Michael McCloskey, Jacob Maturn, John Miller, John 
Spies. 

Recruits. —Sergeant Anderson Camillens; Privates Ferdinand M. 
Dugan, Henry Garner, George McCleary, John McKeever, Louis 
Snyder, Charles Smith, Joseph Turner. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Thomas G. Tienion. 
Captain Charles C. Cramsey. 
First Lieutenant Thomas McMuUen. 
First Lieutenant John Sullivan. 
First Lieutenant Daniel O'Neil. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph Connelly. 
Second Lieutenant Alfred Pitle. 
Second Lieutenant Timothy D. McNeff. 
Second Lieutenant William D. Harmon. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Patrick Doyle. _ 

Sergeant Patrick Daugherty. 
Sergeant Michael Murphy. 
Sergeant John H. Bartell. 
Sergeant Samuel Newell. 
Corporal James Early. 
Corporal Michael Cain. 
Corporal William Gleeson. 
Corporal Edward Ryan. 
Corporal Charles Carty. 
Corporal Peter Shannon. 
Corporal James Regan. 
Wagoner John Malone. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Brennan, Thomas Cavanaugh, Michael Cain, Cornelius 
Conway, James Currey, Michael Clifford, Peter Carney. William Clark, 
Francis Carroll, Thomas Donohue, James Dunn, Richard Doran, 
Dennis Fanning, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Patrick Farrell, Patrick Fingan, 
Michael Guilford, John Gannon, Patrick Heiferman, Patrick Hart, 
Dennis Haggerty, John Hogan, Charles Henry, Michael Kerwin, 
Lawrence Kerhoe, John Lillis, Philip Liddy, John Long, John Murry, 
William Murphy, John McCarty, John Moore, James McAuleff, 
Patrick McDonald, Patrick O'Brien, Patrick O'Connor, Wilham Roch- 
ford, Herman Remple, John Thomas, Robert Whiteside, Charles 
Herbert, Thomas Liddy, Henry Allen, George Fance, Peter Feeney, 
Patrick Gallagher, James Hoffman, Owen Haley, Terrence Hotten 
Frederick Hotter, Martin Kinney, Joseph Linch, Mathias McKeown, 
James McNicholas, James Quinlivan, Roger Quinn, George Reilly, 
John Rush, Thomas Regan, John Shields, Jacob Smith. 

Killed in Battle. — Privates Henry Crossen, John Doyle, Patrick 
Henrihan. 

Died. — Privates Dennis Burke, Michael Clancey, James Fitzgerald, 
William Houlihan, Patrick Gillaspie, Patrick Lillis, William Neylon 
James Kelley, John Rafferty. 



Discharged. — Privates James Able, Thomas Conway, John Donohue, 
John Fox, John Fitzgibbons, John Houlihan, John Lobb, Terrence Mc- 
Mannus, Patrick Mutagh, Patrick Murry, Marcellus Mitchell, Frederick 
Packhard, Patrick Sweeney. 

Transferred, etc. — I^irst Sergeant John Malloy; Musician, John Mc- 
Gready; Privates William Conklin, John Cogan, Michael Dill, Patrick 
Huland, John Joyce, Timothy Kavanaugh, Thomas Kelly, Thomas 
Liddy, John Tempsey. 

Not on company rolls.— Jesse T. Walters. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William M. Ward. 
Captain Thomas J. Kelly. 
First Lieutenant Charles C. Cramsey. 
First Lieutenant Luke H. Murdock. 
Second Lieutenant Nicholas Lacy. 
Second Lieutenant Dominick J. Burk. 
Second Lieutenant James Foley. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant James Linch. 
Sergeant Samuel E. Brown. 
Sergeant Roman Amerien. 
Sergeant Patrick Regan. 
Coiporaljohn Kester. 
Corporal St. Clair Baldwin. 
Corporal Andrew Amthauer. 
Corporal Peter Sanders. 
Corporal James Riley. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Arbuthnot, John Butler, Thomas Crogan, Thomas Crotly> 
John Davis, Michael Doyle, Christopher Dupps, Charles Fagan, John 
Fey, Patrick Gilmartin, Peter Glabb, John Hirseh, Charles Harrison, 
Charles Jan tzen, Joseph Krail, James King, John Kuhn, Adolph Keit- 
man, Jacob Klimm, George Keadich, John Linder, Dennis NcAuliffe, 
Joseph Miller, Thomas Mailey, John Orr, Thomas Phalan, Louis Pohl- 
man, Amos F. Reynolds, Frederick Scheffler, Henry Smith, William 
Sullivan, Bernard Stewe, Julius Sommer, Thomas Secoan, Thomas 
Webb, Martin Whalan, Philip Zeagemauth, Patrick Cain, Daniel 
Cavanaugh, Peter Hoffman, Lawrence Hettinger, Gustavus Sie- 
del. Rarer C. Morrison, John Wittengel, Maurice P. O'SuUi- 
van, John H. Sanders, Henry Bauman, James Clark, Martin Gehardt, 
Josiah Gregory, Charles Hohmann, Joseph Heider, John Keon, 
Charles Keller, James Kelly, William Linglumier, James McKune, 
Michael Ryan, John Rods, Joseph Somrenberg, Perry Strasberger, 
Jacob Strom, Henry Taylor, Samuel Winchester, Henry Wince. 

Killed in Battle. — Augustus Hilgenaier, Charles Medary, William 
Porter. 

Died. — Privates James Cumberland, Andrew Christens, Patrick 
Duane, Peter Dolan, Thomas Kelly, William Louis, Valentine Manthi, 
Hubert Nillis, Anthony Quinn, Abraham Rosenberger, William Rosk- 
off, Charles Scherges, Edward Vaughn; Corporal Patrick H. White. 

Discharged. — Privates Xavier AUgaier, John Bickler, William Beck- 
man, Pierce Bergen, John Burmister, John Doyle, Francis GroU, Charles 
Gross, John Huigerther, John Kenny, Robert Middleton, Theodore 
Reiman, John Young, William Young. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Luke H. Murdock; Sergeants Dom- 
inick J. Burke, Patrick Rainey; Privates Patrick Flanagan, Edward 
O'Donnnell, William Keating, Richard Doran, Patrick Gallagher, 
Patrick Gillispie, Jeremiah Long, Patrick McDonald, Samuel Newell, 
Patrick O'Brien, William S, O'Brien, James QuinUvan, George Schnek. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Henry Robinson. 
Captain John Bently. 
Captain Daniel O'Connor. 
First Lieutenant John J. Stites. 
First Lieutenant Eugene R. Eaton. 
Second Lieutenant Nicholas Knox. 
Second Lieutenant John Mallory. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Andrew Hammond. 
Sergeant James Upperman. 
Sergeant James E. Lecount. 
Sergeant Charles Lickert. 



io8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Sergeant Francis Marlatt. 
Corporal Patrick Griffin. 
Corporal Devvitt C. Belleville. 
Corporal Wesley Dragoo. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick Ansterly, Courtland W. Brunson, George Bealer, William 
H. Bennett, Andrew Burke, Valentine Busam, Steplien Bokenkoetter, 
Frederick Baum, Edward Brown, Goltleib Brightfield, Henry Chose- 
man, John Crotly, Richard Dooley, Dennis Daugherty, John Dobener, 
Christian Dymond, Louis Eckert, Frederick Fleesman, Joseph Fowler, 
John Fox, Edwin H. Folger, John Gorman, Matthew Gilfius, Florence 
Hindermock, Thomas Hishberger, Charles Hines, John Holtz, John 
Hay, Charles S. Johnson, Frederick Keonig, 1 awrence Kerry, Joseph 
Munter, John Miller, John Moser, Herman Maus, John Och, Charles 
Ortman, George Osterman, Christopher Petrie, Patrick Powers, Martin 
Raabe, John Renner, Adam Rohman, Paul Shoener, William Stander- 
man, William Shafer, HenryJ. Stein, William Troecher, John Van- 
fleet, 'Henry Wertz, John Winer, Thomas B. Ward, John Wagoner, 
Walter Curtis, Moses Nixon, Julius Austerhouse.J esse Cooper. 

Killed in Battle. — Private Albert Christ. 

Died.— Sergeant George G. Belleville; Corporal Aaron Bridsal, 
Privates Adolphus Beaman, Charles Leicht, George Miller, John 
Schreiver. 

Discharged. — Privates William Allen, William Baker, Henry Bitter, 
Lawrence Firnpoess, Charles Hine, P'rederick Kleiber, James Long, 
Christopher Roser, John W. Toskey. 

ELEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Only part of this regiment was raised in Hamilton 
county. It mustered in for three months April, 1861, 
and for three years June 20, i86r. Taking the field in 
July, it formed part of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
led by General J. D. Cox, and participated in all the 
movements of the division in West Virginia and else- 
where. At one time company K, principally mechanics, 
rebuilt a bridge across the Pocotaligo in less than a day, 
with no tools but some axes and augers. The same com- 
pany afterwards helped to build two boats, together form- 
ing a ferry-boat one hundred and forty feet long, with 
which communication was opened between the wings of 
the Kanawha army. The Eleventh was in the battle of 
South Mountain, and took part in the famous charge 
against the stone wall; fought also at Antietam, was re- 
moved to Tennessee in February, 1863, participated in 
the advance on Chattanooga, was in the battles of Chick- 
amauga and Mission Ridge, and some months after in a 
desperate charge up a steep declivity near Buzzard's 
Roost, when it lost one-sixth of its men. 

February 17, 1864, it was presented with a stand of 
colors by the ladies of Troy, Ohio. The regiment, after 
a hearty welcome in Cincinnati on its return, was mus- 
tered out June 21, 1864. Until the time of its disband- 
ment, from December, 1861, a regimental church was 
kept up, and the religious element was always prominent 
in the command. 

The Eleventh battalion of Ohio infantry was composed 
of two companies of this regiment whose time did not 
expire as soon as the others, and also of those who re- 
enlisted as veterans. They were commanded by Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Stubbs, who had been sergeant major of 
the original organization; accompanied Sherman in his 
last campaign; and were mustered out at the close of the 
war. 

COMPANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William L. Douglass. 
Captain Lewis G. Brown. 



First Lieutenant Silas Roney. 
First Lieutenant George E. Peck. 
Second Lieutenant James M. Elliott. 
First Lieutenant William Crubaugh. 
First Lieutenant William M. Culbertson. 
First Lieutenant Cyreneus Longly, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Isaac McKenzie. 
Sergeant William N. Hathaway. 
Sergeant Thomas Clegg. 
Sergeant Francis M. Ogden. 
Sergeant William H. Aydman. 
Corporal John F. Silman. 
Corporal Phillip Behman. 
Corporal John Comer. 
Corporal Charles Abbott. 
Wagoner Richard Penny. 

PRIVATES. 

John C. Bain, Lewis C. Bail, William Britton, William L. Bower, 
Charles Buehn, Joseph Brown, Stephen Burke, John Dennis, Hugh 
Davis, Peter Devine, Jacob Evans, John Fregate, Joseph W. Fren- 
zell, Harvey Fox, John Godfrey, James Humphrey, John C. HoUi- 
day, Charles Hauselman, Albert W. Heuntz, David Johnson, AUison 
Johnson, Jacob G. Lake, William Malloney, James Merville, William 
Maurath, John S. Morris, James Mallon, George D. Mayle, Isaac Me- 
riah, Lewis Penny, Ellis Penny, Lafayette Penny, William L. Pierson, 
Robert C. Silman, Emil Leitz, John B. Sutherland, George W. Schrei- 
ver, Jacob Schunk, Isaac Treker, Josliua Urten, William A. Utter, Au- 
gust Voltz, George Wasson, William Watson, John H. Webster, 
Charles H. Whittaker, James Williams, Virgil A. Williams, Edward 
Yocum, Benjamin Boyd, Thomas Brickel, Austheimel Byrket, Hiram 
Bryant, Thomas Brown, William Carpenter, Hezekiah Crampton, 
Charles Crayton, Obed Dennis, Joseph H. Doehrer, Thomas Dwyer, 
John Hastings, Robert Hall, Edward Jones, Charles Johnson, John 
Lowden, Benjamin Lowden, Phillip McKinney, Isaac Meguire, Charles 
Mortimer, James Minton, Alfred Miller, James Norris, Henry Nelson, 
Patrick J. Owen, Wilson Oblinger, Abram D. Philips, Robert Patterson, 
Jabez D. Raynor, George Reynolds, John Schmitt, Charles Sill, James 
S. Stillman, William Sherer, Joseph Tate, William A. Tarr, Henry 
Wear, Charles W. Worden, John W. White. 

Killed in Action. — Private John Baker. 

Died. — Sergeants John H. Peck, Marvin B. Wolf; Corporals Bos- 
well S. Wagoner, George G. L. Murphy; Privates John F. Colther, 
Henry C. Day, Charles M. Geusch, Frederick Heusey, Noah Sams, 
Simeon Shideler. 

Discharged. — Privates Ely W. Bennett, John L. Culbertson, James 
Daa, John Dyson, Robert N. Douglass, Samuel Fast, John Ferris, 
Frederick Feame, George Hamer, William Hiser, William H. Kelsey, 
Alfred H. Monroe, Snell Mansfield, Joseph E. Pierson, Floid L. Smith, 
Daniel R. P. Shoemaker, Late A. Stewart, James Sisson, James N. 
Sisson, Alexander Smith, Walter S. Stevens, Robert D. Robb. 

Transferred. — Privates Silas P. Ake, Charles H. Baker, Joseph 
Bower, Jerome Bro\vn, Albert Berry, Henry D. Culbertson, Henry 
Clickner, Michael Casey, Ellsberry G. Covault, Geoige K. Daily, Wat- 
son Baggot, Edward Dorsey, Cornelius Deeter, James Funk, William 
Gosnel, Daniel Hampton, David Helpman, Jacob Houser, Frank Ho- 
man, Daniel Hunt, Jacob H. Irwin, Nathan Keltner, William Kelly, 
Andrew Kin, Charles E. H. Kimball, Christopher Myers, James Mc- 
Donald, William L. McFall, Henry C. McNight, Jacob Marlett, Mar- 
tin Noran, Christopher Neisley, John Pritchard, Sylvester Penny, James 
Rouse, William Reiber, Jonathan Rollins, John Reese, Owen A. Reich, 
William Roney, Dennis Regan, Lerile E. Smith, Phillip Smith, John 
Sulliger, Walter Steinberger, L. A. Thomas, Joseph Wich, Jacob 
Wise, Levi W. Whittaker, Nathan Whittaker, George Williams, Mar- 
tin V. Williams, Jonathan Wilkins, James Westfall, Samuel Farr. 

Prisoner of War. — Private William H. Boyle. 

Discharged. — Sergeants Bailey Plumb, George D. Palmer, Samuel 
A. Collins. 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

William M. Sampson, Abraham Toot, Perry Truden, James Veitch, 
Lucien Wissheng, Calvin Wolf, Thomas Stofer, Charles Redbing. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Philander A. Lane. 
Captain George Johnson. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



109 



First Lieutenant George P. Darrow. 
First Lieutenant Charles J. Cottinhan. 
First Lieutenant Charles J. McCline. 
First Lieutenant Theodore Cox. 
Second Lieutenant Alfred L. Conklin. 
Second Lieutenant George Johnson. 
Second Lieutenant Robert C. Morris. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Elliott McGowan, 
Sergeant Jeremiah Hardwick. 
Sergeant Jacob Myers. 
Corporal Simeon Hays. 

PRIVATES. 

George Andrew, Thomas Anderson, Frederick W. Becker, Charles 
Bosworth, Michael Beechler, Samuel Brock, John C. DeButts, Edward 
Eaton, James Figfer, Henry Foil, George Germeyer, Richard Gilbert, 
Martin Hooker, Albert G. Hoole, Joseph Keller, Adam Neiberger, 
Andrew Rossler, Joseph Stinger, George Smith, No. i; George Smith, 
No. 2; Jarred Wallace, Charles Young. 

Sergeant David Baird; Corporals John T. Clark, Moses Redhead, 
John Mirslee; Privates George H. Armstrong, Edward Bateman, Rich- 
ard Bristol, Michael Casey, James M. Clark, Martin Comer, Daniel 
Diebold, Simon Detach, Henry Effing, James Flynn, Oscar B. Fowler, 
John Fuglin, John Gardner, Martin Goudling, John Goodrich, Charles 
H. Greenwood, Edward Hundley, John W. Hementlialer, Henry Kel- 
ler, Henry King, Peter Lowring, William H. Lynn, Joseph C. Lynn, 
Joseph M. Malone, Henry Marshall, Joseph Me.x, James Mosley, John 
Meir, Edward Myers, Reuben McKenney, Alexander McPherson, 
Charles Patterson, David G. Patton, Perry Wilson, Benjamin Wilhair. 

Killed in battle. — Corporal Charles H. Wright; Privates John Boos, 
Joseph Bunker, Michael Depretz, Michael Hoath, Marion Powell, 
John Scholsser, John Weiner. 

Died. — Teamsters William Allen, Rensdan Carson; Privates Engle- 
bert Dold, William A. Fowler, Jacob Reif, Benjamin Stevens, James 
Westfall. 

Discharged. — First Sergeants Orlando Hudson, George S. Swayne; 
Sergeant Joseph Pearson; Corporals William Hays, Charles McCor- 
mick; Musician George Van Ausdale; Privates Lewis Ankle, Theobald 
S. Bransby, Benoni Dixon, John K. Di.Kon, Theodore English, Asa F. 
Flagg, George Granger, Michael Gigar, Lewis Grey, Henry Hunnach, 
John Hull, Hugh H. Humphrey, Victor Kennecht, David F. Lansing, 
Dumont Mills, Landrum Noel, Abel Pearson, Joseph Powers, Dennis 
Ragan, Ransalaer Richardson, Jackson Suibner, John W. H. Searles, 
Albert Sennett, Walter Stpinberger, Nathan W. Whitaker, Jonathan 
Wilkins. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant John Ginten; Privates Charles H. 
Carothers, Joshua Handen, Englebert, Kaupfer Schmidt, Philip Roach, 
William Carroll, William Christian, Frank M. Fowler, Joseph P. 
Morris, Samuel F. Myers, Charles R. Patrick, William H. Lee, George 
A. Stinger, Levi W. Whitaker. 

ELEVENTH BATTALION OHIO INFANTRY. COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain D. Clinton Stubbs. 

First Lieutenant Fiancis M. Ogden. 

Second Lieutenant David W. Murrice. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Abbo t. 

Sergeant John Tilman. 

Sergeant Philip Betoman 

Sergeant John Connor 

Sergeant Jacob Schenck 

Corporal James Williams. 

Corporal John A. Webster. 

Corporals Joshua Urton Waymers. 

Corporal James R. Kinney, 

Corporal James F. O'Conner. 

PRIVATES. 

Louis C. Baird, John W. Baine, WiUiam L. Bowen, Peter Presan, 
William L. Britton, Stephen Brik, Charles Buehn, Hugh Davis, John 
Dennis, Peter Devore, James G. Evans, Harvey Fox, Joseph W. Fent- 
zel, John Fugates, John Godfrey, Charles Hanselman, Raleigh D. Hat- 
field, Albert W. Hentz, John C. Holliday, James Humphreys, Daniel 
Hunt, Allison Johnson, David Johnson, Jacob H. La Rue, David K. 
Lonthan, James Mellon, William Maloney, William Manrath, G. D. 
Mazle, Isaac Moenah, James Merrill, John T. Morris, Ellis Penney, 



La Fayette Penney, Abraham Rozer, George W. Schreiver, Robert C. 
Silman, Emil Seitz, George W. Snively, Isaac Tuckey, William A. 
Utley, August Voltz, Harrison H. Wait, George Wassen, William 
Watson, Charlas W. Whittaeker, Virgil A. Williams, William H. 
Wydman, Edwin Yocum. 

Jacob G. Labe. 

Died. — Privates, William H. Harrison, John Smith. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Major D. Clinton Stubbs; First Sergeant 
Francis M. Ogden; Sergeant Thomas Clegg; Corporals Frederick 
Eberhart and Henry Burns; Privates James W. Campbell, John W. 
Clark, Isaac Flickinger, William Harvey, James McDonell, John R, 
Osborne, Louis Penney, Richard Penney, William Wiearson, James 
Rowe, Henry Timons. 

Prisoners of War. — Privates, Harvey Fox, Raleigh D. Hatfield. 

Mustered for Transfer, but Mustered out with Company. — Corpor- 
als William Crawford, August Herring; Privates, James G. Achuff, 
John Londin, John Mallee, Samuel A. McQuiston, James Morris, 
James Riley, Daniel Ross, Frederick Steirley, John H. Trump, Peter 
Walter, James Wallace, George Wintringham, James Salter, Joseph 
C. Brown. 

COMPANY I. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal John W. Smith. 

PRIVATES. 
Francis M. Fowler, William H. Lee, John W. Barry, Charles R. 
Patrick, William Carroll, George A. Stinger, Charles Redbrug. 

TWELFTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Mustered into service May 3, and June 28, 1861. 
COMPANY A. 
Private James H. Pierson. 

COMPANY C. 

PRIVATES. 

Zachariah Crippen (killed in battle) Hugh McCabe, Josiah J. Higbee. 

COMPANY H. 
PRIVATES. 
Albert T. Boswell, William B. Carey, George M. D. Evans 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Bauman, Charles Graysoff, John Hymer, Lewis Green, Chris- 
tian C. White. 

THIRTEENTH BATTALION OHIO INFANTRY. 

Four companies of veterans of the Thirteenth Ohio infantry, organ- 
ized June, 1864. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Michael Hartenstein. 

PRIVATES. 

Louis Brightfield, Frederick Harmon, Michael Reis, Andrew August 

FOURTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Mustered into service May 18, and August, 1861. 

COMPANY A. 

PRIVATES. 

Andrew Landbury, George W. Lendberger, J. A. Laird, William 
Kleinsory, Ludwig Miller. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Gustav Kelly (died) John Wagner. 

COMPANY C. 
PRIVATES. 
George R. Barnes, James Brennan, Daniel Conger, John Cook Jo- 
seph Fritche, Bennett H. Koka, Frank Winsell. 



Private James Gorrell. 



COMPANY E. 



COMPANY H. 
PRIVATES. 



John C. Albrecht, Joseph Barkla, Conrad Dahoff, Carl Geyer, Wil- 
liam Hastig. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY K. 
PRIVATES. 

August Bust, Alexander Hulbert, Daniel Erb, Thomas Kelly, Dennis 
Kelly, T. A. Laird. 

FIFTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Mustered into service May and September, 1861. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

John Chrfstie, Peter Flick, 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

George Dettmer, Joseph Doll, George Henzel, Charles H. Dinaman, 
lona Bleeholder, Henry Brackman, Samuel Bushmaster, Richard Cole- 
man, Christopher Detteling, Kasper D. Trussee, Leo W. Wale, John 
McFadden, Christopher Shrader. 

SIXTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

(Three Months' Service.) 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant William H. Wade. 

PRIVATES. 

William B. Gibson, Simeon G. Jones, Hiram M. Lee, George L. 
McKeehan, Charles R. Wilder. 

SEVENTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Mustered into service April and September, 1861. 
COMPANY A. 
PRIVATES. 
Robert A. Quinn, John Ripler, Ferdinand Shaffer, George Walen- 
roth, Robert Schmidt, George H. Barrow. 
COMPANY C. 
Private Philip Sheets. 

COMPANY E. 

PRIVATES. 

John Barnhart, George F. Ely, Gabriel P. Smith, Henry Schroder, 
Richard Stiver, Beldaser Schaub, John Scott, Landlin Swigler, John 
Thuler, Lewis C. Wright, Ernest Wehman, Frank Zimmerly. 
COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES. 

WiUiam Stelrenkamp, Joseph Schrommer, John Theurer. Patrick 
Ernwtight, Marthaus Guiner. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

John Cass, James M. Gallaher, John D. Kibbey, James W. Richard. 

COMPANY I. 
Private Charles L. Wagenhals. 

EIGHTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camps Wood and 
Dennison between August and November, 1861. Its 
service was with the Armies of the Ohio and the Cum- 
berland; it was in the battle of Chickamauga and other 
actions, and was honorably discharged November 9, 
1864. A second organization, bearing the same name, 
was formed from the veterans of several Ohio regiments, 
and fought in the battle of Nashville. It was retained in 
service until October 22, 1865, when it was mustered out 
at Columbus. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Adjutant Henry H. Welch. 
Musician Velosu A. Taylor. 
Hospital Steward John C. Cochran. 
Quartermaster Sergeant George P. Jarvis. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Samuel D. Decker, Zachariah Garris, Joseph H. Royar, John Fitz- 
gerald. 



COMPANY C. 

PRIVATES. 

William Beeden, Granvill Toy, John Williams, John L. Cochran, 
George Stewenagle, George W. Holmes, Patrick Riley. 

COMPANY D. 
PRIVATES. 
Joseph Florentz. 

COMPANY E. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Asa Robbins. 
Corporal WiUiam Emery. 

PRIVATES. 

John Boesser, John Battle, William Hanlin, Samuel Morched, 
Thomas J. Abbott, Timothy Brannan, John Calt; James Cnuck, Joshua 
Demkerly, Richard Duncan, Charles F. English, William Hoffue, John 
McGeer, William D. Tattman, Jecy C. Young. 

COMPANY F. 
PRIVATES. 
Augustus Shovaney, Paul Wilson, William Waters. 

COMPANY G. 
Private Charles A. Stone. 

COMPANY H. 

NON-CCMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Joseph Williams. 

PRIVATES. 

John Aylers, Joseph Anderson, Henry Abberdeing, Henry Altmeyre, 
Ernest Benedict, Charles B. Slotey. 

COMPANY I. (Veteran). 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER,?. 

First Sergeant James B. Boyer. 

Sergeant Elias Shaefer. 

Sergeant Martin V. Monday. 

Sergeant Brice Hayes. 

Corporal John E, Porter. 

Corporal Louis Landman. 

Corporal Henry Sebexen. 

Corporal Henry Demar. 

PRIVATES. 

Junius B. W. Black, Milton Collins, Luther D. Dupoy, John Dear- 
don, Joshua Delaplane, Morris Foley, John Ferris, Philip C. Fearline, 
Louis Gruber, Christian Haber, John Hassing, William Halt, Charles 
M. Kimbrough, Patrick McCabe, John Mulcahy, Lorentz Miller, El- 
wood Madden, John A. Myer, Charles Nicholas, Leonides Price, George 
Peter, Patrick Ryan, John Smith, Ferdinand Schultz, George Showalter, 
John Snowden, Thomas B. Thayer, William Wyane, Henry Young, 
Wilhelm Zueker, Philip Zegerard, Thomas Burns, Simeon Culbertson, 
Henry Guthcamp, WiUiam J. O'Naherty, Joseph Hampton, Marcus 
Hathaway, John W. Holcomb, Frank Bernard, Ignatz Burtz, Jacob 
Cohn, Mathias P. Dingeman, George W. Machinaw, Albert MorreU, 
Samuel A. Brady, James Peck, John Ryan, William F. Smith, Samuel 
Snedegar, Peter Tigan, Peter Warren, Herman Kroog, John Kennedy, 
Charles W. Lewis. 

Died. — Privates Benjamin F. Buckbee, Herman H. Erpenstein; Ser- 
geant Benjamin F. Fox. 

COMPANY K. (Veteran). 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Sergeant Charles John. 

PRIVATES. 

Peter Gabriel, Michael Bettinger, Lewis Book. 

NINETEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Mustered into service May and November, i86r. 
COMPANY C. 
Private Theodore Seivering. 

COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Heniy Minike, Peter Monroe, Henry Buckhouse, Michael Genshuger. 
COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

James Stewart, Barney Brockman (Twentieth Ohio). 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY B. (Veteran). 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Sergeant Godfrey B. Alexander. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Kepper, John Johnson (died), John Hall. 

COMPANY D. 
Private Thomas Paliner. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Second Lieutenant James B. Walker. 

PRIVATES. 

Lewis Stillman, James B. Walker, .Albert Black. 

COMPANY E. (Veteran). 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Bradford, Lewis Webber. 

COMPANY G. (Veteran). 

Private Gottfried Schmidt. 

COMPANY H. 
Private Albert G. Black. 

COMPANY I. 
Private Herman Neetfelt. 

COMPANY I. (Veteran). 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Captain Francis M. Shaklee. 

PRIVATES. 

Christopher Yerke, Thomas Wilson. 

COMPANY K. 
Private William Shanen. 

TWENTIETH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The three months' regiment of this number was 
raised at once upon the outbreak of war. One company 
(B) was recruited at Oxford, Butler county, mainly from 
the students of Miami university. Among them were 
the following-named from Cincinnati : 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Captain Ozu Jennison Dodds. 

PRIVATES. 

John R. Hunt, jr., Carter B. Harrison, Robert A. Leonard, James 
A. Leonard, Charles L. Seward. 

( Three Years' Service. ) 
COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Albert Black, Mason Harmon. 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

Christopher Gehrke, James Lingen, Herman Neatfelt. 
COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Gleason, William Sharron. 

TWENTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Assistant Surgeon Richard Gray, jr. 

TWENTY-SECOND OHIO INFANTRY. 
FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Crafts J. Wright. 
Major Charles W. Anderson. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Edwin Smith. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal John Winright. 
Corporal William H. Sheir. 
Corporal James H. Stopher. 



PRIVATES. 
Rudolph Betz, James Campbell, Joseph McGarten, John Sheridan 
Robert Wychler, William B. Arthur, William Green, Matthew Harren, 
Joseph Peters, Alfred Swing, Julius Shemer, James Farris. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Robert McGreggor. 

COMPANY I. 
Private Philip W. Quentin. 

TWENTY-SECOND BATTALION OHIO INFANTRY. 

(Veterans and recruits of the Twenty-third Ohio infantry.) 

COMPANY A. 

PRIVATES. 

William Cummings, Lewis C. Miller, William Montgomery, John 
Probst, William H. Rogers. 

COMPANY B. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Corporal James P. Woods. 

PRIVATES. 

John Williams, Alexander Bowers, Tilton Hall, Patrick Murray, 
Isaac B. Norris, John E. Wortman; Drummer Ebenezer Westwood. 

TWENTY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was Colonel (afterwards General) Rosecrans' reg- 
iment. Among its field officers were also Rutherford B. 
Hayes, Stanley Matthews, James M. Conly, and E. Par- 
ker Scammon, three of whom became generals, and one 
of them President of the United States. It was organ- 
ized at Camp Chase, in June, 1861, for three years' ser- 
vice; served in West Virginia, and elsewhere in the east, 
was at the battle of Cedar Creek, and other famous ac- 
tions, and was finally mustered out July 26, 1865, at 
Cumberland. 

STAFF OFFICER. 

Sergeant Major William W. Stevens. 

COMPANY A. 

PRIVATES. 

William Lyons, Casper Plankuch, William Sullivan, James Brown, 
Thomas Burnes, Thomas Gillen, Alfred C. Harris, John Lanvercombe. 
John Fletcher. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Fisher, Salathiel Roach, Thomas Cady, Daniel Dedy, Morti- 
mer S. Denwoody, Joseph Davis, Benjamin Evans, Henry Evans, Wil- 
liam Kilgore. 

COMPANY c. (Veteran). 

PRIVATES. 

John Canedy, Hanson L, Gwynn, Gustavus Mason, James Pierson, 
Christopher C. White, John Gibernel, Alfred Grow, George W. Shell- 
cross, James Tinner. 

Died. — Charles O. Case, Zachariah Crippen, Hugh McCabe. 

Discharged. — Corporal Kellum Sanford; Privates John C. Coleman, 
John Deverming, JosiahJ. Higby. 

COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 

William Terrell, Lewis Hood, William White, 2d, Darman Williams, 
William Meade, Frederick Smithgall, William Hamilton (died), John 
L. Douglass (discharged). 

COMPANY E. 

PRIVATES. 

James Carl, James A. Kelly, Frantz Kaiser, John King, William 
R. Haliman, Hugh Kearney, John Keenan. 

COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES, 

Jacob Maguir, Edward Benker, Andrew Gigle, George Heddinger, 
Christopher Copier, Edward Lanson, Jeremiah Long, Joseph Lemare, 
John Ma.Kville, John O'Brian, John Reed. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

Harvey Buchanan, Patrick McGown, John McGee, John Ockley, 
Wilham Osterholt, Conrad Weitzel, WilUam B, Maples, James Presley 
(killed in battle), Hiram Anderson, William Bragg, John Dougherty, 
Richard Ellison, Levi Fuller, George Godsey, Henry Gedeman, 
Thomas Marfling, James O' Brian, John Rath. 

Discharged. — Calvin W. Hudson, Lewis Mayer, John Stander. 

COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Sontag, John Somerton, Herman Smith, Charles Schmidt, 
Michael O'Brien (discharged). 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

John Walker, William W. Stevens, Andrew J. Bolan, Daniel Smith, 

Andrew Schlochberger, Samuel Turner, Daniel Walsh. 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

William Wickelhouse, James Donnelly, Jacob Van Long, John 
Morris, Albert G. Boswell, Isaac Wickley, William B. Gary (died), 
George M. D. Evans, Charles M. Rollings, John Riley, James Smith, 
Harry Wallace, Charles B. Wilson, William S. Warrick, Samuel W. 
Wallace. 

TWENTY-FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Mustered into service in July, i86i. 
COMPANY F. 
First Lieutenant Henry G. Graham. 

TWENTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Assistant Surgeon Daniel Richards. 

COMPANY F. 
Private Emanuel Brill. 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

John S. Pryor, Adeu Richason (died). 

TWENTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The organization of this regiment took place at Camp 
Chase in August, 1861. Before December they are heard 
of at St. Louis, St. Charles and Mexico, Missouri, Lex- 
ington, Kansas City, and Sadalia. During this month 
they shared in the capture of thirteen hundred recruits 
on their way to join the rebel General Price. In March 
this regiment was in the advance in the movement on Is- 
land No. 10, and May i, was with the army that 
moved on Corinth. On the nineteenth of September the 
Twenty-seventh was a part of the force sent to re- 
capture luka. October 3, at the battle of Corinth it lost 
heavily. A timely reinforcement of two hundred recruits 
arrived soon after. Early in November, the Ohio brigade, 
of which the Twenty-seventh formed a part, with Grant's 
army, marched to Oxford, Mississippi. They were next 
ordered to Jackson, Tennessee, to intercept Forrest, 
whom they met at Parker's cross roads, where an engage- 
ment took place, resulting in the capture of seven guns, 
three hundred and sixty prisoners, and four hundred 
horses. Shortly after re-enlistment, this brigade moved 
against and captured Decatur. At Dallas the rebels 
were driven before them. The regiment was also en- 
gaged with Hood's corps on the twenty-eighth of May, 
skirmished at Big Shanty in June, and fought at Kenesaw 
and Nicojack creek in July. 

Before Atlanta, on the twenty-second of July, the regi- 
ment was in one of its severest battles, and sustained its 



heaviest loss. In the pursuit of Hood to the northward , 
it had a part; it also marched with Sherman to the sea, 
and was in the campaign of the Carolinas. After Johns- 
ton's surrender, the Twenty-seventh moved to Washing- 
ton, and in July, 1865, at Camp Dennison, received its 
final payment and discharge. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 
Sergeant Major Jacob C. Cohen. 
Sergeant Major Edward B. Temple. 
Quartermaster Sergeant John Jones. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Jacob S. Menken. 

Captain James Morgan. 

Second Lieutenant Jacob C. Cohen. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry Tape. 

First Sergeant Thomas Morgan. 

Sergeant Robert C. Biggadike. 

Sergeant John Toms. 

Sergeant Edward B. Temple. 

Sergeant William Roberts. 

Sergeant Adolph Myers. 

Sergeant Robert Gardner. 

Sergeant Ferdinand Fagle. 

Corporal Benjamin F. Long. 

Corporal William E. Moore. 

Corporal Edward P. Toms. 

Corporal John Kerdoff. 

Corporal E. W. Hippie. 

Corporal James H. Jones. 

Corporal George Everett. 

Musician Charles Chiffer, 

PRIVATES. 

John Atkins, George Barner, John Bryant, J. P. Bergman, Patrick 
Burk, Eugene Carroll, William H. Dobbins, Hugh Dunn, James Egan, 
Patrick Fox, Frederick Graff, Noah C. Groves, Edwin Gibson. William 
Gantz, Daniel Haggerty, William A. Jeffers, Adolph Krause, William 
King, Michael Knoffloch, William D. Lilly, John A. McCalmont, John 
McMillen, John Murphy, Edward Martz, Joseph Meising, Louis H. 
Mayer, John Miller, Dennis O'Brian, John O'Tool, Peter Pointers, 
Harmon H. Remmert, Thomas Ryan, John H. Steiweider, August 
Senmert, Joseph Sokup, Maurice Troy, Frederick Talaze, Arnold Zem- 
mert, Ernest Zeuchner, William F. Cole, William E. Cole. 

COMPANY D. 
. PRIVATES. 
Joseph Black, Josiah Raines. 

COMPANY G. 
Private Joseph McDaniels. 

COMPANY H. 
Private John M. Moore (died). 

COMPANY I. 
Private Christian North (died). 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

Leopold Gardner, Enoch A. Hutchinson, O. E. Steward, James A. 
Sweet, John A.J oseph (died). 

TWENTY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was recruited largely among the Cin- 
cinnati Germans; and so much attached are those of its 
surviving members who yet reside in the city to its mem- 
ory, that they still hold monthly re-unions on Sundays, 
at some convenient rendezvous — a case not exactly par- 
alleled, we venture to say, anywhere in the world. It 
was mustered in July 6, 1861, for three years, and moved 
from Camp Dennison to Point Pleasant, Virginia, on the 
thirty-first. Colonel Merr, with four hundred picked 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



113 



men, presently relieved the home guards at Spencer, 
where they were besieged by the rebels. The regiment 
joined the force under General Rosecrans, and fought at 
Carnifex Ferry, where it lost three killed and twenty-seven 
wounded. October 21st, at New River, two of its com- 
panies had a sharp fight with the rebels on the Union 
picket line. The winter and part of the next spring were 
spent at Gauley, in thorough drill and instruction; and 
May 2, 1862, the Twenty-eighth marched to Fayetteville 
and took place in the Second brigade of the Kanawha 
division, under General Cox. At Wolf creek, near East 
River mountain, two companies defeated a rebel force, 
and destroyed a wagon train loaded with commissary 
stores. About half the regiment was in the next fight, 
near Wytheville, losing six dead and eleven wounded. 
Several other skirmishes occurred during the operations 
of the summer, but without much loss. On the march 
to Washington, begun at Flat Top mountain , August isth, 
the regiment had a skirmish with Stuart's cavalry at Fall- 
church, September 4th. The division was now attached 
to the Ninth army corps, under General Reno. Septem- 
ber 13th, Colonel Mori's brigade, in which was the Twenty- 
eighth, drove the rebels ost of Frederick City. At South 
Mountain the Kanawha division bore the brunt of the 
battle. At Antietam this regiment was the first to ford 
, the creek above the stone bridge, and remained on the 
skirmish line of the Ninth corps all night. It lost forty- 
two killed and hurt in this action. The next winter was 
passed in West Virginia, mainly at Buckhannon. About 
the middle of June the command was marched to Mary- 
land, and then back to Beverly, to repel a threatened in- 
vasion. At Droop mountain, July 6th, a rebel force was 
attacked and defeated, with heavy loss. The remainder 
of the summer, and the fall and winter, were spent in 
active operations, with much marching and other hard- 
ships, but no great amount of fighting. April 25, 1864, 
the Twenth-eighth was ordered to the army of the Shen- 
andoah, to "fight mit Siegel," who was then reorganizing 
the army at Bunker Hill. It aided to force Imboden from 
New Market, May i ith, and was in the batrie of New Mar- 
ket the next day, which was fought in a heavy thunder- 
storm. June sth it was in the attack upon the rebel General 
Jones near Piedmont, and was the only regiment of the 
force charging the works that did not fall back, holding 
its ground and preventing the rebels from making a cen- 
tre charge for three-fourths of an hour, when it was re- 
called and handsomely complimented by General Hunter. 
The third charge forced the enemy from his works, kill- 
ing General Jones, and deciding the battle. The Twenty- 
eighth lost thirty-three'killed and one hundred and five 
wounded, out of four hundred and eighty-four engaged. 
Two color-bearers were killed and three wounded; and 
the flag was torn by seventy- two balls and pieces of shell. 
After another month and a half of very active service, it 
was ordered home, greeted warmly by its multitudinous 
friends at Cincinnati, and mustered out July 23d. Its 
total losses in the field were two officers killed, seven 
wounded; ninety enlisted men killed, one hundred and 
sixty-two wounded, one hundred and seventy-three disa- 
bled by disease; in all four hundred and thirty-four. 



FIELD AND STAFF. 
Clonel August Moore. 
Lieutenant Colonel Godfried Becker. 
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Bohlender. 
Major Ernest Schochi. 
Major Rudolph Heintz. 
Surgeon Gerhard Saal. 
Surgeon Charles E. Deing. 
Assistant Surgeon Adolphus Schoenbein. 
Assistant Surgeon George P. Hackenberg. 
Assistant Surgeon A. E. Jenner. 
Chaplain Charles Beyschlag. 
Chaplain Frederick Goebel. 
Adjutant Leopold Markbreit. 
Adjutant John Lang. 
Quartermaster Herman Kaugsberger. 
Quartermaster Samuel Rosenshaf. 
Sergeant Major Louis Fass. 
Sergeant Major Albert Liamin. 
Sergeant Major Henry Acker. 
Sergeant Major Rudolph Gutenstein. 
Sergeant Major Charles Ludorff. 
Sergeant Major Abesevan Landberg. 
Commissary Sergeant Michael Schmidtheimer. 
Commissary Sergeant John Ruterieck. 
Commissary Sergeant Frank Salzmann. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Joseph Newbacher. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Louis Weitzel. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Charles Schmidt. 
Hospital Steward William Bauer. 
Hospital Steward Frederick Ries. 
Chief Musician Francis Schmitt. 
Chief Bugler Adolphus Schiller. 
Drum Major Joseph Brodbeck. 
Musician Otto Zink. 

COMPANY A. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Ernest Schache. 
Captain Charles Drach. 
First Lieutenant Charles Meyer. 
First Lieutenant Frederick Weising. 
First Lieutenant Frederick Halzer. 
First Lieutenant Albert Livmin. 
Second Lieutenant Louis Faas. 
Second LieutenantTAugust Herman. 
Second Lieutenant Leopold Markbreit. 
Second Lieutenant William Althammer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant August Hess. 

Sergeant Henry Kaling. 

Sergeant Charles Mueller. 

SergeantJWilliam Hansom. 

Sergeant Gottleib Lange. 

Corporal Jacob Mueller. 

Corporal Christian Stueve. 

Corporal William Streilberg. 

Corporal Herman Moeller. 

Corporal Charles Bertram. 

PRIVATES. 

George Beokman, Nicholas Biedinger, Otto Briegel, John Dalbele, 
Lorenz Hinkeyer Frederick Feller, Joseph Heilmerer, Louis Haben- 
stadt, Antony Kayser, Frank Kemper, George Klett, John Peter Krouz, 
Andrew Shider, Frederick Linderman, Christian Luttman, William 
Mastin, Charles Mashnitz, Herman Meyer, Peter Nospacher, John 
Platfoot, Alexander Pansald, Henry Rodenberg, George Schein, Charles 
Sebold, Gustave Schmidt, Michael Schwabel, Christian Schwarzenhaet- 
zer, John Spaeth, Louis Straever, Joseph Udry, Ulrich Walt, Henry 
Wubbenherst, Bernhard Hoffman, Daniel Galtz, Charles Neiman, Frank 
Kauffman, Frederick Engleke, Frantz Lippart, Frederick Funk, Michael 
Gratz, Charles Merk, Charles Kuehn, August Walker, Frederick Kei- 
linger, Charles Heuke, Charles Wolf, Conrad Job, Joseph Duerr, Henry 
Harland, Maxwell Hug, Frederick Haatman, John Weber, Julius 
Reiche. 

Killed in Battle. — Private John Helling, Corporal Conrad Meeker. 

Died. — Private Charles Yeiser, Simon Poettger, Philip Pieh, Henry 
Schadleman; Maxwell MeuUer. 



114 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Sergeant Louis Steir; Privates Antony Mueller, John Henshman, 
Philip Stuckenberg, Henry Stuckenberg, George Small, Jacob Burk- 
hard, Frederick Langner, John Huber, Antony Pflanger, Frederick 
Winderick, 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Samuel Rosenthal ; Sergeants Herman 
Guthard, Albert Liomin, IVIichael Schmittener ; Privates Louis Witzel, 
Joseph IVlark ; Corporal Frank Salzman. 

Recruits. — Privates Andrew Daniels, Frank Genter, Jacob Galtz. 

COMPANY A. (yeteran). 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Edwin Fry. 

First Lieutenant Frederick Hagenbuch. 

Second Lieutenant Christopher Tenge. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant John Jones. 
Sergeant Ahvin Rademacher. 
Sergeant John Reimer, 
Sergeant Julius Frenzel. 
Sergeant Michael Trunk. 
Corporal Louis Reiher. 
Corporal Martin Hohmann. 
Corporal John Smith. 
Corporal Jacob Jung. 
Corporal George Winter. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles Baumann, Conrad Bajer, Martin Bilber, Henry Braeskman, 
Frank Boland, Henry Correl, George Doell, Jacob Sellman, Ernest 
Dietz, Gabriel Diescher, Charles Forberg, Frank Griesler, Jacob Grue- 
ner, I. Glatt, George Grabuth, August Hunt, John Hagel, Joseph 
Hauser, Phillip Heintz, Henry Johanning, Daniel Jung, Edmund Kiel, 
Henry Kaffenberger, Charles Kempf, George Lang, Frederick Long- 
fritz, William Miller, Martin Miller, Peter Messingslacher, Joseph 
Moser, Frederick Newberger, Edmund Needs, Henry Aldach, Freder- 
ick Paul, Peter Peifer, Frank Puemple, George Raab, Julius Raab, 
Casper Rappinger, Michael Renz, Christopher Reppig, Frederick Runte, 
Dominic Ruhstaller, Charles Schinske, Frank Schneider, Oscar Seith, 
Henry Neal, John Staab, William Straub, Adalbert Schaefer, Ernest 
Schilling, Peter Streuber, Charles Vogt, John Waitzman, Henry Zim_ 
merman, Michael Zaal, Louis Zagar, Adam Giebe, Henry Rickers, 
Henry Lurenkamp. 

Transferred, etc.— Sergeants August Kramer, George Seining ; Cor- 
porals Sigmund Eicholz, William Geipnian, Thomas Hellieigel ; Pri- 
vates Charles Degan, Bernhard Duers, John Schwarz, Adam Scherer, 
Jacob Gallinger, Anton Brischler, Joseph Roth. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Albert Ritter. 
Captain William_Ewald. 
Captain John Armon. 
First Lieutenant Martin Wauser. 
First Lieutenant August Grieff. 
Second Lieutenant Albert Traub. 
Second Lieutenant Jacob Mark. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frederick Eberhardt. 

Sergeant Austin Dieckman. 

Sergeant Lorenz Hissehbeihler. 

Sergeant Peter Brinker. 

Corporal Lewis Kremer. 

Corporal William Reis. 

Corporal Peter Hoffman. 

Corporal Lorenz Staale. 

Corporal Peter Paulhummel. 

Corporal Martin Geier. 

Corporal Frederick Miller. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Arnold, John Agel, Anzelm Anhalt, William Bauer, Jacob 
Bayer, Eugene Bruhl, John Brauer, John Beckman, John Borg, Henry 
Cron, Henry Elliott, Michael Eplinger, Joseph Fisher, John Fisher, 
Valentine Franzsell, Frederick Hoffman, Lorenz Kenner, Peter Krau- 
sen, Peter Mattern, Joseph N. Martin, John Mehlheimer, George 
Mumme, Sebastian Meyer, Joseph Neithammer, Phillip Pfenning, Lo- 
renz Redinger, Frederick Sauer, Frederick Schmalzigang, John Schmitz, 
Victor Schneider, William Spengler, Moritz Stabler, John Schroeder, 



Jacob Volkneiss, Adam Zeigler, Joseph Zeigler, Leonard Dobmeyer, 
John Hark, Bernhard Schmidt, William Zeller, Jacob Stuber, Peter Alex- 
ander, John Alexander, John Batz, John Belmer, Gottlieb Beiler, John 
Erbe, Henry Hiser, Frederick Holl, Joseph Hummeler, Herman Kier- 
stein, John Krause, Bernhard Lohrer, Bernhard Lottberg, John Lam- 
meshirt, Casper Meyer, Carl Muller, Frederick Oppermann, Frederick 
Remler, Joseph Schmidt, Conrad Waspermann, Nicholas Wickermann, 
Phillip Wagner, George Zeltner, Charles Zwangauf, Phillip Zugelhart, 
Matthias Zartheit. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal John Shranker; Privates Phillip Fanzell, 
John Schneider, Nicholas Weber. 

Died. — Privates William Beekman, David Spath. 

Transferred. — Privates Conrad Bozer, Anton Brichler, George Doell, 
John Glatt, Martin Miller, Frederick Paul, Casper Boppinger, Henry 
Reekers, Charles Voight, Edward Arnbruster, Frederick Bebel, Adam 
Gebb, Joseph Kuntsli, Peter Rossman, Frederick Radsluff, Adam Roth, 
John Schatz, Casper Schier, George Watther. 

COMPANY B. (Veteran). 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frank Birk. 

First Lieutenant Christopher Hildebrand. 

Second Lieutenant John Huser. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant August Kramer. 

Sergeant George Mayer. 

Sergeant August Gabe. 

Sergeant Herman Weigus. 

Sergeant Charles Studier. 

Corporal Gustave Haustein. 

Corporal Frantz Henbarger. 

Corporal Philip Hartin. 

Corporal Lorenz Rengel. 

Corporal George Weiss. 

Corporal John Valentine. 

Corporal August Brarin. 

PRIVATES. 

Franklin Angel, Joseph Brodbeck, Frederick Branch, Joseph Burk- 
hard, Philip Bruck, Frederick Bene, Gotlieb Borgman, Lewis Beck, 
Christian Borchhard, Henry Burch, Christian Bohling, Lewis Bechman, 
Ignatz Bauer, Upton Demeemoss, John Dietz, August Fisher, Charles 
Fisher, Charles Herman, George Huber, Anton Harpbrecht, Nicholas 
Huber, Adam Herman, John Harter, Valentine Jungman, George 
Kratzberg, Frank Lorb, David Kelly, Felix Kistner, William Koehler, 
George Locehel, Herman Lehman, Frank Mayer, John Mayer, Christian 
Mild, Lewis Martin, John Moehler, Peter Mohn, Joseph Post, Lewis 
Plotow, George Pastre, Herman Reichow, Gottlieb Ruoff, Jacob 
Roesch, Albert Shultz, Lorenz Stehman, Ignatz Straub, August Smilder, 
Antony Seiger, Michael Schoeffer, John Sohvam, Henry Steffen, John 
Sutter, William Schmidt, Friederich Vogel, John Weinfelder, Andrew 
Wilzenbacher, William Wickenieyer, Jacob Walz, George Bauer, 
August Deppe, Englebert Benzinger, Eha Dominionons, Friederich 
Kanmerling, Vinvenz Kistner, Leopold Kranskopf, Frederick Mayer, 
Michael Reis, Frank Seiger, Joaquin Ruhstaller, Adam Soberer, Joseph 
Sohieber, Peter Strawbinger. 

Died. — Privates Charles Lipp, Jeremiah Guttbroett. 

Privates Frederick Groetsinger, John Muebler. 
COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Matthias Reiching. 
Captain Albert Traub. 
First Lieutenant August Fix. 
First Lieutenant John Roedel. 
Second Lieutentant Carlo Piepho. 
Second Lieutenant John Lang. 
Second Lieutenant Lewis Weitzel. 
Second Lieutenant R. M. Gutenstein. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Matthias Arnbruster. 
Sergeant Adam Benkert. 
Sergeant Ernst Rochwitz. 
Sergeant Peter Weibel. 
Corporal Martin Lippel. 
Corporal Sebastian Latscha. 
Corporal Frederick Brenner. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



IIS 



PRIVATES. 

Michael Barth, Christian Beery, Frederick Babel, Adam Berg, George 
Bolter, John Buhler, John Christ, Adam Delman, Henry Dryemgei, 
John Ergels, Fredericli Ertz, Adam Geht, Ludwig Gerhadl, Christian 
Hebstreath, Ferdinand Hock, Henry Heniminghaus, Henry Kinkier, 
Charles Kleppe, Henry Kull, Ludwig Laubert, Louis Lexan, Henry 
Lohmeyer, Fritz Loheide, John Meyer, Philip Meyer, Martin Meyer, 
George Mack, Franz Manning, Nicholas Rapp, John Schlatter, Chris- 
tian Schmidtbeyer, Jacob Schulde, Casper Squier, Frederick Stauffer, 
Philip Wrinmer, Ernst Zaeske, Christian Zehdter, Charles Kempt, 
William Geipman, Philip Hercher, Adolph Kuball, Henry Bruckmann, 
Charles Degan, Ernest Dietz, Jacob Gallinger, John Jones, Henry 
Kauffenbeyer, Fritz Neubeyer, Michael Rentz, Christian Reppig, Wil- 
William Straub. 

Killed in Battle. — Sergeant Mangus Bott; Private Fritzolin Gutswitler. 
Missing. — Private Ludwig Haaf. 

Died. — Privates Edward Ammon, Charles Dallhammer, Adolph Doer- 
ing, Peter Gengnager, Thomas Patton, Gottleib Schuhkraft, William 
Wittman. 

Privates George Bottel, Adam Baucher, Joseph Klaus, Matthias Doll, 
meyer, Philip Doosman, Jacob Demmeyer, John EUenberger, Pankratz 
Eberlein, George Francois, Ceorge Hempser, George Hummel, Edward 
Huse, Peter Hammel, John Keller, Meinrich Kelling, Bernet Kattlord, 
Charles Kopp, Sebastian Letsch, Benjamin Lohrback, Peter Lyndecker, 
Charles A. Ludorff, Adam Miller, Matthias Niemeyer, Emil Ohlenroth 
John Oppenheimer, Ferdinand Renker, Jacob Sachs, Joseph Seibert, 
first, Joseph Seibert, second, August Shieb, Jacob Saarbach, Henry 
Surencamp, Martin Thorwalder, Fritz Tobias, Beruh Will, John Wink- 
ler, Sebastian Wisch, Adam Zeigler. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Michael Kline, Privates August Ben. 
zinger, Andrew Doll, John Dienhardt, Fritz Engelke, Wendelin Fisher^ 
Charles Gern, Frederick Hagenbuck, Jacob Halbauer, Ludwig Kirch- 
hofer, Franz Ladisch, Henry Rath, Joseph Roth. 

Veterans. — Sergeant August Kramer ; Corporal Thomas Hellriegel' 
Martin Bilber, Jacob DoUman, Henry Saal, John Straab. 

COMPANY c. (Veteran Battalion). 

CONMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant George Lering. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Philip Hercher. 
Sergeant Christian Hauer. • 
• Sergeant Frank Center. 

Corporal Jacob Goetz. 

PRIVATES. 

Stephen Bueyer, Valentine Cornelius, Henry Dammeyer, Peter Doehm, 
John Goephard, Joseph Graf, William Geissman, John V. Hofman 
Nicholas Heinrich, Herman Kirchhof, Reinhard Kise, Rudolph Stu!. 
dor, John Burkhard, Frank Mund, George Hohenstein, Baptist 
Deutschle, Charles Werner, .George Kimmel, John Meikel, John Diem, 
Andrew Duerr, Frank Kuffner, Jacob Lattemer, Emanuel Seelos 
Adolph Kuball, Henry Hurst, Christian Dabbert. 

Transferred. — Sergeant George Rabb, Private Balthasar Mueller. 

Died. — Sergeant Peter Borg. 

Privates Jacob Bohmen, Ernest Roemler, Augustin Ringelein, Frank 
Schmidt, August Schwan. 

COMPANY D. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Louis Fey. 

First Lieutenant Lanterbache Malte. 

First Lieutenant Samuel Rosenthal. 

First Lieutenant Deopold Markbreit. 

Second Lieutenant Heer Arnold. 

Second Lieutenant Gottlieb Hummell. 

Second Lieutenant Michael Klein. 

Second Lieutenant Michael Schmittheuner.. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Jacob Deep. 
Sergeant Herman Steinauer. 
Sergeant Henry Weber. 
Sergeant Charles Wickenhauser. 
Sergeant Albert Jehle. 
Corporal John Frey. 
Corporal John Diep. 
Corporal Adam Lawn. 



Corporal Lewis Kuhriel, 
Corporal John Duck, 
Corporal Henry Elfers. 
Corporal William Techudi. 

PRIVATES. 

John Bittner, Felician Brunner, George Beck, Jacob Blei, August 
Benziger, Peter Dimper, Frank A. Eberle, Joseph Fetz, Conrad Gasper, 
John Grass, Casper Hick, George Jacob, Adam Jutzi, David Isele, 
Jacob Koerkel, Christian Kripper, John G. Krichhofar, Ferdinand 
Lehmann, Jacob Lutzel, Christian Meinel, Christian Mair, Ferdinand 
MuUer, John Mar.\-, George Peter Oeirel, William Prestenbach, Andrew 
Zadenhauer, John Ruteneek, Peter Rossraan, William Rasch, William 
Stopburg, John Spaeth, ..Nicholas Schwartz, Ignatz Steinauer, Jacob 
Schumacher, Simon Schmidt, John Schuckel; Henry Terheide, John 
Weinsstein, Jolin Wohnhas, Peter Zius, Franz Flick, C. Renner, Wm. 
Eckerle, E. Erwig, Peter Frey, Michael Fleisch, Conrad Groth, Franz 
Graf, Andreas Gradel, Henry Heiser, John Hellwig, Henry Krenz- 
mann, Jpseph Lange, John Merig, John Neubacher, William Rhein- 
stadt, Frederick Otto Ross, Martin Seibert, Christian Welker, Frede- 
rick Wolzbacher, Frederick W. Tellhorster. 

Killed in Battle.— Privates Leopold Bauer, Ambrosius Fiedmann, 
Rudolf Hauserniann, Jacob Heitz, Philip Zeip. 

Died.— Sergeant Robert Simon; Privates Charles Graf, Martin, 
Kallin, Jacob Moreland, Philip Sauer, Lorenzo Schmidt. 

Discharged.— Corporals Frederick W. Alexander, Otto Mueller; 
Privates Rudolph Lrand, John Bruin, Adam Fauth, Jacob Hellwig, 
Valentine Jeggle, Joseph Kueenzli, George Matt, Joseph Molinari, 
Daniel Pfisler, Ferdinand Radeloff, William Seeger, Theodore Wagner, 
Frederick Wenz, Frederick W. Windscher, John Wilk. 

Transferred.— First Sergeants Ferdinand Holzer, Henry Raabe, 
John S. Schellenbaum ; Privates Joseph Brodbeck, John Deinhard, 
Jacob Diehl, George Ehret, Frederick Goetz, John Henle, Franz Fhck, 
Louis Koch, Joseph Kauffman, Herman Meyer, Sigmund Moasch, 
Joseph Molitor, John Molkmans, John Miller, Herman Roose, Adolph 
Schiller, Christian Volper, Frank A. Schneider, Frank Bohland, Bern- 
hart Durr, Joseph Hauser, John Hagel, George Lang, Joseph Moser, 
Henry Oldach, Peter Peifer, Ernst Roemler, August Ringelien, Domi- 
nick Ruhstaller, Henry Zimmerman. 

COMPANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Arthur Forbriger. 
Captain Edwin Frey. 
First Lieutenant Alexander Bohlander. 
First Lieutenant John Amrein. 
First Lieutenant Conrad Sleicher. 
First Lieutenant Michael Kline. 
Second Lieutenant Albert Lioman. 
Second Lieutenant Louis C. Fintz. 
Second Lieutenant Charles Woelfer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Conrad Bauer. 
Sergeant Maxwell Stedenford. 
Sergeant Joseph Huber. 
Sergeant Henry Schutz. 
Sergeant Charles Fuchs. 
Corporal John Brunler. 
Corporal Louis Metzler. 
Corporal Henry Schuchler. 
Corporal George P. Schmidt. 
Corporal John Hiller. 
Corporal Adam Wuest. 

PRIVATES. 
Philip Bottler, Herman Bohne, Christian Bermith, John Baer, Ernst 
Brenligan, William Brunner, Ernst Goelen, Michael Griganius, Chris- 
tian Hohn, Frederick Helbring, Bernet Heintz, Joseph Haringer, 
George Henzel, Theater Heanker, Andreas Jageman, Herman Jaeger, 
Joseph Kauffman, John Killer, Christian Kiehl, Frederick Koeing, 
John Leonhart, Henry Meinken, Leopold Meyer, Victor Neubacher, 
Michael Offenbacher, Henry Pfeming, William Rudiger, Tobias 
Rolher, John Sattler, John Schneider, Frederick Schilling, George 
Schmidt, Rudolph Schmidt, Bonafantune Stoeckle, Jacob Schaebel, 
Reinhart Sohindeldaker, John Schram, Jacob Theis, Gusjave Utten- 
dorfer. 

Killed in Battle. — First Sergeant Jacob Fintz; Corporaljoseph Gutz- 
willer; Privates Frank Klueber, Ferdinand Krause. 



n6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Died. — Louis Beeker, Benedict Hernick, Frederick Schafer, Frede- 
rick Nieman, Charles Winter. 

Discharged. — Corporals Henry Conrady, William Hundermark; 
Privates Ferdinand Anschutz, Henry G. Benninger, Matthias Dall- 
meyer, Henry Eberly, Wendelin Fischer, Frank Geiler, John Kempt- 
ner, Charles Loebi.xger, Joseph Meyer, John Neau, Frank Ortman, 
Isaiah Roedel, Henry Schwabe, Joseph Schearer, Philip I. Theis, John 
Eppinger, Louis Faas, Louis Gerhart, Charles Cross, |ohn Kelch, 
Henry Dunk, Gabriel Drescher, Julius L. Frenzel, Charles Feiberg, 
Jacob Geuener, George Grabath, Philip Heintz, Frederick Langfritz, 
Franz Pumpel, Emanuel Seelas, Adelbert Schafer, Ernst Schilling, 
John Peter Struber, George Winter, John Weitzman, Michael Zaal, 
Christian Hauer. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICEKS. 

Captain Henry Sommer. 
First Lieutenant Henry Zimmerman. 
First Lieutenant Charles Alexander. 
First Lieutenant Franz Schmidt. 
First Lieutenant Lewis Weitzel, 
First Lieutenant Henry Ocker. 
Second Lieutenant Martin Hauser. 
Second Lieutenant Conrad Schleiher. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant John Schueder. 
Sergeant Bernhart Svenker. 
Sergeant Michael Walluck. 
Corporal John Weber. 
Corporal August Dierker. 
Corporal Bernhart Vo'gel. 
Corporal Joseph Keller. 
Corporal Rudolph Renter. 
Corporal Frederick Leppe. 

PRIVATES. 

John Buchler. Gottlieb Dehmeil, Henry Dick, Gottlieb Ebinger, 
Andreas Ehman, Herman FrandhoiT, Frederick Foelsch, Jacob Franz- 
man, Robert Genge, Lewis Hahn, George Held, George Hertwig, Lewis 
John, George Kautzman, Christian KaLser, Jacob Klein, Albert Loop, 
Triah Luethy, John L. Mueller, George Muenster, John J. Mueller, 
Ferdinand Riedel, Frank Ringer, Frederick Shaefer, Lewis Scharegge, 
Christian Schatzman, John Thomas, Michael Verheclig, George Wuen- 
ger, Adolphus Wolf, Lewis Woelfer, Matthias Zimmerman, John Zink. 

Killed in Battle. — Henry Bettsheider, Eberhard Kreuter, Andrew 
Lucas, Christian Loeffler. 

Died. — Privates George Bertram, Frederick Huppert, Andrew Her- 
hamer, Lewis Lump, Charles Leanian, Lewis Wenz, David Wickers- 
himer. 

Discharged. — Privates Joseph Derhan, Nicholas Hoeple, Frank 
Hanzel, John Hottinger, August Woelfer, Jacob Mueller, William 
Holzhuch, Julius Swarzhoff, William Wuerker, Henry Jacoby, John 
Roth, Bernhart Lohe, George Rose, George Schaefer, Charles Mueller. 

Transferred. — Privates John Brockman, Herman Brunner, Michael 
Eslinger, Bernhart Horstman, Herman Zeiler, Adam Auentis, John 
Hildebrandt, Frederick Eyle, Franz Hemberger, John Jaegle, Nicholas 
Kloch, John Kramer, Christoper Kulhman, John Anton Mueller, John 
Rockendorf, John Mennnger. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Tobias Nagal. 
First Lieutenant Edwin Frey. 
First Lieutenant John Lang. 
First Lieutenant Albert Liomin. 
Second Lieutenant Emil Wilde. 
Second Lieutenant Ferdinand Holyer. 
Second Lieutenant George Benzing. 
Second Lieutenant Herman Raengsleyer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS 

Sergeant Balthaser Strassal. 
Sergeant Frank Leophold. 
Sergeant Phillip Weichrich. 
Sergeant George Lehmeig. 

PRIVATES. 

George Auker, Frederick Blackman, Langen Behringer, Peter 
Claude, Wilhelm Engel, John Forsbach, Gustave Frey, Charles Har- 



rold, Jacob Haag, John Halm, Wilhelm Jordon, Frederick Krebs, 
Theodore Keek, John Libbe, Henry Maassberg, Wilhelm Masser, 
Wilhelm Paulisch, John Rengel, Charles Reineald, Gerhardt Schlaffe, 
Valentine Schlasser, Joseph Strobel, Frederick Wolhile, Nicholas West- 
erman. 

Killed in Battle. — Christian Eisenhardt, Michael Hildebrandt, John 
Kling, Joseph Lang, Frederick Maassberg, Jacob Stein, Charles Schroe- 
der. 

Died. — John Kramer, Frederick Kern, Charles Thiele. 

Discharged. — Privates Charles Bolkhardt, Charles Cross, Daniel 
Chautemp, John Depp, Charles Ensfeld, John Huger, Frederick 
Kraub, Henry Lorenz, John Mainhardt, Phillip Jacob Peter, Frederick 
Scharlack, Uriah Stahl, Ignatz Schneider, Nicholas Schwarzman, 
Christian Stumpf, Theodore Weigers, Phillip Wegler, Frank Wolf, 
Henry Witz. 

Transferred.— Privates Bernhard Insferd, Diedrich Hessecker, John 
Happel, Frederick Kaifer, Frederick Reip, Bernhart Schmidt, Adam 
Hamlin, John Huser, Jacob Bohmen, Christian Burkhardt, Baptiss 
Deutshele, George Huber, Felix Kistner, Christian Mild, Joseph G. 
Prose, Igmy Straub, August Schnider, Adam G. Scherer, Frank Seeger, 
Anton Seiger, John Winfelder. 

COMPANY H. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICEKS. 
Captain Edith Bernhardt. 
Captain August Fix. 
First Lieutenant Charles Drach. 
First Lieutenant Herman Guthardt. 
Second Lieutenant Frank Schmidt. 
Second Lieutenant Henry Raabe. 
Second Lieutenant George Kappes. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Blittersdorf. 
Sergeant William Grossman. 
Sergeant Charles Falk. 
Sergeant Clemens Schimmel. 
Sergeant Ferdinand Erdman. 
Corporal Ferdinand Hilderbrandt. 
Corporal Alexander Arnold. 
Corporal Valentine Hauck. 
Corporal Christian Kahle. 
Corporal George Mohr. 
Corporal John Nenninger. 
Corporal Charles Gfroerer. 

PRIVATES. 

Theodore Amett, Frederick Ahlers, Joseph Abath, Adam Anntius, 
Adrew Bracknuling, Joseph Baumler, Lorenz Bridenstein, Edward 
Britterle, Frederick Benneirtz, Andrew Byzrus, Adam Beck, Ernst 
Dienst, Michael Ergert, Frederick Flohr, Johji Graff, George Geier, 
Julius Grossman, John Gass, Adolph Guenther, Christian Hoffman, 
John Hardle. Henry Jacob, John Kissel, Charles Liebold, Phillip Lin- 
denfelser, Phillip Lipps, John Mueller, John A. Miller, Adam Mueller, 
Charles Perschmann, Gottlieb Rueff, Louis Seeger, John Schluter, John 
Schlup, Frederick Schmidtheuner, Jacob Schmelzle, George Stretz, 
John Seller, Jacob Sohittenhelm, Ferdinand Storr, Frederick Utrecht, 
Gregor Wolf, Henry Wilier. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal Frederick Schneider; Privates Frederick 
Brandt, Louis Klapper, John Jacob, Frederick Noerthen. 

Died. — Corporal Christian Ballan; Privates William Feklenberg, 
Engelbert Winkler. 

Transferred. — First Sergeant Conrad Schleicher; Corporals R. 
Gurenstein, Ludwig Hohnstedt, Henry Oker; Privates Phillip Arnold, 
John Adel, Joseph Deyer, John Klein, Charles Kleppe, William Moser, 
Frederick Meyer, Edward Schombard, George Schulpraft, John 
Schnell, Reinhart Schindeldecker, Herman Angert, Stephen Bueger, 
Elias L. Bechman, Ignatz Bauer, Upton Demoss, Henry Dammier, 
Joseph Graf, John Geephart, Valentine J. Hoffman, Gustave Haustein, 
David Kelly, Henry C. Steffen, John Schramm, Charles Schwicke, 
Andrew Witzenbacher. 

COMPANY I. 

COMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Maurice Wesolouski. 

Captain Frederick Weising. 

First Lieutenant Stanislaus Gumwald. 

First Lieutenant Arnold Heer. 

J. J. Schellenbaum. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



117 



Second Lieutenant Anton Gradzike. 
Second Lieutenant Charles Miller. 
Second Lieutenant Edward Otto. 
Seeond Lieutenant Ernst Kudell. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Henry Mathews. 
Sergeant Lorenz Schelger. 
Sergeant Joseph Lippert. 
Corporal Joseph Spinner. 
Corporal John Fuzlien. 
Corporal John Scherer. 
Corporal John Frizlein. 
Corporal Louis Haas. 
Corporal Michael Goodling. 
Corporal Henry Bath. 

PRIVATES. 

John Braun, Henry Brinkman, Rudolph Buhler, Federick Dieterlen 
Andreas Doll, George Enth, Frank Fieke, John Fisher, Herman Gott- 
berg, Charles Haack, William Hanenshild, Valentine Hanenstein, 
Henry Haming, Conrad Hillenbrand, Bernhart Horstman, August 
Klausmeier, Louis Link, Joseph Loth, John Luttman, Herman Meyer, 
Frederick Miller, John Molke, Frederick NoUkemfer, Herman Nienierg, 
Henry Numberger, Gottlieb Oberfall, Adam Roth, John Rudolph, John 
Schwartz, August Steinboills, Casper Stein, Frank Schmidt, John Scheu- 
rer, Charles Weise, John Zaigler. 

Killed in Battle. — Corporal Engleberth Bush. 

Died. — Privates Ernest Guenther, Charles Kern, George Walter, 
Joseph Haight, Anthony Uzouwski. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Ernst Heller; Privates Joseph Brewer, Henry 
Kohler, Frederick Brick, John Schmidt, Gustave Rosenberg, Frederick 
Allbraicht, Christian Voelpel, Joseph Molitor, Frank Meyer, Peter 
Buthner, Conrad Roth, Gustave Hennish, Jacob Diehl Herman EfBng, 
Henry Miller, Charles Kudell, Joseph Rupp, Henry Kaiser, Louis 
Brockman. 

Transferred. — Privates Charles Dahlhammer, William Engel, John 
Huber, Louis Haaf, Frederick Herrman, John Haas, Frederick Napo- 
leon, Frederick Reuker, Moritz Stegle, Peter Claude, Ale.\ander Lands- 
berg, John Adel, Conrad Meller, Frank W. Argel, Valentine Cornehus, 
August Fisher, Frederick Groetzinger, Anton Harbrecht, Adam Herr- 
man, Leopold Kramphoff, Frank Kuffer, Charles Lipp, Louis Martin, 
John Miller, Louis Plotton, Joachim Ruhstaller. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain George Sommers. 
Captain Lautarbach Matte. 
Captain J. A. Heer. 
First Lieutenant Phillip Wick, 
First Lieutenant Carlo Peipho. 
First Lieutenant Lewis C. Frintz. 
Second Lieutenant Likas Shwank. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph Neubacher. 
Second Lieutenant Louis Gehrhard. 
Second Lieutenant Herman Kreningsberger. 
Second Lieutenant John Eppinger. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Robert Weusland. 

Sergeant John Goettler. 

Sergeant Conrad Belzing. 

Sergeant William Woehle. 

Sergeant Jacob Halbauer. 

Corporal Charles Bloessing. 

Corporal Louis Schwartz. 

Corporal Frank Reinhard. 

Corporal Christian Heldwin. '~ 

Corporal John Kuhule. 

Corporal Conrad Hoehn. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Anlfus, Jacob Baly, John Bauer, Frederick Bewerkellen, John 
Berlsch, Jacob Breitmeir, Bernhart Brush, Robert Slwert, Jacob Gerein- 
ten, Frederick Goetz, John Hildebrand, Casper Hoeffling, Anton Huber, 
Casper Jochin, Nicholas Klock, Frederick Kop, Christian Kuhlman, 
Frederick Kuhlman, John Muller, Sigismund Moasch, John Malkmus, 
Herman Rose, Jacob Selb, John Sieman, Bernhart Schmidt, Frederick 
Schmidt, Joseph Tlamsa, Frederick Trimernier, Casper Voight, Lotzias 
Vanderberge, Lucius Votz, George Welmer, George Weber, Frederick 
Wurstybother, Bernhart Yiseuis, Frederick Sckottmiller. 



Killed in Battle. — First Sergeant Frederick Kuhlmann; Corporal 
Frank Miller; Privates John Adam Keller, Joseph Leipier, John 
Schnell, August Zoeller. 

Died — Privates John Gottschalk, Herman Saltter, John Stukler, ' 
Joseph Schwetzer. 

Discharged. — Sergeant Louis Harnold ; Corporal Franz Dacker ; 
Phillip Arnold, John Arnold, William Kuchmstedt, Ferdinand Rich- 
mher, William Na.^el, Charles Fix, Charles Fontimier, Frederick Eych, 
Michael Slack, Jacob Stoll, John Roggendorf. 

Transferred. —Privates Peter Buttner, Englehardt Busch, Henry Bell- 
ing, August Klausmier, Henry Brinkman, Henry Jacob, Henry Diebel, 
Herman Effing, John Fisher, John Grossman, John Graf, Michael 
Gretting, Nicholas Hoepler, Joseph Hart, Bernhart Hoffman, Vuter Hoff- 
man, Nicholas K.auffman, Bernhart Lohrer, Frederick Muller, John 
Maier, John Molker, Frederick NoUkamper, Henry Rosenberg, August 
Steinboch, George Schneider, Charles Spoettle, fgnatz Steinman, Fred- 
erick Story, Nicholas Westraan, George Hohenstein, John Harter, 
Herman Kirhshop, Reinhard Kist, William Koehler, Jacob Salterman, 
Balthasar Muller, Peter Mohr, Englebert Penzinger, Jacob Roesch, 
John Suiter, William Schmidt, Frank Schmidt, William Wickemeyer, 
Frederick Schottmiller; Corporals John Meikel, Peter Doehn. 

THIRTY-FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was raised in the summer of 1861, and received 
at first the name of "Piatt Zouaves," in compliment to its 
colonel, Abraham S. Piatt. Its first service was in West 
Virginia, where it fought a battle ten days after arrival, 
near Chapmanville, defeating a Virginia regiment. The 
rest of the autumn and winter it was on guard and scout- 
ing duty. In May, 1862, it took part in the battle of 
Princeton, losing several men. September loth, while 
holding an outpost at FayetteviUe, with the Thirty-sev- 
enth Ohio, it was attacked by a large rebel force, and 
beat them off, but with heavy loss. It was then on garri- 
son duty until May, 1863, when it was furnished with 
horses and became a regiment of "mounted rifles." It 
was in the cavalry expedition against Wytheville, in which 
it bore a distinguished part. Two-thirds of the regiment 
"veteraned," in January, 1864, and took full part in the 
movements of that year in the valley of the Shenandoah 
and elsewhere in Virginia. It was in Sheridan's famous 
batde of Winchester; and was captured at Beverly by 
General Rosser, January 11, 1865, a few weeks after 
which the remnant of the old Thirty-fourth was consoli- 
dated with the Thirty-sixth Ohio at Cumberland, Mary- 
land, taking the name of the latter, and losing its identity 
thenceforth. 

COMPANY C. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Austin T. Miller. 
First Lieutenant John Grace. 
Second Lieutenant Thomas Lawler. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Shiels. 
Sergeant James Colter. 
Sergeant Patrick Cassidy. 
Sergeant James Burns. 
Sergeant William Fitzpatrick. 
Corporal William Robbins. 
Corporal James Ryan. 
Corporal John Cassidy. 
Corporal John Fritz. 
Corporal George Guy. 
Corporal John Gorman. 
Corporal Lawrence Powers. 
Corporal William Sloan. 

PRIVATES. 

John J. Adams, Jesse H. Bloom, Willliam Burke, George W. Blair, 

James Burns, Barney Brenner, Daniel Barrett, Owen Bonner, Herbert 



ii8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Breman, William Campbell, Jasper Creekbaum, Michael Coleman, 
Hugh Callaghan, Charles Cope, Henry Crossman, Robert Carr, Peter 
Coney, David Coleman, Thomas Carr, Cornelius Desmond, Samuel M. 
Espy, Boyce Egan, James W. Evans, Patrick Flynn, Fenton Flanagan, 
John Fritz. James Farmington, William F. Fitzpatrick, Robert Finney, 
Sylvester Foy, John Gorman, George Guy, Joseph Grimes, Henry Gol- 
pen, Barney Harkins, Arthur Halpin, Michael Hines, Matthew Har- 
rington, Harvey Harris, Thomas Hackett, Josiah Jones, Gabriel Ken- 
nelly, Jacob Knoblow, Michael Long, Jonathan Lawrence, Joseph 
Maloney, Patrick Moore, William M. Martin. Patrick Mara, Patrick 
McGovern, James McKerne, Patrick McNaraara, John Murphy, 
Michael Lawler, John Laughlin, John Mason, James Mcintosh, Wil- 
liam McElfresh, Williarh T. Miller, James Nengle, Norvell Osborne, 
Michael O'Neal, William Price, Samuel Prather, Joseph Pierce, James 
A. Patten, Lawrence Powers, George Patterson, John S. Post, William 
Robbins, Patrick Ratliffe, Washington C. Reeves, James Ryan, John 
Reeves, Thomas Ryan, Benjamin Reeker, Henry W. Rockwell, Martin 
Rea, Daniel Robinson, Patrick Ryan, William H. Sutherland, Wesley 
Smitson, William Sloan, James Shafer, Patrick Sullivan, John Ste- 
phens, Washington Vennon, Robert Vance, George K. Weit, Robert 
Williams. 

THIRTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This command dates from August, 1861. Its first 
colonel was Captain (afterward General) George Crook, 
of the regular army. Before he took command, six com- 
panies made a vigorous scout after guerillas in West Vir- 
ginia. During the winter, at Summerville, the regiment 
suffered greatly from sickness, having nearly fifty deaths 
by disease. May 23, 1862, it aided effectively in repell- 
ing an attack upon Lewisburgh. . In August, it was sent 
to join the army of the Potomac; was in the second 
battle of Bull Run, and the battles of South Mountain 
and Antietam. After the latter it was commanded, until 
his resignation in April, 1863, by Colonel E. B. Andrews, 
a prominent professor in Marietta college. In January, 
1863, it joined the army of the Cumberland at Nashville, 
and participated in the battles at and preceding Chicka- 
mauga, where it lost very heavily. It also won the right 
to inscribe "Mission Ridge" upon its banners. Returning 
to Virginia it participated in a number of minor actions, 
was in the severe engagement at Barryville, September, 
3d, in other actions on the 19th and 22d, and in the bat- 
tle of Winchester, October 19th. After the merging of 
the Thirty-fourth in it, the consolidated regiment served 
without much fighting in northern Virginia until July 22, 
1865, when it was mustered out of service and returned 
to Ohio. 

THIRTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY (Veteran) 

COMPANY A. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Corporal James K. Shaffer. 

PRIVATES. 

William Brunaugh, Cornelius, Bonlevare Leonidas Bonlevare, Wilson 

Donhara, George Ewing, Albert Fagan, William Johnson, Henry Long, 

Samuel Medcalf, James Ryan, Thomas Thompson. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles Taucher, Elias S. West. 

COMPANY C. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Flanagan, Martin Graves, Thomas Hayward, Lewis A. 
McKibben, Wesley McKibben, John Mack, John Walsh. 
COMPANY E. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Higginbotham, Abraham Miller. 



COMPANY F. 
PRIVATES. 
Frank M. Blessing, William H. Crooks, William Evans, Alvin Nei- 
dugor, Jacob Smith. 

COMPANY G. 
Corporal Philip Rich, Private Martin Schwartz. 
COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles Crook, John Halley. 

COMPANY I. 
Sergeant E. M. Smith. 

COMPANY K. 
Private Manasseh Wood. 

THIRTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. — COMPANY A. 
Private George L. Achemor. 

COMPANY H. 
Private Wendlin Hauselmann. 

COMPANY K. 
Private Victor Frey. 

THIRTY-NINTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The Thirty-ninth rendezvoused at Camp Colerain in 
July, 1861, Seven companies were here mustered into 
the service, July 31st; three days after, the regiment 
marched to Camp Dennison, where the remainder were 
mustered in. It was the first Ohio regiment to join 
General Fremont's forces in Missouri, where it went on 
guard-duty in early September, along the North Missouri 
railroad. Five companies marched with General Sturge's 
to the relief of Lexington, but did not reach it in time, 
though moving rapidly and suffering severely. No- 
vember 9, it joined the army of General Hunter at 
Springfield, marched with it to Sedalia and Syracuse, 
where it remained through December and January. The 
next month, a long and peculiarly severe march was made 
to St. Louis, whence the regiment was taken to Com- 
merce, to join the army of General Pope. It took part 
in the operations by which New Madrid and Island 
Number 10 were captured, and in April joined General 
Halleck's army at Hamburgh Landing, on the Tennessee 
river. It was engaged in many skirmishes, losing con- 
siderably, until the evacuation of Corinth, which it was 
one of the first regiments to enter. A few weeks were 
then spent in guarding railroads. It took part in the 
battle of luka and in the pursuit of the enemy, returning 
to Corinth in time to engage in the battle of October 3 
and 4. In early November, it joined the army under 
General Grant, at Grand Junction, Tennessee, and was 
much engaged in skirmishes and reconnoissances. De. 
cember i8th, it moved by rail to Jackson, Tennessee, to 
check Forrest's movements in the rear of Grant. On 
the thirty-first, Forrest was met and defeated at Parker's 
cross roads, when the regiment moved back by very 
severe marching to Corinth. It remained there till April, 
1863, when it joined General Dodge's expedition to the 
Tuscumbia valley. In May it removed to Memphis, 
and in October to Prospect, Tennessee, where, Decem- 
ber 27th, five hundred and thirty-four of its men were re- 
mustered as veterans, receiving the usual furlough for 
thirty days. Again assembling at Camp Dennison, it 
received a reinforcement of one hundred and twelve re- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



119 



emits. Its subsequent service was with the Fourth di- 
vision of the Sixteenth corps, under General Dodge, in 
northern Alabama and the campaigns through Georgia 
and the Carolinas. 

It was in the actions at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Nicojack Creek, and Atlanta, and the pursuit of Hood as 
far as Galesville, Alabama, whence it returned to Marietta, 
where, in November, it was paid for the first time in nine 
months and thoroughly re-equipped. It 'did effective 
work destroying railroads during the march to the sea. 
At Pocotaligo, South Carolina, it received two hnndred 
and four recruits. During the march of Sherman's army 
northward, it was engaged at Rivers' bridge, on the 
Salkehatchie, at Cheraw, and at Bentonville. The march 
to Washington city and the grand review were passed 
without special incident. The regiment was mustered 
out of service at Louisville, July 9, 1865. Its record is 
considered highly honorable, in that it gave to the veteran 
organization more men than any other regiment from 
Ohio, and never once turned its back upon the enemy. 
Its chaplain, the first year of its service, was the famous 
Sunday-school missionary. Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, who did 
much to give the regiment character for religion and 
temperance. Bible readings and prayer regularly char- 
acterized the dress parade; and a "Christian Brother- 
hood" and temperance society were maintained by the 
regiment, including, it is said, almost every member of 
company K. 

FIELD AND STAFf. 
Colonel John Groesbeck. 
Lieutenant Colonel Albert W. Gilbert. 
Major Edward Noyes. 
Chaplain B. W. C. Widlaw. 
Suigeon Oliver W. Nixon. 
-Assistant Surgeon Thomas W. McAethur. 
Sergeant Major Henry A. Babbitt. 

COMPANY A. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Christian A. Moyan. 
First Lieutenant Willard P. Stoms. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Daniel Weber. 
Sergeant John B. Ryan. 
Sgereant Frank Fortman. 
Sergeant Eli G. Vincent. 
Sergeant Horace G. Stoms. 
Corporal Joseph Pancoast. 
Corporal Benjamin Miller. 
Corporal Alfred Carle. 
Corporal Andrew Vincent. 
Corporal John Leach. 
Corporal Charles Richards. 
Corporal Palmer Holland. 
Corporal Edwin McCollough. 
Musician Jackson White. 
Musician John Whetstone. 

PRIVATES. 

John W. Andrews, James Baker, Josiah Bartlett, Robert Bollman, 
Joseph Bowman, Frank Bowman, Patrick O'Brian, William H, Brown, 
George Benson, Oliver Brown, David Carle, Frank Clements, Spencer 
Cooper, Oliver G. Coffin, Algomah Cooley, George Close, Charles 
Emery, John German, Hamilton J. Gregg, Antone Gardner, Ludwig 
Griess, Thomas Hiiie, Thomas A. Hays, William Hobson, James 
Hunter, Jasper Keeler, Sohn Langsdon, John Lanyan, John Manser, 
Levi E. Marsh, John W. Masterson, William May, Thomas G. 
Mears' Joseph H. Menke, John W. Miller, George Miller, Nathan 
Netterfield, James O' Neil, Edmund Pancoast, Henry Peck, George W. 



Kyan, Andrew Robinson, David F. Silver, Florence D. Simpson, 
James Smith, Benjamin Smith, Jacob Spinning, James Tate, Isaac 
Taylor, Homer Turrell, Andrew Wachsteter, Oscar Warnick, Robert 
M. C. Watson, Andrew Wateman, John S. Willey, Frederick Hoes- 
man. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant John S. Hooker. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant John D, Holcomb. 
Sergeant William N. Chapman. 
Sergeant William G. Feybeyer. 
Corporal John S. Lowe. 
Corporal Jeremiah Hale. 
Corporal Uriel B. Chambers. 
Musician John Hall. 

PRIVATES. 

William Armstrong, William W. Berry, Ale.xis Brown, David Beyert, 
George Bermond, William H. Carpenter, George Collins, Martin V. B. 
Clark, John Carter, George Crain, Patrick Downey, Frank Deitz, Wil- 
liam H. Ferrill, Martin Fleig, Charles Gautier, John Gorman, Flavius J. 
Gorling, David Hailgarder, Oscar Hotaling, William D. Harwood, 
Abram Hart, John Jones, Nathan Lynn, William L. Miller, John Mor- 
ton, William Mortimer, Andrew B. Mallott, George W. McKane, 
James Palmer, Nathan Purdy, James A. Quigley, John Rouscher, Jo- 
seph W. Rice, Joseph Rittenhouse, Charles Richardson, John Sweeny, 
William Sheets, Richard Snyder, John Winnings, Henry Westerman, 
Hewson Williams, William H. Williams, Joseph D. Weaver. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Ethan O, Hurd. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Henry Holland. 

Corporal Caspar Kraus. 

Corporal Charles Lindenstruth. 

Corporal Barney Schulze. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick Appeiius, John Augst, Fidel Baschnagel, Joseph Basch- 
nagel, Joseph Deschamp, Louis Dhorn, Christian Daniels, Joseph Daub, 
Louis Griep, Christian Geiges, John Hoy, William Hangs, Michael 
Rattler, Roman Heiberger, Matthias Isele, Joseph Miller, Anton Wein- 
shot, Charles Mavers, Parker D'OrviUe, August Simon, Theodore 
SchuUer, Jacob Storm, Theobald Schwem, Henry Schulthenry, Mat- 
thias Schmit, Jacob Spinner, Valentine Theabold, Henry Westman, 
Hewson Williams, June Weaver, Simon August, William H. Williams, 
Hubert Zeien. 

COMPANY G. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James W. Pomeroy. 

First Lieutenant William H. Lathrop. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William H. Williams. 
Sergeant Wuriahar Holfner. 
Sergeant George W. Staufford. 
Sergeant David Sypher. 
Sergeant William Auschute. 
Corporal William Haller. 
Corporal William R. Beebe. 
Corporal Nicholas Maringer. 
Corporal Paul Goudy. 
Corporal Aaron L. Hopper. 
Corporal Isaac N. Girlett. 
Corporal James A. Smith. 
Corporal William H. H. Yancey. 

PRIVATES. 

Steven Aarnot, David Alston, Charles Brown, Peter Brown, John M. 
Butler; Frank Bruner, John C. Bellman, John H. Boekamp, John C. 
Coleman, Henry C. Copas, James Cuningan, Thomas L. C. Casey, 
Henry C. Covek, Thomas E. Dean, Noah Frazee, Matthias Fry, Solo- 
mon Foster, Edward Ferden, Peter Grover, Joseph Holland, John 
Idone, James W. Jones. Francis M. Kaebor, Edward Kavanan, Rein- 
hart Kleinheim, Matthias Kuhn, James Love, Thomas P. Lloyd, Pat- 
rick McGuire, Bernard McLaughlin, Charles R. Mayhew, Henry A. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Matson, Richard Owens, Robert S. Pomeroy, Janies Priedville, James 
Palmer, Williams Panneal, Joseph Reinhart, Francis Rahshopf, Mich- 
ael Renty, Emil Schmidt, Isasa F. Seal, Nicholas Shean, Michael 
Schwab, William Schumtler, George W. Summerfield, Lemuel Stevens, 
John Sharp, Kasper Stang, Richard A. Taylor, Alexander D. Vaughn, 
Joseph Weaver, William Snyder, Lawrence Winters, Thomas Williams, 
John D. Witterbauld, John Wilking, Lewis Pfaff, Amborse Bickeil, 
John Rantz, George Weinnaman, Henry Baker, Philip Wilking, Chris- 
tian Menster, Frederick Every, Jacob Henry, Eepple Valentine, Henry 
Leinhard, Henry Lenige, Jacob Lancel, Henry Crooker, Lewis Shaw, 
John Shelley, William Seals, Henry Gableman, Abraham Hopper, 
John W. Johnston, Thomas Alfred, John Cooke, John Helfrich. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICEKS. 

First Lieutenant Charles Y, Sedani. 
Second Lieutenant Harlan A. Edwards. 

FORTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The formation of the companies of this regiment was 
begun very early; but the old rule of the regular army, 
that a full company must be raised before the men can 
be mustered, hindered its organization. Hon. Charles 
F. Wilstach, since mayor of Cincinnati, lent his energies 
to its formation, and it was known from him as the 
"Wilstach regiment." July 29th, companies A and B 
were mustered in, and the remainder, of the regiment, 
August 13th. It was a cosmopolitan command, thirteen 
nationalities being represented in it, though six compa- 
nies were composed mostly of Americans, and the re- 
maining four of Germans. Frederich Poschner, jr., an 
ex-Prussian officer and Hungarian revolutionist, became 
its colonel. It joined the little army of Rosecrans in 
West Virginia in August, and made an exhausting march 
of eighteen miles the first afternoon. At Bulltown the 
Forty-seventh was brigaded with the Ninth and Twenty- 
eighth Ohio, in Colonel R. L. McCook's "Bully Dutch 
brigade." All the regiment, except company B (left in 
garrison at Sutton), took part in the battle of Carnifex 
Ferry. An extremely exposed and inclement encamp- 
ment on Big Lewell mountain followed, but it was by 
and by in better quarters at New Market, where it sus- 
tained a ^severe bombardment, during four days, from 
Floyd's rebel batteries. The Forty-seventh was here 
almost continually engaged in skirmishing with the rebels. 
After Floyd's retreat it went into winter quarters on 
Gauley mountain. September 19th, three companies, in 
command of Lieutenant Colonel Elliott, moved to Cross 
Lanes and spent some months in breaking up guerilla 
bands. December 5th, the regiment was reunited at 
Gauley mountain, and passed the remainder of the win- 
ter building fortifications, except in January, when it took 
part in ajsuccessful expedition against the enemy at Lit- 
tle Lewell mountain. In May four companies, with 
some cavalry, made another very fortunate raid at Lewis- 
burgh. At Meadow Bluffs the Twenty-seventh with the 
Twenty-sixth and Forty-fourth Ohio, formed the third 
provisional brigade of the Kenawha division. June 23d 
it forced General Loring from Monroe county, Virginia, 
to retire to Salt Pond mountain, and captured large 
amounts of stores. This march of ninety miles in the 
heat of summer, occupied but three days, and was very 
hard on the force, many of which were prostrated with 
sunstroke and exhaustion. Various operations against the 
guerillas and for other purposes consumed the months 



till the retreat to Gauley bridge in September, when the 
regiment was largely instrumental in saving the Federal 
forces from capture. December 30th it was embarked 
for Memphis. Here it was placed in the Third brigade, 
Second division. Thirteenth corps, and joined the expedi- 
tion against Vicksburgh. May 19th and 22d it was in 
the impetuous assault on Cemetery Hill and lost heavily. 
During most of the siege its camp was only three hun- 
dred yards from the main line of the enemy, and the 
pickets were so close they could almost bayonet each 
other. After the city was taken the regiment aided in 
the pursuit of Johnson's force, in the capture of Jackson, 
and in the destruction of the fortifications and railways 
about that city. It returned with its corps to Memphis 
the latter part of September, and was started for Corinth 
October 9th, as train guard. Shortly thereafter it moved 
near Chattanooga, and was engaged upon the extreme 
left in the battle of Chickamauga. It then marched to 
the relief of Burnside at Knoxville, scantily clothed and 
fed, many marching shoeless over the frozen ground and 
leaving their blood in their tracks. January 30, 1864, 
it was sent in an expedition against Rome, Georgia, and 
had a spirited skirmish. At Larkin's Landing, the next 
month, three-fourths of the men re-enlisted, and it thus 
became a veteran regiment, was mustered as such March 
6th, and took its thirty days' furlough, arriving at Cincin- 
nati on the 2 2d. By May 3d it was again at the front, 
this time at Stevenson, Alabama, from which it moved in 
a few days to the Atlanta campaign. In this it partici- 
pated in the affairs at Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kings- 
ton, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw, 
and Ezra Church. It was in the pursuit of Hood to the 
rear of Atlanta, upon which it was joined by four hun- 
dred conscripts and substitutes ; was in the famous march 
to the sea, and at the capture of Fort McAlister, in which 
its colors were the first to be planted on the works; took 
part in the occupation of Savannah, the march through 
the Carolinas, and the great review at Washington. It 
was then ordered to Arkansas, and served till August 
nth, when it was mustered out, but not paid off and dis- 
charged until August 24, 1866, when it had served four 
years, two months, and nine days, and campaigned 
through all the Star States except Missouri, Florida and 
Texas. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Frederick Poschner. 
Lieutenant Colonel Lyman S. Elliott. 
M.ajor Augustus C. Parry. 
Adjutant John G. Deerbeck. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Samuel L. Hunter. 
First Lieutenant Lewis D. Graves. 
Second Lieutenant John W. Duichemin. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John H. Brown. 
Sergeant Hiram Durrell. 
Sergeant ElishaJ. Kneeland. 
Sergeant George W. Perphater. 
Sergeant John Turner. 
Corporal Alexander Nesmith. 
Corporal John W. A'laxfield. 
Corporal Claude Baker. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Corporal Albert Lann. 

Corporal Jerry Miller. 

Corporal William Everson. 

Corporal Michael Haumer. 

Corporal George Wisbey. 

Drummer Enos Anderson. 

Fifer Cortland Rapp. 

Wagoner John Breckenridge. 

PRIVATES. 

Frank Abbey, George Bower, John Bechler, Robert M. Burnard, 
Zachariah Bermann, Julius Jennetts, David G. Brookman, Ceorge H, 
Brown, James Clark, James Cope, John Cook, Morris Davis, Henry 
Duverge, Charles Dagner, Jacob Fiechle, Frederick Graanoyel, Joel 
Grimm, George Geiger, Louis Hener, Daniel Hessel, Charles W. Hos- 
ley, William Henderson, William Harrison, Samuel Johnston, Charles 
J. Jackson, Jacob Knecht, Daniel Kline, Clem Lawrence, Jacob Lep- 
pert, Joseph Levens, Michael Long, Alonzo Mateer, William McAllis- 
ter, James Melvine, Arthur McDonnell, Edward Morin, Lewis Miller, 
William Nocker, Charles Robinson, Alexander Ravie, Matthew Rhen- 
aker, Surfein Reif, August H. Seibel, Ezekiel Stewart, Henno Seidel, 
Louis Schottinger, Charles Stewart, Henry Schuske, Henry Schneider, 
Christopher Smith, Thomas W. Spencer, William Tucker, Joseph 
Foitch, Frank Vandame, Jacob Whitsel, Henry Weber, Henry Wed- 
dendorf, George Walters, George Wisler, Frank White, Benjamin F. 
Wallace, William H, Wright, John Walken, George Young. 

COMPANY C. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Alexander Froelich. 
First Lieutenant John G. Dierbeck. 

NON-COMMISSrONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Felix Wagner. 
Sergeant Louis C. Koehl. 
Sergeant August Hund. 
Sergeant Adolph Ahlers. 
Sergeant Jonas Meyer. 
Corporal Henry Schroeder, 
Corporal William Cross. 
Corporal John H. Stegmann. 
Corporal Ehrnard Kupfer. 
Corporal John Weil. 
Corporal Julius Foerster. 
Corporal Alfred Pels. 
Corporal Bantalion Nutischer. 
Fifer William Buckhaus. 
Drummer Frederick Schmidt. 
Wagoner Anton Rothers. 

PRIVATES. 

Benjamin Avermaat, Hermann Ahlensdorf, Henry Asgelmeyer, 
Frederick Ackermann, Thomas Baer, John Bruckers, Theodore Binder, 
Alonzo Brown, Henry Braun, John Bohlinger, John Becker, Reinhold 
Berndt, Gottlieb Berndt, Martin Cross, John R. Craig, Frederick Ger- 
lack, Jacob Goebel, Louis Giranr, Carper Huber, L. Hammer, Mat- 
thias Hunninger, Casper Hoffling, Louis Hinke, Peter Helbriegel, 
Conrad Hering, Friedrich Hoffman, Btasius Hecht, Henry Jacke, 
Adam Jebeyahn, Peter Jenrivein, Charles Holb, William Maesemeyer, 
John Knapp, Charles Kohlbrandt, Victor Koeht, Anton Kern, Charles 
Luderig, Emil Lesker, Gustav Lellman, John Baptist Lieb, Friedrich 
Mesker, Frederick Mossman, Louis Muller, Hermann Morath, Louis 
Mund, Joseph Maus, Jacob Ottlieb, John Rattermann, Philip Roth, 
Joseph Rom, Samuel Stillmacher, Ernst Schuller, Charles Schmidt, 
Jacob Schneider, Frederick Schumacker, Jacob Sprengart, Louis 
Schmidt, George Stoly, Charles Schub, Bernhart Siener, Jacob Theil- 
maun, Robert Williams, William Wiggermann, Clem Willenberg. 



Private John Bowen. 



COMPANY F. 



COMPANY G. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Valentine Rapp. 
Lieutenant Isidore Wonns. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William H. Kor. 
Sergeant Samuel F. Campbell. 
Sergeant Lewis Brown. 



Sergeant Ferdinand Schwecke. 
Sergeant Jacob Kamerer. 
Corporal George Wedemezer. 
Corporal Frederick Hoff. 
Corporal Valentine Camerer. 
Corporal Charles Jeckel. 
Corporal Nicholas Kraft. 
Corporal August Scheiss. 
Corporal James Archibald. 
Corporal William Simbruger. 
Drummer John Loth. 
Fifer Theodore Weegers. 
Wagoner Jacob Mitter. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Berdell, Henry Brokers, Charles Bondits, August Beverman, 
John Blohm, Herrmann Bercker, Anthony Bechtolsheimer, William 
Cope, Albert Crest, Thomas Dangelmeier, Frederick Dechhaut, George 
Dorgens, John Denbler, Frank Englehart, Weldi Tidell, Adam Fres- 
bom, Henry W. Gott, Francis Gyler, John Gleason, William Hartig, 
Henry Hoffman, Jacob Hotzbiner, Henry Heitkamp, Peter Hahler, 
Barney Hopping, Henry Hoddle, Franklin B. Kline, Philip Kausler, 
Frederick Kerstuer, Ludwig Kemmer, Charles Kuhl, William King, 
Louis Remmerg, Henry Klapp, Charles F. Konig, John Lerhart, Jo- 
seph Long, Frederich Lepier, Caspar Lier, John Leopold, Hugh Mc- 
Cord, George Myer, Frank Mitter, George H. Mitter, Frederick 
Pfeiffer, Adam Rengler, Henry Rickway, Charles Rottman, Henry Rie- 
meyer,. Jacob Schram, Joseph Schmit, Adam Schneider, Joseph 
Schmidt, Louis Schoeffer, John Shassel, Adam Schwarr, Edward 
Schmidt, William Stener, John Simon, Charles Schock, George Thomp- 
son, David Tucker, Henry Tunemann, John Wymer, John Weidinger, 
Peter Wettschein, Henry Wendell, Henap Welch. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles Helmerich. 
Lieutenant William Ducebeck. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant George Zeigler. 
Sergeant Jacob Wetterer. 
Sergeant Henry Lettmann. 
Sergeant Gottfried Meyer. ^ 

Sergeant William Augstmann. 
Corporal Louis Schweigert. 
Corporal Charles Roth. 
Corporal Christopher Schifferling. 
Corporal Adolph Grimm. 
Corporal Andreses Koch. 
Corporal John Wagner. 
Corporal Frank Schaupp. 
Corporal John Rosier. 

PRIVATES. 

Christopher Arnecht, John Howen, Albert Berblinger, George Bruns, 
Anton Breier, Anton Bechtolsheimer, Henry Brann, Charles Baier, 
John Conrad, Franz H. Centner, Rudolph Dutweiler, Charles Dan, 
Rudolph Etter, Leonhaid Eble, Franz Flamin, Jacob Frank, Ernst 
Graf, Henry Grenlich, Ulrich Grogg, George Grossman, Ernst Hener, 
Daniel Hesse, Jacob Herrmann, Herman Heller, Charles Heller, Fred- 
erick Hiltbracht, Benjamin Hoff, Jacob Horlacher, Christian Hesse, 
John Konig, Peter Krappe, William Kohlenberg, Samuel King, Franz 
John Leisie, George Luber, Christian Musbeck, Janney Muller, John 
Muneister, Theodore Ohle, Gottlieb, Pepper, George Pfeifer, Joseph 
Pressler, Sigismund Pfeffer, Anton RuUe, John Romhild, Henry Schuh- 
mann, Frederich Sanbarschwarl, Joseph Spener, John Schadler, Wil^ 
liam Schaperhlaus, John Schwanzel, Charles Schoch, Henry Stomberg, 
John Spahr, Albrecht Spahr, Frederick Schneider, Nicholas Volker, 
John Wellman, Matthias Weibel, Charles Weiland, Jacob Windstrig, 
Sidwell Woolery, Joseph Wagner, BonifazYudell, PhilippZinn, Michael 
H. Zeigler. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant Charles Haltenhof. 

First Lieutenant Frederick Fischer.i 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Frederick Seidel. 

Sergeant Henry Premfoerder. 

Sergeant George'Hoefer. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Corporal Henry Beckman. 

Corporal John Bischhausen. 

Corporal Nicholas Joerns. 

Corporal Jacob Huleer. 

Corporal Henry Fass. 

PRIVATES. 

John Adams, Henry Arnold, William Borch, Conrad Bezok, Henry 
Broeckerhoff, Barney Broeckerhoff, Ignatz Dall, John Dall, Andrew 

Dendertein, Sebastian Fe\ix, Goldschmidt, John Herrmann, 

Henry Herrman, Michael Huber, Anton Hornung, Michael Hare, Phil- 
lipp Joos, Nicolas Krichheiner, Charles Loeffler, John J. Martin, John 
J. Martin, 2d, John Adam Miller, Frank Moos, Charles Nieman, 
Charles Numberger, Henry Overmeyer, Henry Kojahn, Ulrich Kaidy, 
Frederick Rath, Adam Rade, Charles Sureck, Nicolas Schmidt, Udolph 
Scheven, Frederick Sturmes, Martin Van Damm, Albert Voelkle, Louis 
Walker, John Wild, George Wingerter, Adam Wenzel, Peter Zang. 

FORTY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Organized at Camp Dennison, February 17, 1862, the 
Forty-eighth was soon dispatched to General W. T. Sher- 
man's command at Paducah, whence it was taken up the 
Tennessee river to Pittsburgh Landing. It was com- 
manded by Colonol W. H. Gibson, now adjutant gen- 
eral of the State. April 6th it was heavily engaged all 
day, and it is believed that a shot from its lines caused 
the death of General Albert Sydney Johnston, command- 
er of the rebel army in this battle. On the second day 
it was also in action, and suffered severely, losing about 
one-third of its men in the two-days' fight. Its subse- 
quent battles were at , Corinth, Vicksburgh, Arkansas 
Post, Magnolia Hills and Champion Hills, Vicksburgh 
again in two assaults under Grant, Jackson, the Bayou 
Teche, and Sabine Cross Roads. In the last action, the 
remnant of the Forty-eighth was captured, and not ex- 
changed until October, 1864, after which it took part in 
the capture of Mobile. A majority of the old regiment 
had re-enlisted as veterans, but only one hundred and 
sixty-five men remained in it at the close of the war. 
They were ordered on duty in Texas, and not mustered 
out of service until May, 1866. 

COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES. 

Edward Byer, Charles Burger, Samuel Ellis, Benjamin Gibbs, John 
J. Kane, Paul Jones, Patrick Keany, Crogin Lowry, Philip McGuire, 
Thomas O'Rouke, Rhody Ryan, Wentlen Shiels, William Wright, 
Alfred Nichols, Charles McHugh, Joseph Payne. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

John H. B. France, John Maladay. 

\ 
COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Frank Kingsley, Robert Wiley, James D. Wolf. 
COMPANY I. 
PRIVATES. 
Edward Byer, Paul Jones, John J. Kean, Charles M. Hugh, Wend- 
lin Sherlis. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Samuel G. W. Peterson. 
Second Lieutenant Cyrenneus P. Pratt. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Francis M. Swaney. 

PRIVATES. 

John W. Bolinger, James E. Bolinger, John Blake, Patrick Casey, 
William J. Helms, Thomas E. Hill, Charles L. Hill, Hiram H. Hill, 
Nicholas Irelan, Richard Jones, John Kean, Charles Keever, Edward 



Kinney, Frank A. Kingsly, Joshua Lee, Joseph M. Glashan, Micha el 
Mooney, Jacob O'Dee, James O'Donnell, John Riley, William H. H. 
Rilse, Henry C. Stewart, Robert Wiley, James D. Wolf, James Daily, 
Joseph Delaney, James Douglas, Joseph Enderly, Philip M. Everhard, 
Mark Erway, Peter Farland, Barney Galager, Patrick Conners, James 
Carney. 

FIFTIETH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, and 
mustered into service August 27, 1862. It numbered an 
aggregate of nine hundred and sixty-four men, gathered 
from the State at large. 

The Fiftieth was assigned to the Thirty-fourth brigade. 
Tenth division, McCook's corps. On the first of Octo- 
ber it moved out of Louisville, and on the eighth went 
into the battle of Perryville. In this engagement, a loss 
was sustained of two officers killed and one mortally 
wounded, and one hundred and sixty-two men killed and 
wounded. 

During the army's advance on Nashville, the regiment 
was at Lebanon, then the base of supplies. We afterward 
hear of it in pursuit of John Morgan, and still further in 
the building of Forts Boyle, Sands, and McAllister. On 
Christmas day, 1863, it was ordered to Knoxville, Ten- 
nessee. The route lay eastward to Somerset, Kentucky, 
and thence southward, crossing the Cumberland river at 
Point Isabelle. 

On the first day of the year, 1864, movement began 
across the mountains. In the severest winter weather, 
the men dragged the artillery and wagons over the moun- 
tains by hand, slept on the frozen ground, in rain and 
snow, without shelter, and subsisted on parched corn. 
Soon after arriving at Knoxville, it received orders to 
join General Sherman's army at Kingston, Georgia. 

From the twenty-sixth of May till after the siege of 
Atlanta, the regiment was almost constantly in line of 
battle. It shared in all the movements of the campaign, 
and participated in the actions at Pumkinvine Creek, 
Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Pine Moun- 
tain, Kenesaw Mountain, Gulp's Farm, Nicojack Creek, 
Chattahoochie River, Howard House, Atlanta, and Jones- 
borough. During this campaign, the ranks of the regi- 
ment were sadly thinned. 

Following the battle of Jonesborough, in pursuit of 
Hood's army, the regiment passed through Marietta, 
Kingston, Rome, and at last halted for a few days on the 
Coosa river, at Cedar Bluffs. 

On the thirtieth of November it arrived at Franklin, 
Tennessee. It went into the battle that followed with 
two hundred and twenty-five men, and came out with one 
hundred and twelve. It fell back with the army to Nash- 
ville, and in the engagements that occurred there on the 
fifteenth and sixteenth of December, lost several more of 
its men. 

The regiment followed the retreating rebels as far as 
Columbia, Tennessee, where it was consolidated with the 
Ninety-ninth infantry, the name of the "Fiftieth" being 
retained. 

We now hear of the newly consolidated regiment in 
Clifton, Tennessee, at Fort Fisher, Wilmington, Kings- 
ton, Goldsborough, Raleigh, Greensborough, and at last 
in Salisbury, North Carolina, where it was mustered 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



123 



out on the twenty-sixth of June, 1865. On the seven- 
teenth of July, the regiment reached Camp Dennison, 
Ohio, where the men were all paid and discharged. 

COMPANY A. 
Musician Alexander Tittle. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

John Hall, William Herbert, Wesley I. Jeffries, John F. Riley, Wil- 
liam Stiles, George W. Garrinkton, John B. McCloud. 
COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Carr. 

First Lieutenant John S. Conahan, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John McGovern. 

Sergeant John Arnold. 

Sergeant Jacob Metzger. 

Sergeant Charles C. Lees. 

Sergeant Henry Hensel. 

Corporal John W. Jearl. 

Corporal Henry Benstaker. 

Corporal Edward Davis. 

Corporal August Reis. 

Corporal William Whittaker. 

Corporal Richard Prestel. 

Corporal Jacob Weist. 

Corporal John Wing. 

PRIVATES. 

John Ardis, Wesley Ackerman, Edward Bradley, Thomas Bradley, 
Joseph Boltman, Peter Berlin, John W. Black, William Bendingstock, 
Thomas Bannon, James Brennan, Patrick Burns, Joseph B. Bollinger, 
Charles Basone, Richard Bernhard, Charles A. Chappelear, George 
Coleman, William Cahill, Patrick Duffy, George C. Drake, John Engle- 
hard, Christopher Elliott, Patrick Fitzpatrick, Lawrence Finnegan, 
Michale Fortune, John Glascon, James Gray (musician), William Gib- 
son, Christopher Greate, Thomas Gallagher, John Gallagher, William 
Hefferman, Griffith Hemphill, Frederick Hooper, John Holled, John 
D. Jewell, Henry Kulper, Hamilton Kennett, Grotlob Keller, Law- 
rence King, William Kruger, Jacob Keifer, John Lemon, Louis F. 
Lowe, William Lunsford, James Mooney, Alexander McDonald, Hugh 
McCleavey, Bernard McGonigle, William Molliter, Hugh McClelland, 
John Maher, John V. Mozers, John Morris, John Mahoney, George 
Pollock (musician), Eugene Piquet, Crawford W. Rolf, James Red- 
mond, William Ludlow, Stephen Saberlie, Michael Scott, Michael A. 
Scolly, Hiram Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Henry Tenneymaker, James R. 
Vaughn, William F. Whittaker, Michael Welch, John Wilson, William 
Young, Charles Stillinger, Henry Sohreiver, James Wilson, William 
Gerhart, John Reifer, Richard William, William Worland. 

COMPANY F. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Second Lieutenant Robert R. Moore. 
PRIVATES. 
David K. Anderson, Jesse W. Adams, Corodorn Cook, Israel P. Con- 
roy, Simon Footer, Peter Gorman, Robert H. Griffith, Alexander H. 
Gody, William Harrison, William Jackson, Charles Johnson, Levi 
Jones, Harry Jones, Samuel Jones, Peter Loman, Samuel Muraloch, 
Peter Murry, Nathan Parker, George Phers, Girard P. Riley, Alexan- 
der H. Reed, Jacob Rennet, Richard Slocum, Henry H. Speigg, An- 
drew Steele, Samuel Thompson, John H. Tyson, Phillip Wilson, Bar- 
nard White, Henry Wooster, Stephen Yates. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain J. W. Cahill. 

Second Lieutenant Anthony Anderson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Martin V. B. Little. 
Sergeant Elias C. Stancliff. 
Sergeant Joseph H. Roche. 
Sergeant John L. Israel. 
Sergeant Charles I. Medbury. 
Corporal James Tolks, 



Corporal William Green. 
Corporal WiUiam R. Lindsey. 
Corporal Jacob Honance. 
Corporal Francis M. Tazin. 
Corporal Henry Helmering. 
Corporal Albert Day. 
Corporal George Connor. 
Musician Jasper H. Moss. 
Musician George Grover. 

PRIVATES. 

William Behymer, Frederick Barnes, William Burhart, Benjamin 
Browning, Solomon Behymer, Robert Boyce, David Bupps, John Craw- 
ford, David B. Clem, George Clem, John Collins, Runyan Day, George 
Debins, Thomas B. Day, John Duncan, W. H. Denny, Solomon Denny, 
John Doty, Edwin Evenshire, William EUwell, Henry Frey, Benjamin 
Figgins, David Faden, J. W. Fonts, John Green, WiUiam Green, Middle- 
ton, Hume, E. L. House, William Hoforth, Phillip Hirgle, John Hirgle 
Phillip Haman, Levi Haman, Francis I. Jeffries, Charies Jeffries, Mor- 
ris John, Bennet John, George Johnson, Valentine Klump, Phillip 
Kaufman, William Kennedy, Charles Kruse, Charies Lillich, William 
Lillich, Edwin Lindsey, Haman Lewis, George Mahl, Sylvester Mo- 
Lean, John A. Meyers, John McMan, J. W. Porter, Albert R. Pierce, 
Elbridge Pierce, John Ryan, William Simon, Noah E. Sutton, Sylvanus 
Stroup, Frederick Snalor, Lanier Shaffer, Thomas Tice, Odler T. 
Thornun, Joseph J. Vanefessen, E. Winters, Ira W. White, James Wil- 
liams, Charies Willett, Williams White, John J, Wahl, James Woa- 
dock, Henry Ware, Frederick Whiteman, Charles W. Woaden, John 
Fice. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Lewis C. Simmons. 

First Lieutenant Columbus Cones. 

Second Lieutenant Frank A. Crippen. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Moore. 

Sergeant Edwin P. Edgely. 

Sergeant Andrew Vincent. 

Sergeant Edwin Yocum. 

Sergeant John Chigman. 

Corporal Lemuel Wiley. 

Corporal Bartlett Vincent. 

Corporal John N. Turner. 

Corporal Thomas Puttam. 

Corporal Joshua C. Clark. 

Corporal John Hailed. 

Corporal Tyler H. Vincent. 

Corporal Alfred Loyd. 

Musician George Saurs. 

Musician Charles Baser. 

Teamster Henry Macy. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Atkinson, Andrew Arendolph, Joseph Bruce, James Bellen- 
stein, Isaac S. Bailey, Henry La Barbier, Barney Battle, Jacob Buck- 
man, Richard Bernard, Josiah Bell, Samuel Blitz, Robert Crandall, 
Levi T. Collins, William Carter, Maurice Clanter, Alexander Cum- 
mins, Andrew Crawford, .Alexander Campbell, Thomas Derrick, Patrick 
Daly, George H. Dobbins, Columbus Dale, Christopher Elliott, Charles 
E. Eaton, John F. Ferris, Lawrence Finnigan, Charles J. Fox, Wil- 
liam Green, Israel Gates, Michael Gilmore, George G. Garire, George 
Hartman, Francis C. Hills, John Hughes, John Hale, William Hunter, 
Nicholas Haffer, William Homer, Henry Jordan, George A. Johns, 
William Kelly, William Kinger, Jacob King, Christopher King, John 
Lovemark, James A. Murrain, Manville M. McDonald, Charies C. 
Murphy, Fabius C. Motlin, Nathaniel B. Meader, Theodore Morris. 
Arthur Mellen, John Morris, John B. Morgan, John Newmeyer, Louis 
Napoleon, Frank Nohn, Conrad Nortman, Michael O'Brien, Edward 
H. C. Phillips, Paul Russell, John T. Reily, William Reynolds, Joseph 
Robertson, Henry Schreiver, Edward Stanton, William Smith, Leonard 
Smith. Ebin Terwilliger. Henry Take, John C. Thayer. John Walker, 
George Wilier, WiUiam Wiley, Nathaniel Wilson, Adolph Webber, 
Martin Webber, Jacob Yast, Conrad Yugar. 
COMPANY I. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Isaac J. Carter. 
First Lieutenant Frederick Buck. 



124 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Second Lieutenant Joseph R. Key. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Jerome Crowley. 

Sergeant William H. Reed. 

Sergeant George N. White. 

Sergeant Benjamin E. Styles. 

Sergeant Robert Cory. 

Corporal Jacob Steigleman. 

Corporal William Fangs. 

Corporal William W. Warner. 

Corporal George H. Reese. 

Corporal John Stillwell. 

Corporal Lewis Grooms. 

Corporal William McCanly. 

Corporal Mathew Moreney. 

PRIVATES. 

Simeon Arthur, Isaac W. Adams, John A. Arthur, Andrew S. Bow- 
ling, Henry Benn, Frederick Blum, Orville H. Coal, Edward Corlett, 
Allen Cochran, Andrew Corruth, John Charles, Thomas Carroll, John 
T. Creighton, Eli Dusenbery, Servetus Dawson, William Davis, John 
Dennis, John Eubank, Charles Fallbush, Joseph W. Free, John J. 
Farroll, William Franklin, James O. Griffin, Daniel S. Gates, William 
Green, Christopher Hutt, Perry Holland, James Johnson, Thomas 
Johnson, Hiram H. Koon, Henry Killing, George W. Lilly, Frank B. 
Lamb, Zachary T. Lane, Daniel M. F. Lamb, Peter Lyon, George 
Lockwood, Thomas Lawson, Edward Murry, Thomas Magivin, 
Phillip Miller, David McKinney, Michael McDermot, Martin V. B. 
Niese, Charles B, Preston, John Quick, John Rockenfield, Lewis 
Rownd, Paul Roussell, William Slagle, Archibald B. Stewart, Jeffrey 
Sullivan, Thomas E. Shy, Josiah C. Searl, John Tompkins, John 
Turner, Benjamin Taylor, James Thompson, Hiram Taylor, Thomas 
Toohey, Peter Tiermon, James E. Thomas, John H. Van Hage, Wil- 
liam B, Witt, John B. Woodruff, John Williams, John W. Wilson, 
Robert Willoughby, David Williams, William Wood, James White, 
Asa M. Weston, James Wasmer. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Leonard A. Hendrich. 
First Lieutenant Oliver S. McCIure. 
Second Lieutenant Edward S. Price. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles A. Van Dennon. 
Sergeant David Morris. 
Sergeant Henry Merrell. 
Sergeant William H. Childs. 
Sergeant James Kelso. 
Corporal Thomas S. Sheake. 
Corporal James Brown. 
Corporal William A. Baker. 
Corporal William L. Cottor. 
Corporal Joseph Chamberlain. 
Corporal Samuel Reddish. 
Corporal Samuel Losey. 
Corporal John Linsey. 



JeremiahAmmerman, Peter Alberts, Charles Adams, William Asbold, 
Simeon Arthur, John Arthur, Vincent Brieslaw, William Bates, Milton 
Blizzard, Stephen Blizzard, Christman Birman, John Bryant, John Ben- 
net, Joseph Carson, John Criver, Charles B. Crane, David H. Cowen, 
Jackson Culp, Bernard Cline, William Dean, George W. Dean, Thomas 
Dodge, David M. Deams, Thomas Easterling, John Fox, Frank Fo.x, 
Charles Goodwin, Henry Heath, John F. Heberlein, Christopher W. 
Hamel, Henry C. Hall, John Hahn, James Johnson, John Juliu, Joseph 
Keedler, Jacob Klineman, Albert Kigan, James Lacey, Henry Libe- 
rook, Robert Nanifold, Alexander McCready, Richard Marsh, David 
Noble, John Orton, Owen Osborne, Andrew Ponder, John Ponder, 
Peter Peckeny, Carleton Pans, James Pricket, Coleman Quinn, Lain 
Ready, John F. Reynolds, Luman W. Smith, Joseph Spencer^ Thomas 
Shrim, John G. Spahr, Peter Steffers, Thomas E. Shy, Peter Shilling, 
Joseph Stagmier, William Sparks, Gavett Van Kant, James H. Van 
Kant, Stephen K. Van Ausdel, Asa M. Weston, John Willy, Jackson 
Walters, David Weisenberger, James Weils, George W. Williams, 
Erastus Winters, James Primmill. 



FIFTY-SECOND OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was raised with some difficulty in the spring and 
summer of 1862. A banner was presented to it by citi- 
zens of Cincinnati. It moved to Lexington August 25th, 
and was in the retreat to Louisville after the disastrous 
battle near Richmond, Kentucky. During the retreat it 
suffered greatly from heat and thirst. It took part in the 
battle of Perryville, doing its work like veterans. It was 
in the advance on Nashville, and did useful service, al- 
though not heavily engaged, in the battle of Stone River. 
In garrison at Nashville, Murfreesborough, and other 
points, it obtained high reputation for discipline and drill. 
It was in the opening skirmish of the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, and in the action the next day. Its subsequent 
history includes the relief of Knoxville, the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and the marches through Georgia and the Caroli- 
nas. After the great review it was mustered out at Wash- 
ington, Junes, 1865. 

COMPANY c. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Major Samuel Coplinger. 

PRIVATES, 

Henry Buraw, Andrew Colter, John Cuseick, Charles Common 
(musician), John Graham, Christy Kerne, John Styner. 

COMPANY H. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Rudolph Gassier. 
Sergeant Isaac L. Mills. 
Sergeant Samuel Harper. 
Sergeant George K. Farrington. 
Sergeant James C. Milire. 
Corporal John Miller. 
Corporal John W. Steed. 
Corporal John W. Coleman. 
Corporal Edgar Flinn. 
Corporal Jacob Warner. 
Corporal John W. Bowen. 
Corporal William Nome. 
Corporal William J. Campbell. 

PRIVATES. 

William J . Armstrong, Joseph Blundell, Daniel Byrne, John Bow- 
hat, David C. Clark, Thomas Coen, George Cartman, Charles Cor- 
nell, William Cox, John Cummings, WiUiam H. Delerty, John Dennie, 
John J. Farrell, Richard T. Tunnerean, Osarll Godson, Patrick Ham- 
ilton, Richard Harmes, Samuel Hardy, John Henry, George B. Hodg- 
son, Thomas W. Mayhew, John Martin, Jacob Mowry, Robert Mellen, 
Aaron B. Mills, Henry Midtendorf, Patrick Murphy, Barney Mucker, 
Robert M. Mullen, Daniel Owens, Thomas Payne, Henry Prinzel, 
Emos Reisch, Oliver Rice, William Riley, John A. Sellins, John S. 
Stokes, Isaac Stokes, Adam Story, William Struble, Edward T. 
Snyder, Digory Shall, John J. Truxall, Jacob Warner, Henry Chilley, 
Ernst Brady. 

COMPANY 1. 

PRIVATES. 

Philip Boss, Theodore Bartel, William Green, Mathias Haffle, 
Michael Harbesmehl, John Keans, Adolph Newiger, Herman Pily, 
Theodore .Schneles, Phillip Schaaffer, Henry Webber. 

C0MP.A.Ny K. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Horace A. Church. 
Sergeant William L. Moxall. 
Sergeant John Stammeijohn. 
Musician Charles Firman. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Duke, Henry Eldridge, Francis Falters, George Kuevey, 
John Kunser, James Lineback, Frederick Rodgiver. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



I2S 



FIFTY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

The organization of this regiment was completed in 
January, 1862. In February it joined the Third brigade 
of General W. T. Sherman's division. Its services in- 
cluded the battles of Pittsburgh Landing, Mission Ridge, 
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nicojack Creek, 
Atlanta, Ezra Chapel, Jonesborough, and Ft. McAllister; 
the pursuit of Hood in the rear of Sherman, and the 
marches to Savannah and the north. Upon appearing 
before Columbia, South Carolina, it silenced a battery by 
its skilful and rapid fire, and assisted in the destruction 
wrought in that city, as also at Fayetteville, four days 
afterwards. Reaching Washington and pas.sing -in the 
grand review, it was taken to Arkansas, where it stayed 
until August II, 1865, when it was mustered out. It 
had been engaged in sixty-seven battles and skirmishes, 
and lost sixty killed, two hundred and sixty-four wounded, 
and fourteen missing. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Second Lieutenant William Shay. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, 

Sergeant Joshua Bailey. 
Sergeant John Logan. 
Corporal Gelusia Howard. 
Corporal Jefferson Moor. 

PRIVATES. 

John Bergert, Peter Conklin, Charles Cook, John Cawdy, James Da- 
vis, Patrick Downey, George Elder, John Fisher, Henry Gravel, John 
H. Garrison, Joseph Gerrich, Henry Holmes, Michael Hesselbruch, 
Charles Howes, William Howes, William Justus, Thomas Lowery, 
William Jordan, Louis Lerig, James Lyner, George Lindsay, John 
Loyd, Thomas Murry, Michael Maloy, Martin Mungivan, George 
Mozer, Peter Millingman, Peter McConnel, Adam Masser, John Schu- 
lemyer, Barney Smith, Louis Schurtis, John Loring, Charles Masher, 
Richard J. Voka, Louis Weber, Joseph Whitmore. 

FIFTY-FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Nine counties, of which Hamilton county was one, 
furnished the companies for this command. Recruiting 
for it was begun in the late summer of 1861, and it was 
organized and drilled during the next fall and winter, at 
Camp Dennison. February 17, 1862, it took the field 
with eight hundred and fifty men, and was assigned at 
Paducah to the brigade commanded by General W. T. 
Sherman. In March it was taken up the Tennessee, and 
was in both days' fighting at Pittsburgh Landing, losing 
one hundred and ninety-eight, all told. April 29th it 
moved upon Corinth, and was in the attack upon the 
works May 31st, being among the first troops to enter 
the town. Its commander was put in charge of the post, 
it was appointed to provost duty there, and its regimental 
colors were hoisted on the public buildings. It was en- 
gaged during the summer in several brief expeditions, 
was in the attack at Chickasaw Bayou on the 28th and 
29th, losing twenty men, and at the capture of Arkansas 
Post shortly after. It participated in the siege of Vicks- 
burgh, the battles of Champion Hills, and Big Black 
Bridge, the movements about Jackson, the subsequent 
operations of the Fifteenth army corps, to which it was 
attached, including the battle of Mission Ridge, the re- 
lief of Knoxville, and the Atlanta campaign. January 
2 2d it was mustered as a veteran organization, and at 



once started home on furlough, returning with two hun- 
dred recruits. In the Atlanta movement it was engaged 
at Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Nickojack Creek, Decatur, Ezra Chapel, and'Jones- 
borough. It participated in the pursuit of Hood, the 
marches to the sea, and northward to Richmond and 
Washington, and the grand reviews. It was also in the 
charge on Fort McAllister, the heavy skirmishing near 
Columbia, and the last battle of Sherman's army at Ben- 
tonville. North Carolina. June 2d it was transported 
to Louisville, and thence to Little Rock, where it did 
garrison duty until the middle of August, when it was 
mustered out. During its arduous service it marched 
three thousand six hundred and eighty-two miles, took 
part in four sieges, nine severe skirmishes, and fifteen 
pitched battles; and lost in all — killed, wounded, and 
missing — five hundred and six men. It had but twenty- 
four officers and two hundred and thirty-one men left on 
the day of muster-out. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Sergeant Major Miles W. Elliott. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Timothy J. Sullivan. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Richard J. Burrill. 
Sergeant Francis J. Murphy. 
Sergeant Edgar H. Earnhart. 
Sergeant James Parke. 
Corporal Jacob Kitto. 
Corporal Joseph Kerr. 
Corporal Charles H. Nicol. 
Corporal John Barry, 
Corporal Fdward H, Moon, 
Musician Thomas Mullen. 
Musician John Bonta, 
Teamster John Strassell, 

PRIVATES, 

Charles Albrecht, Lafayette Burton, Richard Burke, Matthias Baker, 
Jeremiah Brown, John Brady, George C, Crusoe, Michael Clifford, 
Thomas Callapy, Charles Desmond, Joseph Fiesens, Henry Frederic, 
Frederick Gyer, John Gardner, Samuel Hill, John Hemmingway, 
Charles Hobbs, Francis Herrick, Joseph Hubert, Michael Hammenn, 
James Jardine, John S, Kelley, Hugh Kennedy, John Kehoe, Valen- 
tine Kennett, August Kines, John C, Lockwood, August Marchmeyer, 
Martin McNamara, Edward McGinn, John McWain, Michael Ma- 
tague, Frank Overmeyer, Adam Ott, Caspine H, Riggs, John Rear- 
don, John D, Rehling, John Rodgers, Philip Schmitt, Balser Schmitt, 
John Sullivan, John Trimben, Henry Whetsell, Louis Wishonpt, Fred- 
erick Wildermann, 

COMPANY F. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Sergeant Edward B. Moore. 

Corporal Joseph Fletcher. 

Corporal Thomas Gardner, 

Musician George H. Stanley. 

Teamster Abram Clegg. 

PRIVATES,. 

John Burns, William Brinkmeyer, Henry Buhrman, John Booth, .'\1- 
vin Dibble, Columbus Dale, John Donohue, Andrew Donley, Martin 
Ford, Godfred Gass, Henry Graves, James Hilt, John G, Hauck, An- 
drew Jackson, George Know, John Knapp, John Kilcliberger, Joseph 
H, Marar, Felix McCann, David Nealy, Michael Stephens, James Sher- 
low, Robert Sherer, John Tomson, Christian Wilmer, Hugh Williams, 
Augustus Yager. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Burns, James Burke, William Devine, Bernard McEvoy, 
John Quigly, Robert Simpson, William C. White. 



126 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY I. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Robert Simpson. 

PKTVATES. 

Alvis Chamberlain, Michael Burns. 

COMPANY K. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Joseph Hickley. 
Corporal John Zimmerman. 
Musician Stephen Cann. 

PRIVATES. 

Francis Sanders, William Myers, Joseph Kreble, Frank Burges, 
Stephen Buyr, George Brennan, Jacob Diehl, Patrick Debolt, Robert 
Fiegel, James Hammer, John Hiser, Jeremiah Miller, John Kessler, 
John Beckley, Michael Maharty, Jolm Ohler, Jacob Summer, Peter 
Giele, Eben Little, Francis Wood, William Smith, Edwin Smith, Con- 
rad Nie, Jacob Magg, Adam Fuffner. 

FIFTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was organized at Portsmouth in the fall of 1861, 
and suffered much from measles there during the early 
winter. It first saw the enemy in February, at Fort 
Donelson, and was on the field, but not engaged, at 
Pittsburgh Landing. Its subsequent campaigns were 
about Memphis, in Arkansas, at Vicksburgh with Grant, 
and in the Teche and Red River campaigns under 
Banks. At the battle of Sabine Cross Roads it lost forty 
killed, wounded, and missing. The veteran regiment 
was kept on duty in New^Orleans until March, 1866, 
when it was mustered out. 

Captain Levi M. Willett's company, organized in the fall of 1864, 
by General Order A. G. C. : 

PRIVATES. 

Antone Coyman, Joseph Cook, Ganett Caldwell, James A. Devin, 
Perinnius Coans, John Frick, George W. Farrell, John Golsby, Aaron 
Guncle, Thomas Greyer, William Hahan, Patrick Hennessy, John G. 
Hammond, Bernard Jeckel, Robert H. King, Philemon B. McFadden, 
Jasper Mulford, Joseph Pholwine, John Reinke, Frederick Shrader, 
James Sands, William Stevens, John C. Peiman, William Woods, Wil- 
liam Wesley, Charles Walker, Robert Wilson, John Williams, Matthew 
Hemenis, John Atkinson, John Bates, Hiram C. Cochran, Michael 
Flanao-an, Albert Hoffman, William Henderson, George Leonard, 
William Madden, William Owens, James Walker, Albert Watson, 
James Ferris, Thomas Spence, William Smith, William Smith, 2d. 

FIFTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

One company, and part of another, were from Hamil- 
ton county. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Vance, 
Findlay, but moved January 22, 1862, to Camp Chase. 
It was raised between SejJtember i6th and February 
loth, when it was mustered in, and started for the field 
February i8th. It reported at Paducah, and was as- 
signed to the Third brigade. Fifth division, army of the 
Tennessee. It was very heavily engaged at Pittsburgh 
Landing, losing in three days one hundred and eighty- 
seven killed, wounded, and captured. In November it 
joined the First brigade, First division, Fifteenth army 
corps. It shared the glories of its corps at Chickasaw 
Bayou, Snyder's Bluff, Raymond, Champion Hills, Black 
River, Vicksburgh, Jackson, Mission Ridge, and the re- 
lief of Knoxville; and then endured a terribly severe 
march, "hatless and shoeless, and half naked," to Belle- 
fonte, Alabama. Notwithstanding all this, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans on the following New Year's, being 
the first in the Fifteenth corjjs to do so. It took the al- 
lowed thirty days furlough, and returned in ample time, 



with twenty recruits, to join in the Atlanta campaign. 
It was hotly engaged at Resaca, holding its ground 
against three successive charges of an overwhelming 
force, and losing fifty-seven killed and wounded. It was 
also in the actions at Dallas, New Hope Church, Kene- 
saw (where it also lost just fifty-seven men), that on the 
left of Atlanta, sometimes called the battle of Decatur, 
where it lost ninety-two in a desperate struggle to hold 
its position, which was three times captured by the enemy, 
but finally held by the Fifty-seventh; at Ezra Church, on 
the extreme right of the line before Atlanta, where it lost 
sixty-seven, the enemy leaving four hundred and fifty- 
eight dead in front of its line, and at Jonesborough. It 
took part in the chase after Hood, in which it struck the 
rebels at Snake Creek gap, and Taylor's ridge; in the 
march to Savannah; the assault on Fort McAllister; in 
the march to Columbia, where it assisted in the destruc- 
tion of the railroad buildings; in the marching and skir- 
mishing through North Carolina to Raleigh; thence the 
walk-over to Wathington city, and the reviews there, after 
which it was ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas, but was 
mustered out soon after arriving there, August 6, 1865, 
and was paid and discharged at Camp Chase, August 
25th. It had been moved by rail, steam, and on foot 
over twenty-eight thousand miles; and of one thou- 
sand five hundred and ninety-four men borne on its mus- 
ter rolls, but four hundred and eighty-one are believed to 
have been alive at its muster-out. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles A. Junghauns. 
First Lieutenant Abner J. Sennett. 
Second Lieutenant lohn Stonemets. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Robert W. Smith. 
Sergeant Jacob Michael. 
Sergeant William A. Armstrong. 
Sergeant Patrick Barry. 
Sergeant Andrew Diffenbacher. 
Corporal John Richter. 
Corporal Christian Weaver. 
Corporal Cornelius Sheehan. 
Corporal Christian Boost. 
Corporal Edward Hiperlo. 
Corporal John D. Spenbuk. 
Corporal Frederic Rauschart. 
Musician Samuel Hayden. 
Wagoner Ira Green. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Altnine, John Y. Armstrong, Gerhard Beker, Jacob Benedi.x, 
Franz Blank, Charles Butler, James Callahan, Alexander Camblen, 
Patrick Clark, John J. Collopy, Thomas Collopy, William Davis, 
George Dolch, Henry Dreyer, John Dunn, Henry Filers, Christian Ek- 
arett, Michael Evans, Nicholas Felix, Martin J. Genoe, Andreas Cra- 
dle, John Hofermos, William Hunter, Austin Joyce, Henry KHnk, 
John Lang, Lewis Liever, Edward McCormick, John Mahoney, John 
Martin, Charles Meltzer, James Moloney, Paul Mauber, John Windorff, 
Lorenzo Peterson, Charles Riemer, George Reitt, Phillip Rirch, Franz 
Scherer, Dietrich Schuette, Ernst Schwarze, George S. Seeley, Henry 
Sickman, Henry .Snider, John Strube, John Sullivan, John D. Tholen, 
Edward J. Tobin, Barney Twilling, James Walsh, Frederick Mearhert, 
Peter Weber, Lewis Weis, Joseph Witsch. 



FIFTY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. - 

PRIVATES. 

George Henderson, Michael Nash. 



-COMPANY A. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



127 



COMPANY C. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Sergeant Herman Retthorn. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Arnold, Joseph Buerstinger, John Engler, Peter Grossman, 

Mich. Flanek, John George Fust, Edward Kronenburg, John Reinhardt, 

Wilhelm Rellhorn, John Schleisch, John Schneller, Jacob Waldmann. . 

FIFTY-NINTH OHIO INFANTRY.— COMPANY D. 
Private William M. Applegate. 

SIXTIETH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The one year regiment of this number was specially 
intended to defend the border counties of Ohio, and for 
three months, in the late winter of 1861-62, and the 
spring of 1862, it guarded military stores at Gallipolis. 
In April it joined General Fremont's army in western 
Virginia, and had its first engagement at Strasburgh. It 
was soon after engaged at Port Republic, and then at 
Cross Keys, and shared in the disaster at Harper's Ferry 
in September. It was discharged October 10, 1862. 

The three-years' regiment was organized in the early 
spring of 1864. It was ordered to the field when six 
companies were ready, joined General Burnside's corps 
at Alexandria in April, and was afterwards filled up, but 
never to the maximum. It was in the actions of the 
Wilderness, at Mary's Bridge, Spottsylvania, and the sub- 
sequent battles of Grant's final campaign. It was mus- 
tered out July 25, 1865, having, in less than one year's 
active service, lost five hundred and five men, but seven- 
teen of whom were missing. 

(One Years' Service.) 

STAFF OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster E. J. Blount. 

(Three Years' Service.) 
Quartermaster Sergeant James Everett. 
Hospital Steward Robert W. Pounds. 

COMPANY I. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Corporal John Stafford. 

PRIVATES. 
John Branham, James Reynolds, Joseph T. Harris, James H. Har- 
per, David PoUonjar, Philetus Simon. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Phorion R. Way. 
Second Lieutenant Willis W. Cox. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Reuben Sampsel. 

Sergeant William B. Yates. 

Sergeant Samuel W. Jones. 

Sergeant Frank Miller. 

Sergeant Francis Bowman. 

Corporal William Gillespie. 

Corporal John Hayden. 

Corporal Seth Sharp. 

Corporal Andrew Cunningham. 

Corporal James Buchanan. 

Corporal Henry Hafel. 

Corporal Otto Keck. 

Corporal Richard Omara. 

PRIVATES. 

George Anderson, Henry Allen, William Bently, Charles Boyle, 
Henry Butts, Richard Butts, Charles Brown, William Brown, James 
Burke, Albert Bowers, Charles H. Bomer, William Brown, George W. 
Brayton, William H. Brally, Hiram Barnes, John Cave, Willis W. 
Cox, Samuel Chapman, Joseph Cook, John Conley, David C. Cus- 



tard, James M- Collins, Edward B. Demoss, Thomas Daun, James F. 
Donahoe, Calvin Deneen, Henry Day, John Ellis, Charles Fowler, Wil- 
liam Flinn, Georje Fox, John Farley, Robert Giffin, James Grodson, 
Jesse Huffman, Martin Haley, Patrick H. Haley, James F. Hall, Wil- 
liam Holerah, John Hughes, John Hite, Frederick Hahnes, Joseph 
Heartkoam, John Jackson, Columbus Jefferson, Horace B. Jones, 
Dennis Kelley, Cohn Koous, William King, William Larry, Thomas 
Lamon, William Lutterman, Charles E. Lewis, George Lough, Daniel 
Madden, George Morgan, Thomas Maloney, Frank H. Miller, George 
T. Mering, Robert Mallon, George Mitchell, John McCraff, Wesley 
McCoy, Thomas McCoy, Charles Parker, Robert Peterson, John 
Quigley, John Regley, Charles D. Reed, Solomon Richards, Frederick 
W. Schapmar, Thomas Smith, John Spalding, Edward H. Tappen- 
den, Samuel Tomlinson, Ferdinand Upperman, Isidor Wohlangant, 
John Williams, Henry Williams, William Walls, Theodore Wilson, 
John Willis, Richard Whitcomb, James D. Whaley, Franklin West- 
cott, Thomas Woods, Jerome B. Welsh, William Wilson, Ely Wil- 
liams, Joseph Baker, George Brown, Cyrus Phillips, Stephen Tilberry, 
OrloffD. Ramsey. 

SIXTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment contained recruits from nearly every 
county of Ohio. It left Camp Chase for western Vir- 
ginia May 17, 1862, joining General Fremont's army 
June 23d, at Strasburgh. It reached Cedar Mountain 
just too late for the battle there, but had its first fight 
shortly after, at Freeman's Ford, with a part of Long- 
street's corps, with which it had another battle in August, 
at Sulphur Springs. The next day it had a brisk skir- 
mish at Waterloo Bridge, and took part in the second 
Bull Run battle, losing twenty-five killed and wounded. 
September 2d, it was engaged at Chantilly, and there, for 
some weeks, formed a part of the reserve protecting 
Washington. The next May it was heavily engaged at 
Chancellorsville, and opened the battle at Gettysburgh, 
July ist, suffering severely in the action. In September it 
was removed with its corps to Chattanooga; was engaged 
at Wanhatchie and Mission Ridge; marched to the relief 
of Knoxville; wintered at Bridgeport, Tennessee; re-en- 
listed in March and took its veteran furlough, reaching 
the front again in time to participate fully in the dangers 
and glories of the Atlanta campaign. In the battle of 
Resaca it saved the Fifth Indiana battery, from which 
the support had retired. It was further engaged at Dal- 
las, Gulp's Farm, and Peach Tree Creek, in the latter of 
which were wounded five officers and over seventy men, 
and eighteen or twenty were killed. After the capture 
of A.tlanta it remained encamped there until November 
• 15th, when it started on the grand movement to the sea- 
board. During this march it exchanged shots with the 
enemy but once — at Sandersonville, Georgia. In Savan- 
nah, the Sixty-first served temporarily in a provisional 
brigade, for special duty in the city. About the middle 
of January, 1865, it moved up the Savannah river to 
Sister's Ferry, and soon rejoined its own command. In 
the march through the Carolinas, it was only engaged at 
Bentonville, the last battle of the campaign, and lost sev- 
eral men in the action. Reaching Goldsborough, it was 
consolidated with the Eighty-second Ohio infantry, the 
latter giving its name to the new organization. The con- 
solidated regiment joined in the march northward to 
Washington, and in the famous review, soon after which 
it was sent home and mustered out. Mr. Ried says of 
the Sixty-first: "It was always a reliable regiment, and 
was ever found where duty called it. Its losses by the 



128 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



casualties of the field were so numerous that, at the close 
of its service, a little band of only about sixty officers 
and men remained to answer to its last roll-call" 



COMPANY A. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



First Sergeant Anthony Grodyicki. 

Sergeant John Troxell. 

Sergeant John Elbert. 

Sergeant Isaac Stokes. 

Corporal Jasper M. Holniann. 

Corporal Frederick Blumenthal. 

Corporal Charles Kyser. 

Musician Joseph Divine. 

Musician Antone Kern. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Bonn, John Blessing, Frederick Bremer, Timothy Buckley, 
Patrick Casey, Patrick Conner, Patrick Duffy, John Dunn, Matthew 
Demuth, George W. Foultz, Asa Flagg, Franz Gechrend, Frederick 
Gross, Thomas Heinrich, John Hacker, Frederick Herrencomt, Peter 
Heman, Charles McArty, John McLevie, Thomas F. Moore, Michael 
McCormick, Josiah Meyer, Jacob Michael, Charles Wiemann, Nicholas 
Pfister, Gustavus Rosenberg, Richard Schuh, Harry Stegemann, Henry 
Schneppering, John Simpson, John F. White, Samuel Zeboldt. 

COMPANY B. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Thomas McGrath. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Allison, Patrick Brogan, Thomas Connors, James Donelly, 
James Delany, James Doolan, George Hood, Mathevv Johnson, 
Michael Kain, William Lydon, John Lavin, Michael Madden, John 
Mulligan, Daniel McNamara, Dennis McDonald, George McWilliams, 
Henry Reese, William Riley, Joseph Storey. 
COMPANY F. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Peter Duffy. 

Sergeant Richard Ryan. 

Corporal Richard Hughes. 

Corporal William Kerwin. 

PRIVATES. 

George Bodine, Henry Brooksmith, John Colbert, James Cunning- 
ham, Dennis Doyle, Edward Delany, Maladis Dugan, Hartley Dona- 
hue, John Dempsey, Thomas Dunn, Michael Dwyer, Thomas Daly, 
Daniel Fitzgerald, John Fulton, Francis Gardner, Thomas Gray, 
Thomas Gilleran, Peter Heevey, Patrick Horn, Michael Hifferan, 
Thomas Holmes, Barnard Kelley, Thomas King, William Lynch, 
Bernard McCarry, John McAndrew, Patrick McDonald, John Mc- 
Millan, Patrick MoUoy, John Mangan, Richard McCahey, Patrick 
O'Hearn, Patrick Ryan, John Ryan, Thomas Scott, Stephen Welsch. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant Philip Jacob Theis. 
Second Lieutenant William Meyer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant J ohann M. Beck. 
Sergeant Emanuel Bien. 
Corporal Francis Henzel. 
Corporal Adam Bohner. 
Corporal Christian Schneeberger. 
Corporal Valentine Klein. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Arnold, John Bates, Hermann Bates, John Bates, jr., Con- 
rad Buchler, John G. Burge, Henry Bissinger, John Bramer, Michael 
Doherty, Christian Graber, Joseph Gerber, August Gaudalf, Michael 
Hehe, Jacob Hanhauser, Francis Harvey, Edward Kenedy, Frank 
Miller, Hermann Meyer, Joseph Oeshyer, Edward Rathey, Charles 
Senger, Lorenzo Senger, Jacob Schmidt, Andrew Strayer, John Schrau- 
der, Allen Schellaberger, Frederick Tierneier, William F. Frey, Philip 
Ulrich, Michael Vramer, Henry Wethurn, Albert Wetzstein. 



COMPANY H. 



Private John Dwayer 



COMPANY I. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Sergeant John Egan. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Brown, Thomas Bradley, Edward Bradley, Thomas Coon, 
James Coen, Thomas Fleming, Daniel Fahey, Joseph Hagarty, Daniel 
Lane, Michael Moony, John McCabe, John McCarty, Cain Mahoney, 
Patrick Maloney, Robert Smith, Owen Sullivan, S. L. Sturet, Michael 
Walsh. 

SIXTY-NINTH OHIO INFANTRY. COMPANY A. 

PRIVATES. 

Peter D. French, Thomas B. Stur. 

COMPANY C. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Alfred H. Van Zandt. 
Corporal John A. Compton. 

PRIVATES. 

Paul B. Hueston; Andrew J. Hueston (drummer), Thomas A. Lane. 
COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 

Thurston C. Challen, Henry Stalle. 

COMPANY F. 
Private William E. Leflar. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

Wilham S. Mead. 

Nine-months' men (drafted). — William C. Haddix, James Warren. 

SEVENTIETH OHIO INFANTRY. 

When President Lincoln made his second call for 
great numbers of soldiers, Ohio, as ever, was equal to the 
occasion. By the twenty-fifth of December, iS6i, the 
Seventieth was nearly full. In February it became a 
part of the division of General W. T. Sherman, then or- 
ganizing at Paducah, Kentucky. Early in April it did 
excellent work in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, re- 
ceiving especial praise from General Sherman for cour- 
age and persistence. In common with the rest of the 
army, this regiment took part in the advance on Corinth. 
After its fall, Sherman's division moved westward, and 
arriving in July at Memphis, remained there till the fol- 
lowing autumn. The army left that city in November, 
1862, and, concentrating upon the banks of the Talla- 
hatchie river, j^repared to invest Vicksburgh. After the 
fall of Vicksburgh, movement was made upon Jackson, 
the capital or the State, and, during the siege, the Seven- 
tieth are said to have behaved in a most gallant manner. 
A few days after the battle of Chickamauga, the Fifteenth 
army corps, to which it now belonged, moved up the 
river to Memphis, and thence through northern Missis- 
sippi, Alabama, and southern Tennessee, and was in the 
battle of Chattanooga on the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth 
of November. After going to Knoxville to reinforce 
General Burnside and returning, the Seventieth went 
into winter quarters at Scottsborough, Alabama. In Jan- 
uary, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran organ- 
ization. The following May, the entire army of General 
Sherman began the grand advance upon' Atlanta. Dur- 
ing this memorable march, this command participated in 
all the battles on the way and around Atlanta, and main- 
tained in all its high reputation. During the autumn and 
winter months occurred the march through Georgia to 
the sea. December 13, 1864, Fort McAllister was taken 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



I2g 



by storm, in which the Seventieth suffered severely. It 
was the first regiment to enter the work, through the 
abattis and ditch, without a halt. In the subsequent 
march through the Carolinas, it met with loss at Benton- 
ville. Passing through Richmond on to Washington, it 
had a part in the grand review, after which it was sent to 
Louisville, Kentucky, thence to LitUe Rock, Arkansas, 
where it was mustered out August 14, 1865. It is to be 
noted as a remarkable fact that every officer, who from 
first to last had a command in the regiment, was a mtm- 
ber of it in its original organization before it left its own 
State. 

COMPANY. D. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles Johnson. 

First Lieutenant Samuel M. Woodruff. 

Second Lieutenant Josiah W. Denhani. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Walter S. Co.x. 
Sergeant Hugh C. Wilson. 
Sergeant George W. Buesart. 
Sergeant Elbert Bogart. 
Sergeant William Wilson. 
Sergeant Artemas D. Clark. 
Sergeant George F. Strasser. ■ 
Sergeant James A. Bridges. 
Sergeant Jacob Bogart. 
Sergeant William Smith. 
Sergeant John Kuder. 
Sergeant Jacob Kuhn. 
Sergeant Henry Becker. 
Musician Joseph T. Notter. 

PRIVATES. 

Abram P. Bogart, John A. Bogart, John J. Bateman, William E. 
Brown, Joseph Brentstefer, James H. Bogart, Henry Blackman, John 
W. Campbell, John J. Cox, jr., Newton Corbly, James Conklin, John 
J. Cox, sr. , Samuel Conway, George Davis, Jesse Davis, Albert Davis, 
Otto Deitric, William Easton, Joseph Elfers, Thomas Fowler, William 
Hine, Christopher Haisch, John Howard, Jacob Harberdeur, Frederick 
Johnsman, William H. Johnson, Warton Jones, Walter Johnson, 
Frederick Kline, Thomas Kuhn, Samuel D. Killin, Jacob Lenaud, 
Benjamin Lowden, Morris Landieu, Evonimons Lohr, Andrew M. 
Mundell, Mathias Muhrer, Michael Murry, Joseph Moreland, Mathias 
Orr, Francis Prickett, John Page. John D. Perry, John M. Perry, John 
C. Patterson, Thomas Riley, Henry Rice, John Reed, Hamalin .Shinn, 
Thomas B. Stiles, John Smith, William E. Taylor, Frederick W. 
Thompson, Peter Wender, Charles L. Webb, Thomas H. Wells, John 
Zier. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Daniel B. Carter 
First Lieutenant Juinville Reif. 
Second Lieutenant George A. Foster. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Andrew Urban. 
Sergeant John W. Krepp. 
Sergeant Charles H. Ebert. 
Sergeant John H. Hallam. 
Sergeant Frederick Antermeth. 
Corporal William Eythoff. 
Corporal George Postel. 
Corporal John H. Behrens. 
Corporal George Schaffner. 
Corporal Francis Prilhoff. 
Corporal William Phillips. 
Corporal Stephen A. Zind. 
Corporal Thomas B. Byron. 
Musician William Wolf. 
Musician Jacob Pastil. 
Wagoner John W. Wise. 



PRIVATES. 

David Abbihl, George Bauer, Memrod Benziger, John Bolinger, 
Michael Barry, John Bryant, Dominick Branner, James Conner, Sam- 
uel Cuntzman, David Cuntzman, Isaac W. Dunn, Otto Dietrich, 
Thomas Davis, Joseph Eberhardt, James Flickinger, Frank Foot, 
Henry Gebhardt, Frederick Garland, Thomas Gaffney, Henry Har- 
brecht, George L. Hoffman, V. Hasselberger, James M. Halley, Jo- 
seph Haas, John Hagerty, John W. Jager, William Johnson, Henry 
Kemper, John Kafada, James L. Keys, Isaac Deeson, George Hinnin- 
ger, Frank Laker, Andrew Miller, Charles Metz, William Mentche, 
Henry Miller, George Messer, John Joseph Marath, John McCabe, 
George Marklem, John M. Mellen, Thomas Maloy, Peter McDonald, 
James Mcintosh, Barney McKeirnin, Henry Peters, John Papp, Adam 
Reif, John Rett, A. Schluter, Carlton Stewart, Louis Schlick, H. 
Schnittger, J. W. Spooner, Isaac Stokes, Peter Skatley, J. Heldman, 
Henry Westmyer, J. N. Williams, Frank Woodrough, Thomas Wright, 
William F. Wolff, jr., John B. Wilkins, Louis Writh, Jacob Zimmer. 

SEVENTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 

This completed its organization about the first of Feb- 
ruary, 1862. It received marching orders the tenth of 
the same month, and reported at once to General Sher- 
man at Paducah, with his command. It was among the 
first troops at Pittsburgh Landing. In this battle it lost 
one hundred and thirty men, killed and wounded. On 
the sixteenth of April the regiment was ordered to the 
Cumberland river, to hold the posts of Fort Donelson 
and Clarksville. On the eighteenth of August Clarksville 
was attacked by the combined forces of Colonels Wood- 
ward and A. R. Johnson. Colonel Mason, having less 
than two hundred effective men, a surrender was de- 
manded, and, after obtaining the advice of his counsel, 
he acceded to the proposition. A few days after the 
colonel and all the line officers were dismissed in 
disgrace, but, the facts becoming better known, they 
received an honorable discharge. After the regiment 
was exchanged it did valuable service the remainder 
of the year. In 1864 it took an effective part in the 
battle of Nashville, losing fully one-third of its men in 
killed and wounded. Through the summer of 1865 it 
was in Texas. It was finally mustered out in January, 
1865. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Thomas W. Brown. 
First Lieutenant William H. McDavitt. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry A. Brown. 
Sergeant AlexanderW . Hufford. 
Sergeant Alfred Brown. 
Sergeant James Hays. 
Sergeant James Woods. 
Corporal William M. Langdon. 
Corporal Alexander W. Roosa. 
Corporal Stephen Sands. 
Corporal Charles Drake. 
Corporal John Shaw. 
Corporal William Anton. 
Corporal Thomas H. Welts. 
Musician James Edgar. 

PRIVATES. 

Hiram Astor, Peter Adams, Nicholas Becker, Solan A. Bevans, 
Charles W. Baeter, Stephen Bards, Philip Casner, Philip Clickenbard, 
John Drake, Alexander Edgar, George F. Fuller, Peter Gorman, Rich- 
ard Green, Matthew Henderson, James Johnson, Andiew Lytle, 
Thomas Lamb, John V. McDevitt, John McDonald, Henry Martin, 
Elijah Orr, Philip I. Owens, David Putnam, Martin Roosa, John Rob- 
inson, Frederick Ross, Charles Ross, David Rose, John Snook, George 
K. Stout, Benjamin M. Spahr, John Sidenberg, John J. Tro.xell, Fred- 
erick S, Wallace, Elijah Wilson, Thomas Webster, John Young. 



130 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



SEVENTY-SECOND OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Fremont late in the 
year 1861. In February, 1862, it was ordered to report 
to General Sherman at Paducah, and was assigned to 
Colonel Buckland's brigade. On the third of April it 
exchanged its first shots with the rebel pickets at Pitts- 
burgh Landing. The regiment was to the front all 
through the battle that followed and participated in the 
final charge and pursuit as far as Monterey. Its loss in 
killed, wounded, and missing, was one hundred and 
thirty-three. In the siege of Corinth the Seventy-second 
bore a conspicuous part. Its losses were t-riffling in 
action, but terrible by disease. On the twenty-first of 
July Memphis was entered. After being at Fort Picker- 
ing and Moscow, marching by way of Bolivar and Purdy 
to Corinth, at White's Station, and again in Memphis, 
the regiment commenced the march for the rear of 
Vicksburgh the second of May, 1863. On the way it 
was in the battle of Jackson, on the fourteenth of that 
month. On the twenty-second of June it aided in inter- 
cepting General Johnston, who was attempting the relief 
of Vicksburgh. In September the Seventy-second was 
in a four days' scout to Mechanicsville, in which it ex- 
perienced some severe marching and lively skirmishing. 
On J:he second of January, 1864, the regiment re enlisted, 
and in February was in General Sherman's Meridian ex- 
pedition. After the veteran furlough it was ordered to 
Paducah, to assist in the defence of that place against 
Forrest. June ist the regiment formed part of an ex- 
pedition, consisting of twelve regiments of infantry and 
a division of cavalry, against Forrest. The tenth of 
June, at Brice's Cross Roads, an encounter with the 
rebels resulted most disastrously, eleven officers and two 
hundred and thirty-seven men being killed, wounded, or 
captured. Then followed an expedition in the direction 
of Tupelo, Mississippi, during which the regiment suf- 
fered not a little. Between the twenty-seventh of July 
and the sixteenth of November, by long marches, half 
rations, great heat and extreme cold, the men suffered 
intensely. On the thirtieth of November it joined forces 
under General Thomas, at Nashville. In February, 
1865, it moved to New Orleans and camped on the old 
battle-ground. Afterward it was in the attacks at Span- 
ish Fort and Fort Blakely; then Montgomery, Alabama, 
was reached; and in June it was placed along the railroad 
line west of Meridian. The last man was mustered out 
at Vicksburgh on the eleventh of September, 1865. 
The regiment at once embarked for Ohio, and at Camp 
Chase was paid and discharged. 

COMPANY c. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICKR. 

First Lieutenant Milton T. Williams. 

PRIVATES. 

Augustus Affel, William Ball. John Devine, Dennis Delaney, Charles 
A. Davis, Michael F. Frederick, Lawrence Higgins, Jerry V. Higgins, 
Robert Kelington, Washington Lewis, Peter Smith, Thomas Smith, 
William H. Sharp, Charles W. Tearne, Reuben Wood, George War- 
ley, John Whitcomb. 

COMPANY E. 

PRIVATES. 

Lawrence Cremmering, Henry Cook, John Gullenbeck, Edward 
Handrohem, Isaac Kuffman, William Kirnin, Earnhardt Krenpelpe, 



Martin S. Lochner, Henry Mass, Robert W. Newkirk, James Stevens, 
Francis Yeager. 

COMPANY K. - 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant William Skenett. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James H. Stewart. 
Sergeant Horatio B. Furrill. 
Sergeant Aleck Moore. 
Sergeant Francis Whitten. 
Corporal William Ronten. 
Corporal Michael Barden. 
Corporal John B. Emreking. 
Corporal John W. Jeffer. 
Corporal William Emming. 
Corporal John Toz. 
Musician William A. Payne. 
Wagoner Richard Webster. 

PRIVATES. 

Louis Albershadzt, John A. Anderson, Thomas Alcoke, Henry 
Bocherding, James F. Barnwell, Michael Byrnes, William Baumgartner, 
Henry Brookshaw, Thomas "Cavanaugh, .Andrew H. Crawford, Henry 
Cook, Edward Cortell, George W. Cox, Jackson Co.\, William Dutton, 
John J. Dugans, Patrick Donahue, Thomas Eades, Peter Eagan, Pat- 
rick Farnan, Henry F. Franke, Jesse Flinn, James FaiTell, James Foley, 
John Graham, Peter F. Glardin, Samuel Green, John Harley, John 
Henry, Patrick Hanley, Henry Hokkman, Thomas D. Hamer, George 
W. Howell, Edward Ireland, Alexander Inloes, William Isdell, Charles 
Johnston, PhiUip King, William H. Kelley, Edward McMahan, Jacob 
Musser, Theodore Murry, John Miller, Peter Michels, Alexander Math- 
ews, William G. McMillen, James McNeal, Henry McCabe, Thomas 
Navil, John P. McConneli, Dennis O'Conner, Da\id O'Conner, John 
Ollendick, James Patton, Orlando P. Reice, Henry Pulse, William F. 
Smith, Edward St.Hellens, George M. Schlundt, John Sullivan, Henry 
Seiferd, John Stapleton, Michael Terry, Granville Toy, Peter Urich, 
William C. Wright, John Warner, Thomas Higens, Charles W. Bie- 
binger, Samuel F. Beeler, Leaput Goldsmith, Ephraim L. Grant, Joseph 
McMakin, William O'Donnell, Isaac Stern, Henry Schefer, Thomas J. 
Wickersham. 

SEVENTY-FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment with an aggregate of nine hundred and 
seventy-eight men, was ordered to the field the twentieth 
of April, 1862. Its first real service was on the march 
over the Cumberland mountains in June. During the 
blockade of Nashville, it was in several skirmishes in the 
vicinity of that city. The Seventy-fourth was with Gen- 
eral Rosecrans when he made his movement on Bragg's 
army at Murfieesborough. It went into the battle of 
Stone River December 29th, and remained until night- 
fall of January 3d, losing in all one hundred and fifty- 
five men. At Murfreesborough there was a general 
reorganization of the army, and consequently some 
changes occurred in this command. After this date, 
February, 1863, the Seventy-fourth was in the battles of 
Hoover's Gap, Dog Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Moun- 
tain, and Mission Ridge. The last of January, 1864, a 
majority of the men re-enlisted and started for Ohio on 
the thirty days' furlough. On the seventh of the follow- 
ing May, it started with the army on the Atlanta cam- 
paign. With Sherman it passed through Georgia and 
reached Savannah, and on the twentieth of January was 
off again for the Carolina campaign. After the destruc- 
tion of rebel supplies at Fayetteville, the rebel capital 
was the point to be reached, and then Washington. 
Bentqnville, the last battle of the command, was fought 
March 22, 1865. On the eighteenth of July, at Camp 
Dennison, the men were paid and discharged. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



131 



FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Granville Moody. 

Lieutenant Colonel Ale.xander Von Schroeder. 

Major Ale.xander M. Ballard. 

Adjutant Henry M. Cisl. 

COMPANy C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant William F. Armstrong. 

PRIVATES. 

Joel Perkins. James N. Rodgers, James A. Sheffield, 
COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 

George King, Philip Minhart, James S. Tropp. 

COMPANY H. 
Private Samuel Rodgers. 

COMPANY I. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal James Walley. 
Corporal Evan Morgan. 

PRIVATES. 

Edward Ambros, Michael Brannon, James Carrigan, Timothy Cro- 
nin, John Creedon, James Farrell, Andiew Harrigan, Daniel Lane, 
John Morarity, Therance McLaughlin, Patrick Naughton, James 
Smith. 

COMPANY K. 

COM.MISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant James H. Cochnower. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Charles Rambono. 
Corporal William J. Holmes. 
Corporal John W. Carson. 

PRIVATES. 

Armstrong G. Warwick, Michael Brown, John Burke, James Beng, 
Joseph Decotell, Joseph Faber, John Garthaffner, John Morten, George 
King, William Lambert, Philip J. Munich, Alphonso C. Porter, An- 
drew Pheterson, Isaac C. Robert, Samuel Rodgers, Charles Sander, 
Walter Scull, Louis Sheil, Thomas Terry. 

SEVENTY-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The Seventy-fifth was organized near Cincinnati Dec- 
ember 18, 1 86 1. On the first day of March it joined 
General Milroy's brigade at Huttonsville, West Virginia, 
having made a long march over most wretched roads in 
most unpleasant weather. While halting at Monterey, 
Court House, the enemy made a spirited attack, which 
was gallantly met by this regiment leading the advance. 
May 8, 1862, in an engagement with Stonewall Jackson, 
additional laurels were gained under the immediate eye 
of General Milroy — "The Old War Eagle" — but nearly 
a hundred were killed add wounded. The next affair in 
which the Seventy-fifth faced the enemy was at Cedar 
Mountain in August, 1862. The loss here, however, was 
slight. For a week following engagements were frequent, 
and this regiment at Freeman's Ford again lost heavily. 
The last of August, i-n the second battle of Bull Run, 
so bloody was the fighting that in killed and wounded the 
Seventy-fifth alone lost one hundred and fifteen. During 
this fight not less than ninety shots took effect on the 
colors of this regiment. From this time to the second 
of May, 1863, nothing of importance occurred. The 
history of the battle of Chancellorsville need not here be 
told. Although receiving the enemy gallantly, the odds 
were too great, and, with the brigade, the Seventy-fifth 
fell back, losing in half an hour one hundred and fifty 
men. After this battle it returned to its old camp near 



Brook's Station, where it remained until the battle of 
Gettysburgh. The regiment was under fire every day of 
the battle, losing in all two hundred and seventeen officers 
and men. In August the Ohio brigade was sent to 
Charleston, South CaroHna, and remained on Morris 
Island till after the fall of Forts Wagner and Gregg. In 
February, 1864, the regiment was mounted, and from that 
time was designated as the Seventy-fifth mounted infantry, 
performing all the duties of a regular cavalry regiment. 
From this date to the twenty-sixth of September, 1864, 
the regiment was in the district of Florida, breaking up 
blockade-running, destroying rebel stores, conducting de- 
tachments of cattle, and performing other duties. It was 
then sent on a secret expedition to the headwaters of the 
St. John's river. In October and November six com- 
panies were mustered out of service, their term of enlist- 
ment having expired. After the fall of Savannah the 
Seventy-fifth was reorganized into a veteran detachment, 
and was afterward known as the veteran battalion. This 
command performed valuable and difficult service till 
August, 1865, when its members received an honorable 
discharge. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Nathan C. McLean. 
Major Robert Reilly. 
Assistant Surgeon Charles L. Wilson. 
Chaplain John W. Weadly. 
Sergeant Major William S. Stewart. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas F. Davenport. 
Commissary Sergeant Lyman Y. Stewart. 
Hospital Steward Martin V. Shader. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles W. Friend. 
First Lieutenant George B. Fox. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Thomas Wheeler. 
Sergeant Joseph B. Alters. 
Sergeant Christian Schmetzer. 
Sergeant Rezin F. Hall. 
Sergeant H. H. Dumont. 
Corporal Elmore W. Dunn. 
Corporal Jacob Gaus. 
Corporal Ezra M. Ellsworth. 
Corporal Caleb Parrent. 
Corporal Richard Fishwick. 
Corporal Caleb O. Decamp. 
Corporal J osiah C. Hall. 
Corporal John P. Allen. 
Musician Thomas K. Sayer. 
Musician Hosea R. Felter. 
Wagoner John Schmetzer, sr. 

PRIVATES. 

Robert Agnew, Frederick Aherns, Wilson Becount, James Becount, 
William Brooke, Michael Butler, Henry B. Burnett, Henry Breithoff, 
C. Brown, Michael Brady. John Cummings, William Critchfield, 
John Critchfield, George Cain, Peter Collins, James H. Coleman, Mat- 
thias Dwyre, James H. Erwin, Frederick Engle, James Fishwick, John 
H. Heer, Charles Francis, Simon P. Ferry, William H. Ginn, Andrew 
Gambriel, Anthony Graves, George Goetze, Gottlieb Harkell, Charles 
Howell, John G. Hallam, Peter Herklesmiller, Adam Habinstritt, James 
Jackson, Peter Jacobs, Patrick Kelly, Michael Liady, James McCor- 
mick, Gothold Markart, John Mills, Luke McClune, Michagl Mahar, 
John A. Mentel, WiUiam McGill, Joseph Meyers, James F. Miller, An- 
drew Martin, James Martin, Sylvester Nesbitt, James Naylor, Abram S. 
Pendery, William Parrent, William H. Palmer, George Pray, Andrew 
Pepprus, Alfred Patmore, Leopold Reame, James Riddle, Clinton W. 
Seward, William W, Stewart, John Stewart, William G. Sturgis, John 
Schmetzer, jr., Frederick Schmetzer, Ernst Schmetzer, Albert Stevens, 



132 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



James V. Stevens, Samuel Shuttleworth, Charles Smith, Henry Sheep, 
Isaac H. Spillman, Sampson Sutton, Stephen Skillman, James A, Skill- 
man, James F. Thurman, Hosea Tullis, Oliver Thayer, Philip Weiss, 
Robert Long, Leonard M. Kimmel, John Batzt. 

COMPANY F. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Henry Lour. 

PRIVATES. 

Richard Cook, Louis Eckedy, Ernst Calces, Thomas Hcrmanson, 
John Mason, John Roth, Conrad Wilmer. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James A. Johnston. 

First Lieutenant Theodore K. Keckler, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Phineas B. Haskell. 

Sergeant James A. Crozet. • 

Sergeant Mark A. Knowlden. 
Sergeant Richard Faulkner. 
Sergeant Moses Kennedy. 
Corporal John C. Delvitt. 
Corporal Thomas Moran. 
Corporal Oliver H. Hibben. 
Musician Edward F. Brown. 
Wagoner John Davis. 

PRIVATES. 

John S. Allison, Felty Brightenbach, David G. Brookman, John J. 
Brown, Thomas W. Brown, John Carrigan, Thomas Coleman, Edward 
E. Denniss, William Dickinson, Bennett Dixon, Joseph Donohue. Peter 
Eiden, Samuel Green, Samuel H. Gump, James E. Hippie, James 
Jackson, Andres Monser, Thomas Mulligan, John M. Kenzie, Samuel 
Reeves, Andrew Rodgers, Patrick H. Riley, Charles H. Smith, William 
W. Smith, Robert Wallace, Conrad Waag, James Williams, Simon 
Davis, Edmund C. Hill, John Stanard, Martin V, Strader, Henry Neely, 
Thomas Riley, John Brannan, Melchor Myers. 

SEVENTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Surgeon James W. Warfield, 

SEVENTY-NINTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Only one company was raised in Hamilton county. 
The entire command was rapidly recruited in the summer 
of 1862, though one company of sharpshooters, raised 
for it in Clermont county, did not join it till the next 
June. It received marching orders September 3d, and 
moved into Kentucky through Cincinnati, then menaced 
by the rebels. After a severe march against them, it 
went to Louisville and operated against Morgan and 
other rebel cavalry forces. December i to February 24, 
1864, it was mainly on guard duty in Tennessee. In 
March it reached Lookout valley and was assigned to 
the Eleventh corps, afterwards part of the Twentieth, in 
which the Seventy-ninth was in the First brigade. Third 
division. With its brigade it shared in the furious and 
bloody attack on the enemy's works near Resaca and a 
number of the severest actions of the Adanta campaign. 
At Peach Tree Creek, July 20th, it was on the first line and 
was the second Union regiment that became engaged. 
It here lost one-half its members in action. It began the 
campaign with six hundred men, and had but one hun- 
dred and eighty-two at the close. It was in the march 
through eastern Georgia, the siege of Savannah, the af- 
fairs at Laytonville and Columbia, and of Averysborough 
and Betitonville, in the grand advance of Sherman north 
ward. It was mustered out at Washington June 9, 1865, 
paid and discharged at Camp Dennison June 17 th. It 
had lost, from all causes, more than its original number, 
or about one thou,sand men, all told. 



COMPANY A, 
Private Charles G. Hallam. 

COMPANY B. 
Musician Algernon S. Cropsey. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.' 

Captain John W. Kilbreth. 

First Lieutenant Benton Halstead. 

Second Lieutenant Henry C. Carlin. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George F. Reed, 

Sergeant Henry M. Reading. 

Sergeant Charles WoodworLh. 

Sergeant Charles P. Wilson. 

Sergeant Charles C. Shannon. 

Corporal William Chapman. 

Corporal Daniel Sweatman. 

Corporal John Makinson. 

Corporal Dwight J. TiUinghast. 

Corpor.al Edmunds S. Hopkins. 

Corporal Samuel V. Wright. 

Corporal James Caffrey. 

Corporal James W, Power. 

Musician Thomas G. Crapsey. 

Musician Ebon A. Turpin. 

Wagoner John C. Bickham. 

PRIVATES. 

-■^mos A. .^Uen, James M. Ayres, Daniel Adams, John E. Burton, 
Charles F. Bassett, Frederick Bremer, Phillip Behrman, Andrew Brohm, 
Charles Cook, John Conley, Hiram Crampton, Samuel G. Creswell, 
George E, Dyer, Edward Day, William J. Dodson, William Drope, 
Robert Duer, William Detzle, David Everly, Louis Etler, James Eng- 
lish, James Ferris, Joshua Francis, Joseph Fries, Thomas S. Ford, 
John H . Franklin, William Hobbs, Samuel Huen, John Hudson, 
Frederick Hunkmeier, Adam Heintz, Charles Huber, George F. 
Hawekatte, Albert Jeans; John W. King, Thomas Kelly, William 
Killoughy, Israel Kearney, Daniel Kelehan, John M. Glashan, Walter 
Miller, George M. Newy, Oliver Outcalt, Thomas Price, George 
Quigley, Noah Reed, George Smith, John H. Simons, Greenlief 
Smith, Benjamin Steinkamp, Benjamin Smead, Xavier Strausberger, 
William R. Snell, Jacob Schotzman, William Segirst, Michael 
Sheridan, William Sunderman, Nathaniel B. Thompson, George 
W. Totten, James Whitney, Alfred White, Jediah A. Whinney, John 
E. Wheeler, .Samuel Wright. 

EIGHTIETH OHIO INFANTRY. COMPANY I. 

•Private Leopold Goldsmith. 

EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER, 

Captain OzroJ. Dodds. 

llilVATES. 

Orien Clark, Walter Scott. 

EIGHTY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

Several companies of this regiment were from Hamilton 
county; the remainder from Butler. Before the regiment 
was fully organized, the exigencies of the situation in 
Kentucky, during the invasion- of Kirby Smith, became 
so great that the Hamilton county companies, then at 
Camp Dennison, were ordered into the field. On the 
night of the third of September, 1862, the day of leaving 
camp, they bivouacked in the streets of Covington. 
After various movements they marched across the Lick- 
ing river to support the Beechwood battery, on the Alex- 
andria turnpike, did heavy jDicket duty for several days, 
and were then withdrawn to Camp Orchard. Here the 
rest of the regiment joined them, and gave the Eighty- 
third in all one thousand and ten men. The regimental 
organization, however, dated from the twenty-second of 
August, when all the companies were full. September 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



133 



1 8th the command marched to Cynthiana with an expe- 
dition under General Q. A. Gihnore, but found no ene- 
my in force. October isth it reached Paris, Kentucky, 
and joined the First brigade, Tenth division, army of the 
Tennessee. A fortnight thereafter it was on its way to 
Louisville, stopping two weeks at Nicholasville, where it 
was presented with an elegant banner, by the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton railroad company. The division 
(General A. J. Smith's) sailed for Memphis November 23d 
and thence further down the Mississippi December 20th. 
The Eighty-third engaged in some laborious and success- 
ful operations about Milliken's Bend, and had its first 
battles at Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post. In the 
latter action it lost one-fifth of its number, but was the 
first to plant its flag upon the enemy's works, was honora- 
bly mentioned in the official reports, and specially thanked 
by unanimous vote of the Ohio legislature. In camp 
afterwards at Young's Point, the regiment lost heavily by 
disease. May 20th, after heavy skirmishing and some 
severe fighting, it reached the front at Vicksburgh, was 
in the assault on the twenty-second, where it lost eight 
per cent, of its men engaged, and took part in the subse- 
quent operations of the siege. After the surrender it 
moved with its division against Johnston, assisted in the 
affairs about Jackson and in the pursuit of the rebels to 
Brandon, returning thence to Vicksburgh, after an unusu- 
ally arduous campaign. ' August 24th it changed camp 
to Carrollton, Louisiana, and remained there, save for an 
expedition to Donaldsonville, till the third of October, 
when it formed a part of the force starting on the Teche 
campaign. November 3d, when in charge of a forage 
train, it had a sharp encounter, and lost fifty-six men, 
mostly captured. A few weeks afterwards it moved to 
Fort Jackson to quell a mutiny among colored troops; 
was then ordered to New Orleans, and thence to Madi- 
sonville, where it went into the Second brigade. Third di- 
vision. Thirteenth army corps. The fore part of March, 
1864, at Franklin, it was transferred to the First brigade 
of the Fourth division, same corps, and marched with it 
on the ill-fated Red River expedition. It was hotly en- 
gaged in the battle of Pleasant Hills, and gallantly main- 
tained its reputation. At the beginning of its share in 
the action, after marching ten miles in two hours, it occu- 
pied the extreme right of the Federal line, and came near 
being enveloped and destroyed by the rebel left, Vvhich 
extended far beyond it, but was extricated under a terri- 
ble cross fire, in perfect order. May 2d it was engaged 
in a sharp skirmish while on a foraging expedition, and 
at Alexandria furnished large details for work upon the 
dam which finally saved the army. On the twenty-eighth 
the regiment reached Baton Rouge, and remained there in 
camp till July 21st, when it left for Algiers, opposite New 
Orleans, moving thence to Morganza to repel an attack, 
and going into camp there for the remainder of the sum- 
mer. October ist it formed part of an expedition to 
sieze and hold Morgan's Ferry, on the Atchafalaya, and 
on the eighteenth, of another to the Atchafalaya at Simms- 
port. November ist it embarked for the mouth of 
White river, and in December was ordered to Nachez 
for consolidation with the Forty-eighth Ohio. The new 



regiment comprised six companies of the former and four 
from the latter, retaining the name Eighty-third. All the 
field officers were from the former command. It was as- 
signed to the Third brigade, Second division, Thirteenth 
corps, and, March 20th, started in the Mobile campaign-. 
It made the assault on Fort Blakely April 9th, and 
captured two posts, eight cannon, two mortars, eight hun- 
dred prisoners, two flags, etc., etc., losing thirty -six killed 
and wounded. It did provost duty in Selma till May 
1 2th; was in Mobile a month, and in Galveston on guard 
duty till July 26th, when it started for home, arriving at 
Cincinnati the fifth of August, and getting final payment 
and discharge at Camp Dennison on the tenth. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Frederick W. Moore. 
Lieutenant Colonel William H. Baldwin. 
Major S. S. L'Hommedieu. 
Surgeon John S. McGrevv. 
Assistant Surgeon Marion Wilkinson. 
Assistant Surgeon George Cassiday. 
Adjutant Lawrence Waldo. 
Sergeant Major Joseph W. Rudolph, 
Quartermaster Sergeant Stacey Daniels. 
Commissary Sergeant Ceorge W. Carey. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Dewitt C. Shockley. 

First Lieutenant William R. McComas. 

Second Lieutenant Albert Fehrman. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant C. A. Burns. 
Sergeant Jacob Meyer. 
Sergeant George F. Hibben. 
Sergeant Edward C, Collins. 
Sergeant Charles H, Amos. 
Corporal Samuel Battsell. 
Corporal Charles Bodine. 
Corporal Thomas J. Thompson. 
Corporal John Snyder. 
Corporal Jacob Mosier. 
Corporal Homer Kendall. 
Corporal Bernard Jacobs. 
Corporal John Haller. 
Wagoner Sylvester Kriefer. 

PRIVATES. 

James Anderson, Anthony Augerer, Elmore Bridges, Davis Bock, 
William Bird, Peter Brobest, Nathan Baltzell, Louis Benjamin, Michael 
Bohlinger, Robert Close, Conrad Castal, Isaac E. Crosly, William 
CanoU, Robert Co.\, Thomas Cox, Thomas Davis, Raphael Ceiphy, 
James Dodd, Samuel De France, Jacob Godow, Conrad Gurther, 
Henry Gedes, Michael Hughes, Peter Hoffman, Joseph S. Hewris, 
William Hogan, Simon Honreleman, Harry Hull, Frank Hildreth, 
Joseph H. Halton, David Hilton, John Jones, William Jones, Alfred 
P. James, Gustave Lippart, Ale.vander G. Leme, William A. Lernka, 
Nathan Lehman, Richard Milligan, David Milligan, John McAllister, 
George Mosier, William Murphy, Russel McKitrick, Isaac Mueters, 
.Andrew Moore, Elijah McLaughlin, Henry McLaughlin, Albert Martin, 
Charles H. Nichols, Thomas Owen, Adrian Pierson, John R. Pepper, 
Robert Porter, David Pierson, Annas Roseboom, Elijah Roll, William 
Reynolds, James Reynolds, John Rhodes, Joseph T. Rossa, Daniel 
Riker, William Sweaniger, Charles A. Short, James Stapleton, Arthur 
W. Salter, Aaron T. Sutton, Michael V. Smith, Ernest Schowe, 
Andrew Speath, Benjamin Shutts, William Turner, Christian Tonges, 
Joseph Twelins, .'\dam Volkert, Jacob Voegli, Thomas White, William 
Worstle, Emil Weggert, Thomas Wallace, Jacob R. Williams, James 
Dowis, Frederick Meyer, William Sloan, John Worstle, Ennis Riker. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James W. Craven. 
First Lieutenant Philip Bescher. 
Second Lieutenant John T. Talbott. 



134 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



NON-COMMISSIONEU OFFICEKS. 

First Sergeant James T. DeMarr. 

Sergeant Charles H. E. Cole. 

Sergeant Joseph R. Shannon. 

Sergeant Peter Shatsman. 

Sergeant James D. Campbell. 

Corporal Samuel Nash. 

Corporal Lemuel Vanzandt. 

Corporal James J. Shannon. 

Corporal Gustave Lcifer. 

Corporal Thomas Beetle. 

Corporal Lewis Williams. 

Corporal William Fisher. 

Corporal William Strohman. 

Musician Samuel C. Price. 

Musician William L. Primby. 

Wagoner Harry E. Breeding. 

Privates. 

H. Ausdenmoore, John S. Boake, George M. Brenling, Henry K. 
Bascom, John Behner, Ludvvig Berdel, Franz Bury, George J. Buckel, 
John W. Brudsall, Albert B. Carl, Dennis Coffey, Thomas Corcoran, 
William Codling, Samuel Corer, Taylor Conner, Andrew Conley, 
Charles W. Dean, James Dowd, Columbus Dale, Isaac F. DeMarr, 
Albert Findley, Anton Ferenter, Ale.\-ander Glaze, Solomon Gness, Bar- 
ney Goldschmidt, William Hazard, John G. Harrington, David Hall, 
George Holden, James W. Hudson, George H. Howe, Bernhardt 
Helda, George E. Harvey, Charles Henry, William R. Irwin, Joseph 
K. Irwin, John W. Jackson, jr., George W. Johns, Samuel S. Junkins, 
Christian Koerter, Joseph Kindle, George Leist, jr., George M. 
Labarre, Van Buren Littleton, Granville McDonnell, Casper Monig, 
William Meyere, James M. Matthews, Frank Noble, P'eli.K O'Neil, 
Levi Pettil, John R. Payne, Henry Romes, Lawrence Shaffer, David 
Swaney, Jacob Seifert, Charles Smith, Benjamin M. Wright, Charles 
W. White, Edwin D. Wosencraft, Francis M. Watt, Robert Work, 
John W. Wallace, William P. Work, James G. Work, Joseph Worsted, 
William Wilson, Andrew Wertheimer. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Edward Manser. 

First Lieutenant William H. Mindeler. 

Second Lieutenant Henry M. Gastrall. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William A. Beasley. 
Sergeant George Kerr. 
Sergeant John Pritchard. 
Sergeant George W. Milam. 
Sergeant John Donnehen. 
Corporal George Snyder. 
Corporal Benjamin Cook. 
Corporal James Patton. 
Corporal William H. McLeaven. 
Corporal Herbert Winston. 
Corporal Richard E. Thompson. 
Corporal Colin R. Palmer. 
Corporal Lewis R. Washburne. 
Musician William Deford. 
Musician Charles Harrington. 
Wagoner Jonah Cook. 

PRIVATES. 

Jerome B. Bainbridge, William Bell, Byron Bailey, Frank Balkiman, 
Alexander Berger, Richard Conkling, jr., James Close, Phaley Cun- 
ningham, George W. Carey, John Daniel, George W. De Lyon, 
Thomas Drumb, Stephen Demoss, David Danworth, Thomas Doherty, 
William R. Dederick, Andrew J. Deford, William Eaton, Daniel 
Flowers, William F. Fordyce, Charles H. Gould, Douglass Guy, Ben- 
jamin K. Helter, John A. Hoffman, Joseph Hoffman, John S. Hensler, 
Griffin Hemphill, Henry Hacker, Louis Henix, James Hefferman, 
Charles W. Horweg, John Holley, William Hemmernan, Henry Jones, 
Stephen D. Kite, James Kenley, Patrick Lavery, Joseph Laren, John 
Lenhoff, Mathias Lenhoff, James Lamb, Andrew H. McKee, Thomas 
H. M.ack, Henry Miller, Robert Middleton, Patrick B. McCabe, Pat- 
rick Murray, Frank Martin, Albinus J. Masters, Daniel Neiman, Henry 
Oeschlager, John Pheeney, Martin I/. Peabody, James Pharis, James 
Quinn, Andrew B. Rey, John Rhover, Oscar P. Richey, Edwin R. 
Ross, Thomas G. Robinson, Michael Riley, John Seabold, Stephen 



M. J. Smith, Henry H. Streuve, Frank Shields, William Stronberg, 
John R. Telfers, Samuel Tearne, Jefferson Terrv, Thomas Van Wise, 
John A. Wetmore, William Widdlefield, John C. Wilson, Josiah Wil-' 
liams, Henry Woods. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Albert W. Boser. 

First Lieutenant James Carlin. 

Second Lieutenant Gershom Tomlinson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Samuel A. Keen. • 

Sergeant Charles P. Sa.\ton. 
Sergeant Archie Young. 
Sergeant Martin 1,. Best. 
Sergeant Francis Crebs. 
Corporal William M. James. 
Corporal William Jager. 
Corporal William Buck. 
Corporal Henry Weston. 
Corporal William C. Carter. 
Corporal Joseph Festo. 
Corporal Joseph Loor. 
Corporal Eli H. Conway. 
Wagoner William F. MSgee. 
Musician Washington A. Bozer. 
Musician William Palmer. 

PRIVATES. 

Joshua Ashley, Ira Atkins, William T. Ale.xander, Francis Bain, 
Wesley Breiman, David Barnes, Nimrod Bannister, John Burk, John 
N. Bates, William A. Benson, Richard H. Balb, Jeremiah Conger, 
George Cullum, John Campbell, Michael Connel, William A. Comic, 
James Creighton, James G. Clark, William Drake, John Danagh, King 
Dearmond, Lewis A. Davidson, Jamea Dorn, Silas Fragee, Lawrence 
Felenas, Jacob R. Flannagan, John Gunning, John M. Gibbs, Reuben 
Gardner, Oliver P. Glancy, John Haller, Samuel Hamilton, Turner 
Homer, William Hedges, Joseph Hopping, Milton Helmick, John 
Hevey, George C. Hartfence, Jacob Hinkelman, John Hooper, Isaac 
Jackson, William P. John, Henry B. John, John Kind, James T. 
Kelso, Henry Kilgour, James R. Lacey, Henry Luster, Edward Ma- 
har, Abraham Malson, Frank Malson, Jacob Myers, Jacob Moser, 
George W. Moriarity, Michael Martin, Hiram McMurry, William H. 
Morgan, William J. McMurry, John Magee, Datus E. Myers, Patrick 
McCabe, Allen W. Neese, John Newcomb, Michael C. Nugent, David 
1 . Osborn, John Peterson, Peter Pulse, George Rudicil, Noble Ross, 
Anderson Rudicil, Joseph Reeder, John Roney, Samuel F. Reed, James 
C. Ross, John Sapp, George W. Stewart, William E. Lears, DeLancey 
Lackel, Arthur Smith, Alfred Skidmore, Robert R. Thomas, John 
Teller, Edmund Talkington, John Vanasdale, Ephraim Williamson, 
Potter White, John White, Matthew Trever, James P. McMurry, Alex- 
ander H. Miller. 

COMPANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Pardon D. Connell. 

First Lieutenant Adam E. Billingsby. 

Second Lieutenant John R. Phillips. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Lutellus Hussey. 
Sergeant Charles B. Palmer. 
Sergeant George McCormick. 
Sergeant John Dunn. 
Sergeant Clinton W. Gerrard. 
Corporal Alonzo Dunn. 
Corporal Robert G Rusk. 
Corporal John W. Bell. 
Corporal Eli Earhart. 
Corporal Francis McGregor. 
Corporal Isaiah Thompson. 
Corporal Truman Mosteller 
Corporal Parshall Cornelius. 
Musician Jacob Harper. 
Wagoner William H. Steward. 

PRIVATES. 

James Agadine, Robert Burns, Jonah Buchanan, Jonas Baushman, 
Samuel Beeler, Joseph Burgoync, Peter Beeler, George Bailey, 
John Beeler, Joseph Bowen, Peter V. Bumhart, John H. Carter, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



135 



John S. Cox, Lewis Cunan, Pollock Cobb, Daniel Doty, Isaac Doug- 
lass, Henry Drashell, James Faust, Peter Forney, Oliver H. Garrard, 
Thomas Gorman, James Gray, Alexander Grooms, William Harrison, 
Jacob Harper, John Hegrich, Thomas Hatter, James Huff, Adrian 
Hageman, Charles Kilgour, John M. Keeler, Jacob Klick, Charles W. 
Kratzer, Gu^tav Krauss, William C. A. Krauss, Edward M. Krauss, 
Thomas Love, Joseph Landenburgh, Martin McGinnis, James Miller, 
Gideon McGill, William Martin, Stephen Myers, Charles Metz, Hum- 
phrey Magnihan, William C. Newell, William Fryer, Francis R. 
Palmer, William Pitcher, Stephen M. Price, John Ritter. George Ritter, 
William C. Ritter, James D. Ross, Francis C. Ritter, Pengree Riker, 
Arthur C. Ritter, Edward Smith, Charles F. Smith, Noah Smith, John 
W. Short, Jonah Shuff, John W. Stewart, James Stevens, Joel Swihart, 
George Swihart, Eli Swihart, David Taylor, Michael Tragnor, Samuel 
Thompson, William Trewitt, Martin Williams, Peter C. Williamson, 
Ezra Wilvarren, Hammett Workman, Jacob Whaler, Elias Zickeforse, 
Henry Zickeforse. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John W. Ross. 

First Lieutenant Joseph O' Conner. 

Second Lieutenant John S. Taylor, jr. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Joseph A. Savage. 
Sergeant David T. Woodruff. 
Sergeant Frederick Jeffey. 
Sergeant Ernest Warden. 
Sergeant William J. James. 
Corporal Joseph Richter. 
Corporal Edwin J. Ackerman. 
Corporal Benjamin Harbeson. 
Corporal Henry C. Davidson. 
Corporal Robert L. Boggs. 
Corporal Charles G. Hallam. 
Corporal David W. Jones. 
Corporal Joseph B. Leake, 
Musician Thomas Chard. 
Musician Andrew Johnson. 
Wagoner John Jancy. 

PRIVATES. 

Robert Armstrong, Joseph Allbright, Charles Albee, John Benker, 
William Board, Ellis Bucknell, Michael Burke, Garrett Coonse, William 
Coughlin, Hamilton H. Conant, John Curtis, Peter Cromwell, Arthur 
L. Currie, William Crider, Albert Clark, Thomas Dickson, Joseph 
Dankworth, William H. Eleston, William F. Funk, Daniel H. Free- 
* man, Henry Fuchs, Gasper Gilford, Joseph Helmcamp, William Hud- 
son, Henry Hulsemyer, Clinton R. Harrison, Elliott Hewson, George 
Holford, Charles W. Honselle, Edw^ard Jordan, William Klinger, Sam- 
uel G. Kyle, George J. King, Michael Kenny, William Krammer, 
Henry E. Kaufman, Patrick Kinney, Edward M. Krause, John Koch, 
John Logan, William Lordsave, I.,eonidas Latta, Henry Linweber, 
Israel B. Malott, Lucas Maguire, Henry Mariliiis, John M. Querny, 
Jacob McKeon, Hugh O'Connor, Jacob Parker, Oliver B. Prophator, 
Oliver H. Phillips, William Rinal, James H. Rhyner, Jesse Smith, 
Charles L. Siewers, John Samora, George Sweeney, Daniel Sullivan, 
Henry Stafford, Albert Stevens George W. Stanly, Henry Vanderhair, 
Mathew Whilden, John ]. Weaver, La Grat C. Weldy, William F, 
Wershey, Jacob Yeakle, Henry Young, Andrew Connelly, William J. 
Hix, Perry Henderson, Devvitt C. Kindle, Frederick Hanneball, Ed- 
ward Backer, Charles Shaw. 



COMPANY I. 



Private Samuel Lanhart. 



COMPANY K. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



Captain Albert W. Thornton.. 
First Lieutenant William Phillips. 
Second Lieutenant Edward N. Clopper. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Neas. 
Sergeant James H. Wilson. 
Sergeant John B. Mitchel. 
Sergeant James B. Mitchel, 
Sergeant David B. Snow. 
Corporal John H. Beard. 



Corporal William A, Clark. 
Corpoial George C. Harwood. 
Corporal William H. Davis. 
Corporal Jacob B. Davenport. 
Corporal Thomas B. Marshall. 
Corporal Francis M, Hagaly. 
Corporal John B. Haner. 
Musician Elliott Stroup. 
Musician John W. Hearn. 

PRIVATES. 

George R. Anderson, Frederick Bergdorf, Jacob S. Bacon, James A. 
Blair, Daniel Berm, Robert Campbell, John Coleman, John Dumler, 
Peter Decker, Francis Henry, Joseph A. Gribble, William H. Gray. 
William Gormly, Jacob Garbutt, Henry Griffith, Ephraim Griffith, Silas 
F. Hearn, John P. Hearn, Andy J. Hearn, William A. Hannon, Peter 
Holland, Douglass Hutchins, George C. Hildreth, Benedict Hoff, David 
Ireland, Thomas Ireland, John H. Jackson, Robert H. John, Frederick 
Ketcham, James Ketcham, Benjamin Ketcham, Peter Long, Jacob 
Long, Adam Long, John Lullm.an, Simon Latoszyuski, Thomas W. 
Leake, Jacob Mann, William Monroe, James Mayturn, Patrick McDer- 
mott, John McGlashon, Wm. McGlashon, Alexander Murray, Michael 
McHugh, George Millering, Samuel Moore, Charles Miller, Adam Noll, 
Andrew Poth, David Parshall, James J. Richardson, Perry Ringgold, 
Isaac L. Stevens, Wm. A, Sutton, Daniel Snyder, Wm. Snyder, Frede- 
rick W. Smith, Jacob H. Stathem, Martin Schumacker, Moses M. 
Trador, Louis Thonell, John Tyrell, Charles Webber, William Webber, 
David Wilson, Martin Wennel, Griffith White, Fayette M. Wood, 
David Yamell, Charles Blair, William Green, John B. Haner. 

EIGHTY-FOURTH OHiO INFANTRY. 

This was organized for but three months service. June 
II, 1862, it started for Cumberland, Maryland, and from 
that point engaged in several expeditions against the reb- 
els. September 13th it held New Creek against a threat- 
ened attack by Generals Jackson and Imboden. It 
served about a month longer than its period of enlist- 
ment, and was mustered out at Camp Delaware in Oc- 
tober. 

COMP.^NY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain William A. Powell. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant James Huston. 
Sergeant Andrew Hoffman. 
Corporal Wesley Hentshorn. 
Corporal Edward Crandall. 
Musician George B. Chandler. 
Musician'James OlweUs. 

PRIVATES. 

George J. Brightmore, George Bone, Richard G. Gray, Timothy D. 
Brown, William W. Conover, John W. Dobbins, Robert A. Edwards, 
Samuel L. Edwards, William B. Gamble, Frank Goodwin, Richard N. 
Hargrave, Lewis Hedder, Carroll W. Johnson, Ephraim Kram, David 
H. Levin, Jerry Litlon, John N. Lute, Wihiam H. ParshaU, John Pick- 
ering, Chatles Rose, Hiram Simonton, Alva B. Tichenor, Horace 
Wells, Charles J. Kullmer. 

COMPANY H. 

Private William Stewart. 

EIGHTY-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. — COMPANY D. 

Private William Martin. 

EIGHTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
(Three Months' Service.) 
COMPANY A. 
Private Edward H. Kleinschmidt. 

(Si-x Months' Service.) 
COMPANY K. 
PRIVATES. 
E. H. Kleinschmidt, Matthew Lawless. 

EIGHTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 
Henry Bode, Noah M. Stewart. 



136 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



EIGHTY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. — COMPANY D. 
First Lieutenant William G. Neilson ; Private John H. .^dams. 
NINETY-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. — COiMPANY I. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Captain George W. Douglierty. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Stephen Wadsworth. 
Corporal Lawson Bidwell, 
Corporal A. H. Wirl<nian. 
Musician C. L. Benton. 

PRIVATES. 
Albert Converse, John O'Connor, Jacob Myers, James M. Pyors, 
James Tarpenning, Eliphus Tarpenning, John Williams, John Finley, 
Jonathan Bigelow, Hugh McClain, Emerson Holycross. 

NINETY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. — COMP.ANY D. 

PRIV.\TES. 

John Crawford, Cyrus Faires, Benjamin Posey, Benjamin Sarver. 
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was one of the last German regiments raised in 
Ohio. Although other enterprises of the same kind 
were in the field before his, Lieutenant Tafel succeeded 
in recruiting and organizing, within a few weeks, eight 
companies, with an aggregate of seven hundred and 
thirty men. On the fourth day of September, 1862, 
orders came for the regiment to move to Covington, to 
be ready to repel the forces of Kirby Smith, then threat- 
ening Cincinnati. Here a litde skirmish with the enemy 
gave the men an introduction to their future work. The 
Austrian rifles with which they were armed proving 
nearly useless, the regiment was shifted from place to 
to place, and left incomplete as to number. It remained 
in the field as a battalion. At this time Morgan, the 
raider, was disturbing Kentucky, and the regiment par- 
ticipated in several expeditions against him. At Bowling 
Green, on the fourth of November, it came under the 
command of General Rosecrans. The Thirty-ninth bri- 
gade, in which the One Hundred and Sixth now belonged, 
moved to Glasgow, Kentucky, where some successful 
skirmishing followed, as also on the succeeding march to 
Hartsville. At this point Colonel Scott, who Jiad been 
commanding the brigade, was exchanged for a much 
inferior officer. Under this commander the disgraceful 
affair at Hartsville took jilace, December 7, 1862. One 
company only, absent as escort to the provision train at 
Gallatin, escaped captivity. After five days detention, the 
prisoners were paroled and sent to General Rosecrans at 
Nashville. This general, after receiving a full report 
from Lieutenant Colonel Tafel of the affair, expressed 
his entire satisfaction with the conduct of the regiment 
and its commander on that occasion. On the twelfth 
day of January, 1863, the regiment was declared ex- 
changed, and was ordered to Camp Dennison, to re-or- 
ganize. It soon moved on to Frankfort, Kentucky, to 
relieve the One Hundred and Third Ohio. Owen county 
was at that time infested with guerilla bands, and Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Tafel determined to stop their depreda- 
tions. Several desperate characters were soon after cap- 
tured, their bands dispersed, and the regiment, for the 
bravery and excellent conduct of officers and men, won 
praise from the citizens of the city and the authorities of 
the State. Receiving orders for Nashville, the regiment 



arrived at that city May 4, 1863, and was soon after put 
to guard the railroad from that city to the borders of 
Kentucky. So galling did the rigorous rule of this regi- 
ment become to the guerillas, that their leader. Captain 
Harper, offered a reward for the head of its commander. 
On the fourth of May, 1864, the regiment moved to 
Bridgeport, and formed part of the garrison. It was 
October, 1864, before the regiment was recruited to its 
maximum strength. During the impetuous raid of Gen- 
eral Hood, the One Hundred and Sixth held on to its 
posts along the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad, al- 
though for four weeks completely cut off from all com- 
munication with the main army at Nashville. It remained 
in camp in Alabama, performing valuable service until 
June, 1865, when it was ordered to Nashville for muster- 
out, which event was consummated June 29. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel George B. Wright. 
Lieutenant Colonel Gustavus T.afel. 
Major Lauritz von Barentzen. 
Adjutant John H. Stalle. 
Surgeon George A. Spies. 
Sergeant Major Oscar von Prabender. 
Sergeant Major Wolfgang Schoeule. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Julius C. Hintz. 
Commissary Sergeant Martin Hartmann. 
Hospital Steward Hermann Stiele. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William G. Glaolsen. 

First Lieutenant Julius Dexter. 

Second Lieutenant Frank Eiselein. ^ 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William Ittig. 

Sergeant Gqorge Lauber. 

Sergeant William Mener. 

Sergeant Frederick Waffenschmidt. 

Sergeant Edward Knauft. 

Corporal Moritz H. Schnieke. 

Corporal Thaddeus Fischer. 

Corporal Julius Ludke. 

Corporal Louis Brandt. 

Corporal Joseph L. Gampier. 

Corporal William Huber. 

Corporal Michael Daker. 

Corporal Anton Hallabach. 

Musician Henry Klemier. 

Musician William Baetz. 

Wagoner John Geiler. 

PRIVATES. 

John Armbruster, Edward Brauer, Moses Bauermeistcr, Jacob Bene- 
dix, Charles B. Pertschinger, Rudolph Bieterhollz, William Bloecher, 
Frederick Bode, Valentine Bopp, Hem-y H, Boyert, Charles Bramkamp, 
Balthasar Brunner, John Buebel, Ludwig Bruchler, Frederick Dahl- 
strom, Conrad Das, Christian Diehm, Ernst Delbrugge, John B. Eiselc, 
Heinrich Ender, Michael Felix, Charles Fortman, Henry Frederick, 
George Grepel, George Groppenbecher, Jacob Groppenbecher, Fred- 
erick Haus, William Harting, Martin Hartmann, Julius C. Hentz, 
Henry C. Hug, Peter Haxel, Henry Kauffmann, Charles B. Kitterer, 
John Kirsh, Bernard Kohrmann, John Krebs, Ernst Langhismidt, 
Jacob Lehmkuhler, Richard Lichtenholdt, Adolph Lux, George Meyer, 
Ludwig Meyer, Henry C. W. Nebel, Carl Naumand, Louis Nicholas, 
Joseph Nichter, Gotleib Petersham, Hermann Petering, Louis Prep- 
ler, Frederick Rech, Adam Richel, William Reinhardt, Christian 
Schlechter, John Schoeneger, John G. Simon, Erastus H. Smith, 
Christian Smith, Frederick Spath, Baldwin Stanbach, Gerhard Strank- 
meier, George Tautsnelly, Albert Trieshman, Frederick Triechmann, 
Cornelius Van Briel, Nicholas Walter, Rudolph Wangermann, Joseph 
B. Weber, Matthias Weabel, George Wendel, Andreas Walber, Ernst 
Zenschnier, Henry Riese, Michael Schaurer, William Scheit, John Sud- 
enberg. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



137 



COMPANY B. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frederick Seibel. 

First Lieutenant William Heydt. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Joseph W. Potocki. 
Sergeant John Schuter. 
Sergeant Charles Luster. 
Sergeant Frederick E. Beyer. 
Sergeant Jacob Heimes. 
Corporal Ernst Arletti. 
Corporal George M. Wagner. 
Corporal Henry Leniing. 
Corporal Herrmann Angelbecke. 
Corporal Louis Wayer. 
Corporal Frank Wack. 
Corporal Jacob Brandmeyer. 
Corporal Henry Holscher. 
Musician Thompson Wooley. 
Musician James Van Horn. 
Wagoner Charles Wierts. 

PRIVATES. 

Herman Averbecke, Frederick Bode, Louis Banscher, Charles Bock- 
meyer, George Brinck, Frederick Baumann. George Cornelius, Peter 
Daunn, Peter Durr, Frank Dietrich, Frederick Eitel, Frederick 
Eskel, Hermann Fahrenbruch, Louis Fahrbach, John Grendel, Philip 
Goring, George Greiner, Robert Gasinger, John Goring, John Go- 
dolph, Bernard Hansfield, Matthias Heinrich, William Harkemfer, 
Henry Hartmann, Joseph Heck, William Held, Joseph Hartniann, 
George Jeckel, Thomas Jeans, Sebastian Kaufenstien, Agedius Knopf, 
Gottleib Kaiser, Martin Krieg, Jacob Luckart, John Lieser, Christo- 
pher Mayer, John MuUer, Leopold Nesselhauf, Frederick Neuberger, 
John Oihion, John Oilier, John Probst, John Puhl, Charles Puseker, 
John Reuck, Christopher Rieger, Francis Ramish, Francis Rosenacker, 
John Rommel, John Schuhmann, Martin Sauer, William Schumacher 
Andrew Stenger, John Straub, Paul Secunde, Wolfgang Schoenle, 
Herman Stierk, Joseph Scherer, Peter Spannenberger, Jacob Ludwig, 
John Philip Spannenberger, Henry Stein, John Schmuck, John Tho— 
mann, John Frier, Frederick Wienert, Louis Wogall, Nichlaus Wag 
ner, John Weist, Gustavus Wolters, Conrad Winter. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Louis Kauffman. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Edward Achenbach. 
Sergeant Charles Eshlich. 
Sergeant Carl Ebert. 
Sergeant Heinrich Schwarz. 
Sergeant Adam Bauer. 
Corporal Carl Meyer. 
Corporal George Ochlschlager. 
Corporal Friedrich Hennie.s. 
Corporal Anton Cochum. 
Corporal John Muller. 
Corporal Friedrich Hoffman. 
Corporal Frank AUmann. 
Corporal August Amberg. 
Musician Friedrich Hardmann. 
Musician Andreas Schaefer. 
Wagoner John Boesel. 

PRIVATES. 

Heinrich Arzheimer, Albrecht August, Friedrich Augustus, Alois 
Berg, Heinrich Becker, Michael Bauer, Ernst Brius. George Broemar, 
Anton Braun, Gerhard Buck, Nicholas Conradi, George Dater, Adam 
Desch, Frederick Driesmaur, Carl Enslin, Heinrich Fischer, Christian 
Fricke, Wilhelm Gerhardt, Jacob Gilsdorf, Frederick Graw, John 
Hartmann, Christian Hasselman, Andreas Huber, John Junker, Adam 
Isler, Heinrich Karpp, Victor Kauffmann, Robert Krause, Frederick 
Klee, John Lauble, Christian Lauble, .\ugust Liermann, Carl Lier- 
mann, Simon Lind, Wilhelm Luckert, Henry Mensing, Wilhelm Mes- 
ser, Gerard Meyer, Daniel Miller, Jacob Nebel, George Nickel, George 
Numbruger, Jacob Ott, Jacob Rapp, Friedrich RoUkelter, Benjamin 
Ruh, Ferdinand Seipell, Jacob Schultheis, Adam Schmeider, Casper 
Stiernagel, Phillip Schneller, Jacob Schulz, Wilhelm Schnur, Heinrich 



Schmidt, Louis Sonntag. August Stahl, John Schuntzer, Peter Traut- 
mann, Carl Theiss, Daniel Theobald, Conrad Uhl, Jacob Voll, George 
Veil, John Wolf, Otto Zeil, Phillipp Zollner, Frederick Zimmerman. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Edward Lewis. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Theodore Anteureith. 

Sergeant George Goas. 

Sergeant Louis Mark. 

Sergeant Louis Walter. 

Sergeant Joseph Strief. 

Corporal Otto Spankuch. 

Corporal George Bremer. 

Corporal Frederick W. Lanferseick. 

Corporal Thomas B. Kreider. 

Wagoner Bernard Hampshire. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Bury, Peter Birding, Henry Bengle, August Dinkelmann, Wil- 
liam Fillmore. George J. Fried, Jacob Griemeneisen, Jacob Hahn, Au- 
gust Himmelsbach, John Jacob, Hermann Koepper, Samuel Kaesser- 
mann, John Kunsy, Frederick Menedier, Henry Reiring, Joseph Reif, 
John Roth, Lewis Repfeld, Henry Shuter, Jacob Schlaegenbecker, 
John C. Spanbuch, Henry Schmidt, Henry Sondermann, Andrew Strief, 
Martin Trautmann, Henry Voight, Christian Weishart, Frank A. Wet- 
zel, Christian Winnenger. 

COMPANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Vertessy. 

First Lieutenant Ignatz Seabr. 

Second Lieutenant Jacob Gessert. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Peter Weidener. 
Sergeant William Manter. 
Sergeant Frederick Salge. 
Sergeant Charles Schnell. 
Sergeant Henry Schneider. 
Corporal Nicholas Ritter. 
Corporal Michael Joachim. 
Corporal Philip Finger. 
Corporal Frederick Mohlendorff. 
Corporal John T. Grisler. 
Corporal Wolfgang Oedet. 
Corporal William Wolfrath. 
Corporal Robert Zahn. 
Musician Michael A. Long. 
Musician Michael Hempfner. 
Wagoner Conrad Deck. 

PRIVATES. 

John Ashinger, Dietrich Brandt, Frederick Bartel, William Bell, John 
Bauer, Robert Benninghofen, John Conrad, William Conrad, William 
Decker, Jacob Friedman, Gustav Fickel, John F. Frist, John Feintel, 
Louis Geilfuss, Martin Griesheimer, Carl Graf, Anton Graf, Peter 
Goering, Benjamin Huber, Andrew Haas, Jacob Hoerath, Adam 
Heck, Xavier Heiberger, John Hengsler, Frederick Haberkotte, Henry 
Heidebring, Valentine Kaemmerer, George F. Konmann, John 
Krumm, Frederick Kranz, William Kaiser, Frederick Leiber. Henry 
Lokamp, Henry Lempke, Frederick Muth, John Mayer, Philip Mayer, 
Philip Muller, Eberhardt Muller, John Meirer, Henry Meyer, Henry 
Neiman, Charles Ofenloch, Henry Oeters, Louis Pingir, Henry Peter, 
William Reis, John Reichele, Peter Linz, Charles Stark, Henry Schop- 
bach, John Schneider, Jacob Schaefer, Franz Siegfried, John Schaefer, 
Frederick Schmidt, Fideli Schrank, Charles Selzer, Henry Schmidt, 
WiUiam Sondermann, Henry Schaefer, John Snekamp, Andrew Taylor, 
Henry Wolfrath, John Wartman, Charles Welch, Michael Winstel, 
John Winstel. 

COMPANY F. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Theodore Biese. 

Second Lieutenant Gotfried Broderson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, 

First Sergeant Julius George. 
Sergeant Frederick A. Anschutz. 



138 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Sergeant William Meyer. 

Sergeant Christopher Waking, 

.Sergeant John Trimbux. 

Corporal Christopher Anter, 

Corporal August Johns. 

Musician William Mueller. 

Wagoner Henry Haberdink. 

PRIVATES. 

Bernard Arnolds, Jacob Beck, George Baschong, Christopher 
Behrens, John Benck, Valentine Bieser, John Black, Frederick Corder, 
Henry Dust, Anton Ebert, Robert Corley, Christopher Epple, Aart 
Gondswaard, Ludwig Hartmann, John Heirich, Jacob Haax, Gustav 
Hauseler, Bernard Heyne, Adam Hortsembant, Ludwig Heinz, Charles 
Jackson. Christopher Kotlmeyer, Hermann Kloene, Adam Koehler, 
Jacob Kramer, Philip Loge, Jacob Linnenkamp, Frederick Marx, 
George Merkel, Henry A. Nichaus, George Ringeisen, William Rum- 
pier, Charles Roth, William Schacht, Jacob Steinchultz, Frederick 
Tellkamp, John Wigand, Henry Watz, Frederick Zimmerman, Charles 
Schleger, James Winterfield. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Hermann Rientang. 
First Lieutenant Philip Wich. 
Second Lieutenant James Winterfield. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry S. Cohn. 
Sergeant Falkner Falk. 
Sergeant William Binsack. 
Sergeant Joseph Litterle. 
Sergeant Louis Krum. 
Corporal George Ade. 
Corporal Jacob Nieb. 
Corporal John Weiss. 
Corporal Balthasar Hosper. 
Corporal Conrad Maurer. 
Corporal Gottfried Bichler. 
Corporal George Kohl. 
Corporal Emil Maecke. 
Musician Frank Rohmann. 
Musician Herrmann Tieshmann. 

PRIVATES. 

Gottlieb Ahrens, Martin Beigel, John Behrmann, Philip Bieser, 
August Beushauser, Daniel Burghard, Andrew Bachfalter, Adolph 
Bruderer, George Bauer, Jacob Deck, Wendelin Dressel, Heinrich H. 
Drosste, John Drechsler, Frederick Ernst, John Flaig, Henry Fossan- 
kemper, Adolph Fiesbeck, George Fahrenschon, Frederick Gausepohl, 
Julius Geisenhofer, Jacob Groh, Joseph Hill, Matthias Heinen, Philip 
Hanter, Frederick Kimmick, Fried. Krebs, Henry Kettler, Jacob J. 
Lampe, Hamrich Lampker, Fried. Lauble, Heinrich Lekamp, August 
Linder, Lorenzo Lutz, Heinrich E. Liebbert, Ludwig Legel, John 
Macht, Charles Munzer, Matthias Maier, Chrislian Molthop, George 
Metz, Conrad Quanz, Johann Ranneschan; Charles Rieb, Jacob Reich- 
hard, Peter Reipel, Jacob Reisinger, Henry Rosskoap, Andreas Som- 
mer, John Snecamp, Henry Schafer, William M. Schafer, Andreas 
Schurger, Heinrich Struve, Edward Sperber, Adam Stegner, Charles F. 
Schicker, Fried. Tiefenbach, Edward Vernezobre, Nicholaus Vole, Karl 
Weddig, Heinrich Weddig, Henry Wittenberg, Henry Witte, Peter 
Wolf, Valentine Wiest, Edward Waldenmaier, Martin Ziegler, Gus- 
tavus Bertholdt. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Matthias Lichtendahl. 
First Lieutenant Louis Auterureith. 
Second Lieutenant Henry Weilert. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John H. Baumer. 
Sergeant Fried. Gieger. 
Sergeant Oscar V. Brabender. 
Sergeant Edward Otto. 
Sergeant Ernst Bermether. 
Corporal Jacob W. Dick. 
Corporal August Wehrs. 
Corporal Kasimer Usorowski. 
Corporal Joseph Ernst. 



Corporal George Haustien. 
Corporal John Effinger. 
Corporal John Long. 
Corporal William Deitz. 
Musician Alvord Lippardt. 
Musician Jacob Zink. 
Wagoner John Krumm. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Becker, August Beckman. Charles Bietzel, Joseph Black, 
Fried. Barger, Jacob Brandt, Ferdinand Bre\it, John Brech, William 
Brinkmeyer, James Corn, John Baptist Cornet, Lanienz Creitler, Frank 
Creitler, Adam Dorst, John D. Duft, Conrad Eiselein, John J. Eshinger, 
Simon Fisher, Joseph Frankle, George Fox, Fried. Goering, Fried 
Golsch, George Grosardt, Henry C. Hauenschild, Adam Hapmann, 
Michael Hettlich, Henry Heide, Jacob Heier, Laurenz Heilos, John 
Herzog, Fried Herzog, John Hohn, Charles Horn, John Kallfell, 
William Kiinper, George Kesel, Henry- Knapp, Henry Kohnen, 
Charles Krause, Conrad Lehmann, Fried. Licke, John Lohrer, John 
Maegley, George Meckel, Julius Meyer, John Miller, Jacob Miller, 
Wilhelm Minks, Adolph Molitor, George Mueller, Joseph Nichaus, 
John Nordheim, John Raw, Joseph Rosenberg, John Saalt, Henry 
Schmitke, Louis Schmaedicke, Anton Schoen, Theodore Schroeter, 
Jacob Schuan, Henry Schwarz, Michael Seibert, John Steneragel, I^ouis 
Strack, Albrecht Strickrolt, Henry Stumpf, Louis Teutsch. 

COMPANY 1. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Benjamin Ruh. 
First Lieutenant Herman Seeple. 
Second Lieutenant John Ortner. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George Baum. 
Sergeant Frederick Alhorn. 
Sergeant Wendelin Braedler. 
Sergeant Leopold Bachmann. 
SergeantWilliam Mayer. 
Corporal William Giese. 
Corporal Christopher Schiedt. 
Corporal George Deinlein. 
Corporal Frederick Butscha. 
Corporal Nicholas Haush. 
Corporal Matthew Fruhwald. 
Corporal William Muhe. 
Musician Frederick Berg. 
Musician John Zehnder. 
Wagoner J. T. Kiefel. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Aryst, John Buck, Charles Butler, Henry Bayer, Daniel Berud, 
v\ndrew Breunling, George Braun, George Brezler, Adolph Backhaus, 
Michael Branninger, Charles Brill, George Conrad, Jacob Deitrich, 
Robert Daniel, Henry Doell, Frederick Dorniger, Charles Fritz, Henry 
Fatler, Henry Fetpoeter, Melchion Feund, .Albert Flick, Vincent Prick- 
er, Franz Fallada, John Gardner, Jacob Gebhardt, Andrew Gebhardt, 
Xavier Gieb, Jacob Glunz, John Hugenschmidt, John Hauser, Stephen 
Havert, August Hogan, William Hilgemann, Conrad Hengetler, Au- 
gust Hugger, Edward Hadra, Jacob Irion, Charles Junker, John Kae- 
fer, John Kemptner, Conrad Keufmann, Jacob Klein, Casper Kreis, 
John Knauss, William Kalberer, Edmund Luetry, Henry Moester, An- 
ton Mayer, Christopher ALick, Henry Mussman, Franz Mikolajowsky, 
Frederick Noh, Conrad Ott, John Ott, George A. Reich, Charles Reich, 
John Rockel, John Rudolph, Franz Reichert, Charles Rauch, Anton 
Rasch, Victor Ready, Henry Simmer, Leonhard, Schmith, Herman 
Schmitz, Jacob Schafer, Henry Schmidt, Romig Stemmer, John Sprak- 
uly, Phillipp Sprakuly, Henry Sudbrack, Julius Schroeninger, Joseph 
Ulsenier, Bernhard Vogedis, Jacob Wilhelms, John Wick, John Wier- 
ling, Jacob Weislagel, Ignatz Woertz, John Weirsmann, Christopher 
J. Weisler, Frank Zoller, Herman Seifel.John Ortner. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frederick Bauman. 

First Lieutenant Peter Kirschaner. 

Second Lieutenant Christopher Bauman. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles B. Kelterer. 
Sergeant Nicholas Clements. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



139 



Sergeant Henry Faubel. 
Sergeant Peter Stolz. 
Sergeant Louis Bode. 
Corporal John Kelly. 
Corporal John Kraus. 
Corporal Louis Saas. 
Corporal Peter Trautmann. 
Corporal Adam Metz. 
Corporal Louis Schmidt. 
Corporal Alozs Amreu. 
Corporal John Rosskoph. 
Musician Louis Speckmann. 
Wagoner Thomas Buchter. 

PRIVATES. 

Theodore Arendt, Lally Anhotz, Nicholas Bachmann, Henry Backet, 
John Bezer, Charles Beisminger, Henry Bowman, Charles F. Branner, 
August Bramkamp, William Burckhardt, Joseph Collet, Louis Dhoma, 
Charles Durruff, Jacob Diehl, Gustav Disahnowsky. Frederick Finger- 
hut, John Findler, Charles Falter, Ferdinand Tassler, Henry Geling 
Louis Ganrich, Heinrich Gander, Matthias Gluns, Charles Geyer, Pat- 
rick Glenn, Peter Heil, John Hasselback, Charles Hahn, Raymond 
Hall, James Hill, Peter Hery, Henry Hammerschmidt, George Jacob 
Horner, John Hornberger, William Banning, Andrew Jenny, Freder- 
ick Joers, Jacob Jager, Jolin B. Johnson, John Koch, Adam Kraus, 
Christopher Lampert, Christopher Laser, Joseph Meyer, Charles Mul- 
ler, Frederick Muller, Heinrich G. Muller, Charles Meyer, Frank Mich- 
eler, Frederick Meinzer, Joseph Munter, Louis Northman, Louis Nay, 
Frederick Neiman, Adolphus Newbeck, Henry Artmann, Adolphus 
Reichert, Henry Stockhove, John Schick, Charles Spiess, William 
Sachs, George H. Sauer, Andrew Schmeller, Charles Sattler, Phillipp, 
Sommer, Charles Todtenbier, Edward Ulm, Anton Ulrich, George 
Vogelin, Henry Will, John Weber, Jacob Waldrich, Frederick Weber, 
John Weiler, Heinrich William, Frederick Wocker, Theodore Wlme- 
ler, Anton Zuleger, Frank Zost, Louis Ziegel, John Zink, Adam Zim- 
merman, Christopher Bauman, Peter Hirschauer. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This command was composed mainly of the German 
element, and was recruited in Hamilton, Butler, and 
Franklin counties. When but partly organized in August, 
1862, four companies were hurried from Camp Dennison 
to Covington, by the alarm of invasion, and there wel- 
comed four companies more. After Kirby Smith re- 
treated, the regiment went to Louisville, and thence' to 
Frankfort, to put down Morgan's guerillas. It was there 
placed in General Dumont's division and marched to 
Bowling Green, where it was assigned to the Thirty-ninth 
brigade, Tweilfth division. Resuming its march the regi- 
ment, near Harts ville, Tennessee, was skilfully saved 
from an overwhelming force of Morgan's and other rebels, 
which had surrounded it; but a few days after, through 
the carelessness and cowardice of an Illinois officer, the 
brigade coinmander, it was surrendered to Morgan, with 
all the forces and stores at Hartsville. The One Hun- 
dred and Eighth, however, gave the enemy a courageous 
resistance for more than an hour, losing forty-six killed 
and one hundred and sixty-two wounded. Every officer 
of the regiment, except three, was captured. The con- 
duct of the command was especially commended in a 
letter from General Rosecrans. After exchange it was 
duly re-organized at Camp Dennison, receiving another 
company. It was assigned to duty in Frankfort, Ken- 
tucky, and won golden opinions for its discipline and 
good conduct, the order for its removal being thrice 
revoked at the request of General Robinson and other 
leading citizens. It was finally ordered to Louisville, and 
thence to Nashville, where it served for four months 
guarding railroads. September 6th it moved by rail to 



Stevenson, and in November reached the vicinity of 
Chattanooga, where it took post on Moccasin Point, at 
the foot of Lookout Mountain, supporting the Eighteenth 
Ohio battery. It was here made part of the Second 
brigade. Second division, Fourteenth corps, with which 
it served until the close of the war. November 2 2d 
it crossed the Tennessee and had a spirited skirmish 
with the rebels near Graysville. It was then hurried to 
the relief of Knoxville, but was turned back from 
Morgantown, on the Little Tennessee, to Chattanooga, 
which it reached after a very toilsome march, during 
which many of its men had trod the frozen ground bare- 
footed. It went into winter quarters near Rossville, and 
in February, 1864, moved to Lyne's Station, on the 
Knoxville railroad, whence it took part in the reconnois-' 
sance from Ringgold to Tunnel Hill, and on towards 
Dalton. Upon its return to Rossville it was joined by 
two new companies. May 3d it marched for Ringgold, 
on the Atlanta campaign, and for four months was 
engaged in almost continuous marching and fighting. It 
happened to be engaged especially in bayonent charges, 
in which it was uniformly successful, driving the rebels 
several times from strong positions. At Resaca it was in 
a storm of bullets for four hours, and lost heavily. It 
was in the side movement on Rome, and captured a large 
lot of chewing and smoking tobacco, which a German 
regiment knows how to enjoy. During the latter part of 
the campaign it did noble service as train guards between 
Chattanooga and Atlanta, in one case a sergeant and 
twenty men successfully defending, through a whole day, 
a train thrown from the track. In August a part of the 
regiment participated in the defence of Dalton against 
Wheeler's cavalry. It broke camp at that place in early 
November, and went to Atlanta to join in the march to 
the sea. During the last fight of Sherman's army at 
Bentonville, North Carolina, it was largely instrumental 
in saving the day by a most heroic resistance. Six times 
the rebels charged and were repulsed, and four times the 
men of the One Hundred and Eighth had to leap over 
their slight breastworks, to repel attacks from rear as well 
as front. When the last attack was repulsed the regiment 
had left but two cartridges per man. It was in the ad- 
vance of the movement April 10, 1865, from Golds- 
borough toward Smithfield, on the Neuse river, and was 
sharply engaged with the rebel cavalry for nine hours, 
driving it fourteen miles during that time. This was the 
last action of the war; and it is claimed that this reg- 
iment fired the last shots against the Rebellion, and that 
Captain Fleischman, of company H, who lost his life 
during the fight, was the last Federal officer who was 
killed on the field in the long struggle. The regiment 
rested a short time at Holly Springs, North Carolina, then 
marched from Raleigh to Richmond, one hundred and 
ninety-two miles, in six and a half days, without leaving 
a straggler; and thence to Washington, where it took 
part in the grand reviews, and was mustered out June 9, 
1865. Throughout its service it was held in the highest 
esteem by its brigade, division, and corps commanders, 
for its prompt action, its discipline, and fighting quali- 
ties. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel George T. Limberg. 
Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Piephr. 
Major Frederick W. Elberg. 
Adjutant Henry Huhn. 
Surgeon Adolph Zipperlin. 
Assistant Surgeon Hubert Sohopp. 
Quartermaster Christian Dilg. 
Sergeant Major Hugo Elzner. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Titus Hyer. 
Commissary .Sergeant George Ackermann. 
Hospital Steward August-Noite. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Carlo Piephr. 

First Lieutenant Gustav Bauer. 

Second Lieutenant Louis Hebel. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant David Friedmann. 
Sergeant Franz Fleishman. 
Sergeant Henry Hollenkamp. 
Sergeant Joseph Nessler. 
Sergeant George Ackerman. 
Corporal Henry Rosenbush. 
Corporal Charles Kutt. 
Corporal John Simon. 
Corporal Charles Sness. 
Corporal Joseph Beyer. 
Corporal John Eberhard. 
Corporal M. Wassner. 
Corporal Henry Schwarz. 
Musician William Piephr. 

PRIVATES. 

George Alter, Louis Aaron, Conrad Ahrens, Fredr Bagle, Henry Bes- 
seler, Bernard Baash, Leonhard Brunn, Charles Dallettschuk, Leopold 
Dritschen, Jacob Eberhart, August Freimerth, Niolaus Feth, Henry 
Fleck, George Feishman, Henry Gebeld, John Gerhausser, John Hof- 
fenger, Nicolaus Herfel, Jacob Haas, Henry Honebiller, William 
Hendre, Frank Howerboon, Frank Huber, Martin Henyer, Jacob 
Kommann, Simon Kommann, Jacob Kiefer, George W. Kezel, Jerst 
Knopf, Louis Klinegket, Franz Knuetter, August Leidner, John Mer- 
gifer, Matthias Noe, Frederick Ritter, Henry Ringhausen, Theodore 
Schaefer, Martin Schuter, George Sommer, Anton Sutter, George San- 
ger, Benedict Steinauer, Matthias Schafer, Henry Smith, Peter Smith, 
Henry Stack, Conrad Sebrak, Frederick Timms, Valentine Teichmann, 
Jacob Turelmeior, Phillip Ukele, Jacob Wasmer, Sebastine Walfer, 
Ferdinand Weing, Matthias Walerius. T. G. Wideman, Frederick 
Weber, Herman WeismuUert, George Weile, Reinhard Zink, George 
Zurck, Louis Cappe, Henry Mahlenceamp, Martin G. Weckler, Eber- 
hard Wessel, Charles Follen, Frederick Brassard, Louis Graff, John 
Heller, Henry Hernisher, Phillip Hauser, Phillip Lerm, Henry Moeht- 
ekamp, John Meiziger, Frederick Ringhausen. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Joseph Good. 

First Lieutenant Jacob Denald. 

Second Lieutenant Michael Stromneier. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



First Sergeant James H. Orr. 
Sergeant Henry Albershardt. 
Sergeant Daniel Christian. 
Sergeant Valentine Bertscher. 
Sergeant Henry Meyer. 
Corporal William Peter. 
Corporal Jacob Rodel, jr. 
Corporal Frank Huber. 
Corporal Stephen Whistler. 
Corporal Christian Stutzman. 
Corporal Bernard DuUe. 
Corporal John Rodel, 
Corporal Louis .Arnkhorst. 
Musician Barney M. Rolf. 
Musician Henry Korman. 
Wagoner Valentine Becker. 



PRIVATES. 

Frederick Amslee, Peter Becker, William Brightman, Herbert Bra- 
bender, Conrade Brack, Herman Brademeier, Frederick Bessenkamp, 
Daniel Boltz, Michael Boltz, John Bohlinger, Frederick Decker, Fred- 
erick Dobbeling, August Diehl, Henry Dallinghaus, Adam Dilg, Fred- 
erick Dilg, George D. Dilg, William Dilg, Andrew Eckstine, Jacob 
Eselman, John G. Eshenbried, Leopold Flack, Edward Feldheim, 
Henry Frey, George Furtz, Bernard Glaser, John Hollenbeck, George 
Hoffman, William Kounz, William HoUeman, Michael Hamman, 
Martin Heisennan, Nicholas Kleeman,' Ernst Kleice, Bernhard Kruse, 
Michael Klohf, John Litteken, William Lightle, Jacob Meyer, jr. , Jo- 
seph Meyer, Adam Meyer, Charles Meltz, Adolph Motsdroft, Jacob 
Mueller, Anton Munlk, Gustav Mowry, Henry Nickols, Henry Nye, 
Louis Ponsolt, Christian Priest, John Pfaff, Jacob J. Rodel, sr., Fred- 
erick Reike, William Reake, Conrad Rost, Ezekiel Robinson, Joseph 
Renz, Henry Reake, Louis Schwab, John Schwartz, Henry Toulken, 
Conrad Transiger, James Thompson, Charles Visvohlt, Peter Wilson, 
John C. Wolf, Henry Zapf, Anthon Tewost. 
COMPANY C. 

Captain William Ketteler. 

First Lieutenant George Klein. 

Second Lieutenant Edward Hagle. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Kuttenkamp. 
Sergeant Charles Burk. 
Sergeant Frederick Koch. 
Sergeant Herman Stahl. 
Sergeant William Attmann. 
Sergeant JohnVandenbergh. 
Sergeant Joseph Ruersbinger. 
Sergeant Phillip Snebel. 
Sergeant Louis Passaur. 
Sergeant John Beisser. 
Sergeant Francis Wiegand. 
Sergeant George Geikelberger. 
Sergeant Melchior Massoth. 
Musician Martin Eiden. 
Wagoner Charles Erfeul. 

PRIVATES. 

James Ayers, Valentine Aureben, Henry Bergemann, Frederick Boob, 
John Brust, Jacob Preisch, Charles Backemeyer, Louis Berke, Joseph 
Dornius, Henry Diesmann, John Benzler, William Doegen, Hugo 
Elsher, Edward Fresene, Michael Fisher, John Faber, William Genest, 
Benjamin Graff, Louis Jacob, Theodore Hunger, John Hack, Nicolas 
Heinert, William Heusf, Gatlob Helfee, Louis Hornann, Phillip Hum- 
lick, John H. Hambrook, Marcus Indlekover, Henry Koch, Herman 
Kamphouse, Christian Kihnle, Rudolph Kunz, George Kupferla, John 
Kunzmann, Frederick Lehier, Herman Lehmann, George Marking, 
George Meinhart, Louis Millich, Joseph Mueller, Joseph Miller, 
Henry Naef, Ernest Otto, Matthias Oberfeld, Andrews Planz, Otto 
Russ, Marcus Runty, Peter Roth, Henry Risbel, Wilham Stoerig, 
Martin Schatt. Theodore Stegmann, George Schuman, Joseph Stein- 
kamp, Joseph Steinkamp, sr., Jacob Stoll, Frederick Schmidt, Henry 
Schlimme, Hugo Stahl. Constanz Syberg, Andrew Stubenach, Adam 
Schilling, John Turner, August Waldemeyer, Jacob Waldemeyer, 
August Walter, George Gegener. 

COMPANY D. 

COMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frederick E. Humbach. 
First Lieutenant John L. Lilberhorn. 
Second Lieutenant John Bruek. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Christopher Schum. 
Sergeant Paul P. Farr. 
Sergeant Jacob B. KnofF. 
Sergeant Rudolph Luchsinger. 
Sergeant Michael Frenger. 
Corporal Stephen Flock. 
Corporal Conrad Bruck. 
Corporal George Heid. 
Corporal Marcus Grieser. 
Corporal George Schwenk. 
Corporal George Munsch. 
Corporal Julius Schuster. 
Corporal Christian Frey. 
Wagoner Simon Siegel. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



141 



PRIVATES. 

Johannes Angst, John Busing, John Bausch, Andrew Bood, John 
Bruck, Adolph Betze, Joseph Craeck, George Deager, Andrew Doeler, 
Frederick Dove, J ohn Drisner, Bernliart Deustock, Adam Dingeldein, 
Frederick Eilhaner, Conrad Geiger, Carl Grebe, Peter Germ, Andrew 
Grieser, Adam Guddorf, IMatthew Haller, Philip Haas, Carl Herman, 
John Hanner, Henry Heinner, Carl Hamerschlag, Joseph Hickenaner, 
John Hook, John Hoffenan, Henry Heriecher, Henry F, HoUmeyer, 
Edward Intlekofer, Jacob Jang, Ludwig Knauf, Bernhardt Kohler, 
John Kriesel, Valentine Keller, George Kirchenberger, Philip Logi, 
Bernhardt Lanmers, Henry Menche, Daniel Mazer, Jacob Moore, 
Frederick Metley, Philip Muller, August Nolte, Ernst Nenn, Henry 
Nenn, Michael Ott, JohnA. Peterson, Julius Pfeiffer, Christian Roesch, 
John Schaefer, Moritz Schneider, Philip Senn, Franz M. Schneider, 
Howard Stanton, Christian Stupp, John Stoch, Peter Strayer, Frank 
Strieker, Joseph Schonter, Adolph Scheurer, Michael Senger Henry B. 
Seabrecht, Theobald Saechting, Henry Tonnes, Anton Ternast, Johan- 
nes Weber; Federick Witteman, Herman Wilker, Herman Writh, 
Frederick Weigand, Joseph Whitmore. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John N. Kreidler. 

First Lieutenant Daniel Gersweiler. 

Second Lieutenant Max Mosler. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Skeeidler. 

Sergeant John G. Pfeifer. 

Sergeant George C. Blitz. 

Sergeant Frederick C. Herpel. 

Sergeant John Minrad. 

Corporal Henry Schmakert. 

Corporal George Trilgefort. 

Corporal Michael Steffen. 

Corporal JohnAicher. 

Corporal Henry Niesmiller. 

Corporal Edward Zeviesler. 

Corporal Jacob Hand. 

Corporal Joseph Schreck. 

Wagoner Charles Nerlitz. 

PRIVATES. 

Peter Ageter, August G. Alberhart, John Berrham, Robert Biechoff, 
William Bra-xterman, William Bidlingmeir, Frederick Bohn, Herrmann 
Bick, Christopher Benzing, Peter Beckert, William Cary, Bernard 
Diestrock, John Denblain, Nichlaus Diater, Frederick Eichele, Max 
Eppel, Daniel Espensheit, Collier Forbes, Jacob Fried, Henry Ferned- 
ing, George Faitsch, Anthony Goetz, Joseph Grawe, George Grimme, 
Andrew Good, Antony Guddorf, Herrman Gensch, Jacob Heckel, 
Herrman Hildebrand, Peter Heck, Peter Heiser, John Hile, John 
Klorme, J oseph Kopszka, George Keamer, Anthony Rist, Anthony 
Kappler, Henry Kasterer, Hugo Keamer, Jacob Kiefer, August 
Keemig, Hillar Lang, Michael Lippart, William Luhrman, Mathias 
Lenz, Frederick Lohrman, John W. Mertz, John Myer, John Miller, 
William Osterday, John Ochs, Benjamin Parmelee, Louis Rossa, 
Christopher Rumff, Ludwig Streibig, Charles Signer, Jacob Srearist, 
Gottleib Schittewkelee, Rudolph Sehueble, Kilian Stravenbert, Jacob 
Schmidt, Adolph Sand, Peter Schug, Frederick Stairhaner, Ulrich 
Tholan, Henry Wilane, Henry Wilier, August Welsch. 

COMPANY r. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Battler. 

First Lieutenant Frederick Beck. 

Second Lieutenant Hermann Groentam. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant August Watermayer. 
Sergeant Theodore Herugor. 
Sergeant Jacob Watermayer. 
Corporal Henry Egalf. 
Corporal William Gessert. 

PRIVATES. 

John Ankert, George Ackerman, George Althven, Joseph Bertram, 
George Baumann, John Budinger, Charles Bush, Henry Bosenir, Fred- 
erick Brossarthy, Louis Bek, Miles Carpenter, John Cline, Jacob 
Danges, Frank Deer, Charles Flek, Henry Flek, Thomas Gorman, 
Matple Geisenhafer, Henry Hernisher, Frederick Kammann, Frank 



Kreis, Henry Lath, Antson Lanewethr, Frederick Lang, Henry Muet- 
ter, Frederick Meyer, Charles Mostier, Henry Meier, Henry Niemann, 
Jacob Pfeifer, Frederick Petzinger, Leonhardt Pretz, John Rotter, 
Theodore Beimann, Louis Renkert, Anton Rolig, William Schnerking, 
Albert Simon, PhiUip Smith, David Schneider, Charles Schatt, John 
Smith, Edward Wild, William Wagner, Edward Watermayer, William 
Walter, Adam Wagner, Andrew Wuest. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Philip Londenlagers. 

First Lieutenant William Strohmeier. 

Second Lieutenant Herman Backhouse. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Nicholaus Diefentach. 
Sergeant John Clauson. 
Sergeant John Metzler. 
Sergeant George Miller. 
Sergeant George Kunter. 
Corporal John Obersclahn. 
Corporal Jacob Heintze. 
Corporal Jacob Mauz. 
Corporal William Eglauf. 
Corparaljohn Wann. 
Corporal Herman I^uchlof 
Corporal Joseph Schoneberger. 
Corporal George Tromiter. 
Musician Ceorge Smith. 
Musician Anthony Peters. 
Wagoner Martin Reed. 

PRIVATES. 

George Ackerman, John Auguss, Henry Broekmeier, Jacob Berbrick, 
John Bleiell, Joseph Brightoneger, Jacob Bentel, Frank Birkelein, 
George Beck, Harmond Boleman, Daniel Christman, Jacob Doneva- 
waith, George Dinkel, Ambrose Dell, Martin Essert, Martin Eiden, Wil- 
liam Essig, Frederick Gessel, John Grotch, Christian Gausert, Louis 
Gross, James Garrett, Michael Heintze, Joseph Heeke, Henry Hillen- 
stein, Conrad Hess, John Herkes, Charles Hetter, Valentine Hinkel, 
George Hoft', John Hiller, Frank Kuntzer, Thomas Keys, George 
Kern, Joseph Kensel, Oraman Mann, Frederick Miers, Henry Menke, 
John A. Miller, John Miller, John Mitter, John Rifner, Ferdinand 
Riner, Nicolaus Shaeiser, John Summelwein, John Schaich, George F. 
Scharold, John Shingle, Richard Slaup, John Streble, Louis .Trainer, 
Richard Teller, Matthias Weldeshofer, John Wittwoch, Cornelius 
Whippel, Louis Weglass, Martin Quick, T. S. Heyer, John Ots. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Carl Von Heintze. 

First Lieutenant Charles Landustein. 

Second Lieutenant Edmund Rodde. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Carl Rallmann. 
Sergeant Jacob Keller. 
Sergeant John Meyer. 
Sergeant John Hass. 
Sergeant Wilham Guttmer. 
Corporal George Dietz. 
Corporal Anton Graeser. 
Musician Henry Menke. 
Wagoner Henry Husing. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Baur, Henry Bergmann, Jacob Betzer, Frederick Bimstine, 
Peter Daum, William Essig, Henry Eichler, John Eberhardt, Andrew 
Fischer, Simon Falk, Adam Frank, Edward Frenberg, John Gibb, 
Frank Hamann, Heinrich Hempe, John Hauff, Michael Hausmann, 
Julius Jobst, Peter Jacob, John Kahl, Samuel 1. King, Charies Konep- 
ker, John Kormitz, John Kennon, Charles Kuhn, Charles Kashler, 
John Lauenslein, Wilhelm Lindermann, Philip Miller, Joseph Meier, 
George Minhardt, John Meiziger, Nicholas Miller, Frederick Meyer, 
Thomas Moors, Edward Neumann, Henry Niemeyei, Carl Nuss, Mar- 
tin Oberfeldt, Leonhard Pretz, John Reynolds, Joachim Richetaller, 
Jacob Schiffendecker, William Schale, Frederick Schevier, John Shil- 
ling, Adam Thomas, Drids Timme, Frank Nughofer, Louis Weglan, 
John Werner, Eberhard Wessel. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY I. 



COMMISSIONED OFI-ICEES. 



Captain Rudolph Heintz. 
First Lieutenant Conrad Kress. 
Second Lieutenant Henrv Schwarz. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Cliarles Conrad. 
Sergeant Jacob Theis. 
Sergeant Jacob Liebler. 
Sergeant John Thomson. 
Sergeant Paul Strimski. 
Corporal John Moll. 
Corporal Jacob Ott. 
Corporal Ferdinand Anshutz. 
Corporal Henry Spitzer. 
Musician August Dickmann. 
Musician William Humphries. 

' PRIVATES. 

James Allen, Conrad Assmann, George Barr, Wendel Becker, 
George Berry, Valentine Bock, Joseph A. Buchholz, Morand Claden, 
Ralph Conners, Alexander Cook, Henry Dietz, William Eisling, John 
Fischer, Joseph Gnaw, Rudolph Greenfelder, John N. Grol, Andrew 
Hearn, William Johnson, Joseph Jung, Jerry Kleppert, John King, 
Charles Leidner, Christian H. Linkenheid, George Loyd, George W. 
McNall, Thomas Marion, Anton Miller, Owen McCeen, Noel J. Mar- 
garidge, Leopold MuUer, Jacob Nachbrand, Henry Noll, John O'Brien, 
David Agle, Charles Reese, John Ries, August Roethig, Andreas 
Schad, Joseph Schaffer, Charles J. Schicker, Johann Schwartz, William 
Simpson, John Stepleton, Richard Stephens, William J. Stuart, Anton 
Volhner, John Wagenzeller, Matthias Weibel, Christian Woermer, 
Charles Woertz, Henry G. Ulmer. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant F. H. Stumpf. 
Second Lieutenant F. Smetzer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Louis Herlinger. 

Sergeant John Wegener. 

Sergeant Peter Leik. 

Sergeant John Schulteis. 

Corporal Charles Reinhard. 

Corporal Albert Guenther. 

Corporal Adolph Graeser. 

Corporal Henry Mangold. 

Corporal Alvis Standniher. 

Musician Edward Intlehofer. 

Musician Charles Behli. 

PRIVATES. 

Louis Assman, Clemens Becker, Theodore Beppler, George G. Bol- 
linger, Maurice Buckley, Eberhard Camerer, Charles Doermer, Adam 
Deppler, Jacob Esse.x, Anton Fischer, William Fischer, Daniel Fitz- 
maurice, John Frank, Charles Friedrichs, Joseph Fommet, Phillip 
Fuchs, G. C. Garrison, Markus Glasser, William C. Goff, William 
Goshorn, August Grending, Michael Hallschan, Henry Hiedebrenk, 
Edward Heinricke, Henry Kloenig, Jacob Knoen, John Linn, John 
Maertz, Isaac L. McGinnis, Henry Myer, Frederick Mueller, Jacob 
Napoleon, William Pollard, John Purdam, Joseph Riddle, Winfield S. 
Boyse, August Schmidt, John Schroeder, John Schulz, William Smith, 
Francis Snauffer; Andreas Spock, Henry Spielker, August Steinmann, 
Charles Thomson, Joseph Urban, Charles Westayer, Conrad Wegford, 
Louis Weylan, Mike Weiss, John Welsh, James Welsh, Lawrence 
Worr, Henry A. Wise, John Youngs, Peter Zink. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This company was recruited and mustered in for the 
One Hundred and Ninth regiinent; but the organization 
of that command not being completed, the comjjany 
was assigned to the One Hundred and Thirteenth. 

COMPANY I. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Second Lieutenant Edward F. Haynes. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Francis F. Hendy. 

Sergeant Henry Bracke. 

Corporal William F. Johnson. 

Corporal Franklin Elliott. 

PRIVATES. 

John Ambrose, Charles H. Bascomb, John Barry, Joseph A. Camp- 
bell, Lewis Collins, Francis Duffy, William Friley, James Hewitt, 
William Hunter, William Koltman, Henry King, Michael Kays, 
George Kelsey, Francis Leehey, Nicholas Martin, Henry Massman, 
Richard McCohey, Charles V. McCauUa, William M. Knight, Bern- 
hard D. Shuite, Henry Stone, Peter Spelley, Thaddeus S. Sprague, 
William H. Taylor, Charles Wilson, Thomas Williams, Henry Wil- 
burn, John Young. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
Assistant Surgeon John Q. A. Hudson. 
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 
STAFF OFFICERS. 

Adjutant Marshal B. Clasm. 
Sergeant Major Charles W. Erdman. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Only one company ("I," from Cincinnati) was recruited 
in Hamilton county. The regiment was organized at 
Camp Taylor, near Cleveland, and started for the field 
New Year's day, 1863. Its first camp was made at Eliz- 
abethtown, Kentucky, and in February embarked at 
Louisville for Nashville, and marched thence to Franklin, 
where it encamped till June, building forts, drilling, and 
engaged in other duties. It was in the afifair of the fourth 
of March, at Thompson's Station, in which a Federal 
brigade was taken, but escaped the field in time to avoid 
capture, with the artillery and the ammunition train it 
was guarding. It suffered severely from disease during 
the rest of the stay at Franklin. June 2d it joined the 
forward movement of Rosecrans' army, and at Manches- 
ter was brigaded in the Second brigade. Second division, 
Twenty-first army corps. While in camp there, un- 
der better conditions of living, the health of the men 
greatly improved. August i6th the march over the Cum- 
berlands began, and September 9th the Tennessee was 
crossed in water reaching to the waists of the men. Sep- 
tember igth, at Chickamauga, the regiment was sharply 
engaged for the first time, and stood the ordeal bravely 
and well, losing one hundred men killed, wounded, or 
captured. The next day it was again engaged, losing 
forty men (including its colonel), and being compelled to 
fall back upon Chattanooga with the beaten forces, yet 
bearing itself handsomely throughout. The starvation 
period at and about Chattanooga followed, during which 
it was assigned to the Second brigade. Third division, 
Fourth corps, and engaged in building forts and other 
works. October 26th it was in the skilful and brave 
night attack by which Raccoon mountain was captured, 
and in the subsequent movements which enabled Hook- 
er's troops to cross the river and raise the siege. Novem- 
ber 23d it bore a distinguished part in the charge on 
Mission Ridge, capturing seven guns and eighty stand of 
arins, but losing fifty-six men, ainong whom was Captain 
Frost, of the Cincinnati company, mortally wounded at 
the moment the enemy's works were occupied. In No- 
vember it marched to relieve Knoxville. The next winter 
was spent in East Tennessee, in the endurance of many 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



143 



hardships. With its corps it shared the glories of the 
Atlanta campaign, and was in the flanking movement to 
Jonesborough, the pursuit of Hood, the battle of Nash- 
ville, and the final chase of Hood out of Tennessee. 
From Huntsville it went to Strawberry Plains, East Ten- 
nessee, and from there to Nashville, where it was mus- 
tered out July 9, 1865, and shortly afterwards paid off 
and discharged at Camp Taylor. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James H. Frost. 

First Lieutenant Anthony Caldwell. 

NON-COMMI'SSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Albert Wetherell. 
Sergeant John J. Butts. 
Sergeant Samuel H. Gagus. 
Sergeant John M. David. 
Sergeant Thomas Dickson. 
Corporal Oscar Mead. 
Corporal Samuel Schock. 
Corporal John E. Murphy. 
Corporal James Gunnison. 
Corporal James Wykoff. 
Corporal Patrick Welsh. 
Corporal Barney Battle. 
Corporal James Carmel. 
Musician Charles Chippendale. 
Musician James C. White. 
Wagoner John Coyle. 

PRIVATES. 

John Byrnes, William Boone, Charles Beecher, Samuel Bowlby, John 
Cordry, William Corcoran, Michael Conery, Patrick Cavanagh, John 
Cline, William Calvert, John Crisman, James Connelly, Columbus Dale, 
Dennis Dempsey, John Dailey, William Edwards, John Ervin, David 
Fouts, John Harmer, James Hedges, John Hall, Enoch Hallsey, James 
Harmer, Henry Howard, George W. Johns, William H. Jones, Enoch 
Johnson, John Jones, Solomon Johnson, William Jones, Samuel B. 
Johns, James Kelly, George Kongor, Jacob Kahn, Wesley Long, 
lames Leisure, Granville M. McDonal, George W. Mills, John McCune, 
William Montgomery, Patrick McLaughlin, Phillip McMahon, Henry 
Mertius, David Neeley, Thomas O'Brien, Joseph R. Price, Jackson V. 
Phillips, John Quigley, Erasmus Roberts, John G. Ripley, Michael 
Ryan, Michael Riley, George Reichert, James Ryan, James Stocton, 
John Sutter, Henry Stanley, Samuel Shaw, George P. Stanford, Charles 
Stiger, Joseph Stole, Thomas Toohey, Thomas Teverling, George Tre- 
hom, James Terry, Peter B. WilHam, August Weber, Valentine Weber, 
Edward Wren, Michael Wolf, Lewis R. Weeks, Charles E, Warner, 
Spence R. Woodworth, Leonidas Young, Henry Murphy, Peter Myers. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH OHIO NATIONAL 
GUARD. 

This regiment was designated, under the Ohio militia 
law, as the "Seventh Ohio National Guard," and was 
organized for the hundred-days' service under the name 
above noted. The rank and file of the organization was 
composed wholly of citizens of Cincinnati, drawn from 
the mercantile and mechanic interests of the city, the 
latter largely predominating. It was considered the best 
drilled regiment in the State, and was to Cincinnati what 
the Seventh New York regiment is to the Empire City. 
On the publication of the governor's call for thirty thou- 
sand minute-men from. Ohio, there was not the least 
hesitation among the members of this fine organization. 
Every name was promptly represented in the ranks, not- 
withstanding there were scores of comrades who could 
well afford to purchase substitutes; but it was made a 
matter of pride that each and every member should re- 
port in person, unless his business absolutely forbade it. 

On the sixth of May, 1864, the regiment_^was^nustered 



into the United States service at Camp Dennison, and 
was put en route for Washington city on the twelfth of the 
same month. Upon arrival at Baltimore, it marched 
through the city, preceded by the far-famed Menter's 
band of musicians, and such was the evidence of its cor- 
rect drill and thorough discipline, that Major General 
Lew Wallace, then in command of the district, was 
prompted to retain it in his department. Orders to that 
effect were at once issued, and the regiment was assigned 
to duty at Fort McHenry, in the harbor below Baltimore, 
with detachments at Forts Federal Hill, Marshall, and 
Carroll, and at the various headquarters in Baltimore. 
The greater part of the hundred days was spent in that 
duty. On the first of August the regiment moved up to 
Fort Marshall, and there reinained until the fourteenth, 
when its time having expired, it was transported back to 
Camp Dennison, and mustered out of service on the 
twenty-first. Its losses were but five men, all told, three 
of whoin died of disease; the other two were killed on 
their way home by striking a bridge under which the 
train was passing. 

The commander of this regiment. Colonel Len A. 
Harris, had had the valuable experience, as colonel of the 
Second Ohio infantry of two year's service in the war. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Len A. Harris. 
Lieutenant Colonel George M. Erich. 
Major George A. Van de Grift. 
.Surgeon William B. Davis. 
Adjutant George A. Middleton. 
Quartermaster Samuel D. Carey. 
Assistant Surgeon Charles Hunt. 
Assistant Surgeon James Culbertson. 
Sergeant Major Robert Gordon Ellis. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Peter H. Martin. 
Commanding Sergeant Jacob H. Hubbell. 
Hospital Steward George Schuesler. "i 

COMPANY A. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain James H. Sheldon. 
First Lieutenant James P. Lytle. 
Second Lieutenant George W. Ward. 

PRIVATES. 

James Battiese, William Baird, jr., Solon M. Best, John R. Benson, 
Francis P. Bent, Joseph L. Burr, George W. Baldwin, Leonard H. 
Butler, Mathias H. Beavier, George Bates, James Brasheare, Samuel 
M. Chester, Ebenezer F. Clark, John M. Cherry, Richard H. Cragg, 
Frank Conrad, Charles H. Corneau, Adelbert Dorsy, W. F. De Camp, 
Judson A. Davis, William Dill, Edward Dodson, James H. Donke, 
Erwin De Peart, Edwin C. Ellis, Otto Felthouse, Henry Gunther, William 
H. Gibbs, Kirby S. Greene, Thomas J. Guthrie, Hubert Griggs, 
Edward Hobroyd, Albert B. Harduper, George F. Hayden, Jacob A. 
Hubbell, Charles H. Haclam, James G.Johnson, Adam C. Johnson, 
Ale.Kander Kinkaid, Aldom N. Kingsbury, Anthony H. King, Thomp- 
son N. Lupton, Henderson P. Lane, James H. Miller, John M. Macy, 
William D. McKeen, Ogden Meader, Justin Meader, Charles F. Moore, 
Charles S. Morrow, William P. Mellen, Walter J, Morris, Carrol A. 
O'Kane, John H. Pollock, John F. Porter, Charles Ritchie, James F. 
Richie, Sidney L. Rice, Leander E. Rogers, Albert E. Shaw, Joseph 
M. Scott, Charles J. Stedman, Frederick Singleton, Frank Sanford, 
William B. Sinclair, John P. Schwan, Henry Sheid, Frederick Sneider, 
Charles A. Town, Charles W. Taylor, William Taft, William H. 
Taylor, Henry Van Matre, Christopher Wilson, Frank E. Wilson, John 
T. White, David P. Wynne, Charles R. Wild, Levi Wild, Jonathan 
Wynee, Reuben Wood, Francis Armstrong, William N. Cordery, John 
Kidd, Mills Morris, Timothy Rardin, Joseph Stough. 
COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Waldo C. Booth. 
First Lieutenant Adolph Wood. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Ale.vander Johnson. 

Sergeant W. Whelpley. 

Sergeant Frank Churchill. 

Sergeant Engel H. Smith. 

Sergeant Robert H. Hosea. 

Corporal Charles W. Withenbury. 

Corporal John D. Pugh. 

Corporal Orion S. Chamberlain. 

Corporal John C. Thompson. 

Corporal William Resor, jr. 

Corporal William S. Sampson, jr. 

Corporal James H. Sibley. 

Corporal William W. Woodward. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles A. Doran, Harry Agg, Nathan H. Allen, Samuel Anghin- 
baugh, William H. Barry, Enoch Blasdell, William Brumer, Joseph 
Bowers, Jacob Branson, William H. Boggs, Reuben B. Brooks, Henry 
W. Bryan, Benjamin Bell, Frank C. Carnahan, fames W. Cook, John 
Collins, George B. Chandler, William P. Clark, William J. Crosby, 
Frederick S. Calhoun, Milo P. Dodds, Clarence C. Dunarest, Hiram 
A. Dalton, Stephen D. Evans, William V. Eversole, Daniel H. Frazier, 
Oliver P. Gray, ."Alexander C. Graham, Henry G. Gustetter, Henry J. 
Hazard, WiUiam Jones, Charles B. Johnson, William B. Johnson, 
George W. Lilley, George H. Luckey, Wilkmson Lindsey, William 
Liethstone, jr., Richard T. McComas, George Moses, John B. Maihn, 
Edward Morrow, Wendel Maus, John P. Phares, Frederick Pfiester, 
Joseph S. Peebles, Clarence L. Power, Walter Palmer, Charles O. 
Reser, George W. Rice, John E. Roberts, Isaac N. Roop, Charles 
Raunnelsburg, Frederick Reinhardt, Samuel B. Reinley, Robert B. 
Sullivan, Charles B. Smith, Daniel P. Taber, Milton N. Taisey, 
Richard H. Turner, William C. Urner, Benjamin R. Van Arminger, 
Thomas W. Wittenburg, Edward Woesten, William E. Woodbridge, 
Sidney S. Williams, Asa K. Wilder, Dwight T. Williams, Frederick 
Wedder, Ambrose White, Reuben B. Brooks. 

COMPANY C. 

Captain Alfred R. Russell. 

First Lieutenant Robert E. Dunlap. 

Second Lieutenant Benjamin E, Hopkins. 
PRIVATES. 

William Anderson, Charles H. Bronson, John J. Brosen, Elliott 
Black, Edward Blondell, Edward H. Bendley, Jacob Bruckhart, Isaac 
N. Babcock, William J. Brentnall, George W. Buck, Thomas Carroll, 
Charles Churchill, John T. Collins, James A. Collins, Henry W. 
"Coolidge, Peter J. Deighan, Charles H. Damseh, William H. S. Elhott, 
William H. Edwards, William W. Frederick, Patrick G. Fisher, George 
S. Gilmore, Henry M. Guild, Frederick A. Gottleib, John Gorman, 
Jeremiah Gilbert, Thomas Griffiths, John G. Hopkins, Francis H. 
Horstman, Alexander Hill, William H. H. Hill, Dennis Holden, 
George C. Jones, Daniel Jobe, Robert M. Kaufman, Daniel F. Kelly, 
William H. Kemper, David J. Kinney, James A. Low, Joseph W. 
Lucky, William C. McLaughlin, John P. Murphy, Ashbel H. Merrill, 
Francis G.' Montagnier, Charles G. Marttens, Thomas S. Michil, 
Alexander Michil, Jerome P. Marvin, Arthur Mitchell, Alfred T. 
Moran, Frank Maaz, William F. Nolker, Ale.xander Ogden, Horace 
Phillips, Theodore Rinehart, William H. Renger, William H. Rogers, 
John Scott, William M. Smith, George W. Smith, Char'es G. S. 
Smith, Charles H. Smith, Herman Scheer, John S. Shean, John H 
Shobrook, George Simmons, George G. Stultz, George A. Schuster 
James J. Taylor, J osiah M, Turner, Henry- Ward, Alexander Wallace, 
Morgan Wallace, Charles S. Woodward, Henry L. Woodward, Daniel 
W. Woodward, Edward Woodruff, jr., George F. Walter, James G. 
Whitney, John T. Warter, William Wilson, Henry Alveston, Charles 
Walmars, Charles Young, James S. Young. 
. COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain M. S. Lord. 

First Lieutenant William Young. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Van Pelt. 
Sergeant James S. Irwin 
Sergeant W. K. Sterrett. 
Sergeant C. W. Powell. 
Sergeant Charles Jelloff. 



Corporal Samuel H. Warwick. 
Corporal William McNeil. 
Corporal C. Belser. 
Corporal William Stewart, jr. 
Corporal Theodore G. Jones. 
Corporal George K. Stillman. 
Corporal Thomas Cullinan. 
Corporal J. J. Gibson. 

PRIVATES. 

Louis Aries, H. P. Ashe, Henry Brown, John C. Brown, Charles E. 
Bonte, William Buchanan, Alfred Burdsall, L. P. Bentley, H. S. Baker, 
W. W. Bond, James A. Bowman, Philip Best, John J. Bryant, A. W. 
Craig, M. C. Cole, A. D, Campbell, T. A. Dougherty, J. J. Duhuse, 
John Drapers, Frank Deters, Edward Eymar, Frank S. Elliott, Charles 
J. Frank, Stephen Gibson, jr., John Greenless, Simon Goetz, W. H. 
Hall, T. J. Hirsch, William Hagerdon, Oliver P. Hunting, George W. 
Hopper, Benjamin F. Heath, Thomas Hamilton, L. A. Harden, John 
N. Huntz, F. A. Kingsley, Mahlon M. Kohl, Michael Louderback, W. 
H. Lovy, Frederick Leguire, Jonathan Lloyd, Patrick H. Martin, Rich- 
ard Miller, George Miller, Robert Morris, John Morris, Lafayette Martin, 
Henry Meier, Almon Menter, A. C. Menter, W. B. Newman, F. A. Phil- 
lips, J. A. Parker, Benjamin F. Phillips, Frank D. Russell, George Simon, 
Benjamin Sterett, jr., William M. Sterett, C.J. Seery, A.J. Seery.J. W. 
Sheppard, Frederick Schackleford, J.J. Shay, Conrad Schneider, Fred- 
erick H. Seward, D. A. Sullivan, Frederick Sanders, Daniel Strain, D. 
B. Strong, Thomas D. Taylor, W. H. Truman, Edward Timon, H. 
Urbaugh, William Vornholt, John Weirs, Frederick Wesler, James 
Wood, Charles I. Frank. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James G. Baldwin. 

First Lieutenant Reirson R. Mitchell. 

Second Lieutenant William R. Oakley. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Nathan Guilford, 
Sergeant Harry K. Horton. 
Sergeant Frank H. Steins. 
Sergeant Charles A. Willard. 
Sergeant James B. Wilson. 
Corporal Joseph Wright. 
Corporal William C. Townsend. 
Corporal James F. Scott. 
Corporal George Keck. 
Corporal Richard A. Wilson. 
Corporal James H. Morris. 
Corporal Nathaniel Hazen, 
Corporal Edward Shillito. 

PRIVATES. 

James W. Austin, James Allen, Frank Anthony, Charles H. Bowker 
David W. Brewer, Thomas Brown, Charles Black, John H. Brownley, 
G. A. Baron, Joseph R. Benton, L. W. Bosart, Thomas M. Boyd, T. 
W. Butts, Abner Brower, Quenton R. Corwin, Warren H. Childs, 
Thomas H. Carroll, Louis Diserens, Richard M. Dissey, Mansfield W. 
Davison, E. L. Davenport, M. H. Fagin, George C. Glasgow, Thomas 
J. Green, W. P. Grantham, Leroy Green, George S. Goodman, John 
Hughes, August Harmes, John W. Hammett, Edward S. Harrison, 
Alonzo O. Horton, J. F. Hobson, C. V. Holcombe, John Hyden, John 
Johnson, William T. King, Benjamin B. Law, D. B. Lott, J. M. Light, 
W. H. Loring, Richard L. Mulford, William P. McCurdy, Henry Mar- 
tin, William Meyers, Albert W. Moore, James E. Moore, S. L. Minor, 
Joseph M. Matthews, Daniel McKenne, Patrick McGeorge, Samuel 
M. Mullen, Charles K. Nash, Charles W. Overacker, Edward Petti- 
bone, Charles Pottsmith, Samuel Pugh, Richard B. Potter, George A. 
Palmer, Major Ross, Robert Smith, T. August Smith, Charles A. Reeder, 
jr., John H. Searls, William Sheppard, Joseph ShiUito, J. C. Symonds, 
Charles W. Taylor, John S. Taylor, jr., Charles Taulman, C. L. Wis- 
well, John Wiltz, James M. W. Neff, John G. Dearborn, George Hobbs, 
Simon Jones, August R. Strong, Benjamin Smith. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Alfred T. Goshorn. 

First Lieutenant Earl W. Stimson. 

Second Lieutenant William C. Chapman. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Orlando Avery. 
Sergeant John Hely. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



145 



Sergeant Richard M. Johnson. 
Sergeant Sylvester O. Snyder. 
Corporal William P. Miles. 
Corporal Edward F, Gates. 
Corporal Sidney Phillips. 
Corporal William Owens, jr. 
Corporal Jabez Reynolds, jr. 
Corporal Thomas M. James. 
Corporal John L. Brannan. 
Corporal Archie G. Boggs. 
Musician Samuel Keepers. 

PRIVATES. 

John Berhio, Sanford S. Bush, Chauncy S. Burr, Allison B. Brad- 
bury, Robert H. Brickley, Christian Brackmier, Henry Carroll, William 
T. Carley, Frank T. Chapman, Joseph B. Chapman, John L. Cilley, 
George L. Coffin, William K. Coldesser, Thomas Castello, J. T. Dal- 
ton, Alfred J. Ehrman, John A. Fifers, H.artson E. Fillmore, Charles 
L. Fisher, Edward H. Fallis, Alexander M. Greenwood, Benjamin Gess- 
ler, Parker Grace, David A. Gray, Edwin C. Goshorn, Edward S. 
Gault, Edward J. Hutchinson, William H. Hutchins, Douglas A. 
Hunt, Cole S. Haley, James C. Howland, Robert G. Johnson, 
Edward F. Jenkins, T. H. lames, William H. Kenneally, John B. 
Knapp, Michael S. Koehler, William Kepler, William F. Leherer, 
Charles .\. Lewis, John B. Lewis, William R. Locke, David Loder, 
Charles E. Malone, James McKenzie, James W. Montgomery, Wil- 
liam H. Montgomery, Robert R. Moore, Winfield S. Millis, W. H. 
Moyer, Byron C. Mitchell, David W. Moran, Alfred C. Marsh, Thomas 
H. McLean, William Neave, Edward C. Otte, Levi Preston, jr., 
Frank Rusch, Charles Reeves, John Rockfield, William H. Shober, 
Joseph H. Skinner, William Sullivan, Stephen W. Strabele, Edwin A. 
Swazsey, William F. Townsend, Drusin Wulsin, Henry Wilber, 
Stephen L. Woodruff, Isaac W. Woodruff, Cornelius Campbell, 
George W. Fry. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Ammi Baldwin. 

First Lieutenant C. Swan Walker. 

Second Lieutenant Benjamin F. Wright. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant William .A. Bagley. 
Sergeant John H. Beattie. 
Sergeant Henry A. Lane. 
Sergeant William Mitchell. 
Sergeant William S. Munson. 
Corporal James B. Daniels. 
Morris B. DeCamp. 
Corporal John A. Johnston. 
Corporal William R. Marley. 
Corporal Edward M. Mooar. 
Corporal George E. Stevens. 
Corporal Robert i4. Sweet. 

I "^ J PRIVATES. 

Albert A. Allen, Edward Brown, Tliomas T. L. Brown, Norman 
Bird, Mark Brawley, Charles G. Berne, Eugene J. Barney, Charles P. 
Coates, George W. Carter, William Chisley, Elijah Cherry, Aaron F. 
Cowles, Paul Dimons, George W. B. Di,\on, Thomas C. Dyer, Edward 
Davis, Cyrus C. Douglass, William A, Fo.\, David S. Ferguson, James 
D. Foster, Thomas Gaston, Frederick Hughes, George W. Hall, 
Daniel Haskell, Dennis Howorth, Washington Haynes, Jacob Harth- 
ing, Samuel N. Hewston, George W. Howels, Willian Lyon, John A. 
Lawrence, John F. LeBlond, John W. Lagner, Anthony S. Ludlow, 
Albert H. Lewis, Thomas Mason, Homer K, McGibben, David W. 
Miller, John W. Munson, Archer McBrair, Aaron W. Neff, Theodore 
T. Nieman, Samuel Nieman, Joseph B. Nipgen, George J. Nappelger, 
Rufus Parsons, Charles P. Parcells, Charles M. Preston, Lewis A. Pat- 
tison, James L. Potter, James Patton, James Y. Rogers, Charles D. 
Reed, Alonzo G. Railling, Liester C. Robinson, Charles W. Radford, 
Frederick Rhimbold, Thomas Stokes, George T, Suter, Thomas L, 
Smith, Austin L. Smith, John S., P. Taylor, Edwin L. Thompson, 
Grafton M. Whenton, Charles Wheelwright, Edward Williams, Henry 
C. Williams, Charles S. Walker, Edward F. Worthington, Stanley B. 
White, Edward A, Earle, Andrew Spohr, Andrew Horst, Jas. F. Elliott. 
COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, 

Captain H. H. Tatem. 

First Lieutenant Charles T. Trinstall. 



Second Lieutenant Henry Wayne. 

PRIVATES. 

Lewis H. Allen, Frederick Appleing, Theodore Beal, George W. 
Bridge, Edward Bice, Thomas J. Bradford, James Berne, Theodore 
Broadwell, H. Clay Culbertson, Samuel Culbertson, John Carey, Wil- 
liam Carson, William Duchemin, Ale.xander Delorae, John D. Everett, 
George Evans, William B. Folger, Henry B. Forristall, William A. 
Forristall, Thomas Ferris, Woodward Fosdick, John M. Frost, J. L. 
Fairchough, David H. Griffith, Robert Hammond, Clarence M. Hull, 
Cornelius Hull, William E. Hutton, Edward R. Hall, Albert S. Hewes, 
Benjamin Higdon, William Hanna, John B. Hill, George W, Kaylor, 
Franz Kuhne, James Lindsey, Edward McCammon, Charles E. Mc- 
Cammon, Hugh McAfee, Edward McLean, James McGuire, James T. 
Manning, Isaac W. Marsh, John H. Magill, John M. Morehouse, 
Louis C. Miller, Thomas H, Mason, George C. Manhand, J. C. Mas- 
son, John F. Morris, John T. Nelson, David Palton, Charles Pfaff, W. 
R. Parrish, George H. Rennick, Isaac Robinson, Arthur Robinson, 
William J. RadUff, Christopher Rechel, George Rowe, William H. 
Randel, M. J. Robbin, Ceorge W. Reed, Charles B. Ross, Thomas C. 
Snellbaker, James G. Snyder, Henry Shernick, Samuel A. Skinner, 
Frederick Steinkamp, Isaac A. Smith, Calvin W. Starbuck, Edwin 
Stevens, William Schillinger, Thomas Verm, Charles L. Wittsee, 
James W. Winall, Clarkson S. Witson, George Williams, Charles S. 
Wilson, Edward Welty, John A. Wiltsee, M. W. Allen, Alexander 
Rernich, Henry Seisner, William H. Kyle. 

COMPANY \. 

COMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Disney. 
First Lieutenant .Alexis Keeler. 
Second Lieutenant John R. Selden. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John T. Marion. 
Sergeant R. G. Armstrong. 
Sergeant Charles G. Martin. 
Sergeant William R. Rittweger. 
Sergeant John H. Sanders. 
Corporal S. P. Attwood. 
Corporal James D. McClintock. 
Corporal Benjamin Parker. 
Corporal William B. R. Wells. 
Corporal James Layton. 
Corporal Zachariah Whicher. 
Corporal Samuel Snyder. 
Musician John Adams. 

PRIVATES. 

E. F. Armistead, Joseph M. Bate, Waller I. Bates, George W. Baker, 
Charles I. Banersfald, F. P. Becker, William Benanader, Manning Bo- 
gart, John L. Bowman, John L. Brady, John Callihan, Joseph J. Can- 
non, Henry Cordeman, Joseph E. Coleman, Robert Cresop, Wilham 
Dean, William Dengler, V. G. Diecoot, William H. Donaldson, J. K. 
Earl, Peter W. Early, Henry Emmerson, P. V. Fitzgerald, George W. 
Foster, William Francis, Thomas T. Fuller, John Griffith, John Gatley. 
J. F. Harrison, J. F. Hanbold, J. L. H. HoUinger, Albert Humphries, 
Joseph Herman, George W. Irwin, C. W. Johnson, Henry Krell, Ed- 
win A. Kershaw, Henry Korte, Charles Krease, George W. Lamb, 
Jesse Leach, John R. Leach, Thomas Lockwood, William A. McCor- 
mick, L. A. Marsh, James R. MaxwiU, Edward A. Morningstar, John 
B. Mosely, Albert Moore, H. R. Mathias, George W. Passell, James 
Patterson, George W. Prior, James Proctor, J. C. Ringer, S. W. Ross, 
R. G. Russell, H. Ruffner, Louis Reinhart, Samuel Smiley, J. C. Sny- 
der, Henry Stanley, James Scott, William Suter, A. C. Valette, F. C. 
Nohnecke, W. B. Wells, Theodore Wright, Joseph Woerner, F. A. 
Williamson, John Wheeler, James O. Wells, Henry Weil, Joseph 
Kennedy. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Joseph Kirkup. 

First Lieutenant Raper J. WiUiams. 

Second Lieutenant Ethelbert B. Norris. 

PRIVATES. 

James A. Armstrong, Penrose S. Anderson, Marmaduke Anderson, 
James L. Anspaugh, John R. Bender, William H, Boehring, John M. 
Bennett, John M. Baker, Miles Burns, John W. Ball, George C. Cling- 
man, William S. Cotty, George Colburn, John Q. A. Conant, Charles 



146 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Colmogan, James" H. Dickson, August Donnelly, John H. Dorman, 
Townsend Duncan, James Evans, George Floyd, August B. Frazier, 
William H. Ferree, Edward Fitch, Daniel Gibson, Patrick Henry, 
James A. Hughes, Harvey Howard, John H. Huston, William F. Hill, 
Robert B. Jones, James E. Jones, Michael Judg, Charles Kingsbury, 
David N.Lyon, Charles Ludwig, Joseph M. Lewis, William S. Moore, 
James Murdoch, jr., James R. Mathews, Albert MvMillen, John Mor- 
ley, Thomas McConibs, Charles Moffet, John McGuire, John Ortner, 
Lewis T. Purchase, Jacob Poth, Jacob Rupp, John Stafford, William 
W. Spencer, Henry Shopfell, Austin B. Shumand, John W. Stanley, 
Oliver P. Steward, Thomas J. Shannon, Joseph C. Sexton, Edwad B. 
Tromer, Albert Teft, Henry W. VanBehen, John Wright, Frederick 
Weibell, Richard Winn, Lewis Wetsell, Samuel Winder, Henry Quer- 
ner, William Zaller, Richard Evans, Thomas Evans, Edward Evans, 
Frank M. Fordice, Garrett J. Hyer, Alexander Heigh, Thomas B. 
Heis, John H. Haggerty, Morris Levi, John Mahl, Benjamin McGregor, 
Henry McGary, William G. Pickering, Daniel M. Pierpoint, Samuel J. 
Rogers. Quincy Reid, David K. Squires, Joseph B. Williams, James 
M. Williams, Samuel Williamson, David Whiting, Edward Gilligan, 
Henry C. Jones, George Lovitt, Edward J. Brewer, 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH OHIO NATIONAL 
GUARD. 

This regiment is said by Mr. Reid to have been com- 
posed of the Fifth Ohio national guard, of Licking county; 
the Thirty-second battalion of Hardin county; and one 
company of the Thirty-seventh battalion, of Lorain county. 
It seems, however, from the rolls, to have had a large 
number of Hamilton county soldiers in it. It was mus- 
tered into the United States service May 14, 1864, and 
was ordered immediately to Washington city. At North 
mountain information was received that the bridge at 
Harpers' Ferry was impassable; and the regiment, with 
other hundred-day commands, was delayed for a time, 
awaitmg the repair of the bridge. A picket was estab- 
lished, and every jDrecaution taken for defence. In a few 
days the troop* moved on, and the regiment arrived at 
Washington May 2 2d. It was placed in the defences 
south of the Potomac, with headquarters in Fort Albany, 
and detatchments in Forts Craig and Tillinghast The 
time was occupied in repairing and comjjleting these 
works and drilling in infantry and heavy artillery tactics. 
June 5th the regiment was ordered to White House 
Landing, where it was employed in picket duty and guard- 
ing rebel prisoners. On the sixteenth of June it was 
ordered to Bermuda Hundred, and proceeded on steam- 
er, via Fortress Monroe, up the James to Fort Powhattan, 
Here its progress was checked by the pontoon bridge, on 
which the army of the Potomac was crossing the James. 
The regiment debarked and marched to Bermuda Hun- 
dred, distant twenty-four miles. The march was made 
during two of the hottest days of summer, and the men 
suffered greatly from dust and the want of water. The 
command arrived at Fort Spring hill, on the eastern 
bank of the Appomattox, opposite Point of Rocks, on 
June 19th, and was engaged in picket and fatigue duty 
at the latter place and Broadway Landing. It next moved 
to Cherrystone inlet, on the eastern shore of Virginia. 
Headquarters were established at Eastville, 'the county 
town of Northamj5ton county; and the companies were 
distributed at various points to guard the telegraph from 
Cherrystone to Wilmington, to prevent raids from the 
ojjposite side of the bay, and to intercept blockade-run- 
ners and rebel mail-carriers. At the expiration of its 
term of service, the regiment returned to Ohio, and was 



mustered out at Camp Dennison on the first of Septem- 
ber, 1 86 1. 

(One Hundred Days). 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Samuel S. Fisher. 
Lieutenant Colonel Eri F. Jewell. 
Major Charles Gilpin. 
Adjutant Charles H. Hubbell. 
Quartermaster Aaron A. Cotter. 
Surgeon Charles P. Wilcox. 
Assistant Surgeon Hiram H. Russell. 
Assistant Surgeon Amos B. Fuller. 
Chaplain Charles H. Williams. 
Sergeant Major Robert B. Smith. 
Quartermaster Sergeant John F. Jewett. 
Commissary Sergeant William H. Gerrard. 
Hospital Steward Lewis Freeman. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICF.RS. 

Captain William J. Torrence. 
First Lieutenant J. R. Maneely. 
Second Lieutenant Jacob Pfau, jr. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John MuUer, jr. 
Sergeant Charles Reed. 
Sergeant James Taylor. 
Sergeant Charles P. Forbes. 
Sergeant John Good. 
Corporal Andrew' Kattenhorn. 
Corporal C. G. Kline. 
Corporal Edward Huser. 
Corporal Rudolph Hauche. 
Corporal C. A. Buchannon. 
Corporal Arthur Beckett. 
Corporal George Miller. 
Corporal Lawrence Hegner. 

PRIVATES. 

John Armleder, Lucas Burgraf, J. A, Bertch, Truman Beck, Henry 
Bahlmann, Herman Budkey, Nicolaus Clemens, W. G. Conway, Patrick 
Datre, Emanuel Diecont, W. R. Ellis, C. B. Ford, Patrick Fox, Mathew 
Farrell, George Gerraudt, Edward Grupe, August Gaeper, ^Barney 
Grotz, William H. Hudson, William Huber, G. J. Hyer, John Hafner, 
H. F. Hokhalb, Henry Hopkins, Christopher Israel, Hugh Jones, 
James J. Lewis, C. Jacobs, Ferdinand Kipelbach, Edward Kingcaid, 
G. F. Kreutzer, Joel F. Kish, Ferdinand Langormann, Daniel Lewis, 
W. H. Lemmons, Theodore Miller, William Nelson, Theodore Mark, 
H. G. Menke, T. F. McBride, Jacob Meyer, William C. Preston, 
Albert Packer, James A. Smith, Henry Smith, C. L Spaeth, John Stei- 
ner, J. H. Stalkamp, Adolph Shultz, Charles Snyder, William .Swift, 
Andrew S.ahlender, William Stockeven. August Schmidt, William Sher- 
aton, William Thorne, Amasa Thatcher, Edward Wiss, Frederick 
Wachtendorf, Henry Webber, George Williams, Charles Witchger, 
Henry Werest, James H. White, Julius Wachs, F. Zilliveck, William 
Wershey, Frank Vetch, Henry Domarille, Henry Engelhardt, Daniel 
Fallan, James Laird. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain C. S. Beltz. 

First Lieutenant John H. Hanna. 

Second Lieutenant Amos Tooker. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant A. C. Hueston. 
Sergeant E. A. Tucker. 
Sergeant F. J. Rork. 
Sergeant John Paulus. 
Sergeant David F. Lansing. 
Corporal Henry B. Moore. 
Corporal William MuUinger. 
Corporal William D. Freeman. 
Corporal David C. Evans. 
Corporal Charles Baggate. 
Corporal William Dudgeon. 
Corporal Charles Eversman. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



147 



Corporal James L. Tafte. 
Musician Patrick Stapleton. 
Musician Cliarles W. Moore. 
Wagoner Henrj' C. Porter. 

PRIVATES. 

G. W. Armstrong, George V. P,utz, John Binge, Cliarles Babst, A. 
B. Crary, Thomas Clement, R. B. Chamberlain, James Carrigan, Louis 
Chrissniann, John D. Davenport, William Delaney, William Duncan, 
Len N. Davis, Samuel Edgar, Thomas England, Joseph Enimert, Jolin 
Fassel, William C. Fithian, Hosea V. Ferrell, Henry Fieschnian, James 
Given, Daniel Griffith, James Gregson, Joseph Chadwick, James Hugle, 
George Hoath, William Large, Thomas Kriker, E. Hendrixon, Rich- 
ard Lawson, Thomas Lawson, John Lapp, James A. Lour, John Little, 
Joseph B. Morgan, J. J. Lynch, Neal McKaj', John McNichols, Wil- 
liam Moon, Thomas Morton, Daniel McShane, James J. McNally» 
Edward McCoy, Richgrd Pendergrast, James Pearson, Benjamin Reir- 
ing, William Reid, Harry Robinson, David Rose, David Rea, George 
W. Seaman, Henry R. Smith, C. L. Shannon, George W. Speer, John 
D. Shocky, William M. Shocky, George N. Shaw, Theodore Scheurrer, 
George Willis, Isaac Willis, William Wichering, Theodore H. Wil- 
liams, John B. Weaver, George Waxter, Americus Welsh, George B. 
Marshall, William Wright, Henry Heller, Samuel Dickson, James 
Granthorn. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Philip M. Everard. 

First Lieutenant Eli L. Muchmore. 

Second Lieutenant John T. McKitrick. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Joshua L. Morrison. 
Sergeant John M. Ward. 
Sergeant Benjamin F. Bicknell. 
Sergeant William M. Ferris. 
Sergeant Joseph B. Mann. 
Corporal James S. Reagle. 
Corporal Frank Kennedy. 
Corporal Edward B. Lukens. 
Corporal George Myers. 
Corporal Theodore A. Moore. 
Corporal David Morgan. 
Corporal Benjamin M. Stewart. 
Corporal Uriah Phillips. 
Musician William H. Lockvvood. 
Musician Alexander D. Williamson. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Athurs, Edward Ansbury, William C. Ammons, George Am- 
memon, Charles Ammons, Enos Anderson, Jacob Brooks, John Brown, 
Commodore Bolin, Henry M. Chapman, Albert Crist, Joseph Cornish, 
William Davis, Noah L, Davis, David Diltz, George W. Demar, Fran- 
cis M. Fobes, Nathaniel Ferris, James Fehl, George C. Griffin, Oscar 
Guess, Amos T. Gorhani, Evans Harrie, John C. Hunter, John W, 
Haines, John W. Holmes, Wesley Hetzler, William K. Hainey, Wil- 
liam Hulton, John F. Jewett, Commodore Kemmator, Albert C. Knapp, 
Samuel Kennedy, Edward Leonard, Samuel McAdams, Joseph Morris, 
John W. Maxfield, Henry Mayer, Robert McConnell, John Mangnem, 
Samuel H. Miller, Solomon Niles, Erastus KT. Nash, Charles Otis, 
John P. Pfaff, Hezekiah W. Prince, John Pickering, Leopold Rupelot, 
William D. Silverthorn, John S. W. Smith, Leonard W. Smith, James 
N. Studer, Levert Stratton, Thomas A. Stevens, William R. Sprague, 
George Williamhouse, Charles A. Williams, William H. Wratton, 
John Wratton, Albert Wratton, Ayers B. Ward, George Whetzel, 
John W. Watson, Benjamin Wabright, Solomon Wabright, G. V. 
Butz, Rufus B. Chamberlain,- Thomas McCormick, George F. Smith, 
James Tice, George Griandt, M. Parrall. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Henry Gulich. 

First Lieutenant William C. Dorn. 

Second Lieutenant L. S. G. Tillsber.' 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant L. S. Williamson. 
Sergeant A. V. Lane. 
Sergeant J. A. Smith. 
Sergeant John B. Aston. 



Sergeant Peter Pool. 
Corporal Lewis Willaj. 
Corporal Joseph Scull. 
Corporal August Strable. 
Corporal Arthur C. Bracket. 
Corporal G. G. Richards. 
Corporal Martin Pinney. 
Corporal Noah Hunt. 
Corporal David Gosling. 
Musician George F. Thomin. 
Musician A. L. Runyan. 

PRIVATES. 

James W. Barton, Phillip Bellmeyer, John T. Burns, Joel Brown, 
W. W. Chadwick, D. J. Chadwick, Elmer Y. Carson, Parmenias Car- 
son, Lames Carson, Robert Conger, James Coates, William A. Craig, 
James Craig, William Craig, John Cramer, Freeman Crompton, John 
H, Cloud, John Criner, Parmenias Davis, Enoch Danford, D. C. 
Doran, B. P. Dorn, John Gates, William Gimpel, William Glaser, 
Thomas S. Green, J. H. Hunt, Henry H. Hunt, Clark Hoffner, 
Mathew Halt, J. D.Jamison, W. H.Johns, A. W. Keehng, J. P- 
Lawranch, G. S. La Bogtense, John Lybrook, A. A. Long, James 
Long, John Myers, George Miles, Anzi McGill, Andrew McCradie, 
Isaac Ogg, Minor Ogg, Thomas Ogg, George Ponder, Lemuel Ponder, 
Thomas Pottinger, William Pickins, John Remp, Conrad Remp, 
Wilson T. Rogers, W. H. Ruthers, James Sewell, A. A. Sewell, 
Patrick Seitz, W. P. Shipman, J. D. Stridle, C. B. Stout, George 
Stout, J, P. Waterhouse, Thomas Weston, David Wheaton, Hart 
Wilson, Adam Wilson, George Wike, Lewis Wike, Wingert Winings, 
Jacob Winings, Thomas Willy, Charles West, J. C. Wilkinson, Jacob 
Wilkinson, Daniel Wilkinson, Stephen Bell, A. Smith. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Edward J. Flint. 

First Lieutenant William Strunk. 

Second Lieutenant Samuel A. Butts. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles F. Weliner. 
Sergeant Edward H. Prichard. 
Sergeant Samuel Harvey. 
Sergeant A. C. Reid. 
Sergeant W. A. Fillmore. 
Corporal B. O. M. De Beck. 
Corporal F. M. Peeale. 
Corporal H. H. Harvey. 
Corporal H. Ausperger. 
Corporal James C. Herwood. 
Corporal William H. Morgan. 
Corporal R. W. Murphy. 
Corporal W. H. Lanfusick. 

PRIVATES. 

Richard M. Ayres, Daniel Ackley, Theodore Auge, F. B. Alley, T. 
J. Burke, Thomas Bowers, George Burgtorf, Peter Burgert, Thomas 
Boyd, William Butler, James W. Christie, Samuel Craft, P. A. Cham- 
bers, Arthur B. Crary, Darius Dodd, William Dengler, J. H. Dillman, 
James B. Fairley, Lew Freinary, James Grantham, M. J. Gattman, 
John F. Guilford, W. D. Gibson, D. M. Hammond, J. L. Hickman, 
Anson Harding, E. T. Harvey, Benjamin Holt, Morris Hamlin, John 
Hancock, Daniel Hornbrook, John A. Kamping, Adam Lichweiss, .A. 
A. Long, H. G. Luberherr, James Laird, O. Morehead, Christopher 
Mund, L. W. Mason, John J. Marvin, James Moore, Edward Martin, 
Charles Pauer, Mason D. Parker, A. N. Rorter, Andrew J. Rickoff, 
Frank Ritter, Luther M. Strafer, George W. Smith, J. B. Scheide- 
niauth, George F. Sands, J. B. Stuyvesant, A. C, Sigur, Adolph C. 
Speers, John Stilwell, M. Shorkey, Benjamin B. Stewart, Mark Steg- 
man, Isaac Simon, Anton Shevier, Albert E. Tripp, Milton Turner, 
John Theobald, Alexander Wilson, Casper Wickermyer, Frederick 
Zins, Jacob Zins, Charles Babbit, Nathaniel Leming, W. Large. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Edward C. Boyce. 

First Lieutenant James C. Timberman. 

Second Lieutenant Benjamin R. Noble. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant David B. Wooley. 
Sergeant John Mackey, jr. 



148 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Sergeant Edward Horrocks, 

Sergeant John Rosemeyer. 

Sergeant Henry Staufer, jr, 

Corporal George H. Smith. 

Corporal George W. Bonsall. 

Corporal Frank Massang. 

Corporal WilUam M. Hiibbell. 

Corporal James Qiiinn. 

Corporal Charles A. Getz. 

Corporal Benjamin Sharpliss. 

Corporal Conrad A. Liner. 

PRIVATES. 

John Brinkmeyer, Horace A. Baker, Edward Bodman, Robert Bai- 
ley, August Cook, Edward Cook, James Corbit, Richard Carnahan, 
Joseph Campbell, Perry Carr, William Cunningham, Thomas Dart, 
Harrison Bearing, William Davis, Arthur Donaldson, Lewis Folger, 
Robert Ferguson, William Grant, Lewis B. Getz, Edwin J. Getz, Gus- 
tavus Gottschalk, Edward Gerby, Henry Garnell, James Gow, John 
Glascow, John Gordon, Henry C. Hill, Edward C. Hubbell, Alexander 
Hamilton, Robert A. Johnson, Chauncey Johnson, M. S. Kinkaid, 
Robert H. Kerr, Matthew Keogen, August F. King, Robert Lindring, 
Robert Murray, Wesley McCullough, Frederick Meyer, Oscar Meeker, 
John McBride, George Neely, John W. Parker, James Prichard, 
Charles L. Paris, Joseph C. Paris, Joseph B. Quimby, John L. Riley, 
George Rudd, Joseph Robson, William Robson, William Skardon, 
Henry Shingledecker, Charles Shoeftel, John Sugar, George H. Sower, 
James A . Skardon, James H. Spingman. Edward Shriever, Nathan 
Steinberg, Frederick Von Eye, Sheridan Williamson, Jordon Williams, 
Richard WooUey, James Downey ; Musicians George Estep, Charles 
Smith. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICEKS. 

Captain William B. Chenoweth. 
First Lieutenant David R. Gavin. 
Second Lieutenant Jacob Heldep. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant 1. W. Strehli. 

Sergeant Charles Kline. 

Sergeant Agulin Bieger. 

Sergeant Valentine Briederbach. 

Sergeant George Mader. 

Corporaljohn Poth. 

Corporal Valentine Martin. 

Corporal John Kastake. 

Corporal John C. Mistie. 

Corporal Joshua Weidman. 

Corporal Jacob A. Vogt. 

Corporal Frank A. Shaifer. 

Corporal John Spunagle. 

PRIVATES. 

James C. Armstead, Christopher Braney, Henry Burkencamp, Frank 
A. Basford, Richard Bernard, Michael Bolan, Harman Doll, John 
Cope, Frederick Dorn, John Eck;prt, George Eillis, Mike Tagling, Ja- 
cob Franzerebe, John Gorman, Nicholas Gammiger, Henry Gobel, An- 
thony Garver, Joseph Gettler, Benjamin Hirkhouse, Thomas Hauey, 
George Hackerman, Steven Harcourt, Adam Hehnbock, Lorenzo D. 
Harrison, William Kiliani, John Kramer, Patrick Kramer, M. Kimer, 
Michael Kennedy, Henry Little, George Lynch, Gebhart Lock, Henry 
H. Landwehr, Charles Longshore, W. Lingeman, Frank Lake, Wil- 
liam W. Laughlin, Philip Meyer, Bernhard Mossman, Henry Miller, 
Gottlieb Mieth, John H. Mackey, Lewis McGraff, John Maloney, John 
H. Niehouse, Henry Niehouse, George W. Oldem, Joseph Ott, Heniy 
Pullman, George Redge, Albert Pepper, Philip Rahm, John Rank, 
August F. Schwab, Robert B. Smith, Frederick Seiving, William M. 
Shackelford, John Springmeyer, Christopher Sterling, Jacob Simmons, 
James Story, Andrew Tritch, Warren Tindall, Michael Teetors, John 
Vogelpohl, William Von Walde, Lerry Van Conay, John Walterman, 
Henry Whitecamp, Christopher Wolf. William H. Warner, William 
Wood, Leonard B. Wood, John Wampach, Frederick Westermann 
Frederick Remir, Henry Raur, John Rapp, T. Reddert, George S. 
Powers, A. McLilley. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Kline Bermeville. 

First Lieutenant Samuel Wardle. 



Second Lieutenant John C. Littler. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant David A. Ganett. 
Sergeant Lemuel M. Cox. 
Sergeant Sanford A. Johnson. 
Sergeant John B. Rose. 
Sergeant Henry J. Hine. 
Corporal William B. Shinn. 
Corporal Thomas R. Shinn. 
Corporal Samuel L. Bardsall. 
Corporal Thomas Todhunter. 
Corporal Joshua Dennison. 
Corporal Edward Dennison, 
Corporal John Cord. 
Corporal Charles S. Brown. 

PRIVATES. 

Dallas Adkins, Morris Androit, James W. Asterbrun, Charles Arge, 
Francis M. Armstrong, John Bringa, William K. Brown, John C 
Beltz, William Bogert, George M. Burdsall, Samuel T. Burdsall, 
George Brooks, John C. Bridges, Samuel J. Corbley, Wilson H. Cor- 
bley, Newton Corbley, William Chambers, Josiah Crossley, John 
Christie, James Donally, Leonidas Dunham, William Davis, William 
Easton, Henry Easton, Albert Ebersole, James Fisher, Ezra Gorseline, 
William H. Gerard, [ohn Gray, Alonzo Hawkins, Hezekiah Hawkins, 
Samuel Hopple, Abram Hopple, Arnold Hibbur, George W. Hess, 
Aaron M. Hopper, Henry Hahn, John Jukes, Theodore Johnson, Ama- 
zie Johnson, William Johnson, John C. Johnson, James O. Johnson. 
John Kearsey, Abram Lewellen, Thomas Littleton, Adam Leichereiss, 
John C. Martin, William W. Mount; W. H. Markley, W. McKeely, 
John McAdams, Richard Maddox, John C. Maddy, Jacob M. Maddy, 
William Nicholson, James Parker, William Potter, Levi Parks, Jared 
Peese. James C. Prichard, Thomas Rose, William Reeder, Henry Ra- 
bens, Frederick Rabens, George Reese, A. Smith, John Shinn, Joseph 
Seinor, Thomas M. Seinor, Lorenzo Snell, George Sheldon, Ralph 
Thompson, Warren Tindall, Frank Wilson, Leonard A. Webb, Sam- 
uel H. Wardle, Leonard B. Wood. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James Huston, jr. 

First Lieutenant John H. Palmer. 

Second Lieutenant Adnan A. Robertson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John Bell. 
Sergeant James H. Irwin. 
Sergeant Alonzo M. Abbott. 
Sergeant Samuel F. Beeler. 
Sergeant George Apgar. 
Corporal David P. Logan. 
Corporal Joseph Sampson. 
Corporal John J. Price 
Corporal Charles Spellman. 
Corporal John S. Patmer. 
Corporal Frederick Kellner. 
Corporal Thomas J. Hoffner. 
Corporal Gamaliel Myers. 
Musician John Turner. 
Musician Arthur E. Wade. 
Wagoner Calvin Taulman. 

PRIVATES. 

James Brown, Moses Brocount, John Buler, John W. Beaver, Oscar 
A. Barnhart, James Constable, William Conroy, James Conklin, Wil- 
liam H. Dumont, George Efferts. Thomas Edwards, John E. Elliott, 
James Gilbert, Richard P. Fo.x, Frederick Fix, Alexander D. Ginn, 
Charles Gray, Joseph Gray, Andrew Gambril, James Grismer, John 
Hunter, William Hurley, Frederick Harmes, Louis Hine, John C. 
Hunt, Joseph Hageman, Frederick Hoffner, Robert B. Isdell, John B. 
Jack, Justus Krouskoff, Leonidas Latta, William A. Lawrence, Henry 
Lilly, John Lane, Henry McGrew, John McKinney, Stephen Meek, 
Alexander McDonald, Jasper Miller, John B. Myers, David McLaren, 
John Piper, Harvey Pauley, Charles Pray, Luther R. Phillips, Harmon 
Riker, Paul Stickrod, Winfield S. Shrigley, Julius Schenck, Ernest Son- 
neman, Walter Sullivan, Edwin N. Shumard, Frederick Shaible, Wal- 
ter Scott, Isaac Spellman, Elihu Standish, Sylvester Thompson, Vesper 
Thompson, William Thomas, John Tullis, George Vetter, Ralph Voor- 
his, Thomas S. Vail, August Wickman, John Wool, Hugh Woten, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



149 



John F. Wachendorff, Amos White, Frank Webb. William H, Hudson. 
COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James Tod. 

First Lieutenant John Mahan. 

Second Lieutenant A. H. Gumming. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant I. N. Jones. 
Sergeant Lerry Bernard. 
Sergeant Minard McKinney. 
Sergeant Ambrose Voorhis. 
Sergeant A. Phillips. 
Corporal Cortlaud Bonnel. 
Corporal Charles Bonnel. 
Corporal James Meguire. 
Corporal John C. Riker. 
Corporal Josiah Harper. 
Corporal John Guthrie. 
Corporal Tile C. Snyder, 
Corporal Emmet Waller. 
Wagoner Isaac Todd. 
Musician James Mullen. 
Musician Richard Bodkin. 

PRIVATES. 

Jonathan Addison, Sam.uel E. .Aiman, H. A. Alderman, Chesley Al- 
derman, William Anderson, P. M. Bovven, Jefferson Brand, William 
Baider, L. Bowen, Frederick Cruger, Frank Crain, Thomas Cameron, 
Thomas CuUum, John Culbertson, John Carnahan, Peter Cortelyar, 
Alexander Constable, Frank Druce, James Donelly, M. C. Denman, 
William Duff, William R. Davis, Joseph Dunnevan, John Dawson, 
Henry Easton, John Farrell, P. M. Finney, Thomas P. Finney, Fred- 
erick Finley, Charles Foster, Robert Fulton, S. M. Fleming, William 
Hunt, L. Hunt, Jonathan Harris, H. Huffman, Ambrose Kennedy, 
John Hunsman, Frank Lank, Thomas Long, Morris Meeks, Thomas 
Malsbary, Sanford Malsbary, Jasper Malsbary, William Mahan, 
George Marmott, Frank Neares, James Nortman, Samuel Pettit, 
George Riker, John Ralston, Wils Radabaugh, William Smethurst, 
Lloyd Smethurst, Bordman Swett, Henry Stall, John Seifert, P. J. 
Thompson, Theodore Todd, John Williamson, J. R. Widgeon, Wil- 
liam Wood, Joseph Wolf, George McGrew, Madison Downey, William 
Greenhow, James Norten, John Riker. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINTH OHIO NATIONAL 
GUARD. 

This was one of the Cincinnati hundred day regi- 
ments, and its ranks were filled with recruits who had 
seen more or less service in organizations raised in 1861- 
2. Its first rendezvous was at Camp Dennison, where it 
lay for some ten days. It was then taken by rail to Camp 
Chase, where, on May ii, 1864, it was fully armed and 
equipped and mustered into the Federal service. Re- 
maining in camp here for a few days, in order that the 
regiment might be somewhat desciplined, it moved on 
May 20th, via the Central Ohio and the Baltimore & Ohio 
railroads, to Washington city, where it went into bar- 
racks. June ist, it was placed on duty at Point Lookout, 
Maryland, an important depot for the confinement of 
rebel prisoners. At the time the regiment took up its 
quarters at this place, there were twenty-two thousand 
prisoners confined there. The force to guard and look 
after this number of prisoners was only eighteen hundred 
men, all told. From this may be judged how arduous 
must have been the guard and other necessary duties 
performed by so inadequate a force. The details were 
necessarily so numerous and frequent as almost to pre- 
clude the idea of rest. This, added to the fact that 
there was little or no fresh water to be had on the dry 
and sandy beach, and that no inviting foraging ground 
presented itself, made the duties of the regiment unusual- 



ly severe. " Sibley s" were also denied to the men and 
officers; and all alike were compelled to sleep on the 
sandy beach under those aggravating little substitutes, 
"shelter-tents." Incessant duty, want of water, and the 
hot sun, had their effect on the troops, and fourteen good 
men were in a short time laid in their graves, while scores 
of others were on the sick list. August 2 2d, some days 
after the expiration of its time of service, the regiment 
was taken to Baltimore, thence to Camp Chase, where, 
on the twenty-sixth of August, 1864, it was paid off and 
mustered out of the service. 



FIELD AND STAFF. 



Colonel J. L. Wayne. 
Major George S. Lein. 
Surgeon John Hill. 



COMPANY A. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Nathan F. Hubbel. 
First Lieutenant Adam Horning. 
Second Lieutenant Jeremiah Kiersted. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John C. Donivant. 

Sergeant John Wilson. 

Sergeant Henry Cutler. 

Sergeant Robert Meredith. 

Sergeant Richard Evans. 

Corporal Archie Bowie. 

Corporal George Slater. 

Corporal Thomas Davis. 

Corporal George Taylor. 

Corporal Joseph Frank. 

Corporal John C. Lewis. 

Corporal Edward Smith. 

Corporal Nicholas Deversey. 

PRIVATES. 

John Borsch, Gustavus D. Baurer, Lamer Bryan, Adams Baker, 
Thomas Butler, Charles Bell, Samuel Black, Michael Dunn, John T. 
Christy, James Charter, Frederick W. Courtgardner, John A. Cline, 
Frederick B. Carney, John J. Clemens, George E. Dyer, Edward Don- 
ohue, Evan Evans, Evan J. Evans, Richard Fielding, Peter Fay, 
Michael Felter, Matthias Frahwald, Bartholomew Fanning, Frederick 
Foster, John Friscus, Peter Friger, John Genhnour, James Gerrals, 
George Gremmet, Frederick Heide, Samuel Hughes, George 
Hughes, John E. Hawthorn, Frederick Harrman, William F. Hansel- 
man, Europe M, Hamlin, John Harrison, E. H. Hutchinson, Andrew 
HoUenbach, John L. Jones, John A. Jones, William Johnson, James 
Keller, John W. Kelley, George Landing, George Miller, John A. 
Miller, Allen S. Morrison, Luke Murphy, Harvey Newel, John Nesper, 
Edward Nichols, John H. Olting, David Phinney, John Prichard, 
William Pfafflin, Frederick Paschin, Moses Phillips, Henry Sweeter- 
man, James Spencer, James P. Smith, John Simon, Jasper Titus, 
Henry Trimpe, John H. Trimpe, Henry Wilson, Patrick White, W. 
Wankleman, William Wilkins, G. E. Workman, James Klingle. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain L. M. Rogers. 

First Lieutenant Edward Evans. 

Second Lieutenant James B. Doan. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, 

First Sergeant N. F. Salsberry. 
Sergeant L. H. Gregory. 
Sergeant David Tealen. 
Sergeant J. N. Edwards. 
Sergeant C. W. Drake. 
Corporal William Culver. 
Corporal L. R. Keck. 
Corporal. Leon Stone. 
Corporal J. S. Highland. 
Corporal W. H. Myers. 
Corporal Thomas Simpsons. 



'5° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Corporal George Geoking. 
Corporal L. W. Robinson. 

PHIVATES. 

William Attig, John Anderson, Harry T. Anderson, L. A. Aldrich, 
John Barnent, Alfred Beam, A. K, Brookbank, George Black, John 
Black, Thomas Bingham, William Carringer, Charles Case. Norward 
Chamberlin, S. G. Dayton, Henry Fisher, B. W. Goble, George Gal- 
breath, William George, Thomas Galrant, F. Helmig, Manuel Hand- 
ley, Thomas Hemphill, John H. Hemphill, John E. Haughten, 
George H. High, George W. Henry, John T. Hambleton, John C. 
Hooker, James J. Hooker, Henry Helmig, Charles Hanimon, William 
B. Hollister, James Joyce, J. W. Jaynes, J. H. Johns, Thomas Kins- 
man, George King, Nelson Ludlum, Joseph Lamb, E. Lockwood, J. 
B. McDowell, W. W. Murray, W. G. Mahany, M. A. Malott, August 
Niles, Thurston C. Owens, Timothy Price, George Phillips, John Pro- 
phater, Samuel Plymesser, John Ringenberger, M. W. Reader, P. G. 
Ringer, John N. Ringer, H. Searls, John L. Steeler, C. F. Smith, John 
Shotzman, J. H. Sparks, Peter Steinmitz, D. B. Spicer, John Sincroft, 
Alison Stockmer, August Tremont, Andrew J. Tayne, Michael Ulmer, 
W. D. Vance, Amos Vance, H. Whitsell, Charles Willson, John Wea- 
ver, Henry Weaver, John Webster, William Fee, Robert I-Ioff, Samuel 
Levi, William McClintie, Darius Welch. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Burns W. Oliver. 

First Lieutenant Lewis Thatcher, jr. 

Second Lieutenant Truman B. Clement. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Daniel B. Jordon. 
Sergeant Henry P. Badger. 
Sergeant Samuel W. Emerson. 
Sergeant Edwin C. Bodley. 
Sergeant William P. Worth. 
Corporal Henry W. Morris. 
Corporal James McDowell. 
Corporal Thomas Williams. 
Corporal Jacob Smith. 
Corporal Joseph A. Jones. 
Coiporal Thomas Tiernan. 
Corporal Henry Brand. 
Corporal Lewis Havicott. 
Musician Peter Duffey. 

PRIV.\TES. 

John Andrew, Thomas H. Blacker, David H. Bronson, John Bri- 
denback, George W. Corderman, David B. Coleman, Lewis S. Carter, 
Charles Carpenter, John Colesphy, Jonas Curtis, Alexander Carson, 
Robert Campbell, Thomas W. Davis, William W. Dawson, William 
Daley, George Endress, John F. Eversman, John L. Frisbie, Henry 
Fonslamer, Isaac Fritz, James Gilbert, John Holinger, William Hill, 
Joseph Hoffman, George Hunter, William Hiller, David Jones, John 
Jackson, Thomas J. Jackson, Henry Krogman, John Lillie, James 
Mooney. Christian Mohlman, James McCammer, George Mahl, John 
McDonough, John Menton, John McNicholas, Alfred Mott, John H. 
Moore, Andrew Michael, King G. Nevers, George F. Nordman, John 
Parsell, John A. Pierpoint, William Pearce, Isaiah J. Rosnagel, Wil- 
liam Richards, John Richards, Joseph C. Russell, George H. Sand- 
brink, Charles H. Smith, John Smith, Daniel Shanon, John F. Upper- 
man, Herman Van Kooter, William Watson, Frank Wieman, Philip 
Wieman, Adam Webber, William D, Wrench, Charles Winkleman, 
Albert Moore, William Ehman, Milo N. Collins, Riley Morris, Mat- 
thew Fawcett, James Boytson, Napoleon Parlin, William Ryan, Hen- 
rich Sommer, Joseph F. Snyder, Charles Syler. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Joseph Richards. 
First Lieutenant John Miller. 
Second Lieutenant John C. Buerkle. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.S. 

First Sergeant William Autenricht. 
Sergeant John C. Wood. 
Sergeant Frank Arand. 
Sergeant John A. Writhwine. 
Sergeant Joseph Hickle. 
Corporal G. W. Roltzer. 



Corporal Frederick Langsdorf. 

Corporal Frederick Ohier. 

Corporal J. P. Rupp. 

Corporal W. H. Stevenson. 

Corporal John Rider. 

Corporal William Ditlan. 

Corporal James W. Cooper. 

PRIVATES. 

William Brockman, Herman J..indeman, A. G. Loze, Joseph Marger, 
Theodore Faulweather, Robert McConoly, John Baumgartner, A. 
Becker, Martin Schroeder, L. Becht, Henry Brockman, N. H. Delap, 
H. A. Berne, E. R. Dye, John Dobb, Ransom Kyle, Frank I, Zim- 
mer, H. J. Gerhardt, James Kittel, George F. Hauk, John Hoffman, 
Edwin Collin, Lewis Loss, George Crantz, Geoi*e Michael, D. B. 
Meyers, Jacob Mangua, William Paul, Frederick Rempke, William 
Rupp, Lewis Reinhardt, G. W. Smith, A. Spohr, I. M. Walker, Ed- 
win Wieser, Henry Kilsch, W. F. Wolfick, Michael Ashman, Andrew 
Horst, Bernhard Weiss, S. L. Scott, Edwin Wicklein, Anthony Holt- 
hause, D. D. Hardee, Frederick Arnold, M. L. Nye, George W. 
Brown, M. D. Smith, George W. Wilson, Charles Shrader, W. C. 
Sjillwell, William Brake, William Leonard, Jacob Loehr, Andrew 
Hener, John Wissa, John McLachan, John Holmeck, Frederick Bayer, 
Hermanii Harzman, George Cambis, Frank Hunter, Joseph Krum, 
Edwin Kelley, John Doran, Thomas Gleason, Joseph Kline, Henry 
Shroer, Henry C. Swayne, Lewis Wichgen, Frederick Waizenecker, 
Charles Black, Walter Stevens, John Hasler, John Shafer, George Bar- 
brines, W. T. McLachlin, Frederick Brendel. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
(One Hundred Days' Service.) 
COMPANY D. 
Private A. E. Trumbull. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 
(One Hundred Days' Service.) 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Assistant Surgeon Samuel Wolff. 
Chaplain G. R. Brown. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIFTH OHIO NATIONAL GUARD. 

This regiment (or rather battalion) consisted of but 
eight companies, raised in Cincinnati, and officered al- 
most altogether by Cincinnatians. It was raised for the 
hundred-days' service; was mustered in and put on duty 
at Camp Dennison until May 20, 1864, when it was 
transported to Johnson's Island, where it engaged in 
guarding rebel prisoners. June 25th it was ordered to 
Kentucky and remained on duty in that State until Au- 
gust 8th, when it started for Cumberland, Maryland. 
The remainder of its service was in that State and in 
Virginia, and was, like the rest of its history, compara- 
tively uneventful, its assignments being simply guard 
and general garrison duty. August 27th it began the re- 
turn movement to Camp Dennison, and was there mus- 
tered out at the expiration of its term. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Bohlander. 
Major M. Reichings. 
Adjutant F. A. Walz. 

Quartermaster ■ ■ Kleinachle. 

Surgeon Harry Mallory. 
Assistant Surgeon Sidney Wolf. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Rains. 

First Lieutenant Francis Daum. 

Second Lieutenant Frederick Stockhove. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry Determan. 
Sergeant Frederick Nordman. 
Sergeant William Falk. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



151 



Sergeant Charles Piepenbrink. 
Sergeant George Schwab. 
Corporal William Sylvester. 
Corporal John Kilian. 
Corporal Henry Smith. 
Corporal Louis Brinckman. 
Corporiil John Krohme. , 
Corporal Henry Linderman. 
Corporal Henry Brandt. 
Corporal August Morrell. 

PRIVATES. 

Rudolph Barthold, Jacob Bander, Gerhard Bickman, Gerhard V. 
Becker, Henry Buck, Charles Bloebaum, Frederick Brans, Louis Cum- 
mings, Charles Droege, Lawrence Droege, Jacob Derne, Henry Delfen- 
dalil, John Dierkers, Sylvester Ernst, Henry Lickenhurst, Adolph Falk, 
Herman Fuerste, Henry Glentzman, Frederick Gellenbeck, August 
Huber, Henry Hanbrock, William Hanbrock, Frederick H. HuxhoU, 
Henry Hendersman, Joseph Hill, Frederick Hunsfeld, William Huns- 
feld, Henry Hunsfeld, William Kreyenhager, Theodore Krenzer, Peter 
Homberg, Christian Kallenhorn, L. Klein, Charles F. Kornell, Wil- 
liam Langenberg, Frederick Leppert. Henry Ma^'er, Henry Mittendorf, 
Henry J. Meyer, Henry iVIeyer, George Nagel, Frederick Nordman, 
August Neander, William Pattberg, Frederick H. Proese, Henry Renne- 
meyer, Frederick Rentzelman, Henry Rohenkamp, William Runte, 
George Rotheil, Henry Strabbe, Frederick H. Studt, Charles Stock- 
hoff, August Schultz, Louis Steinwart. Frederick Spreen, Henry Steil- 
borg, Thomas Soders, Henry Schulte, Louis Treting, Frederick Trinn- 
meyer, Edward Turner, Henry Tapke, Henry Wartman, Christian 
Williams, William Wietlhoff, Isaac C. Winans, Christian Winterstein, 
Matthias Zehntner, William Hartman, .Abraham Lapp, William Rosen- 
baum. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Edwin Wendgassen. 
First Lieutenant William Stuebe. 
Second Lieutenant Ernest Hoese. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant L. Oberhen. 
Sergeant Henry Baer. 
Sergeant Jacob Kiefer. 
Sergeant William Kreis. 
Sergeant Christopher Kurz. 
Corporal Fridolin Schuhman. 
Corporal Bernhard Froelich. 
Corporal George Bamberger. 
Corporal Frederick Lang. 
Corporal Louis Snessman. 
Corporal Albert Scider. 
Corporal George Meier. 
Corporal L. Stecktenoth. 
Musician Philip Lotz. 
Musician Edmund Schneider. 
Wagoner Nicholas Meyer. 

PRIVATES. 

August Arens, Casper Albert, Charles Ahr, Charles Baumann, Peter 
Biedmeyer, John Boesherz, Casper Broman, Gottlieb Brenner, Joseph 
F. Berger, Miciiael Brenninger, John Bodemar, John Boebinger, Henry 
Dreher, Frederick H. Ehlerding, Julius Engelke, George Fleischner, 
John Frick, Leophold Fedweiss, Edward Gebhardt, Frederick Glemser, 
William Goetzei, George Hock, Christian Hemmerle, Jacob Hoese, 
Herman Haerle, Justus Kruckemeyer, L. Kruckemeyer, Henry 
Kruckemeyer, L. Klotter, John Kobmann, William Kattelinus, Emil 
Koch, Herman Lumpp, Rudolph Loheider, Richard Loheider, Richard 
Luttry, William Manus, Richard Meinhardt, Julius Moeser, George 
Mueller, John Naegeler, Ma.x Pickel, Charles Rotter. Frederick Reif, 
Jacob L. Schiess, Conrad Stehle, Leonhardt Schreiber, Carl Schmidt, 
August Spiecker, Carl Schwamm, Adolph Siemon, Carl Sieber, Carl 
Vogel, John T. Wrochole, George Wolf, Frederick A. Werner, Chris- 
tian Frey, Friederich Heinrich, Diedrich Herzel, Matthias Kriedler, 
Frederick Kessler, Adam Lueter, Ernst Jacobi, Franz Schmidt, L. 
Wiehlert, John Wohlenhoff. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Joseph Harder. 



First Lieutenant Lewis Nubacker. 
Second Lieutenant William Mayer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Thomas Breener. 

Sergeant John Horn. 

Sergeant Lewis Reinwardt. 

Sergeant Charles Scheutt. 

Sergeant John G. Arnold, 

Corporal H. Murder. 

Corporal Joseph Gerhard. 

Corporal F. Lehmann. 

Corporal Conrad Menzel. 

Corporal Christian Frohmann. 

Corporal John Hammelbacher. 

Corporal B. Jungkind. 

Corporal William Voeste. 

Musician Conrad Heim. 

Musician Lewis Tow. 

PRIVATES. 

William Althammer, L. Buhler, Lewis Boebinger, P. Bindhammer, 
Conrad Brodbeck, H. Bendel, Christian Butz, Charles Bachmann, 
Julius Beiker, Peter Burnet, Roman Blegle, Frederick Butscher, Henry 
Doell, Henry Druhme, F. H. Drantz, Henry Fibers, Henry Eppens, 
Henry Finkler, John Fries, Frederick Fortmann, Joseph Fries, Jacob 
Glaser, Lewis Gerhard, Sebastin Gast, Conrad Gehever, August Geider, 
William Hardmann, Christian Kraus, Christian Krentzer, Michael 
Klein, Christopher Kaiser, Thomas Kies, Paul Koob, John Lehmann, 
Peter Layne, H. Lindermann, Gottlieb Messner, John Mann, G. Man- 
ger, Herman Mueller, Peter Mueller, J. Menzler, Joseph Neubacher, 
John Orth, Henry Ollendorff, Hemy Oelschlaeger, J. Ploesser, Adam 
Pankner, Alexander Reis, Lewis Rapp, Alexander Rickert, John 
Schmidt, G. Schotterback, John Sprainly, Thomas Sprainly, Charles 
Saultetus, J. Sandhammer, John Schwatz, Christian Stoemer, Theo- 
dore Sander, Lewis Sass, Lewis Schaefer, Theodore Stengel, Christian 
Schilling, Frederick Trosky, John Worthwein, W. Neubacher, Charles 
Meyer, F. Martin, Bernhart Welterer, George Wengler, F. Weise, 
Leopold Wocher, Jol'in Walter, Gustave Woelffer, F. Lehman. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain W. Ohmann. 

Fiist Lieutenant Adolph Frey. 

Second Lieutenant Adam Fauth. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Louis Borhat. 
Sergeant Theodore Brueok. 
.Sergeant B. Rath. 
Sergeant C. Weidenreich. 
Sergeant O. Zeil. 
Corporal David Abrihl. 
Corporal Adolph Wenohan. 
Corporal John Halzig. 
Corporal Carl Kuenemund. 
Corporal P. Zimpelmann. 
Corporal H. Schuhmacher. 
Corporal H. Rise. 
Musician Daniel Koch. 
Musician Frank Guide. 
Wagoner H. Jacob. 

PRIVATES. 

Valentine Adam, Gustavus Armstrong, Sebastian Aspenleiter, Henry 
Baumann, John Becker, I^ouis Blum, Christian Conrade, Henry 
Daiber, Henry Detert, Louis Deicke, Henry Denk, Valentine Dorst, 
Henry Deitz. Joseph F. Doelring, F. Frommel, Fried. H. Fachmann, 
Anton J. Goldstein, Ernst Giesler, Carl Goerich, iSIoritz Herfruth, 
Henry Hiel, G. Hoffmann, Joseph Haider, Henry Jaeger, J. Johnson, 
Gustavus Keck, Jacob Knickel, J. G. Keck, Rudolph Kerner, Louis 
Kurz, Carl Lanewig, Henry Lievei, Frank Mayer, Michael Mayer, 
Albert Marsch, H. Niemann, Herman Gieske, M. Keiss, Frank Oper, 
August Polster, Jacob Plaff, Christian Ruhl, George Reuner, Paul 
Rothfuss, August Roerig, Henry Schroer, Simon Stern, Henry Schmidt, 
Jacob Schmidt, Franz Suhr, Joseph Stubenrauth, Carl Tempel. Jacob 
Uhl, Jacob Weinmann, Joseph Wiegmann, Matthew Wernz, John 
Wells, John G. Wild, Frank Wolf, Leopold Wacher, Adolph Wiegar, 
Frederick Weisse, George Wenzler. 



152 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY F. 
COMMISSIONED OFl'ICERS. 

Captain Martin Henser. 
First Lieutenant F. W. Rau. 
Second Lieutenant John Pfisterer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Matthias Wentzeh 

Sergeant George Rebhotz. 

Sergeant Anthony Schleich. 

Sergeant George Heihnan. * 

Sergeant Henry Weil. 

Corporal John Wall. 

Corporal Christian Niehouse. 

Corporal Frederick Ellerman. 

Corporal Henry Shuetze. 

Corporal Cristopher Gaibel. 

Corporal Conrad Urban. 

Corporal Henry Gepert. 

Corporal Albert Britzwein. 

Musician Charles Thielman. 

Musician Robert Bauer. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Hornburg, Charles Kenenet, Robert Naegel, August Dillman, 
William Miller, John Kleiber, Henry Bohling, John Schnell, Henry 
Hinderman, Peter Rink, Henry Rieke, Clements Traevig, Nicolaus 
Trasbuch, M. Singerbacher, William Allberger, William Bosse, Joseph 
Fisterer, Charles Browner, George Kimball, Gustavus Bauer, Ferdinand 
Bauer, Anthony Rumpler, Charles L. Schenbrenner, Jacob Moses, 
Henry Scherer, Christian Rech, Henry Silbert, Henry Garner, August 
Weisgerber, John Hartlinger, Jacob Groh, Pauli Meyer, Peter 
Sprinscweber, Henry Rosenbaum, Frederick Binder, Barney Borgman, 
John May, Adolph Reis, George Reis, Andreas Reck, John Monnahan, 
Jacob Diehl, Leonard Foster, Adam Scheurer, John Brown, Henry 
Bowman, John Hoerner, William Heinrich, Michael Meyer, G. F. 
Lauble, Louis Bremer, Theodore Landherr, Frederick Oeckole, 
Nicholas Roeder, Frank Geager, Christian Eggensberger, Daniel 
Fessler, Joseph Heidelmann, Jacob Irion, Henry Eckel, John Houser, 
George Fossler, John Born, Moritz Focke, Charles Shaefer, Cristopher 
Kessel, Joseph Jennewein, Peter Schwab, Henry Klipper, Antoni Ran- 
som, Christian Enkensbrecker, John Klaiber. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain J. Hoffman. 

First Lieutenant John Zimmerman. 

Second Lieutenant Cornelius Nickel. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles H. Bode. 
Sergeant Peter Wolf. 
Sergeant David Ringold. 
Sergeant Peter Johannes. 
Sergeant Matthew Mader. 
Corporal John Hills. 
Corporal John Frick. 
Corporal August Stable. 
Corporal Carl Wentzel. 
Corporal Xavier Reis. 
Corporal J. S. Sperk. 
Corporal Henri Lehman. 
Corporal W. Fricke. 
Musician A. Havmush. 
Musician A. Boos. 
Wagoner .Sebastian Bingel. 

PKIVATES. 

Ernst Beutz, Adam Bochner, Matthias Burk, W. Baumgarten, Mat- 
thew Bach, Christian Boliar, Lon Dewald, Cornelius Doni, Franz 
Demmer, Louis Drepold, A. Enf, William Espenbier, Michael Ecker, 
William Friedrich, Adam Fuchs, Peter Geiber, Wilhelm Gevy, Peter 
Gundrum, Friedrich Geschwind, G. Hampfling, Christian Hoffman, 
M. Hochstahl, C. Henke, Christian Hanemann, Henry Ider, Valen- 
tine Kaeser, John Kohler, Peter Korn, Henry Knuffer, Philip Kantz, 
Herman Lehman, Joseph Langenbacher, Christian Loewe, Carl Lerch, 
Frank Lehmeyer, Christian Mansberger, George Markert, George 
M.xrtz, Frank Nemisgern, Heinrich Nagel, W. Pope, Heinrich F. M. 
Padenkop, Xavier Reis, L. Reutzenbrink, William Reutzenbrink, Hein- 



rich Rabanas, Charles Schilling, Herman Schumacher, Leon Schmidt, 
Heinrich Stradtman, Wilhelm Schultz, Carl Stenile, W. Sbrumpfle, 
Alexander Tucholke, Carl Treber, Jacob Ruger, W. Temohler, Joseph 
Shahbach, Ignatz Schander, Philip Wagner, Ma.x Weber, Gustave 
Wolfer, Bernhard Wetterer, John Watter, Louis Ziegler, W. Lemhuh- 



ler. 



COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Joseph Wolf. 

First Lieutenant John Grimm. 

Second Lieutenant George Meyer. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Peter Le Saint. 
Sergeant Peter Bischard. 
Sergeant Frank Feldman. 
Sergeant Theodore Brinkman. 
Sergeant Justus Momsbeyer. 
Corporal John Derchler. 
Corporal Peter Wissel. 
Corporal Adolph Thill. 
Corporal Frank Diehl. 
Corporal Louis Lazarus. 
Corporal Gerhard Hempke. 
Corporal John AUeck. 
Corporal John Weizbachel. 
Musicia"h F. Fry. 
Musician Henry Brellemeier. 
Wagoner Jacob Thor. 

PRIVATES. 

Matthias Alben, John Andersmin, Bernhard Ahrend, Martin Appel, 
Frank Buschle, Charles Brown, Peter Bihn, John Benner, Casinni 
Banman, Basilius Bohn, Cornelius Bashle, John Bruch, George Ber- 
ling, Edward Bradfish, Henry Branson, George Bauman, Frederick 
Boechle, John Berg, William Behrens, George Daunhauer, Frederick 
Detmering, August Deckurtz, John Dickman, Valentine Eichenlaub, 
Adam Felsch, Peter Gross, Nicholas Guenther, Martin Hochstahl, 
Frederick Hornig, Bernhard Hagebrook, Henry Helming, William 
Helming, Herman Gosterand. Joseph Korn, Joseph Knabe, John 
Kaufman, John Kraeble, August Klingler, F. W. Lauer, Charles Mar- 
tens, Frederick Miller, Anton Molter, Henry Niemeyer, Sellers Pell, 
Martin Roesel, John H. Rackel, Adolph Richard, Adam Steigerwald, 
Jacob Steinborn, David Stock, Henry Steinke, Henry Stallkamp, 
George Satzman, Edvvard Stern, George Thill, Gerhard Trometer, 
David Voltz, Jacob Walter, William Wickert, Anton Woell, Henry 
Weibel, George Wrigerber, Philip Young, John Zeigler, Joseph 
Klinger, George Blon.ar, John Eichenlaub, Henry Gilbert, Samuel 
Geisler, Charles Kimmel, Balthasar Koch, Christian Klang, George 
Leonhard, Lewis Nay, Charles Roller, Lewis Rahke, Michael Simon, 
Anton Schreeberger. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

(One Year's Service.) 

COMPANY H. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Sergeant Stephen J. Lowell, jr. 

PRIVATES. 

Isaac T. Downing, William J. B. Denning, John W. Hurd, George 
W. Harrison, Alexander M. Leedeur, John Melvey, Peter Pence, Jacob 
Pence, Nathaniel Tomblson. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SENENTV-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

{One Year's Service,) 

COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Francis Hawthorn. Patrick O'Connell, John M. Colt, John B. Per- 
kins (Musician) 

COMPANY I. 
Private Frank Dupill. 
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was recruited in Cincinnati, for the one- 
year service, during the months of July, August and 
September, 1864, a period when troops were greatly 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



153 



needed to fill the depleted ranks of the National armies. 
The regiment was declared organized on October 15, 
1864. It was composed mostly of men who had seen 
service in "the Old Tenth," and in the ranks of the 
Fifth, Sixth, Ninth and other prominent Ohio regiments. 
Marching orders were received on the twenty-fourth of 
October, and on that day the regiment started for Hunts- 
ville, Alabama, and arrived at that place on the twenty- 
ninth. On its arrival a fight was in progress between the 
National forces, commanded by General R. S. Granger, 
and a portion of Hood's army on its way to Nashville. 
The left wing of the One Hundred and Eighty-first was 
immediately taken to the scene of action, and although 
not actually engaged, the men displayed the coolness of 
veteran troops. In November the regiment operated 
around Decatur, Alabama, meeting the enemy in several 
picket affairs. Evacuating Decatur, the regiment went 
by rail to Murfreesborough, Tennessee. On this trip an 
accident occurred to the train, by which one man was 
killed and three others were wounded. On December 
5th Major Hickey, with two hundred men, was for some 
time engaged in repairing the Chattanooga railroad. On 
a certain occasion the force was surrounded by the 
enemy, but by cool manoeuvring on the part of officers 
and men it succeeded in escaping safely into Murfrees- 
borough. On December 7th the regiment took part, 
with other troops, in repelling an attack on Murfrees- 
borough by the rebel General Forrest, and lost three or 
four men wounded. In following up their success, the 
National force came in contact with about eight thousand 
rebels, under General Bates, in position on Wilkinson's 
turnpike. A fierce fight ensued, in which the One Hun- 
dred and Eighty-first participated in a charge across an 
open field, mounted the rebel works, captured one hun- 
dred and fifty prisoners and two pieces of artillery. Its 
loss was five killed and thirty wounded, two mortally. 
The regiment was mentioned in special orders for its 
gallantry by General Rousseau. The most of December 
was consumed in foraging around Murfreesborough. In 
these expeditions the enemy was frequently met and en- 
gaged. In one of those affairs, on the fourteenth of 
December, the One Hundred and Eighty-first made 
several gallant charges, driving the enemy, and securing 
the success of the expedition. In this Captain William 
Ketteler, Captain L H. Pummill and First Sergeant 
Leonard, of company G, distinguished themselves 
in manceuvring different detachments of the regi- 
ment. On Saturday, December 24th, the regiment was 
assigned to the Third brigade. Second division, Twenty- 
third army corps, and after a fatiguing march joined its 
command at Columbia, Tennessee, on the twenty-ninth. 
With the Twenty-third army corps, on January 22, 1865, 
it was taken to Goldsborough, North Carolina, where it 
joined Sherman's grand army. Under orders the regi- 
ment joined the Wilmington expedition, and proceeding 
up Cape Fear river until within four miles of Wilming- 
ton, was met by the returning iron-clads, with decks 
crowded by enthusiastic crews, who shouted the glad 
news that the city was captured and occupied by the Na- 
tional troops. Landing at \Vilmington, the regiment was 



subjected to severe marching through the hot sands of 
that inhospitable country. In April the One Hundred 
and Eighty-first joined in the advance on Raleigh, North 
Carolina, and on the thirteenth was met with the happy 
inteUigence that General Lee and his whole army had 
surrendered to General Grant. On the twenty-sixth of 
April Johnston's army surrendered, and the war was 
ended. The regiment was, shortly after, sent to Balti- 
more, and thence to Camp Dennison, where, on the 
twenty-ninth of July, 1865, it was paid off and mustered 
out, having been in the service nine months and a half, 
and travelled and marched four thousand one hundred 
and sixty miles. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel John O'Dowd. 
Colonel John E. Hudson. 
Lieutenant Colonel James T. Hickey. 
Major William Ketteler. 
Surgeon Solomon B. Wolff. 
Assistant Surgeon Alfred Force. 
Assistant Surgeon Oliver McCarty. 
Adjutant Frederick Anderson. 
Quartermaster Hermam Remble. 
Quartermaster Frederick Hoeller, 
Chaplain James M. Brown. 
Sergeant Major Benjamin Heath. 
Sergeant Major John Leonard. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Richard Norton. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas W. Wright. 
Quartermaster Sergeant David R. McCracken. 
Commissary Sergeant Lucien W. McKee. 
Commissary Sergeant David T. Snellbaker. 
Commissary Sergeant John Sheridan. 
Hospital Steward Charles Fehr. 
Hospital Steward John W. Toskey. 
Hospital Steward John W. Criswell. 
Principal Musician Henry Rohrkasse. 
Principal Musician William H. Webber. 
Chief Bugler George Auker. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frederick McDonough. 

First Lieutenant Leonidas H. Pummill. 

Second Lieutenant Charles H. Weaver. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.S. 

First Sergeant Jacob P. Smith, 
Sergeant Eden B. Reeder. 
Sergeant John C. Morris. 
Sergeant John W. Durbin. 
Sergeant August Wrede. 
Corporal J. M. Brown. 
Corporal J. G. Brown. 
Corporal James Campbell. 
Corporal A. R. Murray. 
Corporal George Anchor. 
Corporal George W. Gale. 
Corporal Samuel C. Go.xon. 
Corporal James Dougherty. 
Musician Emil Schaeges. 
Musician Frederick Sowers. 
Wagoner William Sholand. 

PRIVATES. 

Frank Anchler, Richard A. Bruason, Thomas Barron, Thomas 
Braekon, John Baldock, Joseph Bailey, Charles Bowman, Patrick Cha- 
hill, John W. Colvin, John Cinchorn, Albert Carson, Lewis Cotton, 
Robert E. G. Clewers, Samuel Chain, Thomas P-. Cropper, Andrew 
Caiar, William Collier, James Dalton, Henry Dixon, Frederick H. 
Eckbush, John Edmunds, Charles W. Elble, Frank Elble, Robert M. 
Fisher, George Freeborn, Charles W. Frazier, Altman W. Geades, 
Rollin C. Goodrich, Russell K. Kendall, George Holland, Henry Huff, 
Daniel Harris, Clay Johnston, Charles Johnson, Henry Jacobs, Edgar 
[ones, George Kirby, Amos Kelley, Thomas Kelley, Eli Koch, Loami 



154 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Karshner, Zepli Kearns, Henry Lafner, Patrick Lee, James Larkly, 
Martin V. Myers, George W. McLurty, Henry Melcher, William I. 
McCoy, John McCarty, EnosW. McMillen, Robert W. Minturn, Isaac 
W. Patterson, Pease Plumb, Thomas R. Quigley, George F. Reddert, 
Chapman Roberts, William Ryan, Edward C. Reynolds, John Ratcliff, 
John T. Sliarp, Alonzo Swetne, Martin Spitznagle, William Seymour, 
Frederick H. Seward, Henry Whortman, Barney Williams, John 
Welch, Theodore Wiggins, Nathaniel F. M. Wlieeler, Henry Whet- 
zell, Henry G. Whiting, John L. Wliiteside, Michael Wisemantle, 
Charles H. Williams, Joseph Young, Henry Riehl, Charles H. Weaver, 
Samuel S. Stratton, John Scherer, John Wagner, Valentine P. Smith. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Kettler. 

First Lieutenant Herman Reinpel. 

Second Lieutenant John Lang. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry Meyling. 
Sergeant George Louis Licking. 
Sergeant Henry Ronig. 
Sergeant George Foster. 
Sergeant David B. Worley. 
Corporal John Roth. 
Corporal Conrad Greing. 
Corporal Christian Renter. 
Corporal Frederick Lutz. 
Corporal William Robinson. 
Corporal Uavid Snellbaker. 
Corporal Benjamin Sharpless. 
Corporal Edward Horracks. 
Musician Herman Ahlenstorff. 
Musician Henry Rohrkasse. 
Wagoner George H. Fein. 

PRIVATES. 

William Arnold^ Isaac N. Babcock, John H. H. Babcock, John 1. 
Ba.\ter, Christian Baumgartner, John F. Becker, Henry L. Baker, Ar- 
mand Bouchon, Robert Baunfels, Patrick Code, Thomas Conley, Ed- 
ward Deveny, Harrison Daring, James Downey, James L. Dewab, 
Andrew Ewan, John Engart, Charles Fehr, Louis Fonguet, Joseph 
Finn, John A. Gartline, Lorenz German, Philip B. Habening, Henry 
Haaf, John I. Hauck, Joseph Hauck, John Huey, John Harvey, 
August Hoyng, Ludwig Huber, John D. Huff, Henry Hersch, Freder- 
ick Kaufiran, W. J. Kasper, Michael Kelley, Christian Knappka, 
Jacob Kutzer, John Kreutzberg, John Lang, Matthias Mannes, Charles 
C. Martin, Michael Mellan, Joseph Moore, Samuel Moss, W. J. Mc- 
Quigg, Henry Mohrman, Henry Mussaus, John Nunnenger, John 
William Page, A-Iichael Pauls, John Phelps, Peter Rappold, Joseph 
Rechtin, Louis Ritter, Joseph Roberts, Paul Rothfuss. Bernhard Lick- 
ing, Herman Schaff, William Stande, Theobold Scheib, Joseph Shath, 
Henry Sohn, Reinhard Steble, George Sterzenbach, John Smith, 
Charles Shmidt, William Schulze, Benjamin Trester, August Uhl, 
Christian Veit, Albert Vogel, Valentine Volmer, Martin Weiss, Charles 
Wetter, John Weimer, Thomas Wallecott, Sheridan Williamson, James 
Wilson, Thomas W. Wright, Zachariah Wrecker, Louis Zacheritz, 
John Lang, Louis Niskin, Alexander Hamilton. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John E. Hudson. 
First Lieutenant Charles Allen. 
Second Lieutenant Patrick Merrick. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William Gibson. 
Sergeant Samuel S. Matthews. 
Sergeant William J. Haney. 
Sergeant John S. Pierce. 
Sergeant Henry Kemper. 
Corporal Thomas Mackin. 
Corporal Patrick Farmer. 
Corporal Thomas Granger. 
Corporal Moses D. Lovey. 
Corporal Thomas Collins. 
Corporal Richard Norton. 
Corporal William Butler. 
Corporal William Lamb. 



Musician John W. Ambrose. 
Musician Joseph Devine. 
Wagoner John McKeefer. 

PRIVATES. 

Paul Burns, George H. Beckman, Wesley Burden, William Bolls, 
Matthias Bone, George W. Beech, Thomas Bowers, Michael Butler, 
Michael O'Brien, Michael Carley, John Conley, jr., William E. Cobb, 
David C. Cooper, WiUiam A. Doherty, James Diffley, August Dening, 
Martin Donnelly, Michael Doherty, John Davis, Michael Doyle, Moses 
P. Early, Dennis Fanning, Leopold Fice, Terrance Ferrell, Patrick 
Gil]#artin, Abraham Gross, Jasper Galentine, James Hundersurh, Ed- 
ward Hendrahan, WiUiam Hayes, Clark Heitt, Marion Heitt, Simon 
Holland, Anthony Harnold, Isaac Johnson, John W. Kallis, Bernhard 
Kretty, Harrison Kelly, James Keating, Owen Laning, Michael 
Lawrence, John Linderman, George W. Lee, William Murphy, Patrick 
Murry, John J. Meckling, Benjamin Marshall, Thomas Mulligan, 
David J. Mills, Jerry Mahony, William Moran, Dennis McCanleff. 
John McLear, James C. McWiUiams, Samuel Newell, John W. Oliver, 
Edward C. O'Donnell, John Orr, Joseph Piesche, George Pelcher, 
Patrick Parlin, Marion RusseU, William Roe, Joseph Roush, Chris- 
topher Sherer, Henry Shanagman, Valentine Spissinger, Martin 
Teoholdt, John Thomas, John Troy, Asa Walton, George Weber, 
Williams B. West, William Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Richard Wells, 
Edward Walsh, George W. Woods, George Wales, Thomas Walts, 
George Yeddah, Charles Allen, Patrick Merrick, Frank Smith, John 
McDonald, Robert Nichelson, Ceorge Sandbrink, Anthony Runk, 
William Andrews, Martin Dickhite, James Henderson, jr. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMI.SSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captaid John O'Dowd. 

First Lieutenant James Foley. 

Second Lieutenant Samuel W. McCaslin. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Joseph Ahise. 
Sergeant John B. Sexton. 
Sergeant Patrick Grififin. 
Sergeant George W. Bogart. 
Sergeant James Brown. 
Corporal William H. Smith. 
Corporal Thomas Cleveland. 
Corporal George Gill. 
Corporal Thomas M. Edgely. 
Corporal Edward Williams. 
Corporal Moses H. Metcalf. 
Corporal James M. Hickman. 
Coi"poial James Dempsey. 
Musician William H. Weber. 
Musician Levi S. Mote. 
Wagoner Charles Fagan. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Allen, John Battell, Westley Brewer, John M. Blair, Isaac 
S. Bailey, John Barber, Jesse Belcher, Lawrence Boyle, James Boyles- 
ton, Richard M. Bishop, Charles Boyd, Richard Burnett, Jeremiah 
Cregg, Cornelius Conway, James Carroll, John Conkling, Edward G. 
Clyde, Barney Duffy, Richard Dovan, James Dennis, Thomas David, 
Patrick Donohue, Lawson Drais, Thomas B. Fox, Patrick Fox, James 
Fay, Englelerz Faulk, Wilson K. Gaines, Robert Gould, John Heron, 
Francis Howard, Patrick Hart, John Hudson, John Hudnall, Austin 
Joice, Joseph E. King, Peter Klein, Lawrence Kehoe, George Kram- 
bert, Joseph Lewis, John Lantre, Joseph Mues, John Masters, Joseph 
Mattern, Patrick Morgan, James McGauley, Thomas M. McGrath, 
Thomas McBride, William McHenry, Patrick McCarty, James W. 
Nadand, Thomas Newcomb, Chambers Peyton, Thomas Ryan, John 
Reed, Albert F. Rusk, James Ryan, Richard Ross, George A. Reider, 
Thomas Smith, James Smith, No. i, James Smith, No. 2, Thomas 
Steiner, Daniel Sullivan, Henry Stafford, James Stillman, Ephriam 
Sellers, John M. Stowell, Samuel Schroeder, William Stewart, Nicholas 
A. Shotts, Howard A. Turner, John Thomas, Harvey Vanbryen, 
Thomas Weldon, William Waite, William H. Wilson, Joseph A. 
Witherby, Wallace W. Witherby, James B. Carney, James Folev, 
Samuel W. McCaslin. 

(Assigned to Company.) 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Edvvard Cannon. 
Sergeant Walcott R. Wetherby. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



iSS 



Sergeant Edward Donevan, 
Sergeant Thomas Noonan. 
Corporal Horace Ryhran. 
Corporal Patrick McGarry. 
Corporal James Murray. 
Corporal Marion Hargrove. 
Musician Nicholas E. Dressell. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick Dressell, John Rennessy, John S. Kleine, James A. Klick, 

William A. Lewis, William Moesch, Christopher H. Maker, John 

Mayle, Patrick McCarthy, James Rooney, Thomas E. Rodgers, John 

Sheridan, William Truman, Samuel Wilson. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain David Gordon. 

First Lieutenant Daniel K. Gordon. 

Second Lieutenant Robert S. Logan. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Lucien W. McKee. 
Sergeant John Alexander. 
Sergeant Benjamin Durry. 
Sergeant Oliver R. Fazier. 
Sergeant Benjamin F. Heath, 
Corporal Alfred B. Norris. 
Corporal Mathew O'Conner. 
Corporal John J. Weaver. 
Corporal Thomas F. Gleeson. 
Corporal Abraham Deffendefer. 
Corporal Frank M. Slyth. 
Corporal Jacob E. Keifer. 
Corporal Frederick Walton. 
Musician William Ross. 
Musician William W. Adams. 
Wagoner James Davis. 

PRIVATES. 

Michael Arie, James M. Bradford, Eli Binkley, Aaron O. Boose, Wil- 
liam Butler, Simon Burtch, Lewis Beatel, Vincent C. Brown, William 
Barlow, Safron Bowman, John P. Bowlander, William Bakeman, Fred- 
erick Bowman, Absalom Brooks, Allen Brewer, George Bartlett, Sam- 
uel Bowen", Christopher Backhoff, Thomas Brown, Michael Constantine, 
Isaiah Clark, Thomas Campbell, George Curtiss, George A. Du- 
gan, John Dair, Glenville Eddington, Alonzo C. Earhart, John Forsyth, 
Thomas Fury, Charles Fry, Richard D. Gibson, Joseph Goell, John H. 
Heath, David Hanes, John Hicks, Emanuel Harlan, George W. Har- 
ker, James Hamilton, Wilson Jenkins, Albert Jacob, Harry H. Jones, 
Peter Kamph, James Kapp, James L. Laman, John Lucas, Joseph 
luckhart, Samuel J. Lorrins, John Leever, Herman Moore, John Ma- 
hony, John J. MiUigan, Branson McChristy, Frank Moeohn, Michacj 
McMahon, George Nappert, John Oliver, Ralph Peterson, William A. 
Parker, William Porter, Edward H. Powers, Andrew Putsie, William 
Rush, Peter Ristling, Proctor Ratcliff, William Stivers, Isaac Shaffer, 
Rinehart Shintledeker, Marsailes Shutcliff, Frank Schmidt, John Stans- 
berry, Edward Snyder, George Scott, Lewis Stahl, Charles Thomas, 
John W. Toskny, John Vogel, William Vandemark, John Williams, 
Clermont Wellerding, Jacob Worstell, James Wiley, Frederick Yeager, 
Robert L. Logan, Dennis McGroarty, Frank M. Slyh, Joseph Bruens, 
Frederick Dankhardt, Henry Riedel. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Gustav A. Grais. 
First Lieutenant Louis Kuster. 
Second Lieutenant Frederick Hoeller. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Henry Elver. 
Sergeant John Steffel. 
Sergeant Henry Asbach. 
Sergeant John Walmsler. 
Sergeant John Siefert. 
Corporal John Reimer. 
Corporal Jacob Schroesizer. 
Corporal Henry Bauer. 
Corporal Henry Oliver. 
Corporal Peter Lichtfers. 
Corporal C. Geschwind. 



Corporal Theodore Koehn. 
Corporal Gottlieb Knabe. 
Musician Frank Mueller. 
Musician Clemens Aldendick. 
Wagoner William Ehrhavelt. 

PRIVATES. 

William Amlingmeyer, Henry Barker, John Barthlem, Henry Bauer, 
Joseph Bauer, Robert Bettner, George Bichle, Louis Bienernan, Peter 
Blau, Peter Brann, William.Burkhardt, Christopher Busch, John Bink- 
man, Martin Clansman, Frederick Detmcring, Conrad Diemer, Charles 
Dickman, Hugo Edler, Andrew Egner, Theodore Feigler, Lawrence 
Fisher, Frederick Frey, Philip Geiber, William F. Gilpin, George Gro- 
nauer, John Gunterd. Andrew Guenther, John Hartman, Christian 
Herbstreith, Michael Herman, John Hittenbental, Benjamin Hillbert, 
Peter Hoffman, Adam Huber, Andrew Huber, John Jager, Loton 
Jones, Raymond Kattenback, John Kling, Valentine Kneer, Ludwig 
Kraucher, John Kroll,John P. Lanser, Charles Leishkow, Henry Lutz, 
Christian Meister, John Mueller, Jacob Mueller, Louis Nolte, Cornelius 
Oschwald, Herman Peters, Joseph Pick, Philip Pick, Frederick Probst, 
Johonas Raabe, Frank R. Ritter, John Roos, Augustus Roerig, John 
Rosenberger, David Roth, John E. Schabel, Jacob Schott, Henry W. 
Schroeder, William Schutte, Frank Senliff, John Sicking, William 
Smiers, Haver Smith, John E. Spaeth, Charles Spec, Gabriel Stadler, 
Henry Stahl, Haver Stauss, Frederick Strich, Christian Stritling, Louis 
White, Matthew Wehr, John Werner, Albert Wetstein, John B. Wink- 
ler, Frederick Winter, Paul Zimmerer, Louis Knester. 
COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George Kounz. 

First Lieutenant Lawrence C. Carpenter. 

Second Lieutenant George W. Poling. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Callahan. 
Sergeant Columbus Thornton. 
Sergeant John Leonard. 
Sergeant Silas F. Hill. 
Sergeant Thomas G. Duncan. 
Corporal Herman T. Monougli. 
Corporal George S. Moore. 
Corporal Vincent Winings. 
Corporal John G. Moore. 
Corporal Henry Shackleford. 
Corporal Clark Galloway. 
Corporal James Fitzgerald. 
Corporal John C. Owens. 
Musician William H. Wilson. 
Musician Aaron Reedy. 
Wagoner James H. Duffy. 

PRIVATES. 

George W. Abbott, Anderson Arnold, Francis M. Atwell, William 
H. Bowers, Solomon Beach, George W. Beach, Hugh Breen, Robert 
Bruce, Henry Bowman, Charles L. Bradford, Barnett W. Blakesley, 
George Boswell, William Cappell, Henry Cox, James W.Criswell, John 
Conard, John W. Campbell, John Cretes, William Congar, Jeremiah 
Cougar, George Chesnut, James Caplinger, Thomas Cooper, Bronell 
Cooper, James Curney, Henry Duly, Frederick Donbusch, Harrison 
Dean, Benjamin Dean, Edward P. Dickey, Peter Eierman, Samuel 
Ehrhart, Jacob Fredman, William R. Hazelbaker, Andrew J. Hazel- 
baker, Matthew R. Humphrey, Frederick Horsmeile, John Hilliard, 
Henry Hinsey, David Hardman, Ezra Her, Daniel Johnson, William 
Landmeier, Abraham Londan, Paul Londan, William Low, Enoch D. ■ 
Lamb, John Mansfield, Charles S. Marion, Frederick Mantell, Reuben 
W. Mason, Isaac L. Moore, George W. Moore, George Myers, Daniel 
Morrison, George W. Mann, John Martin, Samuel S. Martin, Peter 
McCabe, Daniel McDermit, Jacob Mersch, Charles Riohman, Williaiu 
Rolphing, Joseph Reedel, Samuel Robertson, William Robertson, 
Thomas Ratcliff, Shepherd Reedy, John Ryan, William C. Reynolds, 
Julius Renach, Enoch B. Stratton, John Thompson, Peter Warner, 
John Weeks, William H. Weyman, James Walker, John Williams, 
Richard Winn, Joseph Williams, William H. Blake, Wesley Buck, 
Marion Cline, Dillon I. Healey, Christian Miller. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George A. Boss. 

First Lieutenant Frederick Hoeller. 



156 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



First Lieutenant Louis Stuebing. 

Second Lieutenant August Ruddenbrook. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frank D. Russell. 
Sergeant Cliarles Werkenhausen. 
Sergeant George Better. 
Sergeant Rudolph Oberding. 
Sergeant John Hess. 
Corporal Frederick Ertz. 
Corporal Henry Hemminghaus. 
Corporal William Brunner. 
Corporal Peter Mattern. 
Corporal John Schneider. 
Corporal .August Loeser. 
Corporal Leboreous Weiss. 
Corporal Louis Christnian. 
Musician Alfred Herbolsheimer. 
Musician Joseph Hennesse. 
Wagoner John Leever. 

PRIVATES. 

Benson Abby, Frederick Ahlheit, Conrad Ahr, Jacob Becker, Thomas 
Bolton, William Cox, John Clarson, Peter Decker, Valentine Deckert, 
Charles Daverl, Jacob Dierberger, John Dremnal, Samuel Dunham, 
Thomas Dearing, John Feldman, James Fitzpatrick, Henry Foster, 
Henry Friedel, Andrew GoUer, David Groves, Frederick Helbing, 
Julius Hauser, Jacob Hoffman, Bernhard Hoffman, John Hoffman, 
Henry Helmick, Anselm Huber, John B. Helmann, William Horst, 
Louis Jonese, John Klemm, James Kelly, Otto Kraft, Charles Keenan, 
Thomas Keenan, Michael Lebean, Frederick Linderking, Edward 
Lilly, Ernst Linne, Charles Marshall, Tobias Muller, Alexander Mc- 
Pherson, Thomas Manning, John Oeder, William Ortendorf, William 
Oberding, George Plettner, David Powell, Henry Reis, Charles Retze, 
Frank Reinold, John Renk, George Riffemarker, Henry Reiter, Frank 
Rork, Bernhard Reuss, John Roor, William Scheeben, John Stein- 
brecker, John Stevens, John Sickler, George Schwarts, James She- 
watter, Louis Schneider, Valentine Teschler, William Tech, Martin L 
Ulmer, Frederick Ulmer, Henry Verwold, Michael Veerherlig, George 
Vetter, John Wahl, Charles Wentzel, Frank Wolff, August Wolff, 
Edward Walkei, August Worst, Frederick Wehmann, William Zim- 
merman, John Phole, Louis Bower, Thomas Hurst. 

COMPANY L 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Becker. 

First Lieutenant Rudolph M. Gutenstein. 

Second Lieutenant John C. Stahel. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Patrick Rath. 
Sergeant Adolphus Kuehn. 
Sergeant Peter Lesaint. 
Sergeant Patrick Kramer. 
Sergeant Philip Weihreich. 
Corporal Franz Serbter. 
Corporal George N, Davein. 
Corporal Christopher Leibrand. 
Corporal Charles Marschustz. 
Corporal Christopher Schimdberger. 
Corporal Kleinrich Werner. 
Corporal Jacob Kahn. 
Corporal Philip Loeffel. 
Musician David Stoffel. 
Musician Joseph Timhoff. 
Wagoner Conrad Zeigler. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph .Adams, George Asheimer, Frederick y^ppelius, Charles Arens, 
Emil Becker, Philip Jacob Becker, John Barger, David Beinhart, Joseph 
Brosemer, Emil Boscn, Joseph Blank, Louis Bohl, Frederick Dacker, 
Fritz Dehne, Philip Dornheger, Jacob Dietz, Jacob Dohna, George 
Endres, Casper Eisclein, Joseph Emminger, John Falk, Martin Fidler, 
Gustav Frauer, Franke Ficke, John Fox, Jacob Geiger, August Guss- 
man, Conrad Guthard, August Goepper, Adam Haab, August Haver- 
cost, Bernhard Harbth, John Heafner, John Herzig, Joseph Heitser, 
John Helt, Lorenz Hermann, John Heltmann, John Hauck, George 
Hoffman, Valentine Kenimereg, John Klein, Joseph Kaufman, William 
Krankburg, John Kahn, Valentine Korell, Cliristopher Lorenz, George 
Mallet, Joseph Meyer, Leopold Meyer, Henry Martin, Frank Meren- 



zer, John Meisterman, Philip Mueller, Adam Ney, Johan K. Oeder, 
Frank Olray, Philip Obergfeld, Edward Pfeff, Wilhelm RoUfing, John 
Roechli, Charles Ritter, George Richards, Adam Rechel, Louis Sturow, 
George Salzmann, John Schlesinger, Leonidas Schott, Jacob Schwartz, 
Anton Schwier, Frederick Schwier, William Strohman, Juling Sutton, 
Jacob Sommer, Patrick Stoffel, Frederick Tlrorman, George Weghorn, 
Henry Wiebel, Frederick Winner, George Wild, Joseph Welther, An- 
drew "^Vild. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James T. Hickey. 

First Lieutenant Charles Le Blanc. 

Second Lieutenant Timothy Cannon. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Francis M. Engart. 
Sergeant Nicholas Kinnan. 
Sergeant James Miller. 
Sergeant John R. Lamb. 
Sergeant John Mara. 
Corporal James Tighe. 
Corporal David M. Merrill. 
Corporal Philip Baxter. 
Corporal Thomas H. Corcoran. 
Corporal Francis I. Cannon. 
Corporal Patrick Regan. 
Corporal Lewis L Nadend. 
Corporal Charles A. Nadend. 
Musician Albert Malloy. 
Musician John R. Whitrock. 
Wagoner John McCarthy. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Adams, J'rank Brooks, John Brannon, James H. Brown, 
Butch Coyle, William Cavanagh, John Crorrih, Charles Cochenhour, 
James Creedon, John Creedon, John Crawford, Daniel Corcoran, WiU 
liam Derlirhie, Dominick Demredy, Daniel Dume, James Day, Michael 
Dayre, William Eichler, Edgar Evans, Samuel Frost, James Foley, 
Daniel Fleming, John C. Flynn, Sanford Giay, Thomas Green, James _ 
Gallagher, David Hunter, William Henshaw, Samuel Henthorn, 
Thomas Hopkins, William Harley, Martin Holmes, John Holmes, Wil- 
liam Johnson, Samuel Johnston, William Jones, Patrick Kain, Thomas 
Lang, Thomas Lynch, Thomas James Lynch, James Lacey, James 
Morrison, Bryan Manning, John Mattor, James Moran, William Mar- 
ner, Edward Mason, Thomas Marmion, Henry W. Martin, Patrick 
MeVarney, Thomas McGraw, John McEUise, William McCrudy, Da- 
vid R. McLeracken, Robert Nicholson, Garrett Newman, Isaiah E. 
Newland, John Norvall, Bartholomew O'Donnell, John T. Peterson, 
Bernhard Rigney, Cornelius Ryan, Dennis Ryan, John Ryan, Henry 
Rucker, John Reynolds, William Reynolds, Peter Russell, James 
Spaulding, John Smith, .August Schwager, Charles L. Shannon, Martin 
Sheridan, Thomas Taylor, William Warner, James Wilson, John D. 
Sloan, Nicholas Trimble, William Murray, Roderick McCormick. 

Discharged. — Sergeants John Williams, William Haaren, James An- 
derson; Corporal Michael Moorey; Privates James Curry, James Fitz- 
patrick, Thomas Kennedy, Matthews McCarty, John MeGuire, John 
McNulty, Patrick O'Connell, John Rogers, Michael Tydengs. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SECOND OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was a one-year regiment. The regitnental or- 
ganization was completed October 28, 1864, at Camp 
Chase, near Columbus, and it moved at once to join 
General Sherman's command at Nashville. Hood's 
army appeared early in December, and this regiment 
■ took a prominent jjart in the battle that followed. After 
remaining in Nashville for guard and provost duty, it 
was sent to Camp Chase, where, July 13, 1S65, the men 
were mustered out and discharged. 

COMPANY G. 
Private William H. Payne. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Alexander M. Lang. 
First Lieutenant Thomas Mitchell. 
Second Lieutenant Levi Conner. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



157 



PRIVATES. 

Allen S. Brownfield, Joseph Bradford, Henry Bradford, John l3unn, 
James W. Biinn, James Charles, Oliver E. Conner, Granville Cooper, 
William H. Cooley, Greenberry 1. Claxton. George A. Klinger, John 
A. FrankUn, Francis Fear, Caleb Flanigan, Thomas Graham, William ■ 
E. Howell, Josephus Bines, John E. Hicks, William Hall, Franklin 
Hall, Jonathan O. Bines, Henry Bines, James A. Hampton, William 
Hampton, William Boop, Sylvester Jobe, Samuel Jacob, William G. 
Kelley, William W. Killen, Charles W. Mittinger, John Neill, William 
Neville, James C. Pulmer, William H. Powers, John Powers, James 
Parker, Gilbert M. Paul, William Ruggles, Benjamin Schott, John A. 
Scott, Ale.xander Stewart, John M. Stewart, George W. Thompson, 
William Thompson, Uriah S. Thowman, George Warren, Harrison 
Warner, Daniel Anderson, Jacob Ashpach. 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

John Love, Charles Love, Samuel S. Peggs. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison be- 
tween the tenth of October and the eighteenth of Novem- 
ber, 1864. Eight companies were recruited princijDally in 
Cincinnati, and the other two were from Warren and 
Logan counties. About one-half of the men were Ger- 
mans by birth or descent. Many of the officers and men 
had been connected with other regiments, and had dis- 
tinguished themselves in numerous engagements by their 
gallantry and meritorious conduct. On the nineteenth 
of November, with seven hundred officers and men 
present, the regiment left Camp Dennison, and arrived 
at Columbia, Tennessee, on the twenty-eighth. It was at 
once assigned to the Third brigade. Second division, 
Twenty-third army corps, with which it remained during 
its entire term of service. When the army retired be- 
fore Hood's forces on the twenty-ninth, the regiment, 
with the Forty-fourth Missouri, was left at Spring hill, 
within eight hundred yards of the enemy's camp-fire, to 
protect the road leading to Franklin. Skirmishing was 
kept up all night, and early in the morning the regiment 
moved with the rear of the army to Franklin, closely 
pursued by the rebels. In the battle which ensued it 
acted a highly important part, and though but twelve 
days a regiment, it occupied a position near the center, 
and sustained itself well against every assault of the en- 
emy. Fifteen days later, in the battle of Nashville, the 
regiment showed a commendable determination to retain 
its early-won laurels, and was favorably mentioned in the 
official reports. The casualties in these two engage- 
ments amounted to over one hundred. The regiment 
afterwards moved with the corps to Clifton, on the Ten- 
nessee river, and thence by way of Cincinnati, Washing- 
ton city, and Fort Fisher, to Wilmington, North Carolina. 
Advancing by way of Kingston, it joined General Sher- 
man's army at Goldsborough and proceeded to Raleigh. 
After the surrender of Johnston the regiment moved to 
Salisbury, and during the month of June, 1865, received 
an addition of four officers and about two hundred men, 
who were transferred from the Fiftieth, One Hundredth, 
One Hundred and Third, One Hundred and Fourth, 
One Hundred and Eleventh, and One Hundred and 
Eighteenth Ohio regiments. The regiment was mus- 
tered out at Salisbury July 17th, and proceeding to Co- 
lumbus, it was paid and discharged on the twenty-ninth 



of July, 1865. It had served something less than a 
year, for which term, it was recruited. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel George W. Boge. 
Lieutenant Colonel Mervin Clark. 
Lieutenant Colonel Augustus G. Beitey. 
Major William F. Scott. - 
Surgeon Cyrus Basack. 
Assistant Surgeon Francis C. Plunkett. 
Assistant Surgeon Edward F. Baker. 
Adjutant Robert S. M. Bennett. 
Quartermaster William Beingst. 
Chaplain Jolin J. Geer. 
Sergeant Major Absalom Martin. 
Sergeant Major Charles B. Skinner. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Warner F. Jones. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Charles W. Schmidt. 
Commissary Sergeant Thomas Noris. 
Bospital Steward Adolph Bill. 
Bospital Steward Andrew Seymour. 

COMPANY B. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Daniel Risser. 
First Lieutenant Albert Selbert. 
Second Lieutenant J. W. Durbin. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frederick Sayer. 
Second Sergeant Christopher Reichel. 
Sergeant John Kindel. 
Sergeant Joseph Eiklebeyer. 
Sergeant Gustav Meininger. 
Corporal Balthasar Burke. 
Corporal George Seger. 
Corporal William Schneiser. 
Corporal Charles Richter. 
Corporal John M. Harnish. 
Corporal ."Ashley D. Johnson. 
Corporal Phillip Marder. 
Corporal Henry W. Cordes. 
Musician Conrad Hein. 
Musician Alexander Bubart. 
Wagoner Frank Richter. 

PRIVATES. 

Edward F. Armstead, Peter Argent, Jacob Bolman, Berman B. 
Brennstrop, Christopher Bremeng, William Bremeng, Frank B. Beck, 
John P. Bohlander, Martin Breedy, Martin Bruck, Charles Behringer, 
Henry Buck, Frederick Buttner, James BoUman, Benry Dera, An- 
drew^ Dehbacker. Julius Diemer, Jacob Deusch, William Lich, Benry 
Eckert, John Felt, John A. Finn, Benry Floteman, August Fieder- 
king, Charles Furst, Gottlieb GanzenmuUer, John B. Beke, Joseph 
Beldman, Jacob Boltzbauer, Benry Hendersman, Josiah Jobson, 
Clemens Joss, Joseph Kaich, Jacob Knapp, Peter Kaper, Frank B. 
Klein, Berman Koers, Joseph Kramer, Jacob Klein, Christian 
Jacob Loewe, Frank Linhoff, John A. Lindner, Benry Little, 
John E. Mueller, Frederick Meyer, Jonas Meyer, Joseph Meyer, Jo- 
seph MuUer, Nicholas Muller, Jonas Muller, Robert MulhoUand, Fred- 
erick Nordman, William N'enn, Benry Ott, Edward T. Perkins, 
Benry Rowe, Benry Richfer, Thomas Richardson, Gustavus Schaoe- 
fer, Lewis Schaefer, George F. Struebe, Benry Seulke, Charles 
Schwarz, Frank Sokup, George Sohn, Charles Schwembeyer, Joseph 
Saeger, Frederick Schiefer, Ignaz Stoefer, William Todd, Joseph Utz, 
William Vogel, Joseph Von Rohr, Julius Walker, William E. Wolfte, 
John Weber, Joseph Wagner, Christopher Wolff, August Wringer, 
Charles Walter, Andrew Young, Albert Selbert, Benry Brinkley, Wil- 
liam Caster, Abraham R. Cuphey, Perry Bolland, Benry Killing, 
Jonathan Linniger, John Lane, John Myron, Edward Murray, George 
Reedman, Charles W. Schmidt, Charles Young, John Young. 

COMPANY C. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Lang. 

First Lieutenant George Foester. 

Second Lieutenant Frederick Lutz. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Herman Grosshoedt. 
Sergeant Michael Wallucli. 
Sergeant Frederick Blau. 
Sergeant Herman Bohne. 
Sergeant Ferdinand Schweclie. 
Corporal Lycurgus S. Edwards. 
Corporal John Schafer. 
Corporal John Siemen. 
Corporal Frederick Myelin. 
Corporal Christopher Myelin. 
Corporal Otto Driglestedt. 
Corporal Charles Driglestedt. 
Corporal Peter Ibold. 
Musician Jacob Helper. 
Musician John Miller. 
Wagoner Sigismimd Morsch. 

PRIVATE.^. 

George Barvines, I. L. Brooks, Christopher Bernett, Jacob Buhler, 
Andrew Branderbreger, Christopher Balke, Joseph Bauer, Henry Beck, 
Joseph Beckman, Charles Becker, James Cope, Michael Conrad, John 
Convoy, Gottleib Dehmel, Frank Din, John Depont, Charles Deutsch- 
mann, Joseph Dumler, John Desscher, Peter Eibacher, Louis Fricker, 
William Fazer, Andrew Graff, Joseph Graff, Henry Gilbert, Theodore 
Gyss, Frank Guide, William Gotze, William Hauer, Joseph Hund, 
David Hunter, Christopher Junkert, Andrew Kiefer, Joseph Katterer, 
Henry Kull, Henry Kern, William Klaas, John I. Klappert, Clemens 
Kruger, John Knecht, Fritz Kuntze, Frederick Kammerling, John Lan- 
lenschlager, John A. Lellule, Franz Lohre, William Lenzer, Joseph 
Munnenburg, William Muller, George Mayce, Ferdinand Opertz, 
William Pillman, George Rebholtz, Peter Rohland, August Rotz, Fer- 
dinand Schwab, John Smith, No. i, John Smith, No. 2, Adam .Schnei- 
der, Daniel Schneider, John Stockman, August Sauker, Maxwell 
Schmidt, Peter Sauer, John Stoltz, Henry Scharenhaus, August 
Schleich, Michael Schumpf, George Thum, Henry Voht, Frank Weber, 
John Wonderlich, John Watson, Carl Werth, John Wisher, William 
Weber, William Westerman, Christopher Wieman, Jacob White, 
George Walters, Adam Zigler, George Kreckle, William Smith. Louis 
Asbach, Frederick Lippert. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Columbus Thornton. 
First Lieutenant Eden B. Reeder. 
Second Lieutenant Benjamin F. Durrv. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James W. Driskel. 
Sergeant Alfred J. McCormick. 
Sergeant Joseph F. Turner. 
Sergeant Thomas Plumb. 
Sergeant John Marlow. 
Corporal Henry Snyder. 
Corporal James Patterson. 
Corporal J osiah Duffield. 
Corporal Edwaid Cooke. 
Corporal Joseph Sirtle. 
Corporal John Megrue. 
Corporal William M. Avery. 
Corporal Morton Frirch. 
Musician James Williams. 
Musician Thaddeus Simpson. 

PRIVATES. 

William B. Ashley, John Anderson, John M. Alexander, Silas Bran- 
denberg, George Burnett, Henry Brinkman, Joh" G. Beatly, Byron 
Brier, James Burdett, Lewis A. Boswell, Edward Cassady, Patrick 
Carey, Thomas Conner, Noah Colcher, Charles W. Clark, James 
Dockroy, Jacob Duppe, William Daley, George Dunlap, William Dot, 
John Dot, Herman Erfman, Germanns Fecker, Michael Fitzgivens, 
Edward Ginis, John Gitterniaii, Benjamin F. Gilpin, Arthur Heet, 
Hiram B. Hawk, Henry M. Hilbrunt, Jacob Henk, Henry Heartzel, 
Isaac B. Hart, George W. Hampton, William D. Hall, John W. Jones, 
John W. Johnson, Joseph Kaney, John Ketter, Frank Kesler, Charles 
Long, John S. Lind, Francis Morris, David W. Miller, Americus Men- 
denhall, Michael Mularky, Uriah Massey, John A. McCarty, Hiram 
McDaniel, John McGail, Benjamin McGuin, Henry Norris, John 
Navin, Patrick O'Brien, Patrick O'Donnell, Aaron L. Ogden, John 



Pounstrain, John Pinkleton, Michael Rourke, Peter Rupp, Ebenezer S. 
Strong, Henry Shaw, Dennis Sullivan, Thomas Slattery, Freeman 
Stokes, Christian Strafer, Andrew J. Sanford, Samuel Sutton, John F. 
Smitli, Thomas Sutherland, Milton Tift, John Tucker, Simon Troy, 
William Thompson, Sidney Utley, August Wederkin, James Winlield, 
Peter Walker, Adam Wilchback, John A. West, William E. Wallace, 
Andrew Waldron, John McCue, Charles Millenburger, Philip Doll, 
Charles Dedson. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Christian Amis. 

First Lieutenant Valentine Rupp. 

Second Lieutenant Henry Erkel. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George Schuck. 
Sergeant Anton Geiger. 
Sergeant Conrad Roth. 
Sergeant William Arkold. 
Sergeant Conrad Toppler. 
Corporal John N. Gebhardt. 
Corporal Herman Gottberg. 
Corporal John B. Krouse. 
Corporal George W. Taylor. 
Corporal Jacob Halbauer. 
Corporal Oregon Case. 
Corporal John Speath. 
Corporal John Fustbach, 
Musician William Hauck. 
Musician John Gunther. 
Wagoner Ludwig Roeder. 

PRIVATES. 

William Arnold, Cornelius H. Bauman, John Bauer, William A. 
Bockringer, Henry Boll, John Braun, Henry A. Breede, Charles 
Caddy, Lodwicks Cammar, Jacob Daubinbis, John D. Davenport, 
Karl Frochlich, Frederick Fries, Jacob Fruuzvil, Jacob Goetz, Louis 
Golsch, John Griffey, John Haap, Julius Haap, Louis Haas, John 
Hager, Ignatz Hohenleirteen. Jacob Huber, Joseph Huber, Philip 
Hall, Peter Herbertz, Leopold Huber, Charles Hess, Joseph M. Jack- 
away, Warren F. Jones, Henry Keiser, Joseph Kensch, Christian 
Kuhlman, Christian Kulmer, August Kuntz, Bernhard Kleine, Gott- 
lieb Lidle, Michael Loge, John Lambert, Absalom Martin, John Marz, 
Arthur Maurer, William Meyer, Frederick Meyer, Christian Messmer, 
Blasius Miller, Franz Miller, Charles Miller, John Miller, John Parker, 
Joseph Pfanzer, George Rohm, George W. Rapp, William Rappold, 
John Benner, John Reutscher, John Ridiman, August Roth, Ernst 
Roth, Charles Schinerweck, John Schatz, Conrad Scheurlein,- Joseph 
Schloss, Charles Schmidt, Andrew Schwartz, Jacob Schwimm, Chris- 
tian Spahaner, Frank Spahn, Cassius Stubert, Lewis Steigle, William 
Stein, Frederick Schmalzirgang, John Van Wark, Ernst Walz, John 
Merilinger, Matthew Welitz, Stephen Wliisler, John Warner, Michael 
Walcher, Charles Zuckel, Alexander Zeh, James Hurd. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William P. Worth. 

First Lieutenant Thomas Downey. 

Second Lieutenant William W. Denand. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William Fairland. 
Sergeant Matthew Coughlin. 
Sergeant John Butler. 
Sergeant Thompson Miller. 
Sergeant Charles Skinner. 
Corporal William Shappell. . 
Corporal John Bohe. 
Corporal George Murray. 
Corporal William W. Jones. 
Corporal Alexander Gristle. 
Corporal Frank A. Haven. 
Corporal Charles Shilling. 
Corporal Benjamin D. Prather. 
Musician James Gow. 
Musician John Dunkin. 
Wagoner Henry Tacke. 

PRIVATES. 

George Andrews, Herman Bailey, John Bowers, Charles Brown, Jolm 
Bygroph, Edward Burt, Charles Buchanan, John Conner, Edward 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



159 



Coyle, Francis Carney", Thomas Carney, Michael Cain, John Callahan, 
James Carr, John Clark, George Davis, James Dwycr, Thomas Dono- 
hue, John L. Essell, Martin Foltz, Henry C. Farran, Lawrence Fitzger- 
ald, John Grey, Edward Grant, William Haddalcer, Henry Hornest, 
E. M. Hogan, John Ikard, William Johnson, John King, Patrick Kan- 
nady, John Kief, Frank Klaymeier, Lewis King, Thomas Lynch, Den- 
nis Lyon, John Lillis, Henry Lambert, Christian Lutterman, Aaron 
Labolt, Theodore C. J. Lyons, Louis Meyer, Frank Marshall, Thomas 
McGuire, John McNamara, Henry C. Meddox, William Mulligan, 
George Miar, Thomas Manley, Joseph Miller, George Noble, Clemence 
Ott, James O'Neil, Edward O'Neil, Stephen Osgood, Timothy O'Con- 
nell, James Phillip, Michael Prior, Frank H. Pardick, Thomas Pen- 
tong, George Parsley, John Reilley, M. Reagan, J.J. Rogers, Casper 
Raver, Jacob Rubli, Henry Rickper, James A. Rush, John W. Royell, 
Lawrence Rouch, Jacob Show, John Sullivan, James Stanton, Adam 
Schalk, James P. Smith, James Spaulding, Francis Tracey, Lewis 
Trickier, Washington White, Charles Meskettle, George Winegardner, 
W. P. Worth, W. W. Durand, Charles DeLeon, Frank VanNimm ins. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Daniel Gusweiler. 

First Lieutenant Frederick Eberhardt. 

Second Lieutenant Lorenzo Speath. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Joseph M. Jackaway. 
Sergeant John Blohm. 
Sergeant Jacob Jacobs. 
Sergeant Jacob Karn. 
Sergeant Gustavus Zehfuss. 
Corporal Jonathan W. Ball. 
Corporal John Nabray. 
Corporal Nathaniel Williams. 
Corporal Robert W. Shaw. 
Corporal Henry Eder. 
Corporal Herman Fritz. 
Corporal Casper Oswald. 
Corporal John Bitzer. 
Musician Henry Franke. 
Musician Charles Doegen. 
Wagoner Joseph Hactly. 

PRIVATES. 

William Apfel, Louis Bauer, John F. Becker, Frederick Bader, 
Sebastin Beck, Adam Bossert, Adolph Barck, William Boyce, John 
Buscroff, August Brandt, Christian Bruening, John Bahn, Henry 
Bowman, Thomas Bowers, Peter Christman, Thomas Carpenter, 
Daniel Calahan, John W. Doyle, John Eschbach, Timothy Emphurt, 
Charles Fischer, George Flick, John Freitag, Gusta\'us Flieg, George 
Franklin, Martin Frommer, Jacob Frommer, Michael Griffin, Conrad 
Grering, Louis Goeppert, Charles A. Grimmer, William Hamil, 
Charles Haves, Henry Halm, Jacob Heintz, Louis Helwig, Ernst 
Haumer, Phillip Hess, John Heller, John Hahnwieler, Michael Hes- 
chong, Henry Huensmeyer, Frederick Hoffman, Jacob Hauftmann, 
Samuel D. Jacobs, William Jackson, Adam Kaufmann, Adam Klos, 
Patrick Kearns, William Koch, James Lawler, Phillip Lindenfelser, 
Henry Lowe, Joseph Lickleitner, Charles Montague, Bernhardt Man- 
ninger, Frederick Miller, Ferdinand John Metz, Peter Neu, Da\id 
Punsh, George C. Pope, Engelhart Reinhardt, Clemens Rossman, 
Adam Smith, Edward Smith, Dieterich Schulze, Lorenzo Storch, 
Henry Schutz, John Schatlinger, John Schaefer. John Schmedes, 
Joseph Sommer, Ludwig Schweitzer, William Tollweber, Mathias 
Wiseford, Michael Weimer, George Welch, Frederick Karl Weigel, 
Louis Weber, Joseph Warts, Henry Witz, Adam Zoller, John Gross, 
John F. Keller, David Kyle, Morris Lindelfelser, Henry J. Dean, 
Jacob Ashback, Martin Troumard. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



Captain Joseph M. Jackaway. 
First Lieutenant Jacob Jacobs. 
Second Lieutenant Frederick Saeger. 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



First Sergeant Frederick Flatt. 
Sergeant Gustavus Greeny. 
Sergeant John Heiger. 
Sergeant Ferdinand Hurencourt. 



Sergeant John T. Miller. 

Corporal Charles Smith. 

Corporal Warren M. Jones. 

Corporal Henry Diehl. 

'Corporal Rudolph Kaufman. 

Corporal Herman Dietrich. 

Corporal Charles Miller. 

Corporal George Kuwa. 

Musician Jacob Lielich. 

Musician Abram R. Gusweiler. 

Wagoner Benjamin Impton. 

PRIVATES. ■ 

Matthew Albert, Edward H. Allen, John Allen, August Backer, 
George Brofman, George Bauer, Feli-x C. Bedgood, Joseph Crider, 
Francis Deller, Christopher Dunne, James Early, Christian Fisher, 
John Fitzgerald, John Ford, August Gall, Anthony Gfell, Michael 
Gasner, George Hill, Frank Hayes, Christopher Henries, Andrew 
Hatcher, Adolph Hill, Frederick Hodler, John Isaack, William 
Jeneke, William M. Jones, John Kaele, George Kauhn, Thomas 
Kelly, Charles Krueger, John Knerr, Charles Klein, Louis Lam- 
bert, Joseph Maus, Andrew Miller, Henry Miller, Niclaus Miller, 
Robert May, Edward McCarthy, James B. McClellen, Joseph Metzner, 
Gustavus Mericke, John Moeller, Frank Mueller, Frederick Mueller, 
James Murphy, Henry Mosser, Patrick McQueen, Charles MeGinness, 
Thomas Nelson, Herman Newman, William Oakly, Patrick O'Bryan, 
Michael Pauli, Peter Perry Parker, Charles Perdue, Robert Peding- 
ton, Williams A. Robinson, Martin Staly, August Schruppe, Henry 
Smidt, Thomas Smith, Jacob Schmetztle, William Smith, Thomas J. 
Sullivan, T. S. Strijp, John Thomas, John Thole, Robert Vermer, 
Frederick Wurtz, Joseph C. Wagoner, Herman Kalisius, Raymond 
Goernter, William Brauninger, William Rothe, Thomas Moore, Ferd- 
inand Kulb, Joseph Loeser, William Voeight, Joseph L. Bern. 

COMPANY K. 
Musician David McKee. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry J. Anderson, Richard Antony, William Bisbing, William 
Crosby, Charles Clark, Patrick Conley, John T. Calopsy, James Con- 
Ion, Michael Coburn, William Cadle, Charles Di.\-, John W. Groover, 
William Hands, David Jenkins, John Lloyd, James Malatt, Charles 
Moore, Morris Rogers, Joseph Truesdell, John Trentham, William 
Watson, Richard Boyle, George Roads, Joseph S. Lentz, Adrian 
Mattock, Henry Meilber, August Fincke. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIXTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was another of the regiments raised under the 
last call of the President to serve for one year. A great 
majority of the men had already seen arduous service. 
On the second of March, 1865, the last company was 
mustered in at Camp Chase. By way of Cincinnati, 
Louisville, and Nashville, it moved to Murfreesborough, 
where it arrived on the tenth. The night of the ninth 
will not soon be forgotten. There was not a tent in the 
command, for the quartermaster had not yet been mus- 
tered in. It had rained and snowed all day, and during 
the night the cold became intense. In all their previous 
service, the men had not experienced such a night. The 
destination of the regiment was Cleveland, Tennessee, 
where it went into camp. Here its commander, Colonel 
Wildes, became brigadier general for gallantry while 
lieutenant colonel of the One Hundred and Sixteenth 
Ohio. On the second of May the regiment moved to 
Dalton. General Wildes had, in the meantime, been 
assigned to the command of a brigade at Chattanooga, 
and at his request, the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth was 
transferred to his command. During its stay in camp at 
Chattanooga, Lieutenant Colonel Wilhelm had disci- 
plined his men to such proficiency that the regiment was 
regarded as one of the best drilled of the command. On 
the eighth of June Lieutenant Walker, regimental quar- 



i6o 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



lermaster, was detailed as brigade quartermaster. On 
the twentieth of July the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth 
was relieved from duty at Chattanooga and ordered to 
Nashville. This order returned General Wildes to the 
command of his regiment, as it did all other officers of it 
on detached duty. Orders were received September 13th 
to prepare rolls for the muster-out of the regiment. It 
was paid off and disbanded September 25, 1865, at Co- 
lumbus. This regiment. was never in an engagement, but 
it faithfully and earnestly performed every required duty, 
and doubtless would have acted well its part on the bat- 
tlefield, had its place been so assigned. 

COMPANY H. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Russell Carpenter. 
First Lieutenant Uriah Hoyt. 
Second Lieutenant John M. Knott. 

PRIVATES. 

Abraham .\lspach, Frederick Brush, Joseph Best, Jackson Beveredge, 
Jacob Beyan, Henry Bull, Lorenzo D. Brannan, Cristopher Beenfen- 
anor, Joseph Barkley, Emery M. Baren, Andrew Beam, Williamson 
Barber, Ralph Barnett, Peter Brewer, Robert Burns, Daniel Bartimeus, 
John Cassarine, James M. Coleman, Joseph Cross, Jacob Cumery, 
John Crowney, John P. Derr, John C. Dunn, William Dmecly, Samuel 
P. Daugherty, Thomas Davis, Charles Falk, Joseph Good, Frederick 
A. Gerber, George Grey, William Green, William Giones, Patrick 
Haley, James Hill, George W. Harrison, Louis Harnick, John Hemp- 
hill, Joseph A. Hunnecut, John J. Harrison, Anthony Heninger, George 
W. Hall, William Irwin, John Johnson, George Johnson, Jacob 
Jones, John M.Jones, Elisha Joiner, Henry King, Jacob Kennedy, 
Jacob F. Kohler, Jacob Lutes, John F. Monroe, William McVx-oy, 
George McClosky, William Marshall, John Marshall ist, John Mar- 
shall ad, Charles Namart, Patrick O'Mara, GeorgeW. Phillips, Isaac 
Pyles, James W. Robinson, John Ryan, Theodore Reif, Harvey N. 
Rogers, John Sullivan, William Smith, John Smith, Frederick Smith, 
James H. Sparks, William Spainhower, Edward S. Thayer, John Wil- 
son, Leonidas Willowby, John W. White, George Wilson, John 
Weeks, John R. Winter, Peter ]. Weaver, Charles J. Ballard, Joseph 
T. Shaw, Arthur F. Saifer, John B. Smears, Spencer Allison, Benjamin 
D. Jones, Joseph B. Hartley, Louis Kernick, Anthony Kennager, 
Christian Reutnower. 

COMPANY I. 
PRIVATES. 
Samuel Barbero, John B. Dearman, William H. Elwell, William H. 
Failer, Henry Greiner, Frank Jellyeas, Henry Lampes, James E. Le- 
Count, lohn McCormack, ' Robert Maeversler, Henry Muldore, An- 
drew Petoy, Edward F. Payette, Edwin Smith, Frank Stevens, Battius 
Stanbak, JohnH. Thompson, Charles Rieck. 
COMPANY K. 
PRIVATES. 
Martin Albert, Frederick Avebeck, Lewis H. Bonnell, Henry Brown, 
Thomas Benadum, Andrew Bosse, Henry Braun, George Blaul, Charles 
Bui-goyne, Andrew Balinski, Herman Boeshe, George Bader, Joseph 
Bates, Patrick Carroll, Eugene Conrad, Samuel Craig, Samuel N. Cof- 
land, M. P. Dawson, Henry Dixon, Julius Darz, Dominick Devole, 
Arnold Ernskamp, Edward Fitzsimmons, Charles Erich, Jeremiah 
Gross, Barney Grotz, Herman Grater, Edward Haller, Oscar Howe, 
Michael Hamineiker, Daniel Hogel, Jeremiah Kepfer, George Keller, 
John Ladley, Frank Lorenz, George Lang, George Meyers, Frederick 
Meyer, Jackson Miller, Severin Milhaup, Ralph McCormick, Anton 
Otstadt, Charles D. Palmenon, Benjamin Post, Levi McReynolds, 
Peter Rodeskirk, Nicholas Ridki, Frederick Roller, August Rodman, 
Julius C. Shenk, Patrick Stapleton, Andrew Scheip, Nicholas Sauer, 
Jacob Steil, Martin Singer, Paul Stephen, Charles Schaerger, Samuel 
Shuttleworth, Jacob Soria, Andrew Sahlender, George Trimble, Her- 
man Penneman, Frank Werner, Au.gust Wichman, William Wright, 
W. G. Young, Frederick Zimmerman, Hans Van Blucker. 
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was one of the last full regiments recruited in 
Ohio, and was of that series of organizations authorized 



by the war department to be mustered for one year. It 
was organized March i, 1865, and left Columbus for 
Nashville on the third of the same month. On its ar- 
rival it was met with orders to report at Dalton, Georgia. 
Reaching that point the regiment went into camjj, and 
attended to drill and discipline for not less than two 
months. From Dalton the One Hundred and Eighty- 
seventh marched to Kingston, and there received the 
paroles of two thousand rebel soldiers who had pre- 
sented themselves at that place, claiming to belong to the 
surrendered armies of Johnston and Lee. Marching 
back to Dalton the regiment went into camp for some 
thirty days, when, the railroad being repaired, it was 
placed on the cars and taken to Macon, Georgia. It per- 
formed provost duty in Macon until its muster out in 
January, 1866. Shortly thereafter the regiment was sent 
home to Ohio, and finally paid off and discharged Jan- 
uary 23, 1866. 

COM-PANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain J. F. Harrison. 

First Lieutenant John C. Littler. 

Second Lieutenant William Gaskill. 

PRIVATES. 

John Arthur, David Abbey, Mark A. Bair, George Brinkerworth, John 
M. Busby, Allison L. Bull, Oliver P. Cherry, William Chance, William 
Dodge, Edward Davis, John H. Dennis, John B. Dougherty, Henry 
Epply, Thomas R. Ellis, William Easton, Alfred Frisby, Stephen Furis, 
Dwight Frost, William Gaskill, Isaac Gower, William H. Gift, William 
H. Hudson, Marion Hendry, George W. Henry, Thomas Howard, 
James M. Harris, Fritz Heinman, Jesse Harland, Charles Higdon, 
George W. Henson, William Herrington, John W. Jones, William M. 
Jones, James R. Jackson, Charles W. Kain, John G. Kain, George 
Kain, William Knight, Patrick Kelley, Michael Keelihan. Louis 
Kruig, Joseph Kirk, Wilson Lowstettler, John C. Littler, Anderson 
Long, Stephen B. Lewis, William H. Loper, Charles Minden, Thomas 
J. Meeker, James Matson, Henry H. Matson, Jacob Miller, James 
Mattox, Alfred Merrill, William C. McLaughlin, Christopher Myers, 
William Neville, Williams H. Nickens, Joseph Nesbitt, August Pope, 
Thomas J. Puyze, George Parker, Samuel Proops, John W. Potts, 
Andrew Pancost, John A. Pierpont, Richard H. Peterson, Oliver M. 
Peters, William E. Robinson, Lewis Robinson, Frederick Schaidle, 
David Straight, Oliver P. Schoonover, John W. Straight, George W. 
.Slack, Jefferson M. Shotwell, Randolph Smith, Isaac M. Smith, 
Thomas D. Still, Benjamin F. South, Joseph Smedgrass, Charles Tay- 
lor, Frank Tiexen, John C. Wakeleyn, John Wyant, William Clements, 
John W. Day, Wesley Moor. 

COMPANY F. 



Private Robert P. Yost. 



COMPANY H. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain August Greiff. 

First Lieutenant Adolphus Hildebrand. 

Second Lieutenant William Althammer. 

PRIV.\TES. 

Joseph Bohr, John Baur, Joseph Baur, Frederick Bartels, George 
Beck, Henry Bloss, Henry Boliewinkle, Charles A. Bohnert, Henry 
Buening, George Cambies, Jacob Colmer, Jacob Demig, Joseph Day, 
Joseph Ebbeler, John Fischer, William Fisher, Peter Fliespart, Alfred 
Freinmuth, Joseph Fritch, Francis Gleancy, August Gossman, Jacob 
Graff, Michael Henlihy, George Hellumth, Robert Hildebrand, Conrad 
Hoehn, James C. Horton, John Hutzler, Joseph Jaejer, Leonard 
Knehl, Bernhard Kamps, Bernhard Kleffer, Henry Koch, Bern- 
hard Koeffler, Dietrich Korthman, Lorenz King, Henry Kreiger, 
Fried. Lehman, Canro Louis, Charles Lohrman, John Maddox 
James McKance, Martin Mayer, William Mayers, John C. Mueller, 
John V. Mueller, William J. Mueller, William Miller, Bernhard Mur- 
ray, John Nueff, Stephen Notter, Herman Oldcamp, Joseph Rentchler, 
John Roggendorf, Henry Prape, Anton Schnitz, William Schrader, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



i6i 



Alexander Schroot, David Schuetz, Anton Leebalder, Guster Leidel, 
Frederick Sitloh, Franli Smith, Leonhard Steiner, Frantz Steffan, Wil- 
liam Straub, Frederick Stniuss, Herman Strieker, Anton Terkofsteds, 
Edward Tliiele, George Voegler, John A. Vondenberger, Carl Wash- 
stedter, John Wackel, Anton Wahl, Marcus Wild, Anton Wenzing, 
Jacob Woerthwein, Louis Zehagen, Martin Zimmerman, Matthias Zim- 
merman, Henrych Farwig, John Durst, John Fischer, Conrad Forster, 
Michael Henhauser, John Hoyse, John Leibfried, Charles Newman, 
Hugo Stegeman, Daniel Sullivan, John Wohlfart. 

COMPANY I. 
Private Miles Hendricks. 
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This command completed its organization at Camp 
Chase on the fourth of March, 1865, and the same day 
received orders to report to General Thomas at Nash- 
ville, where it arrived on the ninth. It was assigned to 
duty under Brigadier General Van Cleve, and ordered to 
Murfreesborough, Tennessee, where it remained two 
months, and was then ordered to Tullahoma. Here it 
remained two months, under the strictest of discipline, 
and was then ordered to Nashville, where it remained on 
duty until it was ordered to be mustered out on the 
twenty-first of September. The muster-out was com- 
pleted, and the next day the regiment started for Camp 
Chase, where it arrived on the twenty-fourth, and was 
paid and discharged on the twenty-eighth of September, 
1865. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Edward C. Sanders. 
First Lieutenant Daniel B. Barnes. 
Second Lieutenant George Rempler. 

PRIVATES. 

William Bayer, Henry Bedford, Theodore Beying, Edward Beutrich, 
Levi Brady, Rodolph Bauman, John Beare, Charles Brown, Calvin 
H. Convin, Christopher Cook, William S. Crouch, Henry CuUins, John 
Crosby, Austin Drake, Edward Delbrick, John Deppler, Abraham Den- 
ham, Hiram E. Dean, David De .'\rmon, Henry Diets, Lawrence Disch, 
Henry Ehrenspeiger, Cornelius Farley, Martin Frisby, John Feartery, 
William Gulker, John Gaston, John Grahain, Walter D. Grierson, John 
Gourley, William Geyre, James Higgins, Michael Humphrey, Virgil 
Hayward, Nicholas Hafle, Dominick Hostetter, Daniel Hall, Charles 
Leroy, Hood Irvin, William Jager, James Koch, Frederick Kanouse, 
Thomas G. Kiess, Samuel P. Lard, Samuel Lingle, Edward Lipper, 
George Lowery, Benjamin E. Lacefield, Joseph McDowell, Isaac Mc- 
MuUen, Alexander Moore, John R. McGelaway, Henry Mornberg, 
Charles Miller, Thomas McLaughlin, Thomas McLinn, James O'Con- 
nor, Charles Perrell, Charles Plumb, Charles Rosch, John Rumple, 
George Rempler, John P. Rodgers, Conrad Richter, Andrew Remart, 
Edward Ryand, George Schlee, John W. Stewart, William A. Shep- 
pard, John Stockline, William J. Stout, Lawrence Singer, John Staple- 
ton, George Schmoldze, Edward Schlusselberg, James Shively, Oscar 
M. Thayer, John S. Thomas, Frederick Vill, Jacob Winzler, Henry 
Whetstone, John H. Wilson, Jacob Weber, Frank Waterich, John 
Wells, Adam A. Worthington, John Williams, George Wilson, Michael 
Keenan, Joseph Redman, William Gray, Jacob Frickhen, Henry San- 
ders, George Towner, Charles C. Burger. 

COMPANY E. 
Private Henry J . Dickuian. 

COMPANY H. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain EmrichJ. Brannies. 
First Lieutenant Otto Giesling. 
Second Lieutenant Franz Branniers. 

PRIVATES. 

Benedict Arman, Matthias Auer, Frederick Bauer, Jacob Bock, Oliver 
C. Birdsell, John Bollinger, Martin Brabender, Christopher Frederick 
Brewer, Franz Bramms, John Brackley, John Cenley, Moritz Curri- 
ger, John Deutschman, William Devine, Frederick DoUinger, James 



Drennan, Leopold Dub, George Elsaesser, Frank Engel, Robert Fa- 
ber, Philip Fauber, Samuel Fisher, Joseph Friedthuber, Otto Grieg- 
ling, Ludwig Gotz, Frederick Hadler, Paul P. Hammel, Jacob 
Heidblberger, Julius Hensihke, William Henry, Adam Hesler, Gabriel 
Herr, Valentine Hognan, Joseph H. Hoelzler, Christopher Hannann, 
Abraham Huber, Frederick Hueke, John Hudson, William Huffert, 
John Junz, Henry L. Katerkamp, Leonhard Keetel, Daniel Klein, 
Charles W. Klostermeyer, William Klostermeyer, Thomas Kratt, Henry 
Kreemer, John M. Krisher, George Lamb, John Loger, Wilhelm Lin- 
demann, Charles F. Lutz, John H. Mayer, Jacob Meyer, John Meyer, 
Charles Miller, Joseph Miller, Casper Milt, Jacob Mohr, George Mo- 
ning, John W. McGeary, Joseph W. Nau, John Nedtermann, Peter 
G. Neff, William Obermeyer, Lorenz Otto, James Pfeifer, Andy Peters, 
Thomas Guirgh, Frederick Keinick, John Kemp, George Rixmann, 
Joachim Ruhstaller, William Rummel, John Schaefer, Henry Scheldt, 
Johann Schlup, Otto Streiz, William C. Schmidt, John Schmoelling, 
Jacob Stoll, John Strobel, Adam Theisinger, James Tigert, Jacob 
Trum, Henry Voezolin, Francis Vogels, John Van Gent, William Wag- 
ner, William Walter, Christopher Weghart, Frederick L. Weghart, 
Benedict Weis, George Wehner, Whadislaw Wielopolski, John Wit- 
tich, Franz Zach. 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

John Biggs, Antonie Bluemdorff, William Blair, William Brown, 
Patrick Cory, John Duehtler, Frederick Doll, Ballard Edmond, John 
Elsworth, John Finnern, John Green, Martin Higgins, George Harris, 
George Harrust, John Halbrook, Charles Hall, McKenzie Harshfield, 
Justin Ingersoll, Charles Johnson, William Kelley, Thomas G. Lewis, 
Nathan Lyons, Frederick Make, James Masterson, Thomas Moody, 
Charles McGuinn, Levi Oldfield, William Rodgers, Henrie Rubor, 
John Stethan, Charles Shelley, Thomas Sullivan, Amos Stausberry, 
Philip Spooner, Michael Walch, W, H. Woodward. 

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was organized at Camp Chase, March 5, 1865, 
for one year's service. Four companies were from the 
then tenth congressional district, one company was from 
Cincinnati, one from Dayton, one from Georgetown, one 
from Tuscarawas county, and the rest from different parts 
of the State. The regiment left Camp Chase on the 
seventh of March for Huntsville, Alabama, and arrived 
there on the seventeenth. Immediately on its arrival 
seven companies were stationed at various points on the 
Memphis & Charleston railroad, between Stevenson and 
Decatur, and were engaged in guarding bridges and 
building stockades. One company was posted at Whites- 
burgh, one at Claysville and Guntersville, on the Tennes- 
see river, and one remained at Huntsville. On the twen- 
tieth of June the regiment was concentrated at Huntsville, 
and performed post duty until September 25th, when it 
was ordered to Nashville, and there was mustered out. 
Immediately after muster-out it jjroceeded to Camp 
Chase, where it was jmid and discharged October 7, 1865. 

COMPANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Andrew Simon. 

First Lieutenant Edgar Langsdorf. 

PRIVATES. 

William R. Algir, W. H. Branderburg, Frederick Beaser, Christian 
Becka, Charles Boyd, Lewis Buchter, Moritz Bessler, Frank Barnettej" 
Charles Brookover, Marinus Cook, Thomas Clark, S. T. Crummell, Wil- 
liam Cogle, Rudolph S. Case, John DriscoU, Jacob Daum, Adam Di- 
ener, Earhart Dunzer, Adolph Defenbruch, Philip Eglehoff, Jacob Fox, 
Henry Fuller, Henry Flachman, Joseph Geisell, Lewis Geilfers, John 
Garman, James Hazletine, Frederick Haus, Moses Howard, Adolph 
Herman, James Hagood, Andy J. Hardey, John Hufman, William C, 
Herron, George W. Hannah, Jas. Harwood. Milton Irvins, John Jones, 
William T, Johnson, Joseph Keller, William B, Keiney, Edgar Long- 
streth, Albert McKenny, Alexander Muller, John Muller, George Mil- 
ler, Jacob Meyer, Severin Nesselheuf, John O'Connell, John Proctor, 



l62 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



James Parsons, Anthony Puehl, Daniel H. Ross, Hiram Robbins, 
Henry Rhein, Antliony Rolf, J. A. Ricliter, Henry Scheed, Fredericl.: 
Sliergeonan, Jacob Scliloss, Jolin Seibert, Jacob Sommer, Joseph 
Schneider, Frederick Schreier, Wendell Schafer, John Schambs, Harry 
Sampson, Joseph Schomer, Constantine Smith, Clemens Schloss, George 
Smith, Henry Strubbe, John H. Schroeder, John A. Stebbins, Milton F. 
Terhune, Joseph Vollmer, Charles M. Wallcer, George W. Walker, 
George Weber, Julius Wesley, Anthony Zollexe. 

COMPANY F. 
Captain John L. Simmons. 

PRIVATES. 

John Aken, Augustus E. Berry, Patrick Burk. James Cannon, George 
Campbell, Michael Carney, John Chersman, John Govern, John W. 
King, George P. Matthew, Jolin Messner, Robert Milton, James Mc- 
Cabe, George M. Parsons, Cliarles Pulsfort, George Rice, George M. 
Riley, Joseph A. Scanten, George J. Secrist, Daniel Shea, Noel Stoker, 
George T. Wager, George Williams. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIRST OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment completed its organization at Cainp 
Chase March lo, 1865. Its field officers were appointed 
— as was then the custom — froin those officers of vet- 
eran regiments in the field whose services had been sat- 
isfactory; and among the line officers were a number 
whose services dated from the commencement of the 
war. It left Columbus at once, under orders to proceed 
to Winchester, Virginia, and report to Brigadier General 
John R. Brooks. The One Hundred and Ninety-first 
was made the nucleus of a brigade, and, with other Ohio 
regiments, was put under command of Colonel Kim- 
berly. The brigade was now styled "The Second Pro- 
visional brigade," afterward "Second brigade. Second 
division, army of the Shenandoah." The surrender of 
General Lee, soon after its arrival in the Shenandoaii 
valley, put an end to the expectation that the One Hun- 
dred and Ninety-first would see active service in that 
section. It was expected that the brigade would be sent 
to Texas. Its only service, however, was garrison duty 
in the valley, marching as far south as Winchester, where 
it remained until its muster-out, August 27th. The 
"Ohio Brigade" was the last to be mustered out in the 
Shenandoah valley, being retained, as the preference of 
the coinmanding officers of the army, as long as any vol- 
unteers were kept in service there. 

(One Year's Service. ) 
COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain James G. Lawrence. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick Abel, George Azdebodd, George Baybart, John Banister, 
William Butler, John Butler, L. Borcher, Nevvbern Buchanan, Stephen 
R. Bowan, John Byrns, Legrand Barker, Allen Carr, George Cade, 
John K. Craus, Francis Crane, Frank Crawford, Robert W. Darby, 
Rice W. Denny, Thomas Darley, Joseph B. Darby, William Ervvin, 
John W. Everson, Michael T. Foster, Caleb Foster, William Foster, 
Robert Gamble, Michael Gaul, Edward Gorman, Henry C. Gausney, 
William Gordon, Isaiah C. Golliday, Hezekiah Gay, George Hunter, 
Riker Hall, Syrus W. Harris, John Jones, Lewis Klinger, Eli Krouse, 
Joseph Kyrlich, Lewis D. Asa, Thomas Loveless, Jerome Ledford, 
Adam Mass, George Miller, Wenzel Marrasch, William H. Mullins, 
Richard A. Mullins, Michael McDonald, John M. Lefferty, Patrick 
O'Neal, George Orr, William Orr, Garlan P. Reeves, Andrew Reddy, 
C. Kodgers, James Rodgers, Ellis Record, John S. Roehm, James Sisk, 
Joseph Schweizer, William Tracy, George W. Warren, John White, 
Benjamin Wakefield, Syrnie G. Whaley, William Zoller. 
COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

William Avery, John Betz, Charles Backmeer, Conrad Baur, August 
Barkhan, Nicholas Casper, John Dorr, Charles Ehreb, Clemens Guet- 



tle, William Gerhardt, Adolph Guenther, John T. Hoffman, John H. 
Heiderbrink, Max Heilbrun, Christopher Hueneman, Andrew Kratz, 
Frederick Kastner, Anton Kaltenbrun, Rong Knable, Charles Kako- 

witz, Joachim Kerneva, Christian Reiser, Philip Mayer, Motzen- 

baker, George Poretius, August Roff, Gottleib Raucher, John Roth, 
Robert Seyppel, Anton 'Vesseman, Edward 'Vanberen, Frank 'Volmer, 
George Weedameer, John T. Widding. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SECOND OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was the last of the infantry regiments, except 
five, which the Buckeye State sent to the field. It was 
recruited chiefly in nine counties, of which Hamilton 
was one. It started from Camp Chase for the field 
March 12, 1865, and arrived at Halltown, near Harper's 
Ferry, on the sixteenth, where it was placd in the Second 
brigade. First provisional division, commanded by Gen- 
eral John R. Brooke. It took part in the picket skir- 
mishing here, moved to Charlestown March 31st, to the 
Shenandoah April 3d, relieving a regiment picketing the 
river, but moving the next day and the fifth to Winches- 
ter, for a march upon Lynchburgh, which was rendered 
unnecessary by the capture of Lee's army. - The One 
Hundred and Ninety-second was ordered to Reed's hill, 
forty-six miles above Winchester, and remained there 
until May 23d, when all but two companies were ordered 
mustered out. Although the war was virtually over, 
guerillas still gave much trouble, and the regiment con- 
tinued in active service. September i, 1865, it was 
mustered out at Winchester, and paid and discharged at 
Camp Chase five days later. It left a high reputation 
during its short service for drill, discipline, and efficiency. 

(One Year's Service.) 
COMPANY. F. 



COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 



Captain Joseph W. Kepler. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Allen, Jacob Andrew, Edward L. Burr, William Blair, John 
Brussion, George W. Boston, Joshua W. Banks, Albert L. Clark, 
George C. Dauherty, Henry Dobbins, Francis M. Daughters, James 
M. Day, Henry I. Etheridge, George Groeber, David Gilson, George 
C. Gilson, Charles Gavin, Lawrence Grayums, John M. Gray, William 
Grudon, Charles D. Horton, William H. Harrison, Robert B. Hem- 
mington, Michael Kelly, Alva C. Knapp, Joseph Kouleg, John Levi, 
Thomas Lasurl, John Morgan, Edward S. Mills, James Maddock, 
Mauries M. Mooney, James McConnell, Patrick O'Malley, Charles Mc- 
Daniel, Alexander Perry, Alexander Potts, Robert Roach, Thomas J. 
Robinson, William H, Stoltz, George Shiaghuber, Isaac Stebbins, 
Charles Simpson, John Stewart, William Swete, Jacob K. Sigwar, 
J. F. Starr, William Smith, Milton Smith, James Scaith, Clark W. 
Thompson, Noah Thomas, Cyrus Widdler, David William, Nicholas 
White, Richard Wheeland. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Albert Liomin. 

PRIVATES. 

William Aspenleiter, Henry Amann, George Bloner, Clemens Busch, 
Jacob Bowman, Francis Bunand, Andreas Braun, John Biegler, Geb- 
hardt Butscher, James Boyd, Jacob Bayer, Joseph Betzler, Henry 
Ballmeyer, Charles R. Blank, John Brady, John Conaughton, Cassan- 
der Colom, John Cunz, Daniel A. Davis, John Deleain, Henry Ergel- 
hart, Frank Enzbeck, Albert Elckeile, George Eckhardt, Henry Fiank, 
William Feeher, Christian Goetter, Christian Gensler, Anton Gorg, 
Lewis Glasbrenner, Christopher Geiser, Jules Greenmard, Leonard 
Gimlel, John Hines, George L. Hoffman, Harvey Horst, Max C. 
Hoffer, Charles Hoffman, William Hesker, John Hakner, George W. 
Huber, John Haefner, David Hartirek, Herman Jacob, John Koeh- 
ler 1st, John Koehler 2d, Leonard Knittenberger, William Kopli, 
Lawrence Keeler, John Knaw, John Lohrman, Hugh Laughlin, James 
Lorman, George Mumme, Charles Meyer ist, Charles Meyer 2d, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



163 



Thomas Moon, Adam Mickey, Frederick Metzer, Ernst Niederhelman, 
Ferdinand Nieman, Symond Neudoerfer, Jacob Pfaff, August Pflug, 
Jacob Phillips, Jacob Pitener, Herman Runze, John Rentz, Henry 
Rodenberg, Charles S. Read, William Renter, Frederick Rickler, Joseph 
Riedy, George F. Rupert, Herman Schuhmacker, Jacob Scholterbeck, 
Joseph Schilling, Simon Schmidt, Henry Schmidt, George Schott, 
John Storn, Ernst Stahl, August Schneider, Conrad Susomaman, 
George Schinmelpfening, Christian Schlafer, Joseph Tlamsa, August 
Tisseron, Louis Votz, Charles Vanhorn, Matthew Weltz, Frank Weber, 
John Weber, Robert Witzman, Max Witzman, Henry Wagoner, Gott- 
lieb Zennock. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-THIRD OHIO INFANTRY. 

At Camp Chase, where so many regiments began their 
existence, this regiment was organized, and started the 
same day for the Shenandoah valley. The officers were 
those who had seen service, and some of the privates 
had been officers in other volunteer organizations. The 
command moved from Harper's Ferry to Halltown and 
Charlestown, and at the latter place was partly organized, 
with other regiments, into brigades and divisions. The 
organization was hardly completed when they were joined 
by veteran troops, and the entire command marched up 
the Shenandoah valley to Winchester. Here the One 
Hundred and Ninety-third remained till after the sur- 
render of the rebel armies, and the order muster-out was 
received. The regiment was so proficient in drill that 
General Sickles, on a general review, selected it to per- 
form provost guard duty in Winchester; and it continued 
on that duty until the order for muster-out was received. 
The regiment was discharged at Camp Chase on the 
ninth of August, 1865. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Stephen F. Ehvood. 

PRIVATES. 

John Adams, Moses Adams, Daniel S. Adams, Chauncey W. Ashley, 
Joseph M. C. Beninger, Adam Bull, Thomas A. Berry, Daniel Barton, 
Thomas Blacker, Horace Babbitt, Frank Border, John Bonta, John 
Barritt, John Bailey, Robert Brown, George Brown, Samuel J. Brown, 
Alexis Brown, Robert Baker, Octavius Carpenter, John Clark, 
Henry J. Clark, Henry Clark, George Citt, Charles H. Coombs, 
Jonas Cnites, Albert F. Ceymons, Stephen S. Colvin, Thomas Cope, 
Abram Conselseya, George Colum, Isaac J, Chapman, Charles Dun- 
singer, Alexander R. Dickinson, Henry M. Dobson, Andrew J. Delph, 
William Donhor, Charles Erbanks, John W. Erbanks, Jacob C. Fisher, 
John Frylenger, John Feirell, James Hartness, Peter Harrot, Lawrence 
Hazel, Lee Heath, Washington Harris, Isaac James, James K. Jones, 
Charles Johnson, Christian Knaner, Christoper Kvatt, John Kenne- 
feuk, Joseph Laws, John Larkins, Silas Leonard, George W. Leet, 
Thomas Lawson, Patrick Moran, William Martin, James H. Miller, 
George Nuster, James Mcjinley, John McGuire, James McCain, 
Charles McWhorter, Willowly Maddox, Michael Moore, John H. 
Meade, Thomas Mclntyre, William Neuriere, Thomas C. Norville, 
Jacob Ober, James L. Potter, John Persinger, James Plummer, Robert 
Randolph, Adam Rosenberger, John Sheridan, Cornelius Santey, 
Ezekiah Stephen, Gustavus Schmidt, Russell Smith, William H. Scotts, 
Peter Sanders, Peter Saup, Michael Sullivan, George W. Speers, James 
Sheen, Josiah Spar, Thaddeus A. Smith, Theodore Thompson, James 
W. Taylor, William H. Simpson, Thomas Sweeny, John Wackins, 
John Wilson, George W, Wells. 

COMPANY I. 
Private Frank D. Decker. 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

Francis A. Burns, Matthew Brockman, John N. Bancroft, Zachariah 
Bush, William Branghard, Marion Beckner, John Burr, Rufus Bear, 
Mahonb Balsom, Isaac N. Buckner, Charles Blynn, Henry Buggmeir, 
Elijah Buttler, James Ball, Henry J. Bear, Eugene Beekman, William 
Capen, David Cowden, Henry Coulter, William N. Carter, Andrew 



Cook, Calvin Close, Thomas Creaser, Leonard Dunleck, Edward 
Duffee, James Dohl, Lucas Deatte, Amos C. Ewing, James Eures, 
Barry Festenburg, Frederick Gill, John Gront, Thomas Gillen, Samuel 
K. Galbqugh, Martin Hilderbrand, John M. Haulk, Richard Hart, 
Phillip Heller, Andrew J. Harmer, John M. Hayes, John English, 
Covey English, Richard S. Jackson, John W. Kuhe, Cyrus Kitchel, 
Jacob Kerchen, Edward Kunecam, John Longhran, WiUiam Lebo, 
Harrison Luton, Charles Mitchell, Samuel D. Manor, Nelson Mutch, 
John Middleton, John Mowrey, John Malay, John McCliire, Edward 
Murry, James Murphy, William S. Moore, John Myers, William D. 
Nash, Henry Neal, John G. Neal, Elias Neal, William B. Morris, 
William O'Bryan, Patrick O'Neal, Newton Peck, Castler Peck, Charles 
L. Roreler, William D. Schroch, Howard J. Sargent, George M. Sar- 
gent, William Smith, John D. Smith, Leichfield Sullivan, William T. 
Spencer, Leonard Troatman, John M. Vest, Samuel S. Vohns, John J. 
Weak, Henry C. White, James A. White, Thomas Woods, Constan- 
tine Winegarden, John T. Weaver, Chauncey G. Wilson, John W. 
Wheeler, WiUiam H. Watson, Michael Weaver, John P. Will, Harry 
S. Young, Frank M. Ward. 
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, and left 
the State March 14, 1865. It was ordered to Charles- 
town, Virginia, and assigned to Major General Egan's 
division. It was constantly engaged in drilling and mak- 
ing preparations for a movement up the valley; but the 
surrender of Lee caused the division and brigade to be 
broken up, and the regiment was ordered to Washington, 
where it remained on garrison duty until October 24, 
1865, when it was mustered out and sent to Camp Chase 
for final payment and discharge. 

(One Year's Service.) 
COMPANY G. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.S. 
Captain William L. Woolverton. 

■ PRIVATES. 

WiUiam H. BeU, John Beattie, John Boyne, Benjamin F. Bruce, 
Henry A. Call, James W. Cooper, James C. Clickler, Frank Carr, 
James Campbell, Erastus B. Campbell, Robert Davis, Henry Dubbs, 
Christian Dick, George W. Dennison, Richard H. Dakes, Stephen E. 
Dennison, Michael Donahue, John H. Eastman, William Eaton, 
George English, Alexander Emmerson, Robert Elliott, Robert Foster, 
Thomas Fox, John Grayhangan, Elias Grooms, George S. Goodman, 
William P. Graham, Patrick Gilligan, James H. Gray, George C. Gar- 
rison, William Hayes, Rowan Harden, Albert Harris, Charles Hamil- 
ton, Joseph Hall, Mason Hanemons, Frederick N. Jansen, James E. 
Linger, Absalom Laflan, Josiah C. Lingo, Henry Lehr, Alexander 
Lynch, George W. MiUer, Harry S. MiUer, John McGeorge, Michael 
A. Morris, Joseph G. Milton, Lewis Meyer, WiUiam Meaver, John 
Nealeus, Valentine Nicholas, Edmund O'Connell, Michael O'Conner, 
WiUiam Pryor, Sylvester Peters, John Peter, Ephraim B. Roller, Joseph 
Reader, William Ryall, Henry Roveir, William Stewart, WiUiam 
C. Stocton, John B. Simpson, William Smith, Michael Shomaker, 
Nicholas Simons, James R. Seward, Jacob Schelfing, George T. Strait, 
Martin G. Thomas, Lewis Thacker, Alfred F. Trill, WiUiam B. Thomp- 
son, John F. Turner, John W. Tidwell, John Thacher, Charles E. 
WiUiams, Samuel R. Woodruff, Willis B. Walsh, John Wolverton, 
Thomas Walker, Thomas Wilkinson, George W. Wilkinson, Adolphus 
Wisshack, Frank Weigand, Charles Wallrott, Nicholas Werken, 
George G. Burrell, John Jackson. 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Arns, Thomas W. Colman, John Woogard. 
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

Early in the year 1865 a number of one-year regi- 
ments were recruited, of which this was one. It left 
Camp Chase with a strength of seven hundred and fifty- 
nine men, the majority of whom had seen service in 
other regiments. All of its officers were veterans. After 
doing garrison duty at Harper's Ferry a short time, it 



164 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



went into camp near Winchester with the troops of Gen- 
eral Hancock. While here news of Lee's surrender was 
received, and the command was ordered to Alexandria, 
Virginia, where it did provost duty till December 18, 
1865. It was then ordered up to the city of Washing- 
ton, mustered out of service, and sent back to Camp 
Chase, where the men were paid and discharged. The 
soldiers composing this, like those of the other one-year 
regiments, were those who had fought all through the 
war up to that time, and were fully conversant with all 
the duties of a soldier. At that time, there was little in- 
dication that the rebellion was so near its end, and the 
officers and men fully expected to enter into the front 
ranks of many a sanguinary battle. Within two months 
after their entering the service, however, Richmond was 
taken and the confederacy in a state of hopeless decline. 

COMPANY F. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John Davidson. 

First Lieutenant John M. Gest. 

PRIVATES. 

Daniel Abel, William A. Anshutz, John Anshutz, Charles Brown, 
John ]. Bell, Hiram B. Bell, John A. Breedlove, William H. Beard, 
Cornelius Benjamin, William Burns, Adam Bullinger, Benjamin F. 
Bohrer, James Batterly, John D. Brooks, Thomas Catlett, Michael 
Connelly, John Conner, John Carson, Oliver Cross, James Crittenden, 
Frank Davenport, William A. Dearman, John Edwards, Peter Feizer, 
William Foote, Sidney B. Foote, John Fay, Frank Fay, James W. 
Farnier, James Fitzsimmons, Sidney J. Gates, William J. Garrett, 
August Glenert, Charles Gordon, Joseph Gillis, Samuel Hoffman, John 
Hiley, Albert Harrison, Douglass A. Hunt, Washington W. Hunt, 
James S. Irwin, James F. Johnson, Benjamin F. Jarrell, William A. 
Jones, John J. Keenan, Thomas C. Keene, Henry Kauffman, Ja- 
cob Likins, Peter F. Lapham, Stephen Lefeler, Isaac Lockwood, 
William McClintoch, Paul S. McGrew, Joshua Montgomery, William 
H. Masters, Charles Moss, George B. Mattir, William R. Millburn, 
John Morrow, Daniel McCurdy, John Myers, Henry Elliott, James M. 
Potts, William Pfost, David M. Rhoades, Caleb Rhoades, Hermann 
H. Roadels, John Rouch, Charles Rohlaender, Stephen H. Rose, 
James E. Rings, John W. Sultan, John W. Sanders, William Smith, 
Conrad Shafer, George Simmons, Charles Thompson, William Tracy, 
John P. Troxel, Clarkson S. Whitson, Phillip Young, James L. Cop- 
sey, Casper Schmidt, Robert Riley, Christopher Fender, James M. 
Taylor. 

COMPANY I. 
PRIVATES. 
John Fieston, Alonzo Ford, Geotge Roller. 
COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

John Harden, Charles Martin, Charles Simms. 
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, and mus- 
tered into service on the twenty-fifth of March, 1865. 
It immediately started for West Virginia, where it was 
assigned to the Ohio brigade at Winchester. In July it 
was ordered to Baltimore, and assigned to duty in the 
fortifications around that city; a portion of it being sent 
to Fort Delaware. On the eleventh of September it 
was mustered out at Baltimore, it being the last volun- 
teer organization in that department. Of the thirty- 
eight officers composing the field, staff, and line, only 
two had not served over two years, and the majority had 
served during the war in other organizations. More 
than two-thirds of the men had belonged to other regi- 
ments, and had been honorably discharged for wounds 



or expiration of term of service. Although the regi- 
ment was not entitled to inscribe on its colors the name 
of any engagement, still nearly every battle-field in the 
Union was represented in its ranks. 

COMPANY F. 
PRIVATES. 

Philip Newbrandt, John Oesfer, John G. Sandermann, August W. 
S. Casper. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Jabez C. Gazeley. 
First Lieutenant James Purdy. 
Second Lieutenant Frank J. White. 

PRIVATES. 

James Adams, Samuel Anderson, David J. Armstrong, James M. 
Aiken, Charles Baker, Zion Beemer, John Burton, William Crooks, 
Jeremiah Collins, Albert D. Casto, Robert M. Cochran, Nathaniel Cord, 
Charles J. Devoe, Thomas W. Dean, Herman H. Drettker, Patrick 
Drake, George W. Deurt, John Donnelly, John W. Edwards, Andrew 
J. Edwards, William Elwood, Henry J. Gerhardt, William Gabbert, 
James W. Gilliim, John Har.nert, John F. Hare, Patrick Harrinton, 
Richard Hardet, Edward Hazellette, Joseph Hedges, John F. Henin, 
William Hickinbothen, Robert Luse, Michael Lannigan, John Lanni- 
gan, James Mullen, Thomas Malone, John McOrkill, William Meyer, 
Francis Miller, Frederick Mellage, John McMann, James McLaugh- 
lin, Wilson Methery, Joseph G. Milton, Frank McMurry, Jatnes Mc- 
Kinney, Jacob S. McCann, William Peck, Michael Quin, Robert 
Quinke, Joseph Rief, Francis B. Reed, John Roberson, Charles Ross, 
John Redman, Hayers Roth, John Shulker, Frank Sherer, Michael 
Sherer, Mathias Smith, Thomas Smith, Henry Steuber, John W. 
Sharks, Charles Sheider, Charles Seylar, John Thomas, Charles Was- 
ser, Taylor Worthington, Frank J, White, George H. White, William 
Walsh, William Waters, Charles Webber, Nicholas Weiler, John H. 
Wagner, William Young, August Young. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain F, H. Seeterman. 
First Lieutenant Christian Hohn. 
Second Lieutenant John Nenniger. 

PRIVATES. 

John G. Ahrens, Matthias Altingan, John M. Brossart, Frederick 
Brossart, Nichlous Birchler, William Bertsch, Henry Boeokman, Charles 
Brown, Joseph Colbert, Frederick H. Drantz, John Di.\on, Joseph 
Ernst, Andrew J. Eads, August Gerteisen, Joseph Gutsell, Jacob Haas, 
Henry Hartman, Gottlieb Hazel, Samuel H. Han-ey, William Jung, 
Johann Jeruch, Karman Joetricke, Peter Johanztan, Frank Joems, 
Nichlous Joems, Robert Jeune, Adam Kamm, Alois Kalen, George A. 
Kraemer, Johann A. Kamfle, Joseph Kamfle, Blasius Kalen, Leopold 
Kuebel, Const. Kessler, Herman Krame, Jacob Kreis, Franz K. 
Lance, Heinrich Ludwig, John Leirnam, Charles Lippart, William 
Moellman, John Mapmasfer, John Miller, Joseph Miller, Martin Miller, 
Henry Nahanug, Herman Niemerz, John Neminger, Herman Oelfke, 
Albert Ochner, Jona Overtuef, Frank Ries, George Rem, Franz Rust, 
Herman Ruthkamp, Anton Richters, .Sebastian Rein, Paul Rebholz, 
John P. Schalk, Joseph Spreraer, Ernst Sturms, Nicholas Schmidt, 
John .Schwab, Frank Seiter, Lorentz Seifert, Gottlieb Schmitt, Fred- 
erick Tinnemeyer, John Thomas, Herman Vennemern, William 
Woogt, Charles F. Woff, John White, Frederick Wolter, Henry Wil- 
lingeroff, Henry Lyman. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Theodore M. Hughes. 

First Lieutenant James M. Thompson. 

Second Lieutenant Eli Ohio. 

PRIV.\TES. 

Thomas J. Amiss, James Benjamin, Francis Barnes, Elijah Demaris, 
Ezra Ellis, William T. Erskine, Samuel P. Fisher, Thomas Finley, John 
T. Gilha, Charles Gates, Samuel Heniinger, Bernhard Hassnesaird, 
Alonzo Judd, Samuel R. Judd, William H. Kennedy, William Lamar, 
Lewis Lively, William A. Linthicum, John McMath, William Myers, 
William W. Maloine, Samuel A. Mars, James Martin, James McCor- 
mick, Thomas Prudy, William T. Phillips, Thomas Ross, James Riley, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



i6s 



Charles W. Stratton, Cornelius Stratton, Alfred M. Smith, James 
Wilson, Michael Weaver, John E. Wilmoth. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

COMPANY D. 
PRIVATES. 

Theodore Alexander, Mitchell Honsen, Thomas H. Jeffers. 
COMPANY G; 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Mack, Lucius Smith. 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

William R. Bicknell, Jesse M. Barnett, John Conaughton, Henry I. 
Clark, William Gerran, Charles Grooves, Michael Hellback, William 
R. Harper. Edward McNaspy, William S. Parker, Jesse H. Town- 
send. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

This was also raised for the one year service — the last 
of the infantry regiments from this State. Eight com- 
panies were recruited and rendezvoused in Camp Chase, 
and had been severally mustered in, when the confed- 
eracy collapsed, and the commands were disbanded. 

COMPANY A. 



PRIVATES. 



Otto Auner, Joseph Sutter. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Frank H. Carson, Jacob Jones, John Levi, Elijah Long, Jeremiah 
Willoser, Samuel F. Wetmore, Henry Wortz. 

COMPANY C. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Muldore, Willis Parker. 

COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES. 

George H. Albert, George Baker, William Burke, William Bates, 
John Beare, George Carson, Joseph Carson, George Clark, Samuel 
Cook, John Dinger, Albert Davis, John Delain, William Ervin, Ed- 
ward Gligher, Louis Hysell, Charles J. Hamlin, Benjamin F. Hum- 
phrey, James Johnson, William Jackson, Aaron Kissell, Henry Kriner, 
Henry Kerstetter, John W. Kahn, Henry King, John M. Lite, Jack- 
son A. Miller, Thomas Mossinger, William O. Mitchell, Daniel Nenin, 
Alphert Plummer, Joseph L. Rose, Samuel J. Roberts, Michael Sem- 
mons, Edward Spangenburg, Robert L. Smith, William Tulley, Charles 
Turble, Edward Williams, John Wenhurst, George Wilson, John Wil- 
son. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph M. Bate, Adam C. Boyd, James L. Brown, Thomas Conner, 
John Dickey, James Egan, William Eckert, Matthew Frecker, John 
Friendzher, Phelan Falconbridge, Thomas Garron, John Holson, 
Orlando J. Hiller, James Hallsworth, John A. Holmes, David Jones, 
John Logan, Clemens Luhn, John B. Laman, George Law, Henry, 
Maloney, John M. More, George W. More, Jerry McLain, Andrew 
Mclntire, John Manning, Charles Noa, John L. McCormick, James 
O'Neib, John A. Rodgers, Hiram Powell, James W. Rowe, John H. 
Rachsford, Charley Sander, John Sloker, John Shackelford, Edward 
Tate, Thomas Ticknor, Patrick Thynne, Henry J. Wagman, William 
Wilson, George Metzlai, Jerry C. Lyons. 

COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 
Michael J. Bustard, Florian Prunes, James Berry, Franz Brandsttar, 
Joseph M. Cooke, Francis W. Crosby, Joseph Fritzon, James Flanni- 
gan, Herman Houser, Paul Haller, Max Hug, Lewis Kleet, Henry 
Kifer, John Moore, William Murrison, Harry Scott, Michael Sten- 
mar, Mathias Smith, Henry Taylor, Simon Z. Whiteleather, Daniel 
Miller, Frank Otte, Robert J. Smith. 

EIGHTH INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF SHARPSHOOTERS. 
PRIVATES. 
Elijah Windell, John R. James. 



FIFTH UNITED STATES COLORED INFANTRY (oNE HUN- 
DRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY.) 

This was the first comj^lete negro regiment recruited in 
Ohio. A number of colored men had been sent to fill 
the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and thus lost in the 
"credits" of the Buckeye State. In the summer of 1863 
Captain McCoy, of the One Hundred and Fifteenth, was 
detailed by Governor Tod for recruiting colored troops 
in Ohio. At that time the only law authorizing such joro- 
ceeding was the "contraband law," which gave a colored 
laborer in the service of the United States ten dollars per 
month, three dollars for clothing, and seven dollars for 
his pay proper. Recruiting progressed slowly, and the 
organization could with difficulty be kept together. Fi- 
nally an order from the war department called colored 
men into the service of the United States. The organ- 
ization was now changed to the Fifth regiment of United 
States colored troops, and Professor G. W. Shurtliff, of 
Oberlin, was appointed lieutenant colonel. Early in 
November the regiment went to Virginia, and, soon after 
its arrival at Norfolk, Colonel" Conine, who had been 
commissioned by the President, reported for duty and 
assumed command. In December, 1863, the regiment 
formed a part of the command under General Wild in 
the rapid raid to Elizabeth City, North Carolina; and on 
the way, the guerillas attacking a detachment of four 
companies of the Fifth, four were killed and several 
wounded. In May, 1864, the regiment accompanied the 
expedition from Fortress Monroe against Richmond and 
Petersburgh, forming a part of the colored division of the 
Eighteenth army corps. The Fifth was the first regiment 
to gain the shore at City Point, capturing the rebel signal 
officers and corps stationed there. June 15, 1864, the 
siege of Petersburgh began, when the colored division 
stormed the heights, and captured two strong earthworks, 
with several pieces of artillery. In this action the 
regiment lost a number of men and one officer killed. 
Among the wounded was Colonel Conine, who, shortly 
afterward, at the hospital at Annapolis, tendered his res- 
ignation. From the date of this action to the fifteenth 
of August, the regiment was constantly on duty in the 
trenches, building forts, or on the skirmish line, during 
which time it lost many men and several valuable officers. 
September 29, 1864, occurred the battle of Chapin's Farm, 
the storming of New Market Heights, and the capture of 
Fort Harrison. In the afternoon of the same day, the 
Fifth, along with a brigade of white troops, assaulted Fort 
Gilmer. The white troops wavered and finally withdrew 
in confusion^ while the Fifth colored, unsupported and 
alone, pressed on close to the fort, and two or three men 
had actually scaled the walls, when Major Terry received 
an order to withdraw. In this day's fighting nine officers 
were wounded, one of whom afterward died; and, out of 
five hundred and fifty men who went into the fight, 
eighty-five were killed and two hundred and forty-eight 
wounded, the loss thus amounting to over fifty per cent, 
of those engaged. At the capture of Fort Fisher, and 
also in the assault on Sugar Loaf and Fort Anderson, 
this command had an honorable part. After the surren- 
der of the rebel armies, the Fifth was stationed a while 



i66 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



at Goldsborough ; thence it went to Newbern and Caro- 
Ima City. In September it returned to Columbus, where 
it was discharged October 5, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH COLORED VOLUN- 
TEER INFANTRY. 
PRIVATES. 
TDaniel Blackburn, Joseph Hauster, James Williams, George W. 
Anderson, William Bromback, Ebenezer Brooks, John Clifton, Noah 
Cooper, Charles Henry, Andrew Jackson, Julius McCoyin, John Mc- 
Coyin, Wade McCoyin, Reuben McCoyin, John Parker, Thomas Pen- 
ney, James W. Taylor, Robert Thornton, Matthew Thompson, John 
Baker, Daniels Coleman, George Cloyd, Bentley Childs, Richard 
Christy, Henry Clay 2d, William Drake, Phelan Edwards, Edward . 
Johnson, Horace Johnson, Albert McPherson, Andrew J. Rusk, Wil- 
liam Thompson, Joseph Thompson, John Anderson, Abner Ash, Wil- 
liam Ash, Powhattan Beatly, Thomas Brown, Isaac N. Delany, Judan 
Dorton, Harden Findlay, James H. Harris, Daniel Hinyard, Anderson 
Jackson, James H. James, Edward Jenkins, Albert Johnson, Henry 
Kizer, Bennett Lee, John Lewis, Henry Marshall, Edward Middleton, 
Henry Miles, William Morse, William Parker, Upton Perry, John 
Rickman, James Saunders, George Swan, Henry Taylor, John W. 
Thompson, James Wagner, Joseph Welden, Cornelius Brown, Albert 
Boswell, Samuel Bryant, Nathan Barnes, William Hardin, James Har- 
ris, Robert Ireland, Isaac Meraday, Richards D. Marks, Franklin B. 
Perry, Charles Smith, George Williams, Edward Webb, Benjamin 
Franklin, Isaac Day, William H. Holmes, Sidney Keys, Reuben M. 
Crary, Charles Nolan, James Patterson, Joseph Bell, Morris Bradley, 
Edward Corning, Edward Caldwell, Nathai; Gailbor, Adam Harris, 
Samuel Harris, Alexander Harris, George Hunster, Samuel Jones, 
William Marshall, John Richardson, James Shanks, Burl Thompson, 
John Fyre, Joseph Bowman, James Baker, Lewis Bailey, James Davis, 
Samuel Gray, Samuel Henderson, Richard Hughes, William E, King, 
John Lewis, John Cole, WiUiara H. Rollins, John Simpson, Martin L. 
Staves, Horace Thomas, William West, Archer Alexander, William 
Boone, Reuben Edmunds, John L. Foster, John Scott, Charles S. 
Sholter, William White. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT UNITED STATES COLORED 
TROOPS. 
Likewise recruited in Ohio. The following named were from Ham- 
ilton county : 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Asa Burk, Isaac Davidson, Alexander Evans, Daniel Fosset, William 
Fibbe, Richard B. Gordon, Austin Holmes, Samuel King, Pompey 
Lee, Joseph Love, Julius McKnight, John Parchment. 

COMPANY C. 

PRIVATES. 

Samuel Cain, Gilbert Jefferson, John McCall, .Monzo Savage, Charles 
Smith, Abram Seneat, John H. Turner, Sidney Wells, Gilbert White. 

COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 

Jordon Bates, Isaiah Birty, Moses Dickerson, John Furginson, Wil- 
liam Harrison, Tecumseh Hayes, William Jorden, Charles Moeses, 
John Rutter, Robert Riggs, Henry W. Rumels, Patent Smith, Corne- 
lius Thompson, Pleasant Talbert, Hilliard Watson, Charles White, 
John White, Jerry W. Wernell, Samuel Wren, Thomas Williams. 

COMPANY H. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Dock Lech. 

PRIVATES. 

William Cassar, Joseph A. Green, Andrew Jackson, Henry Wooley. 
COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

Strother Bowles, Albert Conrad, John Gaines, Isaac Johnson, David 
McAllister, Andrew Patterson, Warren Pine, Robert Shoptoe, Frank 
Wade, Campbell Wheaton. 

DENNISON GUARDS (Infantry). 
This was an independent company named from the 
governor of the State, recruited and organized at Camp 



Dennison between May and August, 1862. It was em- 
j^loyed in guarding the depot and other duties at the 
camp, and mustered out by order of the war department 
January 24, 1863. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Chauncy Brown. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Thomas Tilton. 

PRIVATES. ■' 

Sebastian Cristal, John Eger, Thomas Lamb, Webster D. Moore, 
William H. P. Haulenbeck; William Rapp and Robert Whitmayer, 
(transferred). 

WALLACE GUARDS (Infantry). 
An independent company, organized in Cincinnati 
during the alarm for the safety of the city, in the late 
summer of 1862. It was raised for thirty days, and was 
among the few such companies mustered into the Federal 
service. It was mustered in September 2, 1862, and 
mustered out October 4th, two days after the expiration 
of its term. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles Worthington. 

First Lieutenant Samuel K. Williams. 

Second Lieutenant H. M. Diggins. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant S. C. Lovell. 
Sergeant Charles Clifford. 
Sergeant Charles Kennedy. 
Sergeant Isaac West. 
Sergeant J. C. Barnet. 
Sergeant H. G. McCormick. 
Corporal Ira Athearn. 
Corporal William Bray. 
Corporal G. W. Snider. 
Corporal R. H. Wood. 
Corporal W. M. Seal. 

PRIVATES. ' 

Robert Alcorn, S. F. Blakemore, Robert H. Brown, Oscar Bigler, 
Young Busser, James E. Bosley, Samuel Coffman, John Cox, W. S. 
Cones, John Carran, B. C. Converse, G. A. Eagan, J. P. Evans, Ben- 
jamin Fowler, Joseph Fagin, F. W. Glenn, C. M. Gregg, W. F. Gim- 
dly, James Graham, Robert Grace, James Guard, John Hodson, G. J. 
Hegginson, Charles Hines, W. H. Hover, Daniel Hammitt, John Hal- 
ler, Edward Humphrey, J. H. Hitt, John Higby, Paul Israel, J. W. 
Jones, E. P. Jennings, Benjamin D. Jones, James Kasey, Frank Knapp, 
William Kelley, J. Kegan, James Kelley, J. F. Kennedy, J. E. Lukins. 
Cornelius Leary, James E. Lynne, John H. Love, William H. McGlas- 
son, R. McMillan, D. H. McKenzie, Peter Minzes, A. Mehan, M. H.' 
Morgan, A. M. Moore, E. Norris, J. Netzs, C. E. Nowrse, Thomas Noran, 
L. F. Noble, J. W. Oliver, J. M. Powell, W. H. Pearce, L. A. Rowell, 
G. W. Rittenhouse, John Reese, Richard Reese, Francis Sotters, Nich- 
olas Stevens, Charles Soden, J. F. Skirmer, James Sullivan, E. H. 
Smith, William Tomlinson, Henry Van Matre, G. H. Wilhamson, W. 
H. Webber, Cyrus E. Watkins, W. W. Weatherby, A. Witts. 

CAPTAIN bard's COMPANY (Infantry). 
Another thirty-day organization, raised in Cincinnati 
during the excitement and alarm of 1862. It was called 
into service by Major General Lewis Wallace, mustered 
in September 2d, and out October 3d. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Sylvester W. Bard. 
First Lieutenant Peter C. Bonte. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Samuel B. Newell. 
Sergeant James Byrne. 
Sergeant Robert Keith. 
Sergeant Horton Ensign. 
Sergeant James Stewart. 
Sergeant William P. Biddle. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



167 



Corporal Thomas Marshall. 

Corporal Henry Burns. 

Corporal WiUiam Crosset. 

Corporal Joseph Dixon. 

Corporal William Stack. 

Corporal Robert Saunders. 

PEIVATES. 

Andrew Acker, Hamilton Allen, Edwin Alden, John Brisban, John 
W. Bradley, William Barton, George Buckeye, William Ballance, James 
H. Brooking, Thomas W. Butts, George Cordman, Henry Cordman, 
Hampton A. Clark, James Conroy. Henry Destlerath, George De Lyon, 
William Danford, John Doran, James C. Franklin, John Farley, Burtis 
Gale, Henry Ganblesping, Robert Gilmore, Walter Godfrie, Frank 
Hener, George Huges, Charles Hyatt, John Hann, Augustus Hand, 
Clarkson Keller, Herman Landweher, John Legner, Thomas Lockwood, 
Augustus Lake, Richard Miller, John Mortimer, Patrick McCabe, John 
McLaughlin, Jesse O'Neal, John Ronaldson, Christopher Ritchie, John 
Riddle, Lewis Rutgler, Patrick Lexton, John Sanford, Otto Stemmer, 
Nicholas Sticksell, Irwin Taylor, Edwin Van Anning, George Valland- 
ingham, Lewis Winland, Pierson F. West, Joseph Watterhouse, John 
Walker, John Willis. 

FIRST OHIO CAVALRY. 

This was organized in the late summer of 1861, under 
the first call for three years' men. It was mustered in at 
Camp Chase, October 5, 1861, and was a choice regi- 
ment, as there was a great pressure to join the first cav- 
alry command formed in the State, and the men were 
carefully picked. About the middle of September, before 
the whole regiment was mustered, companies A and C 
were ordered to western Virginia, and saw much hard 
service in the Shenandoah valley and about Washington, 
and did not rejoin the regiment till January, 1865. In 
December the rest of the regiment, the first cavalry regi- 
ment in that department, reached Louisville. During 
the next four years (for the organization became "vet- 
eran") it saw abundant service in Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Mississippi, Alabama, at the battles of Perryville, Mur- 
freesborough (in which Colonel Milliken was killed), and 
Chickamauga (where Lieutenant Colonel Cupp fell), those 
of the Atlanta campaign, and many minor actions. The 
latter part of its service was in raiding and garrison duty 
in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. It was mus- 
tered out at Columbus, September 13, 1865. 

COMPANY c. 

COMMISSIONIiD OFFICER, 

Captain Nathan D. Menken. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Henry Bertram. 
Corporal Henry Krumbick. 

PRIVATES. 

John Bohl, Christopher Kattick, John Singclair, Joseph Tirolf, Mar- 
cus Hummel. 

COMPANY C. 
{In the Veteran Organization.) 
FIELD AND STAFF. 
Quartermaster Sergeant John- Camm. 
Quartermaster Sergeant John J. Johnson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Francis H. Gellser. 

Corporal Marcus Hummel. ^ 

Corporal Albert Hirst. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Gruttendick, William Hampton, William I. Maiden, William 
Ormston, John Siford, James M. White. 

Discharged. — Corporal David P. Fonts ; Privates Stevens Bangs, 
Henry Herz, John H. Shieds, Henry Stevens, Albert Webb. 

Transferred. — James L. Price. 



COMPANY D. 
PRIVATES. 
Ezekiel Brauek, Thomas O'Grady, Thomas I. Wheeler. 
COMPANY G. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal William L. Ready. 

PRIVATES. 

Noah S. Alexander, John W. Divine, Jerome Dolan, George Feeny, 
John Hogan, Thomas Karns, James Kingsley, John Lyons, James 
Morton, Edward McLaughHn, WiUiam McLaughhn, Christopher Mo- 
ser, William W, D. Patterson, Sylvester Quigley, Daniel Ready, Syl- 
vester Roosa, Philip S. Stovall, John Hemphill, Charles Fisher. 

COMPANY H. 
Private John W. Malone. 

COMPANY I. 

PRIVATES. 

Daniel Donoghue, Patrick Crowley, Francis Clement. 

COMPANY K. 
Private James Jones. 

COMPANY M. 

PRIVATES. 

John Matthews, Samuel L. Lefftngweil. 

SECOND OHIO CAVALRY. 

This was raised in the summer and fall of i86i, the 
last company being mustered in at Camp Wade, Cleve- 
land, October 10, 1861. It was raised mostly from the 
Western Reserve, and was a superb regiment. It served, 
under its original veteran organizations, until September 
II, 1865, when it was paid and disbanded. It had a very 
extended and arduous service. Mr. Whitelaw Reid, in 
his Ohio in the War, says : 

The Second fought under the following general officers; Buell, 
Wright, Hunter, Denver, Sturgis, Blunt, Salomon, Curtis, Schofield, 
Burnside, Carter, Gillmore, Shackelford, Foster, Kautz, Sedgwick, 
Wilson, Mcintosh, Torbert, Custer, Sheridan, Meade, and Grant. Its 
horses have drunk from, and its troopers have battled in, the waters of 
the Arkansas, Kaw, Osage, Cygues, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, 
Scioto, Miami, Cumberland, Tennessee, Holston, Potomac, Shenan- 
doah, Rappahanock, Rapidan, Bull Run, Mattapony, Pamunkey, 
Chickahominy, James, Appamatox, Blackwater, Nottoway, and Ches- 
peake. It has campaigned through thirteen States and a territory: 
Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Ten- 
nessee, Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and In- 
dian territory. It has travelled, as a regiment, on foot, horseback, by 
railroad and steamboat, on land, river, bay, and ocean. It has 
marched an aggregate distance of twenty-seven thousand miles; has 
fought in ninety-seven battles and engagements. It has served in five 
different armies: The army of the Frontier, of the Missouri, of the Po- 
tomac, of the Ohio, and of the Shenandoah — forming a continuous 
hue of armies from the headwaters of the Arkansas to the mouth of 
the James; and its dead, sleeping where they fell, form a vidette-line 
half across the continent, a chain of prostrate sentinels two thousand 
miles long. 

The following named accredited to Cincinnati and 
elsewhere in Hamilton county, as found in the veteran 
Second: 

STAFF OFFICER. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Edwin J. Lukens. 

COMPANY B. 
Private Henry Neales. 

COMPANY C. 

PRIVATES. 

John Alexander, Henry Davis, Charles Ellis, William H. Giaham, 
George McClellan, Lawrence C. Miller, Henry Patterson. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

Dutton Baker, William Christy, William Covington, William E. 
Chance, Benjamin S. Collins, Walter G. Finch, James Galligher, John 
T. Hayes, Matthew DeCapez. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY H. 
Private Charles Rice. 

COMPANY I. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant Josepli H. Graff. 
Sergeant John G. King. 
Sergeant John Wolford. 
Sergeant Baxter Davis. 
Sergeant Herman Evers. 
Sergeant James Liddy. 
Corporal Benjamin Earl. 
Corporal Frederick B. Puthoff. 
Corporal Charles Winkelman. 
Corporal Alonzo Noble. 
Farrier John W. King. 
Wagoner George L. Bowers. 

PRIVATES. 

Edward Beall, Charles Beall, Henry Douglass, William Doherty, 
Henry Fachman, Jacob Fritz, Rudolph Gessler, John Harrington, Ed- 
ward Humphreys, Ehard Heitz, Lewis Helpman, Frank Hurn, John H. 
Imvalle, George W. C.Jennifer, Hugh Mulligan, John Murphy, Henry 
Nelson, Alfred G. Nerney, Charles Ryan, James Ryan, Thomas Riley, 
Nicholas Shuh, Peter Smucker, Philip Schindeldecker, Frederick 
Schindeldecker, Albert Smith, John Vogt, William Winkelman, Wil- 
son Wright, John Weckerly, William Williams. 

Discharged. — First Sergeant Edwin C. Joyce; Sergeants James Cas- 
tillo, John Willis. John Weaver; Corporal Richard A. Verney; Privates 
Albert V. Clark, Abraham Craig, William Hicks, Henry Hume, 
Otto Kemper, Edward Myers, S. A. Shiplar, Charles Strieker, Leon E. 
Sherwood, Edward Van Pelt. 

Transferred. — Sergeant E. A. Dumount; Privates I^. F. Lugenbahl, 
John Netz, Isaac Newton. 

Died.— Private Emil C. Graff. 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles McClellan, Henry Miller, Albert Mussey, Joseph McClair, 
William Ogler, Erhardt Rottle, William Sweeney, Henty Staver, 
Henry Utery. 

Discharged. — Privates Silas Corzalt, Joseph Rider. 

COMPANY M. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal William Ailes. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Harris, David Hamlin. 

THIRD OHIO CAVALRY. (Veteran). 

Organized September, 1861; discharged August 14, 1865. 
COMPANY A. 
Private James D. Lasley. 



Private Henry Mack. 



COMPANY B. 



COMPANY H. 
PRIVATES. 



Charles Carr, Robert Francis, James Gillan, Philip Heiser, James 
Kenney, George Ruger, William Smith, Robert B. Smith, William H. 
Hambright. 

COMPANY I. 

Private John H. Benson. 

COMPANY K. 
Sergeant James H. Gidley. 

FOURTH OHIO CAVALRY. 

This regiment, in both the original and veteran organi- 
zations, seems to have been recruited ahnost bodily in 
Cincinnati and elsewhere in Hamilton county. It was 
raised under special authority from General Fremont, by 
Colonel John Kennett, between August 15, and No- 
vember 23, 1861, when it moved from Camp Gurley to 
Camp Dennison with one thousand and seventy men. 
It embarked for Jeffersonville December 6th, and on the 



twenty-seventh crossed into Kentucky and moved to 
Bacon creek, with an assignment to General O. M. 
Mitchell's third division. It captured a valuable supply 
train at Bowling Green, and led the advance to Nash- 
ville, near which place, at Edgefield, the city was for- 
mally surrendered to Colonel Kennett. March 9, 1862, 
while in camp eight miles from the city, Morgan's men 
captured its forage train with thirty men and eighty 
horses. The regiment moved soon after to Murfrees- 
borough, and an expedition from it destroyed a powder 
mill and magazine near McMinnville, repulsing a force 
of rebels thrice its number, without loss. At Huntsville 
it captured a railway train with eight hundred rebel sol- 
diers, also seventeen locomotives and many cars. Its 
operations thereafter were very active and successful in 
northern Alabama, and when the country was abandoned 
upon the retreat of Buell in September, it covered the 
rear of the column to Murfreesborough, and then joined 
in the pursuit of Bragg, and afterwards in guarding 
Buell's wagon trains. On a March to Danville soon 
after, a detachment of the Fourth, numbering about two 
hundred and fifty, was surrounded, captured, and pa- 
roled. The rest of the regiment, marching sixty-nine 
consecutive days, in due time reached Nashville again, ' 
took part in the battle of Murfreesborough, undertook a 
raid in Bragg's rear and cut the railroad, capturing a lo- 
comotive and train of cars, and made several successful 
attacks. It moved southward with the army of the 
Cumberland, June 24th; September 9th, fought and 
routed Wheeler's cavalry near Alpine, Georgia, and on the 
twenty-ninth was engaged on the extreme right at Chicka- 
mauga, with a loss of thirty-two killed, wounded and 
missing. After the battle it pursued Wheeler into east 
Tennessee, and fought him near Farmington. Till the 
last of December it was on duty in northern Alabama, 
then re-enlisted and took its veteran furlough. Shortly 
before that, the Second battalion made an inroad into 
east Tennessee, and at Cleveland captured many pris- 
oners and burned a shot, shell and cap factory. It then 
went to the relief of Knoxville, and soon after re-en- 
listed also. On March 13, 1864, the reorganized and 
now veteran regiment started again from Camp Denni- 
son for Nashville, where it was equipped, and marched 
on foot to Columbia, where it was remounted. On May 
2 2d it joined the Seventeenth corps at Decatur, Ala- 
bama. On the twenty-ninth its brigade was attacked by 
General Roddy with a large force, when he was repulsed in 
disorder, after a hard fight of two hours. In the At- 
lanta campaign it was engaged in frequent skirmishes, 
and on the sixth of July it destroyed some large fac- 
tories at Roswell engaged in making cloth for the rebel 
armies. On the nineteenth it helped to destroy the Au- 
gusta railroad east of and near Atlanta. It aided in a 
successful raid to Covington, during which two railway 
bridges, two trains and locomotives, and over two mil- 
lion dollars worth of cotton were destroyed and five 
hundred rebels captured. The Fourth was also in Stone- 
man's raid, was engaged at Flat Rock bridge, accompa- 
nied General KiljDatrick on his raid around Atlanta, had 
a severe engagement at Lovejoy's Station, August 19th, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



169 



while in the advance, and, after the command was sur- 
rounded, participated in a charge by which the rebel 
lines were cut through and all the wagons and. artillery 
safely brought out. The regiment reached Buckhead on 
the twenty-second, and on the twenty-fifth took part in 
Sherman's flank movement to Jonesborough, and thence 
marched to • Cross Keys, where it stayed till September 
26th, thence went to Landtown, to Atlanta, and to Nash- 
ville for a remount. This was finally formed at Louis- 
ville, and it started Dixieward again, newly equipped and 
remounted, on the first of December, reaching Nashville 
ten days afterwards. It picketed the Cumberland while 
the battle of Nashville was proceedmg, and when it was 
over, guarded a wagon train to Columbia. At Gravelly 
Springs, in January, it was equipped for a long cam- 
paign, and spent the time there in drilling and building 
quarters and stables. 

On March 2 2d the regiment, now a part of General 
Wilson's command, advanced ' by Frankfort, Rupellville, 
Jasper, Elyria, and Monteville to Selma. On April ist, 
at Ebenezer Church, fifteen miles from Selma, the enemy 
was routed in a sharp skirmish, losing three pieces of ar- 
tillery and several hundred prisoners. The next day, in 
front of the rebel works at the latter place, the troops 
dismounted for a charge, the Fourth being the left regi- 
ment of Wilder's brigade, which held the right of the 
line. One-fourth the command were holding the horses, 
and there were only one thousand five hundred in the 
charging column. The attack was made, over five hun- 
dred yards of open ground, and through a hail of grape, 
canister and musket shot. The fine swept undauntedly 
across the works, capturing two lunettes, with seven guns 
and other war equipment. Fifty men of the Fourth 
were killed and wounded in this charge. The arsenal 
and navy yard at Selma were destroyed, and on April 
6th the column resumed its march, capturing Mont- 
gomery and Columbus, and reaching Macon on the 
twentieth, where it remained on guard and patrol duty 
until May 23d, when it started homeward, arriving at 
Nashville June 15th, and being mustered out the latter 
part of the next month. 

ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel John Kennett. 

Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Bendsall. 

Major John L. Pugh. 

Major James E. Dresbach. 

Surgeon Lucian A. James. 

Assistant Surgeon Thomas McMillin. 

Chaplain Cheney. 

Quartermaster Thomas D. Hastings. 
Adjutant Philip H. Warner. 
Sergeant Major Silas N.. Basom. 
Quartermaster George Cirst. 
Commissary Sergeant Edward Wood. 
Hospital Steward John A. Sowers. 
Bugler James H. Rea. 

REGIMENTAL BAND. 

Chief Musician, Charles Seidensticker; First-class Musicians, Charles 
Baeminger, August Schwevel, Peter Bohl, Frederick Witte, Louis 
Reinhart, Charles T. Brental; Second-class, WiUiam Plate, Charles 
Ernst, Conrad Havering; Third-class, Thomas J. Scott, John Goebel, 
Jacob Goebel, Charles Kress. 



COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Oliver P. Robie. 

First Lieutenant George H. Dobb. 

Second Lieutenant Henry H. Hamilton. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Cyrus H, Pierce. 
First Sergeant Charles D. Henry. 
Sergeant Frederick H. Bonker. 
Sergeant Frank Robie. 
Sergeant George W. Rollins. 
Sergeant George W. Gaskins. 
Corporal William D. Convin. 
Corporal Charles Tailer. 
Corporal Frederick H. Boniker. 
Corporal James Short. 
Corporal Oscar Mour. 
Corporal James Pike. 
Corporal Asaeph Butler. 
Corporal Isaac Butler. 
Bugler Albert N. Young. 
Saddler John H. Moor. 

PRIVATES. 

John Aberdeen, Thomas J. Armstrong, Benjamin Aydlotte, Thomas 
Anthony, Isaac W. Brown, Josiah A. Brown, Michael Bunker, John 
H. Booth, Albert Brant, Thomas C. Bundy, Edward Brady, Adam 
Bell, Samuel Barnett, Samuel Binney, John Buckhart, Edward G. 
Bartlett, Thomas Cestello Robert W.. Canton, Charles H. Canton^ 
Charles. Grain, George Cust, Orin Crist, George Crow, James C. Cun- 
ningham, Philip Decker, Henry E. Davis, James A. Famish, Benton 
Furgeson, Joim Goodbarne, Louis Garachini, Michael Gorman, 
Thomas Groover, Timothy W. Green, Martin Gons, James Graziani, 
Joseph C. Glardon, Albert G. Hopping, William Harris, John W. 
Hatfield, Ebenezer Hatfield, John Humphrey, Abijah W. Hayden, Eli 
F. Hamilton, William Hesse, Ambrose Hallam, John B. Hall, Andrew 
Jeffries, Aniansel D. Jackson, Owen Kilcom, William Kopp. Harmann 
Kolkmeier, Michael Kenney, Oscar Kirby, Llewellyn Lodge, Philip 
Leonard, Michael Martin, William Meader, Sanford Mullisberg, 
Franklin Miller, Thomas McCabe, William McDonnell, Charles P. 
Miller, Albert Maxwell, Theodore Mortman, Louis Nardoni, Joseph 
H. Nicholson, Charles E. O'Hara, Thomas Omelia, Hamilton Porter, 
William Pierce, Joseph C. Prescott, Henry A. Porter, Thomas Quig- 
ley, George Rork, George Raster, Thomas C. Roiliston, Julius Rein- 
nick, Davis Sutton, Abraham Skinner, Charles Storey, Thomas J. Scott, 
Charles D. Smith, Henry Ewing, John G. Stettor, John L. Sowers, 
William Shires, Charles Steine, William A. Thomas, Lester L. Taylor, 
William M. Teterick, William A. Wellshear, James Wade, Verner 
Wycoff, Robert Wise, Edgar B. Wichcraft, James G. Williams. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Conduce G. Meguire. t 

First Lieutenant Philip H. Warner. /S L_n6 
Second Lieutenant Henry B. Teeter. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Ambrose R. Megrue. 
First Sergeant Andrew J. Keeney. 
Sergeant Hamilton R. Williams. 
Sergeant Gideon Landaker. 
Sergeant WiUiam A. Clough. 
Sergeant Samuel C. Marshall. 
Corporal John M. Hedrick. 
Corporal Greenlief Galley. 
Corporal Alvin M. Miller. 
Corporal Charles M. Wainright. 
Corporal Drury M. Porter. 
Corporal Alpheus H. Underwood. 
Corporal Thomas W. Cook. 
Corporal Jonas Smith. 
Bugler George Stork. 
Bugler Henry Smith. 
Farrier James M. Thomas. 
Farrier Charles S. Sprague. 

PRIVATES. 

James Blackburn, Joseph P. Berry, Perry Badgley, Thomas Brennen, 

Matthew Barris, James S. Booth, Thurston Bates, Charles F. Bates, 



/^■y /4v«p*^ 6«^ / 



170 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Edward Barfoot, Henry R. Brock, Samuel Cop, William Cop, Samuel 
Carey, Hannibal Clough, Solon Cook, John A. Corbin, John Carr, 
Francis J. Cane, George M. Day, Hartson Dunfy, Marion Eckles, 
John Fitzgerald, Benjamin Fay, William H. Fairfield, John A. Gage, 
James C. Gage, Asa T. Henderson, George enderson, HAustin S. Hut- 
son, John Harper, William A. Hartwell, Samuel T. Harvey, David A. 
Harvey, George W. Harper, Philip L. Hedrick, George W. Huhgy, 
John Hays, William H. Hammond, Nicholas L. Jones, Charles L. 
Kidd, Cliarles Leatherberry, William Linville, Isaac Lanedaker, Jo- 
seph Mahoy, James Nolan, Ephraim Nigh, Archibald Osborn, Frits 
Peters, William F. Porter, Jacob Pierce, George Porter, Anson D. 
Robinson, Isaac Seaman, John H. Searam, Christopher Sulsor, Philip 
Shearer, Charles Schram, Albert C. Stickney, Booth F. Stead, John 
Stout, Paul Stone, James W. Shafer, John G. Shermer, John E. Smith, 
William H. Smucker, Samuel Tooley, James W. Vance, Joseph Voltz, 
Lewis Warner, Jesse W. Williams, William Wainright, Homer Wing, 
Samuel Wells, John Wener, Amos Young, Nathan IVI. Lawrence, John 
R. Godall, Samuel Lawrence, Joseph Ga 



COMPANY C. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Peter Matheus. 
First Lieutenant James R. Johnson. 
Second Lieutenant William E. Crane. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant John C. Bonnell. 

First Sergeant Anthony Bernard. 

Sergeant George G. Fennell. 

Sergeant James Hammond. ■ 

Sergeant Edward S. Calph. 

Sergeant James N. Woods. 

Corporal Charles E. Allen. 

Corporal Reuben E. Balch. 

Corporal Lewis W. Schiess. 

Corporal John T. Boggess. 

Corporal Samuel Bowser. 

Corporal Hugh C. Matthew. 

Corporal James F. Gossett. 

Corporal Smith Ackley. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Atkinson, George H. .Ashcraft, Henry Arand, Christopher 
Beuker, Jennings Bekwith, John R. Bailey, Abraham Bailey, Squire 
Brant, Jacob Bowser, John H. Baldwin, Philip H. Brooks, Fielding K. 
Bowers, Thomas J. Bailey, James Barnhart, Silas H. Bascom, George 

A. Brown, George Cooper, Zaddock Cann, Samuel H. Cherry, Benja- 
min F. Cable, William Cann, George H. Corzatt, George Derlein, 
George Deatz, Michael J. Dowling, Elias Evans, Richard Foster, Jo- 
seph A. Garrick, George J. Grimm, George Geiger, John Gross, Adam 
Henke, John Hollingsworth, Phillip Holzer, Charles Hamilton, Patrick 
Haley, Augustus Hartsmam, James Haly, Michael Hempfner, Philip 

B. Helplin, Nathan Hollingsworth, Thomas Irwin, Edward Jolinson, 
John H. Kringer, George King, John B. Kirman, Jacob Knawl, Dan- 
iel Lane, James S. Ludlington, Allen A. Lawrence, Adam Lechling- 
felt. Samuel H. Mercer, George A. Murdock, William Malcom, Samuel 
B. Malcom, William G. Miller, William Mountjoy, Andrew Mish, Johh 
McLaughlin, Peter Maringer, Patrick Murphy, Adam Neiding, Daniel 
Ochs, William Owens. Norman G'Donnell, William Prestley, Thomas 
Powers, Isaac V. Paulson, James Pacey, James E. Phelps, William 
Peiff, James H. Rea, James Rodden, James Roberts, Harman Strader, 
Thomas Smith, Ale.\anderJ. Strickland, Henry Strassner, Wilham A. 
Sanders, John G. A. Steffin, William Shive, Matthew F. Steward, 
Henry Sauers, Andrew J. Spurgeon, David Shankan, jr., George R. 
Thompson, Henry Soler, John Trilling, George W. Whittaker, Dennis 
West, Allen D. Weaver, William Wilkinson, Nathaniel L. Welch, Pe- 
ter Weber, John C. Ward, Sylvanus T. W. Wolf, George W. Yazel, 
Nelson J. Young. 

COMPANY D. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Charles Guilde. 
Sergeant Fielding Alcorn. 
Sergeant Charles Fox. 
Sergeant Justus D. Durrell. 
Corporal John Bishweiler. 
Corporal Warren Bonnell. 
Corporal Benjamin Stoker. 
Blacksmith Augustus Miller. 
Farrier Henry P. Bowen. 



PRIVATES. 

Samuel Archibald, J. Beckwith, James Bernhardt, Wilson Beatty, 
James Curtis, John Cotty, Joseph Campbell, Philip Decker, Henry C. 
Ferris, Frederick Furst, John Frazer, Henry Garland, Joseph Gilson, 
Charles Hamilton, Philip Holtzer, August Holtzman, Isaac V. Paul- 
son, Nicholas Pell, Henry Reumebaun, Anson D. Robinson, Paul 
Stone, William D. Smucker, William Stapleton, .Acquilla Sanford, 
Allen D. Weaver, George W. Whittiker, Simeon Ward, Otto Young, 
Nelson I. Young, Michael SehoU. 

Missing. — Privates James Scott, Christopher Schrel, JohnW. Whet- 
stone. 

Transferred. — Edward Crorndley, Edward Puffer, Elisha McGuire, 
Henry Schondell, Heairer Harberger, John Raupp, John R(*ibl, 
George M. Stoup, Louis Seman, John Steek, John B. Jennings, Amos 
I. Jennings, Joseph L. Jennings. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George A. Gotwald. 
First Lieutenant John Hohn. 
Second Lieutenant George Fritz. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Thomson. 
Sergeant William S. White. 
Sergeant Henry Harmse. 
Sergeant Charles Weidner. 
Sergeant George Deibel. 
Sergeant Carl A. G. Adae. 
Corporal John Meidert. 
Corporal William H. Witt. 
Corporal Jacob Binsach. 
Corporal Christopher Troasher. 
Corporal George D. Bendel. 
Corporal John Beyer. 
Corporal Joseph Feldkamp. 
Corporal Aerhart Blum.. 
Bugler Washington S. Stoop. 
Blacksmith Frederick Reich. 
Blacksmith Gotleib Kernan. 

PRIVATES. 

George Aman, Adolph Auhl, Herman Avabicker, Adam Alexander, 
Frederick G. Bull, Frank H. Basker, Xavier Buchs, Bernard Baasch, 
John Barwanger, Herman Brinker, James Brunnenkaut, Christopher 
Behender, Samuel Caldwell, Peter Day, Jacob Doll, Matthias Demuth, 
Andrew Durr, William Dryer, Joseph Eichenlaub, Frank Engler, Jo- 
seph Ehrhart, Joseph Flick, Ferdinand Esslear, Michael Gabriel, Jonas 
Geiser, Frederick Gnuterberg, John B. Grussel, George Grime, John 
Groble, Jacob Groble, Thomas Hart, Philip Hartman, Peter Heckman, 
Christie Hertsberger, Frederick Heck, Frederick Herold, John Hagger- 
dorn, Philip Hotten, Charles Hernich, Henry Heiesterkamp, Louis 
Heiman, Frederick Humbleman, Philip B. Hebling, Charles Herfel, 
John Home, Joseph Plove, John Johnson, Daniel Jeansen, Andrew 
Kepfer, Christian Kress, Charles King, Adam Litchenfelt, Meyer 
Lowenstein, George Lampe, Frederick Messing, John F. Myers, Ste- 
phen Metzger, August Miller, William Miller, Jacob Miller, Ernst 
Muller, Herman Meil, Fremont Mattress, William Meyer, Philip 
Nehrposs, Adam Neiding, Henry Neimeis, Frederick Otterling, John 
Ohrn, Frank Phuff, Thomas Powel, Michael Kaisch, George Rudolph, 
Adrian Keihle, John Ruper, Christian Rackeman, Matthias Rail, John 
Roser, Jacob Kief, Anson D. Robinson, Clements Sauer, Edward 
Schmidt, Peter Schreiner, Frederick Shultz; George Sturm, John Stef- 
fen, Frederick William Sorge, Tony Semalty, Christian Schlenklous, 
Philip Seibert, William Schneider, Bernard Shatt, Fredrick Shoor, Cas- 
per Strojn, James H. Senior, Charles F. Senior, Andrew Schram, Den- 
nis Shoot, Frank Smith, Gotlieb Troascher, Alexander L. Thomson, 
Nicholas Velten, John Vogt, sr., Henry Vogt, John Vogt, jr., Deid- 
rich Volgein, George Walter ist, George Walter 2d, Jacob Wenzel, 
William Wilkin, Andrew Wagner, Lawrence Weiss, John Gottfried. 

Teamsters. — Charles Gering, Xavier Heiberger, John Raupp, John 
Bibel, John Bauman, George M. Sloop, Louis Assur, John Steck, John 
B. Jennings, Amos T.Jennings, Josephs. Jennings. 

COMPANY F. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Frederick Myre. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



171 



PRIVATES. 

George Auer, Henry Ahrens, Peter Bender, William Brown, August 
Crepp, Sylvester Carel, Jacob Eberhard, Charles Fairfax, Andrew Gon- 
iren, Jacob Krimmel, Henry Lewis, William Landerman, Sebastian 
Merk, David Mark, George D. Osborn, Henry Parnell, David G. 
Steinle, JNIatthias Trafzer, Ferdinand Whitehorse, Frederick Poffer, 
Edward Hayns. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant Wellington B. Streight. 
Second Lieutenant Milton B. Chamberlin. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant John C. Stewart. 

Sergeant Jeremiah Simpson. 

Corporal John W. Roll. 

Corporal James M. Darr. 

Farrier Lewis Van Duyn. 

Farrier William Fritz. 

Saddler Andrew Moore. 

PRIVATES. 

William Beckett, William Berryman, Nicholas Ballard, Wilson 
Beatty, Joseph W. Campbell, Charles E. Chapman, Amos Cook, Ben- 
jamin Cook, Isaac Darling, William Davis, Thomas Finan, John Find- 
lay, James A. O'Garrison, James Gibson, Joseph B. Hayden, Benjamin 
Haynes, John M. Hill, Meyer Livingston, John F. McCartney, William 
Minor, Michael Marline, Chester B. Lee, Michael Nigla, Robert Por- 
ter, C. Ryan James Ryan, Valentine Schneider, John L. Secrist, James 
H. Secrist, Richard C. Secrist, Walter Shepperman, William Staple- 
ton, Aquilla Standiford, William Stephenson, Francis M. Vermillion' 
Simeon Wend, Benjamin Winans, Henry Weinritz, Patrick Welch. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Frank Zimmerman. 
First Lieutenant August Becherer. 
Second Lieutenant Andrew Kessling. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Norman White. 

First Sergeant Carl A. G. Adae. 

Sergeant William C. MuUer. 

Sergeant Herman Grimm. 

Sergeant Henry Birgk. 

Sergeant Jacob Paul. 

Corporal Lorenz Schott. 

Corporal Henry Kotelschuk. 

Corporal Henry Smith. 

Corporal Xavier Abele. 

Corporal Adam Long. 

Corporal George Weiss. 

Corporal Christopher Knecht. 

Corporal John Becker. 

Bugler Julius Emonin. 

Bugler Christopher Dauberman. 

Saddler Frederick Reuber. 

Blacksmith Mike Gabriel. 

Blficksmith Andrew Meisch. 

PRIVATES. 

Carl Bergman, Peter Bernhard, Frank Bescenson, Coelestin Bressin, 
Thomas Braun, Charles Burchner, Charles Burk, Henry Baum, Henry 
Bremelt, John Chambers, Balthasar Dieringer, Henry Dill, Peter 
Dreher, George Duerr, Joseph Eisenmann, John Fisk, Emil Fleisch- 
hauer, Mark Foltz, James Gritner, George Gramlich, Heniy Header, 
Matthias Kaas, Madison Harder, Anely Hart, James Huering, John 
Heigelt, Henry Huelgniann, Christopher Hess, Frank Herberger^ 
Frederick Hotknecht, George Klein, John Koch, Frederick Kuntz, 
Frank Kessler, John Kitt, C. A. Kroeger, Charles Knecht, Mike 
Knecht, Jacob Klotz, Valentine Kastner, John Kegel, Michael Kilicur, 
John Legler, Henry Lorenz, George Long, Christopher Marsh, Lewis 
Mantrand, Henry Macke, William Nabers, August Neubauer, Kursten 
Pappe, Phillip Ritter, Herman Roe, Timothy Ryan, George Kup- 
precht, George Reichert, Gerhard Roeune, John Streitberger, Peter 
Schneider, William Schwerger, Henry Schumacher, Matthias Speicher, 
Jacob Schaefer, Frederick Trautwein, Herman Wilkins, Henry Weich- 
net, Henry Winters. John Wolf, Michael Wiesendanger, Matthew 
Waten, Henry Wenzel, Adolph Yost, John Zahn, Thomas Gebhard, 
Adolph Weisbrod. 



Teamsters. — Adam Buechsemtan, John Frischholz, James Hoerner, 
Jacob Michaels, George Schnarrenberger, Arbogast Weber, C. C. Wil- 
son. 

COMPANY L. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James H. Johnson. 

First Lieutenant Richard W. Neff. 

Second Lieutenant Edward S. Wood. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant William G. Mayhugh. 

First Sergeant George K. Warner. 

Sergeant Charles J. Bonsall. 

Sergeant Alfred Wilson. 

Sergeant George W. Leonard. 

Sergeant Edward D. Lovell. 

Sergeant W. Masterson. 

Sergeant Harry Reeves. 

Corporal William W. Wagoner. 

Corporal William H. Lecount. 

Corporal William A. Jordan. 

Corporal Charles H. Weaver. 

Corporal Enos M. Cooper. 

Corporal William C. Williams. 

Corporal Amos Swein. 

Corporal Josiah Morehead. 

Bugler Lorenzo E. Wilbur. 

Bugler Orange S. West. 

Saddler John W. McCoy. 

PRIVATES. 

Richard Allen, Ira C. Benedict, Eli Boyer, Edward Beebe, William 
R. Beebe, John Burgman, George Brown, John Budenbach, Martin 
Bunningham, Jerome Baird, Columbus Baird, John Burns, George A. 
Bryant, Benjamin Brown, H. C. Brackington, Benjamin F. Cooper, 
William H. Cain, Daniel Clarke, Louis Dzierganonski, Christian Dzier- 
ganonski, John Derily, William Ertch, Abner M. Ettison, William P. 
English, John Feeney, Calvin Floyd, Christopher Endress, Dougl.ass N. 
Foote, Thomas Glennon, David Groman, James A. Griffin, John Glea- 
son, James A. Gibbs, Nathan B. Green, William Herbert, John A. 
Hyle, Charles Heintzleman, George Kirch, John Leonard, Louis Len- 
nan, James Lyrus, John Lloyd, Frederick C. Lecount, William C. 
Mudge, Robert McKeag, James Marshall, Alfred Megnie, William L. 
McKay, Charles L. Mottier, John A. McCalmont, Peter J. McCoy, 
Oliver Moore, Joseph Morreland, James McAvoy, Jeremiah Murphy, 
James Myers, Frederick Myers, Alexander E. Martin, Charles Moore, 
John Marke, John A. Pitts, John Perry, James Robinson, Michael 
Ryan, Edward Ryan, Casper Saffer, James H. Slack, Joseph M. Ste- 
phenson, W. J. Stephenson, Thomas Scott, James Stewart, Augustus 
Ude, James F. Wood, Nathan L. Wood, Frederick Zeis, Henry A. 
Riddle, John H. Woodward, John Dowling, George Houston. 

COMPANY M. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain George W. Dobb. 

First Lieutenant Thomas C. Burdsal. 

Second Lieutenant Ambrose R. Megrue. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant George F. Moore. 
Sergeant Malachi H. Richardson. 
Sergeant Sidney M. O. Mohundre. 
Sergeant Osmond O. Smith. 
Sergeant Thomas H. Osborn. 
Sergeant Henry L. King. 
Sergeant Samuel Anderson. 
Sergeant Joseph A. Goddard. 
Corporal Samuel M. Faris. 
Corporal Charles A. Harrison. 
Corporal Charles E. Oldrieve. 
Corporal Joseph Averill. 
Corporal William B. Richardson. 
Corporal Louis Schiofle. 
Corporal August H. Andress. 
Corporal Sylvanus R. Oldrieve. 

PRIVATES. 

Philip Alexis, Albert Brunseman, John Bohmlar, George Baum, Wil- 
liam Brendle, Felix Bowman, Philip Biegle, Hugh Duffey, Louis Der- 



172 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



rick, John Derfue, Fritz Droste, Frederioli Elirliart, Benjamin Flieg, 
Barney Foglesanli, John Flugel, WilHam H. Gilbert, John Hesch, 
David B, Hoppins, Anton Hofner, Louis Heilt, Andrew Hallen, Anton • 
Handijee, Franli Hethslieimer, Jolin Hamijerger, William Jacobs, 
Philip Kraher, Andrew Kelleman, John Kuehule, John Keller, Mich- 
ael Keller, Charles Klein, Sebastian Klein, Charles Kayser, August 
Koehler, John B. Lautineger, Philip L.effell, William Long, Adolph 
Leppert. Frederick Mente, Herman Meschnieyer, Matthias Meschnot, 
Christopher Murch, William Meisener, David Monroe, Peter Metz, 
Hubert Nold, Henry Ortman, John Rising, John Ratys, John Suttem, 
Jacob Spinenwelar, Charles Schaefl'er, John Straley, Michael Stoefel, 
George Schmidt, Peter Schanal, Anton Schneider, Samuel Schraitt, 
John Stempfle, Henry Stening, Henry Somemeyer, Nicholas Thiel, 
John Wilier, John Wuest, Adam Youngman, Andrew Young. 

VETERAN ORGANIZATION. 
STAFF OFFICERS. 
Sergeant Major Charles P. Bonsall. 
Sergeant Major Philip D. Riggs. 
Quartermaster Sergeant William A. Hartwell. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Ale.xander L. Thompson. 
Hospital Steward Lorenzo E. Wilbur. 
Chief Bugler Albert N. Young. 

COMPANY A. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William V. Neely. 

Sergeant Sellick R. Tyler. 

Sergeant Andrew Ferris, 

Sergeant Oscar Kirby. 

Sergeant James Short. 

Corporal John C. Williams. 

Corporal David Sutton. 

PRIVATES. 

Frank Cunningham, William Brandt, Benjamin Crawford, William 
Campbell, Peter Crewson, Ezekiel P. Mulford, Stephen Pierson, James 
F. Rogers, Adrian J. Miller, Amos Williams, Lucian Wulson, John 
Wolf, Amos T. Aleear, John Coleman, Michael Dunivan, Martin 
Fisher, Frederick Finlay, Samuel Godray, Judson Germon, Rudolph 
Holshsher, Henry Hulse, yohn.S. Malsberry, William Table, William 
F. Woodsey, Benton Ferguson, Hiram Stoop, James D. Constable, 
Peter Debold, John Gnise, Henry Grieble, Charles L. Gobert, George 
Hulseman, Randil King, Adam Myer, William H. Moore, Michae 
Renchler, Alvin R. Smith, John C. Simonton, Henry Taphorn, David 
Mailor, John C. Wakefield, Christopher Wehmer, William Miller, 
Frank Fry, Samuel Frich, Asa Malsburg, Franklin Miller, Eugene Wul- 
son, John Martin, William Pierce. 

COMPANY B. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Sergeant Allen N. James. 

PRIVATES. 

William V. Barkalow, Henry Haum, Joseph Coles, Charles Dwyer, 
August Daneker, Michael Gabriel, Frank Haus, Jacob Huffman, 
Andrew Hettle, Andrew Koberlein, John Kline, Benjamin E. Moses, 
William E. Maple, Louis B, Sheppard, Arthur B. Spader, William B. 
Thomas, William H. Testor, Peter Wilson, Frank Huston, George 
Peterson, Daniel C. Gilson, Joseph W. Harding, William C. Dewit, 
William H. Johnson, George W. Hughey, Joseph W. Brown, Francis 
W, Boyle, Younger Brydon, George Connell, Louis R. Folger, William 
H. Fitield, Isaac Hamman, William H. Hawley, Archibald Hall, 
George Hurley, Andrew Riley, John Siegel, George Watson, Booth 
Stead, Edward Smith, Frank Ambrinster (died). 

COMPANY C. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant W. Vallandingham. 
Sargeant William G. Keely. 
Sergeant Barney Kiser. 
Sergeant Frederick Rief. 
Sergeant Herschel Bilderback. 
Sergeant George Feldkamp. 
Corporal Frederick J. Chrisiman. 
Corporal Michael J. Dowling. 
Corporal Patrick B. Lawler. 
Corporal Charles Swartz. 
Corporal George Wineslage. 
Bugler H. Keller. 



PRIVATES. 

Edward Deal, Emanuel Brillman, Charles Barr, Louis CuUum, 
Charles Emmelulte, Charles Hicks, Henry Mengle, William Morinch, 
James Mornon, Frederick Perkins, John Readle, Charles Reck, Frank 
Rheinholt, Leonard Landman, William IJurnham, George W. Buck, 
Robert F. Culbertson, Israel Cook, .-Vlbert G. Daskam, Julius A. King, 
Ferdinand Lineback, Michael Platts. John Radabaugh, Henry S. 
Reeves, Barney Berning, David Brooks, George Corzatt, Simon Ernst. 
Casper Eichman, Woodward Fosdick, Philip Hann, Frank Hettesei- 
mer, James Haley, George Hutchison, George Way, I'redeiick Kaney, 
George King, John Kriegar, Gustavus Kriegar, Louis Miller, August 
Morrell, Henry Pauly, Frederick Pieper, Henry Sewring. 

Prisoner of War. — Ernst Reve. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Joseph A. Goddard. 
First Lieutenant Solomon Dago. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Gilbert E. Nye. 

Quartermaster Sergeant William N. Thomson. 

Commissary Sergeant John H. Wcilage. 

Sergeant William Fowler. 

Sergeant John R. Williams. 

Corporal William A. Sprong. 

Corporal Patrick Kenney. 

Corporal John G. Spangler. 

Corporal August Bellville. 

Corporal Charles Wellerkoflf. 

Corporal Frederick Shoemaker. 

Corporal Noah K. Shekels. 

PRIVATES. 

Reuben Brydon, Willi.an H. Benson, Patrick Cunningham, Jacob 
Dacter, William Douthwaite, Louis Francis, Martin Good, Isaac 
Hongland, George Iniwalle, Henry Imwalle, Christopher Koehler, 
William Kraner, Alfred Lockard, Patrick McDonougli, John Moore, 
George Miller, Elisha A. Peterson, Hubert F. Robinson, Christopher 
Struble, James Thayer, Milton Trigg, James H. Wilson, Henry B. Wil- 
son, William Warner, John H. Wright, Peter Ver, Frederick Kem- 
haus, William B. Wilson, George W. Buck, Robert F. Culbertson, 
Israel Cook, Julius A. King, James Edwards, Henry G. Reeves. 

Mustered Out. — Captain H. Warner; First Lieutenant Alegi Morales; 
Privates William Brown, Samuel Beatty, George H. Hughes, Frederick 
Huningbake, Norton Thayer, Michael Schall, Edwin I. Getz, Xavier 
Herberger, Charles H. Naehtigal, Joseph F. Armstrong, William Hop- 
man, John Bishweiler, James J. K. Banett, Fritz Diller, Joseph R. 
Shannon, William H. Schmittger. 

Died. — William Allen, Noal Clayton, William C. Douthwaite, John 
Martin, Edgar Toser, James Scott, Christopher Sherer, William A. 
Rowan, James W. Stebbins, John Whetsline. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant J. F. Gardner. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First .Sergeant John W. Given. 

First Sergeant Frederick Hyderbreck. 

Quartermaster Sergeant James Quinten. 

Sergeant Michael Rudolph. 

Sergeant David Richardson. 

Corporal John Miller. 

Corporal John Hoffman. 

Corporal Ehart Blum. 

Corporal Detrich Volgin. 

Bugler Frank Apperdenis. 

PRIVATES. 

John Ambuster, Pheli.v Bowman, Edward Bucker, Edward Bamis, 
Henry Brochin, Andrew Benchil, Daniel Convy, George H. Contir, 
James Fall, Frank Fanz, John Frank, Albert Gosling, Jacob Helligle, 
John Hamberdank, Benjamin Helms, John Heaffer, Joseph Horton, 
Augustus Keller, Louis Klingman, Gottlieb Ruthoff, Frederick Runnan, 
Charles Lister, Franklin D. Louis, Joseph Metzker, John D. Morse, 
Frederick Otting, David Piatt, Frederick Plapp, Atigust Roose, John 
Schafer, Peter Schram, William Sullivan, John Sanders, Thomas 
Schenelln, Anthony Schenieder, Cliarles Shoemacker, Michael Wal- 
ters, John Wunsta, Michael Wihhu, William Fulmer, Frank Fisher, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



173 



Henry Epke, William Hays, Louis Lang. Charles Monnan, Matthias 
Muchist, Hubert Nold, Jacob Spineinber, Herman Brinker, Peter 
Burns, Isaac Dorsl, George Daybolt, John Duppler, Frank Eser, George 
Hibble, Frederic Grau, Ferdinand Kuhn, Henry Kessel, Henry Kramer, 
Frank Moore, Adolph Miller, Michael Mulchester, Charles Schott Mil- 
ler, Christopher Ress James Schram. 

Killed. — Frederick, Atteniiger. 

Died. — William Franks. 

COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Lester L. Taylor. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Ferdinand Whitehorse. 
Corporal David G. Stinley. 

PRIVATES. 

Stansberry Sakemiller, Bernard Brokamp, Andrew Colter, Hiram H. 
Faunage, Henry Fawcett, James McMullen, Joseph Sauer, Joseph R. 
Tydings, Albert Tieckman, Mathias Zimmerman, John McDonough, 
Richard Cheeseman, N. Dean, Hiram H. Smith, John H. Zediker, 
Frederick Arnold, Philip Sherer, Christopher Stegner, Samuel White. 

Died. — Private Julius Ploggy. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Second Lieutenant Frank Hathaway. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William S. Morehouse. 

Sergeant Jacob H. Sloop. 

Sergeant Robert Roberts. ' 

Sergeant Staley Brower. 

Sergeant William H. Filley. 

Sergeant William O. Cookson. 

Sergeant John Wilson. 

Corporal Richard Tudor. 

Corporal John Bonsall. 

Bugler William A. Sanders. 

PRIVATES. 

Edward Blakesley, Robert Bruley. Francis Carson, Joseph C. Ellis, 
James Harding, George W. Higby, John Jackson, Elias W. Kelly, 
William F. Kelly, Thomas P. Loyd, James C. Maroney, William 
Marks, Andrew McClary, William Reynolds. John Ryan, George Ross, 
Augustus Rheimeier, George Steele, Frederick W. Smith, Coleman 
Thorp, William H. Thomas, Joseph Undenvood, William Morehead, 
Joseph Bissell, Edward Corbin, Piercy Carey, David B. Davis, Thomas 
|. Foy, James F. Faily, Julius Heirzer, Sebastian Kelb, Peter Nangle, 
Edward Riley, Andrew Rodgers, Peter B. Shires, James C. Stevens, 
Jonas Westerman, Jacob Young, John Lorman. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant William C. Muller. 
First Lieutenant Christopher Troescher. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal William Stahl. 
Bugler Alonzo P. Coons. 
Blacksmith James Devaney. 
Blacksmith Andrew Kearney. 

PRIVATES. 

John B. Raffensberger, James Anderson, Nelson Jackson, Joel Kirk, 
John Rogers, Thomas O'Melia, Joseph Prescott, Peter Driscol, Lewis 
Bramkamp, Henry Bickel, Henry Dubel, Marvin T. Henson, Herman 
H. Eigleman, Henry Konker, Matthew C. Lyons, Jacob Michael, Sam- 
uel McCoy, Thomas S. B. Rose, James. H. Smith, Jacob Spinner, Da- 
vid Wolf. 

COMPANY I. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant James M. Carr. 
Corporal Lewis Mariel. 

PRIVATES. 

John Crowley, Jonathan Ford, Henry Hillman, James Hawk, Ste- 
phen D. Lasley, Charles Thieby, John Weber, George Andrews, Ed- 
ward C. Middleton, George Anderson, Jacob Bahmer, Peter Benner, 
Michael Gnisler, Edward J. Jordan, George Leehatter, John Warner, 
Jacob Kelber. 



COMPANY K. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Sergeant Samuel A. Spencer. 

PRIVATES. 

Lewis Biaur, Arthur Bruno, Daniel Christman, John Fisher, Jacob 
Horn, George Hentz, Charles Kray, John Maltke, Henry Rost, James 
St. Clair, Phillip Schide, Anthony Swept, John Siedel, John Seger, Au- 
gust Walters, Benjamin Williams, Francis Williams, Lewis S. Ste- 
phans, Michael Bartley, Charles S. Moore, George Moore, William 
Meyers. Theodore Miskey, John B. Sampson, John F. Bieste, Godfred 
Brown, Jacob Henline, Charles Gerheb, Casper Becker, George Kline, 
John Krock, Adam Leehaus, George Reitz, Adam Saltzman, Benjamin 
Vogler, George Williams, William Williams. 

Died. — Frank Dorr, John Shield. 

COMPANY S. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
First Lieutenant John T. Boggers. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Calvin Floyd. 

PRIVATES. 

William Barker, August Webb, William Duncan, Isaac Parker, G. 
W. Barton, James Birnes, Joseph A. Anderson, Robert Berley, Francis 
Carson, George W. Higbee, John Jackson, Elias W. Kelly, William F. 
Kelly, William Marker, James Maroney, Andrew McCleary, George 
Ross, August Reimer. Frederick Smith, Coleman Thorp, William H. 
Tliomas, Joseph Underwood, William J. Johnson, Joseph E. Ellis, 
Thomas P. Lloyd. 

Died. — Privates George Boggs, Elias Kelly. 

COMPANY M. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant John W. Given. 
Sergeant James I. Quinton. 
Sergeant David Richardson. 
Sergeant Edward L. Quinton. 

PRIVATES. 

Philip Ballenback, Michael Cross, Andrew Graff, Charles Bradley, 
Charles A. Bear, Daniel Corny, George PI. Carter, Henry Epike, Al- 
bert Gasling, Joseph Herton, William Hays, Frank T. Louis, August 
Roose, Charles Morman, John H. Moore, Frederick Othling, David E. 
Platts, Frederick Plapp, James Sheahon, Jacob Spenenweahr, Thomas 
Sullivan, John Sanders, Nicholas Walter, Arthur Parsons, Wesley Carr, 
Charles Kampe, Samuel Johnson, Elisha Knecland, jr. , John McBride, 
Owen Maroney. 

FIFTH OHIO CAVALRY. 

The beginnings of this regiment were made early in 
August, 186 1, under authority from General Fremont, by 
Colonel W. H. H. Taylor and Lieutenant Colonel 
Thomas T. Heath. At first it was the Second Ohio cav- 
alry, but was changed to the Fifth by Governor Denni- 
son. Recruits were rendezvoused at Camp Dick Cor- 
wine, near Cincinnati, till November 5th, when -the 
regiment was ordered to Camp Dennison. February 26, 
1862, orders were received with much enthusiasm to pro- 
ceed to Paducah. The command was now one thousand 
one hundred and forty-two strong, mostly recruited in 
Hamilton and Clermont counties. It reached Fort 
Henry just after the victory of the Union forces there, 
and in a few days proceeded by steamer to Savannah, on 
the Tennessee river. March 14th it was transported to 
a point near Eastport, and made the first expedition of 
the Federal forces on Mississippi soil. Frequent skir- 
mishes were had near Pittsburgh Landing, and parts of 
the regiment were on numerous scouts until the battle 
there, which was its first general engagement. It bore 
itself heroically in both days' fight, though under the 
most unfavorable circumstances, and for a time received 



174 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



its orders directly from General Grant. Early April 8tli 
it formed the advance and flank guard of General Sher- 
man's reconnoisance, and about eight miles out charged 
the enemy's cavalry, driving it some six miles, and capt- 
uring many prisoners and much material of war. At 
Corinth it was the first on its part of the line, to enter 
the town. It was constantly on duty till July 27th, when 
it reached Memphis, was armed with Burnside carbines, 
and allowed a rest. Two battalions were heavily engaged 
at the battle of Hatchie, while the Third battalion fought 
with Rosecrans at Corinth. Companies B and M were 
in the brilliant action at Davis' Mill, where a large rebel 
force was checked by one greatly inferior; and they were 
specially commended in orders by General Grant. In 
the spring and summer of 1863 the regiment, then in the 
Second brigade, Cavalry division. Sixteenth corps, was 
employed in guarding Memphis and the Memphis & 
Charleston railroad. July 30th it started for Camp Davis, 
Mississippi, where the Third battalion, which had been 
long detached, rejoined it. This battalion had also seen 
very active and honorable service, and in February, 1863, 
suffered the loss of Major C. S. Hayes, commanding the 
battalion, who was killed near Hernando, Mississippi. It 
was engaged in forty-seven actions and skirmishes while 
serving independently of its regiment, marching and 
scouting over fifteen hundred miles, and capturing more 
than three hundred prisoners, and as many horses and 
mules, with not more than twenty-five men and horses 
killed and taken, and fourteen wounded. At once after 
the reunion of the battalions, the regiment marched to 
attack a brigade of the enemy's cavalry, which they drove 
through Baldwin to Guntown and returned with a num- 
ber of prisoners. It was then assigned to the Second 
cavalry brigade, and was almost constantly engaged in 
scouting and skirmishing. In the latter part of August 
Major Rader, with the Second battalion, got on the wrong 
road, ran into a large force of rebels, and was completely 
stampeded, with a loss of nine men and thirty-five horses. 
October i6th, by personal order of General Sherman, the 
regiment joined the advance of Osterhaus' division, 
Fifteenth corps, on Chattanooga, and had sharp fights at 
Tuscumbia and elsewhere on the route. For ten days it 
was about constantly engaged. Part of the regiment 
served as train guards during the battles of Chattanooga 
and Mission Ridge, while another part acted as escorts 
and couriers. Its next service was in east Tennessee, 
and the Third battalion was a part of the brigade which 
cut its way through the enemy and gave Burnside infor- 
mation of approaching relief The next spring the regi- 
ment effected a veteran organization, and was assigned 
to the Third division. Fifteenth corps. During the Atlanta 
campaign it saw much hard service, by which many of the 
men were dismounted and were unable to procure re- 
mounts. After July 13th the regiment remained the rest 
of the summer at Cartersville, guarding the railroad. 
November 8th it joined Kilpatrick's division. Second 
brigade, and began the march to the sea. In this it had 
numerous engagements, particularly distinguishing itself 
at Waynesborough, as also in the march through the Car- 
olinas, losing seventy-three killed, wounded, and missing 



in the unfortunate affair at Monroe's Cross Roads, where 
Kilpatrick was surprised by Hampton. After the peace 
the Fifth held in order the sub-district of Morganton, 
comprising seventeen counties in western North Carolina, 
and then all that region. It was finally mustered out 
after a splendid but most arduous service, October 30, 
1865. 

ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION. 
FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel A. H. H. Taylor. 
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Heath. 
Adjutant James C. Harrison. 
Quartermaster William H. McFarland. 
Surgeon Charles Thornton. 
Assistant Surgeon George Sprague. 
Chaplain Richard R. Pierce. 

FIRST BATTALION. 

Major Frederick Scherer. 
Adjutant Joseph N. Shultz. 
Quartermaster James Lowe. 
' Sergeant Major William D. Dampster. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Benjamin Brockham. 
Commisary Sergeant Charles Kruse. 
Hospital Steward Leander Smiley. 
Saddler Sergeant Charles Whitely. 
Veterinary Surgeon G. Colvin. 

SECOND BATTALION. 

Major Elbridge G. Ricker. 
Adjutant Daniel Sager. 
Quartermaster James C. Slattery. 
Sergeant Major Robert Major. 
Quartermaster Sergeant William Heath. 
Commissary Sergeant Henry H. Crapoe. 
Hospital Steward Thomas Stiles. 
Saddler Sergeant Henry Pierce. 
Veterinary Surgeon John Colvin. 

THIRD BATTALION. 

Major Charles S. Hays. 

Quartermaster John E. Craig. 

Quartermaster Edward Crapsey. 

Sergeant Major Abner F. Davies. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Charles E. Griffin. 

Commissary Sergeant Boston W. Sherer. 

Hospital Steward Mead Jarvis. 

Saddler Sergeant Charles Brafifttt. 

Veterinary Surgeon George M. Dimick. 

REGIMENTAL BAND. 

Bandmaster, Leonard Worcester; Musicians, Peter Williamson, 
Samuel Carnes, Foster Todd, James Todd, George Barnes, Thomas 
Long, Edward A. Kellogg, John F. Owens, John H. Penny, Titus H. 
Penny, Titus S. Heyer, Solomon Fanniger, Jacob Borner, William 
Echman, Mack Hopkins, WiUiam S. Linder. 



COMPANY A. 



Private Lafayatte Leeds. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Philip Tronnstine. 

First Lieutenant Richard C. O'Bryan. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Adam Landfrith. 

Sergeant James Begle. 

Corporal Henry Frank. 

Corporal Lucas Romanvietz. 

Corporal Joseph Rothan. 

Bugler John F. Hoffman. 

Saddler Charles W. Whitley. 

PRIVATES. 

Henry Bohaer, Samuel Collins, Gustoph Christoph, Benjamin R. 
Crist, Thomas D. Dale, Peter Eckhart, Jacob F. Gressli. John Griffin, 
Frederick Greener, Michael Kline, John Maurer, Albert MuUes, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



175 



Henry Wickhaus, John Rothan, William Redraw, William Rich, 
Joseph Retz, Joseph Romanowitz, Joseph Schultz, Christopher Spras- 
ser, Robert Thompson, Americus Wilson, Christopher Zehender. 
COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Charles S. Hays. 

First Lieutenant Samuel Warmsley. 

Second Lieutenant William Jessup. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Andrew Gilberg. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas A. Lemmon. 

Sergeant C. L. Burnell. 

Sergeant John Penny. 

Sergeant A. B. Warmsley. 

Sergeant Robert Winnings. 

Corporal Aaron B. Guard. 

Corporal Nathan Long. 

Corporal Charles Richter. 

Corporal Isaac D. Bolander. 

Corporal James D. Hannegan. 

Corporal Isaac Scott. 

Bugler John M. Robinson. 

Bugler Silas S. Hayes. 

Farrier James J. Kely. 

Farrier George Werner. 

Farrier Hugh Gordon. 

Saddler Henry Burkhardt. 

Wagoner Frederick Eppert. 

PRIVATES. 

Thomas Atkins, C. Bishop, Michael F. Bright, John S. Bowles, 
William Bingle, John Brobst, Joseph Broos. George Burnell, Thomas 
W. Butts, James Crawford, Peter M. Clouse, Jacob M. Clouse, John 
Colvin, Aaron D.avis, Henry Dormann, Jacob H. Gilberg, George 
Green, Charles C. Hayes, Joseph H. Hayes, Joseph Hooper, Arthur 
Hills, Patrick Haggerty, John C. Helmick, Henry H. Jones, Bruce 
Kean, George Kean, John H. King, Edward Ladd, Margina Lapish, 
John Lowry, M. H. McFarland, John McLean, Isaac McLean, John 
Martiney, James H. Miller, John H. Penny, Richard Penny, Michael 
Rierdan, William S. Reagan, Turner Stuart, Elijah Squires, Thomas 
R. Stevens, John Scriber, Lorenzo D. Tanner, John L. Wright, Lewis 
Wingert, August Winters, Nicholas Wermer, Jackson Williams. 

COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES. 

William Collins, Kilian Ghret, George W. McGrew, Peter Schots- 
man, John Tign. 

COMPANY G. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John G. Curtis. 

First Lieutenant John T. Taylor. 

Second Lieutenant James T. Porter. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John Pummell. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Evan A. J. Saunders. 

Sergeant David Perry. 

Sergeant Henry Slught. 

.Sergeant August M. Riddle. 

Corporal John M. Robinson. 

Corporal Daniel Boham. 

Corporal Samuel N. Smallwood. 

Corporal C. C. Smallwood. 

Corporal A. J. Bummell. 

Corporal Samuel Arnold. 

Corporal George W. Rockey. 

Bugler N. T. Pierce. 

Bugler Samuel W. Lewis. 

Farrier John Hitchins. 

Farrier August Rose. 

Wagoner John Crane. 

Saddler Andrew Hackenlooper. 

PRIVATES. 

Richard B. Arnold, O. P. Applegate, John M. Applegate, W. H. 
Andrews, E. A. Appleby, Joseph Applegate, Henry Barnes, Joseph C. 
Brady, David M. Barr, Joseph M. Crane, John K. Cummings, C^ F. 



Clark, Michael Connelly, E. F. Dill, Daniel R. David, Zadok Davis, 
John Elliott, Edward Eberlee, George M. Elliott, D. E. Fleming, John 
Flege, James Garbert, H. C. Hoping, Francis Henry, Charles Heller, 
Joseph F. Hoping, Patrick Higgins, James Jones, Thomas Jones, 
Ralph Jones, John Jones, Valentine Johnson, George N. Kirby, Simon 
Karsh, S. B. Layman, Isaac Long. Morgan Leasure, Blasure Miller, 
Thomas Murray, Peter Morris, John Oding, Alexander PeTidry, J. B. 
Powell, B. Podesta, James Reddish, Allen Reed, David Reed, Charles 
Ruffin, Charles Sherbecker, Edward Shaw, Leander Smiley, Frederick 
Schwartz, O. A. Smith, Isaac Faggs, D. Vanblangen, H. C. Warmoth. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Chester M. Poor. 

First Lieutenant B. W. Thompson. 

Second Lieutenant John H. Hubbell. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant J. E. Overturf. 

Wagoner D. B. Webster. 

Farrier Andrew E. Appleby. 

PRIVATES. 

.William N. Allen, William P. Ballance, Edward Brinkley, Spencer 
Bell, Henry A. Cotman, Asa Cluenger, James Dooley, Samuel W. 
Davis, Patrick Digman, James Dolan, Joseph Doerler, J. F. Dennis, 
Charles W. Davis, W. G. Evans, William W. Fanning, Christopher 
A. Frieschte, Edward Hopkins, Samuel Howes, Valentine Hill, J. L. 
Lawrence, George O. Ludlow, John McCracken, Charles Marks, 
James Mee, M. F. Mee, Jackson McCord, Michael Malone, Haspin 
Mitchell, D. McCarty, B. F. Mahew, B. F. Packer, E. J. Preston, 
John Peterson, August S. Rice, Simon Rawth, Robert B. Smith, Sen- 
eca Smith, George Wansbraugh, Arthur Wansbraugh, Benjamin Web- 
ber, Thomas Dobbins, R. T. Scofield, Charles F. Adams. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant Charles H. Murray. 

NON-CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant William B. Campbell. 
Corporal Frederick Ruggles. 
Corporal John McCamman. 

PRIVATES. 
Michael Curry, John Frank, Nicholas Frank, Thomas Hoggans, 
Herman Keimenschnider, Henry Wetzel, Joseph Woolflayer. 

COMPANY K. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Norris R. Norton. 
First Lieutenant William Owens. 
Second Lieutenant Elijah T. Van Cleve. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Sergeant William H. Britwhistle. 
Sergeant William Fenell. 
Sergeant Anthony Suygart. 
Sergeant William H. Shaddinger. 
Sergeant Christopher W. Goshen. 
Corporal Edward C. Little. 
Corporal William J. Brown. 
Corporal Dedliff J. Hoff. 
Corporal Franklin Huber. 
Corporal Benjamin F. Miller. 
Corporal Allen Lewis. 
Corporal William Brown. 
Farrier Archibald Cameron. 
Saddler Samuel Fechner. 
Bugler Felix MuUer. 

PRIVATES. 

George C. Allen, Lennox Burnett, Lemuel Crippen, John Colly, John 
H. Craig, Patrick Dunnican, James Donnell, William Emerson, Dan- 
iel Flagg, Benjamin K. Emerson, St. Clair Fechner, F. L. Fechner, 
Hugh Gorden, Frederick Gleich, Charles A. Hedges, Francis F. Howe, 
Joseph Henley, Alexander Hubbard, Charles C. Jeffries, Monroe Kirk, 
Theodore Montaginer, Dorsey C. Mitten, Henry C. Mader, Edward 
Mendenhall, Patrick Maxwell, James Martin, Joseph G. Mariott, 
James L. Pine, Charles A. Ransom, Charles L. Reynolds, George W. 
Robinson, Diedrich Ravens, Artillos Starkey, John Seeton, Oran 



176 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Smith, John Shay, Benedict Speath, Henry Snider, Madison Sim, Wil- 
liam H. Treadway, Marion Tod, Charles Wooden, Luther S. Wright, 
Joseph Whitescll, Peter Widiham, Jason Webb, Cassius M. Miller, 
John Kennell, 

COMPANY L. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OKFICEKS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Stephen C. Courey. 
Private James Garbrett. 

COMPANY M. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Captain John Henry. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Charles A. Miller. 
Corporal James Miller. 
Corporal James C. W.atson. 
Corporal William Benson. 
Wagoner Lewis Marcher. 

PRIVATES. 

William Abercrombie, Joseph Burchard, John Boffing, John N. 
Conrad, John Dieker, Adam Endress, Constantine Fricks, Charles R. 
Howard, Henry Hayden. 

SEVENTH OHIO CAVALRY. 

This was organized somewhat peculiarly. Under the 
gloom induced by Buell's retreat, in the summer of 1862, 
and the movement into Kentucky of Kirby Smith and 
Heath, Governor Tod, August 25th, ordered the Seventh 
cavalry, or "River Regiment," to be recruited — one hun- 
dred men in each of the counties of Meigs, Washington, 
Athens, Gallia, Scioto, Adams, Clermont, and Brown, 
and three hundred in Hamilton county. Within six 
days sixteen hundred men were enrolled. It rendez- 
voused at Ripley, and when the enemy's cavalry appeared 
at Augusta, Kentucky, a few miles below, company E, of 
the Seventh, procuring some muskets and other small 
arms, crossed and drove them out, with considerable 
loss to the invaders, but none to the bold assailants. Af- 
ter Bragg's retreat began, four companies were sent on 
a scout from Maysville into eastern Kentucky, and west 
to Falmouth. November 2 2d, the First battalion was 
sent to the field, and joined General Granger's force at 
Lexington, whence companies A, B, C, and D marched 
for the first raid into east Tennessee, upon which a rebel 
regiment guarding a long railway bridge at ZoUicoffer's 
Station was captured without firing a gun, and another 
force, six miles distant, was taken after a spirited though 
brief action. Two fine railroad bridges were burned, 
and much other property destroyed. December 20th 
the Second battalion entered the field, with Geneial 
Granger, as also, eleven days later, the Third. February 
22, 1863, the entire regiment marched to Richmond, 
Kentucky, to repel a reported invasion. The latter part 
of March it joined in a vigorous pursuit of Pegram's 
cavalry, and engaged it heavily at Dutton hill, on the 
thirty-first, when a sabre charge by five companies of the 
Seventh decided the day. May ist it was in another 
attack upon Pegram, at Monticello, and helped to rout 
him handsomely. June 9th, at the same place, it again, 
with other cavalry, attacked and drove out the same pes- 
tilent invader. Upon its retirement it was in turn attacked 
by Pegram, and fought successfully the desperate action 
at Rocky Gap, for which General Burnside complimented 
the regiment in orders. June loth one hundred picked 



men of the command joined another expedition to de- 
stroy the east Tennessee railroads, where immense mis- 
chief was done the rebels. In July it engaged in the 
pursuit of Morgan across Ohio, traversing Hamilton 
county in its march, via Harrison, Springdale, Glendale, 
and Miamiville; and was the first to attack the bold 
raider in his last stand at Buffington. Colonels Basil 
Duke and Smith, with their staffs and an escort, sur- 
rendered to Colonel Garrard, of the Seventh. Septem- 
ber 3d the regiment entered Knoxville, and assisted in 
the capture of Cumberland Gap, with its garrison, on 
the ninth. It marched thence to Carter's Station, and 
defeated a large force there. It then held a strong post 
in the mountains east of Knoxville till October loth, 
when it took part in the battle of Blue Springs, losing 
Captain Hyley, of company K, while heading a charge. 
One of the forts at Knoxville was subsequently named 
from him. At Bristol, on the Tennessee and Virginia 
line, an immense amount of supplies and railway prop- 
erty was destroyed by it. At Rogersville, November 6th, 
it, with a Tennessee regiment and a battery, was fiercely 
attacked and overpowered by nearly four times the num- 
ber of the Union force, losing one hundred and twelve 
men and some of its best officers. Colonel Garrard was 
in command, and a court of inquiry not only exonerated 
him from blame, but praised his conduct in the affair. 
During the siege of Knoxville, the Seventh defended 
Cumberland Gap, and December 5th joined in pursuit 
of the retreating enemy, having seven days and nights of 
almost incessent skirmishing and close fighting. On the 
twenty-third it drove a force fro.m New Market, and on 
Christmas, after a long day's hard fight, cut its way out of 
a largely superior force at Dandridge. For some time in 
January, 1864, it picketed the fords of the French Broad 
above that place. On ihe twenty-seventh it aided in the 
defeat of two divisions of Wheeler's cavalry at Fair 
Garden. In May the regiment reached central Ken- 
tucky, by rail for east Tennessee, to repel Morgan, and 
on the twelfth participated in the successful attack upon 
him at Cynthiana. The Seventh alone captured about 
five hundred prisoners in this fight, but lost some valu- 
able officers and men. Colonel Garrard's brigade, in- 
cluding the Seventh, pursued Morgan vigorously to the 
mountains of eastern Kentucky. July 4th the regiment 
started for Atlanta, arriving on the twenty-sixth, and 
taking active part in the operations that led to the fall of 
the "Gate City." It encamped at Decatur till October 
4th, and then engaged for a month in scouting and forage- 
ing for the Atlanta garrison. It was in the pursuit of 
Hood, and held the left of the Union line tenaciously 
at the battle of Franklin November 30th. It partici- 
pated in the battle of Nashville and the subsequent pur- 
suit; spent the winter at Gravelly Springs; aided to 
destroy rebel railways and iron works the next spring; 
engaged and defeated Forrest at Plantersville April ist; 
and after Lee's surrender scouted northern Georgia to 
intercept Jefferson Davis. After his capture the Seventh 
was ordered to Nashville, where it was mustered out on 
Independence day, 1865. It had numbered, including 
recruits, one thousand four hundred members, of whom 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



177 



five hundred and sixty were lost by the casualties of war, 
including a number of its best ofificers. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Israel Garrard. 
Major William Reaney. 
Adjutant Theodore F. Allen. 
Commissary Sergeant Frank Powers. 
Hospital Steward James Lafifin. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Reaney. 

First Lieutenant Solomon L. Green. 

PRIVATES. 

Peter C. Apgar, C. H. Alexander, Francis Aubry, H. Bracken- 
seich, Robert Brewer, Charles Brown, Sampson A. Buchanan, George 
Brickett, John K. Bell, James Brickett, A. N. Buchanan, John Bennett, 
Paul G. Blazic, George Bohleper, Jonas H. Baldwin, C. B. Cornelius, 
John Cowan, Robert Cole, Jerome Clark, Thomas Collins, Patrick 
Castello, T. C. Duffy, H. DoUman, Peter Dunvester, Jacob Dorney, 
John Denurge, George W. Dolbow, James Donnel, Francis C. Ever- 
son, John Faulkner, Thomas Finn, Hiram Fortner, John Guy, Frede- 
rick Gilb, Leonard A. Gerhart, Charles N. Gudgeon, James Gill, 
William M. Henry, John Hopper, John Holliday, Thomas Hammon, 
David Halpins, George Hill, James M. Humphreys, Aaron Homer, 
Peter Ivory, James Johnson, Benjamin IVI. James, William Jones, 
William Kent, Patrick F. Kline, Samuel Leisure, Andrew J. Leisure, 
George Lawrence, George W. Leonard, David Lind, David Lewis, 
Henry Lewis, L. Lambert, Albert McKinney, Joseph iVIcKnau.x, John 
McCann, Wm. McGlinchy, Calvin McCallister, R. V. McAllister, James 
Morris, William Myers, Levi Morris, James Marguantaylor, Augustus 
S. Miller, Phillip Mozer, Frederick Nunnamaker, Tipton L. Nolan, 
John Paden, S. B. Pierson, Thomas Rowan, Samuel Rich, John Rod- 
derick, Charles Rudder, Lafayette Raney, William Kaney, jr., A. R. 
Smith, William B. Sloan, C. T. Smith, Harlan P. Shurtleff, William T. 
Shumard, L. A, Slade, Max G. Vorhis, Theodore Van, John Weller, 
Christopher Weller, John Walker, George T. Williams, Christopher 
Warning, Bennett Williams, C. L. Whitten, James Whitten, Joseph 
Whelan, Theodore Woodward, Homer E. Ware. 

COMPANY B. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain W. H. Lewis. 

First Lieutenant J. P. Santimyer. 

Second Lieutenant William G. Burton. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William Boggs. 

Quartermaster Sergeant David Willis. 

Commissary Sergeant Joseph Whitaker. 

Sergeant William G. Reynolds. 

Sergeant Michael Covnan. 

Sergeant Thomas Vale. 

Sergeant James Ward. 

Sergeant William J. Wright. 

Corporal Jackson Campbell. 

Corporal Harry Leggett. 

Corporal Samuel Hill. 

Corporal Nelson Frazee. 

Corporal Albert Willis. 

Corporal William J. Ward. 

Corporal Patrick Savage. , 

Corporal Anthony Chevalier. 

Teamster Sylvester Temple. 

Teamster John Thompson. 

Farrier' James S. Harrison. 

Farrier Wilson Kennedy. 

Saddler John Yeager. 

Wagoner Gilbert P. Haley. 

PRIVATES. 

Smith H. Apple, Theodore Apple, Michael Armstrong, Frank And- 
rot, Snyder Anten, John Boston, James Bodly, George Bodman, John 
Baptiste, John Breslin, Samuel Blangy, Isaac Burroughs, F. W. 
Cressky, Charles Cornell, John Cummings, H. S. Coleman, James 
Castner, George Castner, H. B. Coleman, Charles Cellor, E. Callaghan, 
Aquilla "Durham, N. T. Drake, E. Dawson, C. G. Dollman, Joseph 
Dressback, Levi Epple, James Farly, James Flick, Martin Flick, J. M. 



Fletcher, Aaron Fowler, G. W. Gordon, W. Gaushaus, Conrad Groter, 
Patrick Graham, John Gamble, George Garrard, A. G. Green, Frank 
Gallagher, J. P. Hall, C. G. Hooper, Stephen Hahn, William J. Hart- 
ley, George Hillgahnan, William Kennedy, J. Jacobs, H. H. King, 
Jonathan Kennedy, Morris Kelly, J. C. McAvoy, John McCain, 
Thomas McKatrick, John McDonald, William Masters, John Men- 
ough, M. Macke, J . Murphy, James Magell, Mike Maroghan, Henry 
Myer, Hugh McDonnel, Luke Moore, George Noble, Bryan O'Riley, 
S. Patterson, Thomas Pattinson, William N. Peters, Richard Reynold, 
James Riley, Joseph Sterling, Patrick Shaw, Nicholas Sallnar, George 
Studer, J. Sommers, Perry Sharps, Alexander Thompson, Robert 
Tornley. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William T. Simpson. 
First Lieutenant Mathias Schuler. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Quartermaster Sergeant James S. Everich. 

PRIVATES. 

Louis Ackley, Joseph Adams, William S. Archer, James Ambrose, 
Charles Brossart, Michael Burns, Josiah Bell, James Butler, Frederick 
Buckey, Joseph Bernard, Samuel Coleman, John Conway, Michael 
Dueber, William Davison, David Everley, Charles L. Engart, James 
S. Everrick, Christopher Fegin, Michael Fox, Louis A. Funk, Patrick 
Fleming, Robert Faulkner, John Graham, Benjamin Guion, Frank 
Grabe, Joseph Gonlet, Lewis Gerline, Christopher Harpst, Daniel 
Harris, John Heron, James A. Hank, William Hulse, George W. 
Houston, Joseph F. Hermise, Thomas Haney, John HarroU, Martin 
Hegr.ey, FrankUn Hall, James N. Holrihan, Alfred Jacobs, Henry 
Jeffers, Alonzo P. Kendall. Warner Kooks, John Kelly, William H. 
Kelly, Patrick Kilkelly, Frederick Kenitz, Winfield Kelly, George 
Knapp, John Keely, Harmon Kesler, John Lively, Joseph Lotkering, 
George W. Lloyd, Milchi Myers, William Morgan, George MuUaly, 
George P. Main, John W. Manly, Nathan B. Meader, Frederick Moor- 
hoff, Isaac C. Masson, Patrick Mitchell, Isaac McDaniel, James Mad- 
dox, Henry Porter, Robert Palmer, Truman Pier, Benjamin F. Powers, 
John W. Randall, Joseph Roark, Andrew J. Roby, Gideon Roby, 
Eugene Smith, James H. Spier, jr., Samuel Shephard, Ferdinand 
Shultz, Patrick Sylvester, George W. Smitli, Thomas Smith, Henry F. 
Seward, James Saffin, John H. Shephard, James Tilter, John Uncap- 
her, Jacob Ukele, John Van Blairicum, John Vogt, Reeder Vanoms- 
dol, Adolph Wilderstein, Joseph Walkenhorst, J. J. Weiller, Thomas 
Wetzel, Edward Welch, James Ward, George H. Warry, Thomas 
Wolf, Thomas E. Young, Jacob Bukart, Albert B. Crasly, Palmer Hol- 
land, Alexander Kennett, Charles Negley, Samuel J. Patterson, Francis 
N. Strandley, George Wallack. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Ira Furgusson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant D. N. Fisher. 
Farrier Madison Eppert. 

PRIVATES. 

David C. Barrow, William Fox, N. P. Moore, E. R. Miller, G. B. 
McGill. 

COMPANY I. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant James H. Mills. 
Corporal John Walker. 

PRIVATES. 
Charles Dinsmoor, David Forest, Harvey G. Love, Lewis L. Love, 
Benjamin McClary, David McClary, Gardner B. Stebbins, David 
Young. 

COMPANY K. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Sergeant Patrick McHan. 

PRIVATES. 
John Bable, Westley Dillworth, Levi W. Sisson, John W. Sisson, 
Silvetas Shiner, Henry Spiner. 

COMPANY L. 
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 
Saddler Jobe Randolf. 



178 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Robert Canterbury, William A. Criner, Edward Drake, Joseph 
Henry, Clark Lewis, Nicholas Throenen. 

THE NINTH OHIO CAVALRY. 

Previous to October, 1862, a company of fifty men 
had been enlisted by 'Captain W. D. Hamilton, of the 
Thirty-second Ohio infantry; and early in that month the 
same officer received orders to complete his regiment, 
the fifty before secured becoming the nucleus. They 
rendezvoused at Zanesville. The command remained in 
the region near Manchester, Kentucky, having frequent 
skirmishes with the enemy, until June 15th, when an ex- 
pedition was planned into east Tennessee. At Pine 
Mountain Gap the rebels were surprised, and nearly all 
captured without firing a gun. On the first of August it 
proceeded to Glasgow, where a cavalry brigade was or- 
ganizing, which was destined to move with General 
Burnside into east Tennessee. During this march both 
men and horses were sometimes for two days without 
food. Knoxville was taken with little opposition. Major 
Hamilton was appointed provost marshal of the city, and 
the battalion did patrol and guard duty around the sub- 
urbs. On the sixteenth of December the. regiment was 
completed by the organization of the Third battalion. It 
was finally ordered to report at Decatur, Alabama, on the 
fifth of May. Previous to this time, portions had been 
in different localities and had met with a great variety of 
experiences, some of the men having died in the horrible 
Andersonville prison. Between this date and June ist, 
cavalry skirmishes were of daily occurrence. After sev- 
eral movements, involving long and fatiguing marches, 
they joined General Sherman's army in front of Atlanta. 
About the middle of November the different portions of 
the Ninth that had been doing duty apart were again 
joined, and from this time were a part of General Sher- 
man's army on the march to the coast. The command 
was finally ordered to Concord, North Carolina, where it 
remained on duty until the first of July, when it was or- 
dered home. On the second of August, 1865, the regi- 
mental colors and other property were turned over to the 
Government at Columbus, and the veterans once more 
became citizens and finally separated. 

COMPANY E. 
PKIVATES. 
Thomas H. Bell, George W. Behmyer, Frank Bucter, Martin Calner, 
Thomas Cox, Alvin G. Dunham, Bernard Esther, John Fridler, Jacob 
Grovenbacker, Gottfried Henninger, William Hampton, Philip Hay- 
den, Wilson Jones, Richard Jones, Edgar Kain, Joseph Loth, John 
Laun, James McCarthy, Peter J. Morris, Patrick Mursin, William 
Putnam, Charles Renolds, David G. Smith, Corsenden Stegall, William 
Smith, Nicholas Trimble, James H. Vandcver, Philip Walten, Frank 
Wesler. 

COMPANY F. 



William Ball, Frank Howard, James Madden, Henry Page, Joseph 
H. Phelan, George Tiniony, Charles Williams, Frank Williams. 

COMPANY G. 
PRIVATES. 
John Ardls, Samuel Antrim, William B. Anderson, Jacob R. Armon, 
David S. Brock, Charles A, Brooks, William Camp, Oliver Coaltrep, 
John Curless, Thomas Crowin, George N. Davis, Charles Elsau, Ste- 
phan Funk, Frank Goodwin, John Gilern, Thomas W. Hurtl, Frank 
HarfF, John M. Hendry, Charles Howard, John W. J. Johnson, James 



Jones, John Kulter, Charles Koch, Jacob Leiter, William Lightfoot, 
John A. Mace, James Polk, John Ryan, Jack Rover, Joseph Robinson, 
Edward Sullivan, Thomas N. Savider, Benjamin F. Sauer, Henry 
Stahl, Adolph St. Clair, William Tro.xsell, John B. Vanmetter, Edmund 
Ward. 

COMPANY H. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Brumann, Henry Baistaffer, Henry Fisher, Joseph C. Fo.x, 
Jacob Hall, Bernard Hager, Theodore A. Kingston, Eugene Maselli, 
William Myer, Charles Smith, Valentine Werner, 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

William Adams, William L. Anderson, Edwin T. Abbott, Isaac 
Brown, John Briggs, Joseph Brukard, Albert E. Blinn, Danbridge 
Bush, Abraham Bush, George N. Clark, Henry Cleveland, James Do- 
ran, George Dermot, Jacob Dermer, William S. Fitch, James T. Glass, 
William Haines, Alexander Hays, Gustave Horn, Henry L. Hodge, 
John Higden, Albert C. Jamison, William J. Kirker, John Kohnley, 
John H. Lindsey, Louis Lyons, Frank N. Lutz, Carl Mecke, John 
Montgomery, Maxwell Oddinger, Thompson Pitts, Joseph H. Ross, 
Frederick Storms, William Sanity, John L Stites, Henry Schrader, 
Frank Shults, Henry F. Schenk, Henry Stevans, Henry Straus, Wil- 
liam J. Wilson, Thomas B. Wentworth, Aaron White, George N. 
Waters, William B. Weer. 

COMPANY M. 

PRIVATES. 

William Enright, George Green, Patrick Hazel, John H. Luse, Charles 
Smith, John Q. Smith. 

ELEVENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 

Toward the close of the summer of 1861, William O. 
Collins, of Highland county, was authorized to recruit a 
regiment of cavalry to be named the Seventh; but about 
the first of December the enlistment of cavalry was 
stopped. The Seventh was then joined to the Sixth, tak- 
ing the latter's name. The battalion from the Seventh 
being ready for service, was ordered to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, leaving the other two in Ohio and never meeting 
them again. While the battalion first named was at Ben- 
ton Barracks, the Indians becoming hostile, it was or- 
dered to proceed at once across the plains to open and 
protect communication. The command reached Fort 
Laramie on the thirtieth of May, having travelled seven 
hundred miles in twenty-six marching days. While on 
their way, they were fired upon by guerillas, and suffered 
greatly froiTi exposure; but the Indian trouble being still 
farther west, with the exception of a few kept at the fort, 
they were moved on to the mountains. At last they were 
established near Pacific Springs and the South Pass, 
about two hundred miles east of Salt Lake City. In the 
summer of 1863, Lieutenant Colonel Collins recruited 
another battalion for duty in the Rocky mountains. The 
two battalions were raised to a regiment, and were named 
the Eleventh Ohio volunteer cavalry. The second bat- 
talion was in Ohio at the time of the Morgan raid, and 
shared in the pursuit and capture of the invaders. It 
reached Fort Leavenworth about the last of August, 
and arrived at Fort Laramie the thirteenth of October, 
1863. On the first of April, 1865, the First battalion was 
mustered out at Omaha, and the remaining companies 
were returned to Columbus for payment, in July, 1866. 
They were the last troops in the service from Ohio. Of 
the service of this regiment, it is impossible to givfe an 
outline. A complete history would be full of startling 
incidents and hairbreadth escapes. Its loss of life fully 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



179 



equaled the average loss of life in other Ohio cavalry reg- 
iments. Its most important battles were those of Mud 
Springs and Rush Creek. The length of its expeditions, 
by scouting and escorting parties, was probably not par- 
alleled in any other service during the war. To make 
the circuit of the posts required one thousand miles' 
travel; and to keep up communication with the most dis- 
tant was at times extremely difficult and dangerous. The 
regiment was never actually together during its term of 
service. It was engaged with the Sioux, Snakes, Chey- 
ennes, Arrapahoes, and Utes. The field of its opera- 
tions was in the center of the Rocky mountains, extend- 
ing nearly six hundred miles east and west, and three 
hundred north and south. No better evidence of the 
regiment's courage and vigilance can be had than the fact 
that after the distribution of troops in the summer of 
1862, until February, 1865, communications were never 
interrupted on either route for twenty-four hours in suc- 
cession. 

COMPANY c. - 

PRIVATES.. 

James Conway, Micliael Donnelly, George Roberts. 
COMPANY H. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Commissary Sergeant Henry Cross. 
Corporal Doc Prentiss. 
Corporal John Gordan. 

PRIVATES. 

John Adams, Frederick Anderson, Frederick Behler, Joseph Emen- 
ger, John Tennus. 

COMPANY E. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Levi G. Marshall. 
First Lieutenant David S. Dick. 
Second Lieutenant Samuel I. Rice, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant John Brown. 

Quartermaster Sergeant David Sherlock. 

Commissary Sergeant Henry Stevens. 

Sergeant William Phelan. 

Sergeant Benjamin F. McCalmont. 

Sergeant John Q. Lewis. 

Sergeant Gideon H. Dunham. 

Sergeant William B. Segar. 

Corporal Thomas Van Fleet. 

Corporal Robert Haley. 

Corporal Harvey Moore. 

Corporal George C. Flanders. 

Corporal Frank B. Morton. 

Corporal Julius A. Myers. 

Corporal David May. 

Corporal James Blair. 

Trumpeter John W. Williams. 

Trumpeter William G. Hudson. 

Farrier Charles Chrenkook. 

Farrier William Brown. 

Saddler George N. Burt. 

Wagoner John Omohaw. 

PRIVATES. 

Isaac Beal, ]ames Brown, Benjamin P. Blades, William Crawford 
William P. Corlnan, Alfred Curtis, James Callicot, John Cook, Georo-e 
W. Chambers, John L. Davenport, David C. Dalton, Joseph Dolan 
Frank Dyer, John Driscoll, Thornton Dugen, Thomas M. Dillon, 
Charles Fry, Robert Fitch, John Fishback, Bishop Guffin, William 
Grasser, Michael Gunn, Edgar M. Guyun, Patrick Gray, John Goff, 
George Henry, Patrick Holmes, William Hurford, William Hurst, 
James W. Huston, James W. Jones, William Johnson, Richard M. 
Kendall, John Kerns, William Kenady, Martin Kelly, Owen Kane, 
Lewis Perry, Charles F. Litzsenger, William Lock, John Moren, John 



Murray, Alfred H. Monroe, William D. Manning, Newton Moses, 
James McDonald, Van McPeak, Monroe McHenry, George W, Mc- 
Gillin, James Powers, Danverico Raggio, Feli.x Rooney, Robert Rose- 
borough, Conrad Ryan, Charles C. Raymond, John Sullivan, Eli Smith, 
John Spence, Lewis Shafer, Frank Stewart, William Spark, Joseph 
Simmons, William Smith, Isaac Shew, John Sullivan, No. 2, William 
H. H. Stone, Charles Thomas, Zerah T. Tanner, James D. Thomas, 
John Van Darum, Charles Willman, Michael Whisman, James M. 
Woods, Frederick Wilson, Griffin Bishop, James Blades, John Bur- 
goyiie, Michael Bronseh, Frank Bosworth, Thomas Deni, George J. 
Donovan, James W. Dowty, Frank Fouker, James Hanagan, John 
Green, J. V. Heanny, John Hiith, George Hill, William A. Hobbs, J. 
S. Harrington, James W. Lynch, Benjamin Monroe, Charles Moore, 
Hetham Mendall, Peter Martin, James M. Gun, James Nelson, Wil- 
liam Phearn, William Rounds, James Stahl, James Santrey, Joseph 
L. Surches, William. St. Clair, Charles L. Thomas, Frank Weber, 
Martin Elliott. 

COMPANY G. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Henry Howard. 
Private Lewis Wellman. 

COMPANY I. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Theodore B. Harlan. 
Sergeant George S. Recce. 
Sergeant John R. Maloney. 
Commissary Sergeant Isaac Moore. 
Sergeant Martin Weaver. 
Sergeant August C. Williams. 
Sergeant George L. Smith. 
Corporal Samuel Prypin. 
CorporaFHenry C. Lain. 

PRIVATES. 

John Brannon, John Coslett, Patrick Conoran, Andrew Carr, New- 
ton Devore, A. R. Harrison, Frank Julian, George Kayes, Taylor 
Lemming, O. W. Minor, George W. McCabe, Henry Menderick, 
Nathaniel Mason, William A. Moore, George W. Nelson, Columbus 
Phillips, Francis F. Raikes, James Rich, William Schroder, Andrew 
Snather, Valentine Swintz, John C. Towers, Frank M. Ware, Robert 
White. 

COMPANY K. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles R. A. Bolton, Henry Brant, George Day, Orlando Duckett, 
Dennis Keihler, Thomas Lynn, Thomas G. Morrow, Michael Mc- 
Naurae, Alexander Murray, John Marriote, Michael Riley, Perry 
Stewart, William Wheelen. 

THIRTEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 

This command was formed by the consolidation of the 
Fourth and Fifth independent battalions, and by recruits 
during the winter of 1863-64. It was mustered into 
service May 6, 1864, for three years. Upon leaving 
Camp Chase it joined immediately the Ninth army corps, 
composing a part of the army of the Potomac, where, 
acting as infantry, it took jDart in the following battles: 
White House Landing, Charles City Court House, and 
the protracted siege and heavy assaults on the rebel 
works at Petersburgh. During the terrific assault at this 
place, which occurred July 30th, the Thirteenth made for 
itself a noble name, by the courage and daring of both 
officers and men. Its loss was nineteen killed, one hun- 
dred and thirty-three wounded, and fifty-one taken j3ris- 
oners. The regiment was also in engagements at Welden 
Railroad, Ream's Station, Poplar Grove Church, Pegram's 
Farm, and Boydtown Plank-road. On December i8th 
the regiment drew cavalry arms, equipments, and horses, 
and reported to Major General Gregg, commanding Sec- 
ond division. Cavalry corps, Army of the Potomac. In 
February it was in the battle of Hatcher's Run, and fol- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



lowing this, with Major General Sheridan, it aided in the 
rout, destruction, and capture of the rebel army under 
Lee. On the seventh of April, after successful engage- 
ments near Dinwiddle Court House, at Jetersvilie, and 
at Sailor's Creek, it was made the advance regiment 
pressing and constantly fighting Lee's rear-guard. About 
noon it made a dash into Farraville, capturing three hun- 
dred and eight prisoners. Soon after, at a point between 
Prospect Station and Appomatox Court House, it, with 
the Sixth Ohio cavalry, captured a train of railroad cars, 
bearing forage and provisions for Lee's army. About 
daybreak, April gth, Lee's forces made an impetuous 
dash at the National army, attempting to break the lines, 
but unsuccessfully. Here the division fought manfully, 
when it was charged by a division of Lee's infantry. The 
charge was resisted, but, on account of the superior num- 
bers of the enemy, they were forced to fall back to the 
edge of a wood. When the Thirteenth reached the point 
to which it was ordered, the crisis came which was to de- 
termine the fate of the rebel army. General Sheridan's 
entire cavalry force, the Thirteenth in the front, charged 
the enemy's whole line, which resulted in the surrender 
of Lee's army. Soon after the regiment accompanied 
General Sheridan's command to reinforce General Sher- 
man; but when near Danville, the news came that Johns- 
ton had surrendered his whole army, and the command 
at once returned to Petersburgh. At Columbus, the 
men received final discharge and pay, August i8th. The 
entire loss of the Thirteenth in the war was sixty-eight 
killed, two hundred and eighty-three wounded, and 
ninety-one captured. It took active part in fourteen 
hard-fought battles, captured one general, one stand of 
colors, and two thousand and sixty-six prisoners. 

COMPANY A. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Caplain Francis C. Russell. 
Second Lieutenant Charles Parker. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Joseph Steahl. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Russell H. True. 

Commissary Sergeant Frank Lancaster. 

Sergeant iVIartin Hare. 

Sergeant Seymour G. Hunt. 

Sergeant Eno's D. Hardin. 

Sergeant John Jackson. 

Corporal James E. Wasel. 

Corporal John Shank. 

Corporal Henry Slanferman. 

Corporal Horace Hopkins. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Anderholt, Adam Bridge. John Bates, John Brown, Alex- 
ander Barrett, Charles F. Basore, James F. Bracken, Edward L. 
Barnes, Thomas Brown, William Cook, Andrew L. Crary, Joseph, 
Cameron, William Cliapman, William Cotton, Samuel Chamberlain, F. 
G. Chorpening, Leonhard Danner, Isaac A. Dunkle, Thomas Duncan, 
David T. Dodd, James Dowan, Patrick Fuley, John W. Gimstead, 
Christian Geil, Charles T. Hathaw^ay, Alfred Hammell, Richard Hen- 
drickson, Franklin Hovey, John W. Hildebrand, Henry Heisser, John 
Holland, Jacob Johnson, Zoringlius Jackson, Leonard Kline, Jacob 
Kabel, John M. Lisle, Charles W. Mulford, Henry Meyers. 

Died. — Caleb P. Cassell, David Delano, Charles Hinkler. 

Discharged. — Joseph Gunning, Herbert Louise. 

COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Second Lieutenant Frederick C. Dietz. 



PRIVATES. 

William Anderson, Leonard B. Alden, James Babb, Jefferson Black, 
Henry Babb, George Baker, James Beamish, John Burnett, Frederick 
Barr, Thomas B. Butterfield, Frederick Bridgeman, Sidney Bean, 
George Berner, Peter Ban'ee, Eli A. Bangs, John H. Clarke, Samuel 
Cree, William Cook, Joseph Cotton, — Clarke, John T. Chalmers, Wil- 
liam T. Cornelius, John Davis, John Davis 2d, Christopher Fogle, John 
Fletcher, Adams Friends, James Grayhond, Theodore Gier, Cyrus Hos- 
kins, Josepli L. Hocking, William Huchman, John Hultis, Christian 
Hauber, John Heafried, Joseph Holmes, William Jobson, William 
Johnson, Frank Konklin, Henry Kline, William L Logan, Charles 
Lambert, Charles Mondon, Thomas McCarthy, Thom.as Morgan, John 
W. Nash, David H. Nuss, George Neifer, James Newton, John Die, 
Theodore Polcher, Frank Pendry, Joseph Pearson, Roswell Raymond, 
Robert Robertson, Adam Rhomiller, William D. Rhorimus, Howard 
Ross, William T. Spigert, John .Shalton, Reuben H. Shoe, George 
Sanders, Christopher Selee, William Schwartz, Frank Sadlick, John 
Shultz, Ernst Scott, Joseph Trick, James Tighe, Bartholomew H. Van 
Pelt, Fairfax West, Nathan W. Wilson, William W. Walkup, John 
M. Warren, Allison Wagner, Francis Way, James Worshey, Charles 
Watson, Asa Grant, Ciiarles Miller, Newton Johnston, Joseph Hamil- 
ton, James Allen, William O'Connor. 

COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 

William Alger, John P. Albert, Thomas Byrne, Thomas Brennen, 
Ceorge Biner, Philip Brand, Adolphus Brehme, Benjamin F. Beckley, 
Richard Coates, George Cotter, Carles Coates, Stephen Cunkle, Lewis 
Crane, James E. Crist, Thomas T. Doughty, Anthony Dresch, Wil- 
liam H. Davis, Frederick Diifenbach, Amos Dixon, Moses Edwards, 
Joseph Frazer, Marion Francis, James Farril, Henry Farrand, Collin 
Fenner, Alfred Foel, Philip Fromelfer, Sebastian Gunbols, Terrance 
Gerraty, William Garfield, John Gordon, James Gray, Ambrose Geo- 
ghegan, Samuel Gustian, Bushrod Gray, John Gore, Charles Golschleic- 
ter, John Gustin, Jefferson Hale, Michael Huber, Patrick H. Herely, 
Nicholas Hayes, John C. Harwood, Arthur Harsch, John C. Juskeep, 
Daniel Jackson, George D. Kerkendall, W. H. H. Kirkendall, Benja- 
min D. Kirkendall, James Kretzer, George W. Kretzer, Joseph J. Kelt- 
sey, Thomas Kalis, William McDonald, John McCauley, Martin 
Mehan, Thomas Mulligan, Charles Meyer, William McGee, Simpson 
McConnell, George Morton, David H. McMunn, Charles Northrop, 
Thomas Otto, Michael O'Conner, John H. Oliver, John Reeger, James 
Robins, John Stemler, Moses Scott, Alexander Southall, I^ouis Smith, 
Samuel Schenck, George B. Stephenson, George M. Vincent, John D. 
Wallace, Thomas Wilson, Franklin White, Daniel Wilcox, John M. 
Wilson, Lewis W. Wise, Edward E. Whitcomb, James Welch, Charles 
Ward, Lewis Walter, William W. Walker, James Wilson, William 
Wilson, Daniel R. Wise, Philatus Winterseen, Daniel O'Neil, Christian 
Rickert, John Reem, John H. Robinson, Tonor.ey Monsay. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain W. C. Taylor. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Andrews, James Adams, Albert Adams, Morris Brown, John 
Brady, James Brady, Bernard Baasch, William Barnhart, George H. 
Brown, Jacob L. Bright, Wilson Bodine, Jesse Benson, George W. 
Cooper, John Carney, Thomas Coe, James Callison, James Chapman, 
William R. Cobb, Freeman Downey, Lorenzo C. Downing, Robert B. 
Dailey, John I. Fisher, Charles Freiss, Charles Green, George Graham, 
Riley Graham, Eli Garrison, Joseph A. Gehaut, Charles W. Gardiner, Jo- 
seph L. Gore, George Howard, John Hoffman, Thomas Henry, Michael 
Hart, Charles Hart, Joseph How'ell James Hallegan, Gordon Hammer, 
Henry C. Hard, James Hardy, Freeman Hopper, John Hullehan, Wil- 
liam H.Johnson, John Kelley, Wesley King, Austin Kirkendall, Charles 
Kiser, Robert L Stiles, William Santer, Cornelius W. Lewis, James M. 
Leedun, Joseph D. Lamore, Marion Longdecker, Martin Lee, Joseph 
Lewis, Edward Lloyd, Thomas C. Legg, Joseph T. Lewelin, Samuel 
Mikesell, Harrison Mayo, B. W. Maken, Florence Macarty, James 
McCormick, Morganza M. Meek, William McDonald, Joshua Moore, 
John W. Morgan, Felix Michael, Sidney C. Miller, Bernard Noe, Allen 
Paifer, William P. Pond, George W. Penrod, George A. Porterfield, 
James Ryerson, John Reister, Henry Smitkee, Wiley Swers, James 
Simpson, William Sharp, Joseph H. Simpson, David Smith, George 
Sloat, William Taylor, John Thomas, Allen Withrow, Samuel Wil- 
liams, Samuel L. Watkins, John Wells, Benjamin Wyatt, .Albert N. 
White, Alexander Williams, Jonathan Wadley, John C. Zolla. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY G. 
PRIVATES. 
William Berringer, Edward Caldwell, Charles Dickson, James 
Brown, James Ecker, Henry Hnssk, Nicholas Hayes, John Hughes, 
Joseph Kilpatrick, Francis Miller, Joseph IVIcCarty, Henry IVIichoff, 
Frederick Medhurdt, Robert Ottawa, Joseph Pelo, Thomas Rodgers, 
Lucius F. Tolhiker, William M. Thompson, Charles Wade, George E. 
Williams, Joseph H. Woodruff, Newton Warren, Frank Wheeler, 
John McCurty. 

COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Benjamin F. Metcalf. 
First Lieutenant William Mack. 
Second Lieutenant J osiah S. Dean. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICEKS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Joseph Patterson. 

Commissary Sergeant Joseph Cline. 

Sergeant Benjamin F. Metcalf. 

Sergeant William Mack. 

Sergeant Milton J. Hamilton. 

Sergeant Thomas Jones. 

Corporal William Carney. 

Corporal John Gardner. 

Corporal Stephen Miller. 

Corporal Joshua Hardesty. 

Corporal George Broils. 

Corporal Ferry Whitacre. 

Corporal Asa Glistner. 

Trumpeter Nathan Gwynne. 

Farrier David Jones. 

Saddler George Schmidt. 

Wagoner William Winters. 

Wagoner George S. Cook. 

PRIVATES. 

James Atkinson, Joseph Bender, David W. Buck, John W. Bowen, 
John Crane, Michael Clement, John P. Carter, Josiah S. Dean, John 
Dunn, James Enlow, Joseph Espacher, James Farrell, Isadore Fliech- 
ler, Thomas Finnerty, Isaiah Guist, Lucian Guy, William Graham, 
William Guhlager, Thomas Galler, James Hawn, Isaac C. Hord, Ar- 
thur Houghton, William Jones, Thomas Kilfoil, F. Kirne, James 
Mercer, William Miller, John D. McGath, James McDonald, Thomas 
Murphy, John Ohl, George G. Pernwell, William Pond, Benjamin F. 
Shepherd, John Shields, Francis A. Stewart, James Stewart, Robert F. 
Spence, John Siegle, Joseph Steedman, John Sheffer, George Thomp- 
son, John Thompson, Joseph Tritch, John D. A. Tremp, Harry Tay- 
lor, Frederick Van Renseler, William H. Watkins, John M. Wallace, 
James Williams, John E. Wan, Frederick Walters. 

COMPANY I. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain Richard H. Wheeler, 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frank Wright. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Robert Y. Mason. 

Commissary Sergeant Robert Hazard. 

Sergeant William T. Smith. 

Sergeant George A. Moociy. 

Sergeant John Gaskill. 

Sergeant John P. Bell. 

Corporal Charles C. Colvin. 

Corporal Levi Pounce. 

Corporal William Casey. 

Corporal John K. Ritsen. 

Corporal Albert W. Safes. - 

Corporal Merit L. Hodges. 

Corporal Abel Losey. 

Trumpeter Lawrence Callihan. 

Trumpeter James B. Gentiy. 

Farrier Thomas Carroll. 

Farrier William Cloatermaln. 

Saddler John Matheringham. 

Wagoner Francis Cook. 

Wagoner Joseph W. Cook. 

PRIVATES. 

George Anderson, Gerard W. Ashley, Jesse Bronson, John Bard, 
John W. Bell, Stephen Barr, Hubert Brannan, Nelson Behymer, 



George W. Bedgood, Leander W. Black, Thomas Carson, Thomas 
D. Crocket, James Corson, John Cheesman, George W. Cheesman, 
Thomas Clark, Joseph B. Carson, William L. Dunn, Andrew A. Dun- 
lap, Philip Dick, WiUiam DeFord, John Delany, William F. Ellis, 
Samuel Early, Jackson Gardner, Isaiah M. Green, Charles A. Gessie, 
George W. Howell, James S. Hurbon, James A. Howell, John Hussy, 
John Hinton, Richard HartviUe, jr., Henry Hall, Peter Jacoby, Wil- 
liam H. Jacobs, Jesse Johnson, William Landers, John H. Mussman, 
Henry Mussman, Benjamin Moore, Alvis Mott, Daniel McWilliams, 
George W. Newkirk, William Pollard, John M. Phillip, Joseph B. 
Powers, George H. Reinhold, Thomas J. Rease, William Russell, 
Henry Snyder, George Sarver, Clark Wentworth, James Wayland, 
Enis William, Victor Zeis. 

SECOND INDEPENDENT CAVALRY BATTALION. 

This command receives no notice in Mr. Reid's book, 
probably because it had no field service as an indepen- 
dent organization. It was composed of four companies, 
recruited for the Eighth Ohio cavalry, in September and 
October, 1862, and mustered in therefor at Camp Denni- 
son, but assigned instead, February 4, 1863, to the Second 
Ohio cavalry, then much depleted by the casualties of 
war, and other causes. The service of the battalion vi'as 
thenceforth with the Second. 

COMPANY A. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
Captain Samuel K. Williams. 
First Lieutenant George H. Williamson. 
Second Lieutenant James Currie Burnet. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Lycurgus L. Allison. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Eugene A. Dumont. 

Commissary Sergeant William S. Earl. 

Sergeant John G. King. 

Sergeant William W. Walker. 

Sergeant James Castillo. 

Sergeant Alfred Nearney. 

Sergeant Benjamin H. Earl. 

Corporal Patrick McCloskey. 

Corporal William Winkelman. 

Corporal Edwin C. Joyce. 

Corporal Edward Humphreys. 

Corporal John Dixon. 

Corporal Edward O'Neal. 

Corporal John Willis. 

Corporal Albert Clark. 

Teamster Morris Packer. 

Teamster John Netz. 

Farrier Moses M. Petre. 

Farrier Wilson Wright. 

Saddler James Sullivan. 

Wagoner Charles Brown. 

PRIVATES. 

William Armstrong, Scott Brandon, Martin Benninger, Ricfiard Bell, 
George Bowers, Henry Brown, Jonh Burk, Nathan Campbell, James 
Calhoun, jr., Carneal Crocker, Joseph Conklin, Peter David, William 
J. Doherty, Baxter Davis, Thomas J. Evans, Thomas B. Evans, Her- 
man Evans, George Green, WiUiam H. Green, Joseph H. Graff, Emil 
C. Graff, William W. Grant, Rudolph Gessler, Frank Gordon, John 
Gehlers, Charles Gaffney, Richard Gabrel, William Gould, Robert Hol- 
land, John T. Hopson, Henry Huene, George Herrer, John H. Juwall, 
James A. Kelby, John Kelley, Daniel Kelley, Henry K. Korton, Wil- 
liam Kivid, Otto Kemper, Alfred Kaylor, William Leittrele, Edwin J. 
I^ukens, Charles Lorry, James Liddy, Frederick W. Surgeiibuchl, Fran- 
cis M. Long, Benjamin Long, Jesse S. Law, John McGraw, Hugh 
Milligan, John Murphy, John Morgan, John Miller, Edward E. Myers, 
Stephen H. Miller, Andrew Miller, John O'Brian, Joseph Pendery, 
John N. Pohlman, Michael Riley, Peter J. Smith, Aben Stone, Charles 
Sticker, Andrew Sewer, John Speas, Jacob Smith, Peter Sullivan, 
George Sheppard, William A. Taylor, William Taylor, William Traver, 
Lee Van Wenner, Edward Van Pelt, Winfield S. Vincent, John Weaver, 
William Woolinghaupt, John Whitlow, John Wolfer. 

Privates Abraham Harrison and James McMyllen were recruited in 
Cincinnati for company C of this battalion. 



l82 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHjO. 



FOURTH OHIO INDEPENDENT BATTALION OF CAVALRY. 

This was one of the military organizations organized in 
Cincinnati during the eventful late summer and fall of 1862. 
It was raised in five companies, between August 3d and 
September 21st, and accepted by the United States for 
six months' service. Its duty was necessarily detached, 
from the character of the command and its limited term 
of enlistment, and was comparatively uneventful. The 
companies were mustered out at various periods, as their 
several terms expired, from February 15th to March 14, 
1864. 

COMPANY A. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.S. 

Captain Joseph F. Wheeler. 

First Lieutenant Wilham C. Taylor. 

Second Lieutenant Isaac W. Short. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant James Whitney. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Frederick Waldo. 

Sergeant Charles Parker. 

Sergeant William Preston. 

Sergeant George A. Barrow. 

Sergeant Charles C. Mulford. 

Sergeant Orlando Crows. 

Sergeant Fritz Wilder. 

Corporal Thomas Donaldson. 

Corporal Alfred H. Graham. 

Corporal Joseph L. Simpson. 

Corporal William R. Burnett. 

Corporal William M. Mullen. 

Corporal Millen A. Smith. 

Corporal Thomas J. Laws. 

Corporal Joseph A. Sterritt. 

Trumpeter Frank Appeders. 

Trampeter John Sayers. 

Farrier Joseph H. Porter. 

Farrier Robert Adams. 

Wagoner William Burt, 

PKIVATES. 

William Ayres, William Berne, William M. Bickley, Eli A. Bangs, 
Adam Bortle, Robert Blackburn, Thomas A. Babbitt, William J. 
Bates, Jesse Benson, George Brown, Josiah S. Clark, James F, Coons, 
Charles W. Cook, Milton Creters, John Crawford, Joseph Carter, 
Norwood Chamberlain, Heiman Doerr, Homer Di.xon, William L. 
Doughty, Freeman S. Donum, Thomas J. Eckert, Charles Forest, 
Charles Glebe, John Gray, Benjamin Heath, Henry Hard, Christian 
Hauber, William Hartsock, John Kean, James H. Keith, John Lyons, 
Joseph Myers, Charles Myers, Andrew Merk, Jacob Martin, Isaac B. 
Moore, Thomas Noble, George Neifer, Alonzo Noble, Jerry Newport, 
Bernard Noe, Robert W. Otway, Henry Posner, Wilham Parshall, 
Charles Pfaff, Joseph Pierson, James Reed, William Rechel, George 
Rodgers, John Reyer, Theodore Seeger, Samuel Spaeth, John Stetler, 
Samuel Schenck, Lewis Schneider, Charles Schenman, Timothy Sulli- 
van, Charles Schwab, Barney Thornby, Jacob Vonvoeiller, Newton 
Woodruff, Charles Wadig, Frank Wheeler, Joseph Zumbaush, John 
Kaw. 

COMPANY B. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant Thomas W. Cook. 

Commissary Sergeant John E. Winder. 

Sergeant Gordon Haurmer. 

Coiporal Wilson T. Cox. 

Corporal William Warren. 

Corporal Alfred Emery. 

Wagoner Frank Kunkell. 

PKIVATES. 

August Robert, Frederick Baker, Peter R. Budd, William J. Bent- 
nail, John W. Crisman, James A. Colhns, John Coveit, jr., Joseph 
Denning, Mahlon D. Edwards, Charles Emmerluth, Albert G. Floyd, 
William Hammell, Alexander James, James Mathewson, Benjamin 
Mader, George McKinney, Edgar W. Parker, Frank S. Pendry, Oliver 



P. Stewart, George Strife, Joseph Fritch, Benjamin Vanamsinge, Ler- 
vig W. Wise. 

COMPANY D. 

PRIVATES. 

Sylvester Lawrence, Jacob Riger, Samuel Robinson, Charles Steel- 
man, Lewis Walter. 

COMPANY E. 
PRIVATES. 

Henry Archer, Prestley Brachlin, Adolphus Brehan, James M. Clark, 
David T. Dodd, Robert W. Dunsmore, William Dixson, Michael 
Fruley, William Kind, Lewis C. Miller, Thomas Madden, John Mc- 
Donald, Henry M. O'Brien, John Resh, John Reister, James M. Stew- 
art, Michael Shallier, Benjamin F. Sheppard, Thomas Thompson, 
Joseph Tomask, Joseph H. Woodruff, John Wallace. 

FIRST OHIO INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANY. 

This was raised in Cincinnati early in the war under 
State authority, for three months' service, before cavalry 
was called for by the general government. It was com- 
posed of an excellent class of young men from Hamil- 
ton and Butler counties, and was raised for three months' 
service by William H. Brudsall, of Cincinnati, who be- 
came its captain, aided by the active exertions and gen- 
erous expenditure of the lamented Minor Millikin, who 
was its first lieutenant. The officers took rank from 
June 5, 1861; their commissions were issued June 30th. 
After muster and equipment it was sent to western Vir- 
ginia, and was used to superior advantage in the first 
campaign through that wild and broken region. It 
proved literally, in the familiar language of General 
Rosecrans, "the eyes of the army." During its service 
the officers and men were almost constantly in the sad- 
dle, guarding trains, scouting the wild passes of the 
mountains, and frequently meeting organized and unor- 
ganized bands of the enemy in hand-to-hand encoun- 
ters. It was duly disbanded at the end of its short 
term, and most of its members went into the First Ohio 
cavalry, then recruiting for the three years' service. 

[We have been unable to find the roll of this com- 
pany amid the very defective records of the three- 
months commands in the adjutant general's office at 
Columbus.] 

THIRD OHIO INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANY. 

The early history of this command is very much like 
that of the First comjsany just recited. It was raised 
about the same time, and for three months' service. It 
was purely a Cincinnati organization, raised under the 
personal supervision of Captain Pfau, from whom it was 
frequently called "Pfau's Company of Horse." In a 
short time it was ready for the field, and in early May 
was doing active duty in McClellan's campaign in west- 
ern Virginia. While there it was noted for the energy 
and success with which it performed the work of scout- 
ing and skirmishing assigned it by the general. In 
August it re-enlisted, and was mustered in for the three- 
years' service, but the next spring its sejiarate identity 
was lost in the cavalry regiments then being sent from 
Ohio to the field. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Philip Pfau. 

First Lieutenant Frank Smith. 

Second Lieutenant Frank A. Dowsman. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



183 



NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Jonas Leaman. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Gottlieb Rappold. 

Sergeant Ciiarles Gueden. 

Sergeant George Schmidt. 

Sergeant Henry Zofe. 

Sergeant John Kech. 

Corporal Frederick Schmidt. 

Corporal George Henn. 

Corporal Lewis Brown. 

Corporal John Oesterle. 

Corporal Augustus Bierman. 

Corporal Frank Winter. 

Corporal Charles John. 

Corporal Richard W. Manly. 

Farrier Gerard Hashoff. 

Farrier Frederick Roby. 

Bugler John Heresch. 

Bugler George Hartner. 

Wagoner John Seebech. 

PRIVATES. 

John Barnchlegell, Joseph Bohnet, Jacob Bohn, Joseph Brust, Fred- 
erick Danbenbris, Charles Diker, Jacob Doener, Michael Donner, 
Frederick Damerline, Henry Dora, Henry Doemer, Henry Fanich, 
George Freeauf, Joseph C. Grannon, George Ebert, Henry Goas, 
Franklin D. Hunt. John W. Homan, Thomas Irin, Henry Kuhne, 
Meyer Kipstein, George Kufer, David Kuhn, Phillip Luchmann, Jacob 
Mazer, Frank Middendorf, Charles Mayraff, Cornelius McKenna, 
Michael Nusbaum, .August Penslier, Anthony Reumer, William Rog- 
ers, Henry Reed, John Schweser, Michael Scheelsinger, Otto Speller- 
brug, George Schniss, Conrad Strobinger, John Schmidt, August 
Schneider, Christopher Spitzky, Joseph Schaller, Woldeman Wahle, 
James F. White, Hermann Wilhibiher, Adam Zimmerman, John 
Zear, Frank Uedrich. 

FIFTH INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF C.WALRY. (fRE.MONT's 

BODY GUARD. 

This guard was a body of cavalry selected from a host 
of applicants, the necessary qualifications being high 
intelligence, fine physique, and a decided aptitude for 
military service. Without question it was one of the 
finest bodies of cavalry ever seen in the United States 
army. It was made up almost exclusively of young Am- 
ericans from Ohio and Kentucky, only thirty foreigners 
being counted among its numbers. The guard especially 
distinguished itself at the battle of Springfield, Missouri, 
where one hundred and fifty men, under Major Zagonegi, 
routed a force of two thousand rebels. It advanced with 
caution until within half a mile, then halted and drew 
sabers; and a moment later they were dashing forward 
shouting "Hurrah for Cincinnati!" "Old Kentucky for- 
ever!" "Fremont and Union!" Fifty-two men fell ujjon 
the field, four officers out of nine were wounded; but 
still they pressed on. The rebels soon broke and fled 
with a loss of one hundred and seven men killed and 
thirty captured. The field of battle gave distinct evi- 
dence of the fierceness of the conflict. In one place, not 
ten yards square, lay four dead horses and their fearless 
riders. This victory was achieved after a march of one 
hundred and five miles in forty-eight hours, upon one 
meal, and that little else than salt beef 

When these young heroes returned to St. Louis, they 
were met by anorder to disband them — "for sentiments 
expressed at Springfield," so the official document read; 
and the offensive sentiments were "Fremont and Union." 
No explanation was vouchsafed. The brilliant victory 
was ignored, and those men, returning triumphant from 
their first battle-field, were insulted out of the service. 



They were refused rations, forage, clothes, and pay; and 
were reduced to the extremest suffering. General Sturgis 
went to review them before mustering out; but he was so 
much impressed by their appearance that he declared 
himself unable to discharge such men, and so the cere- 
mony was postponed. Price appeared again upon the 
line of the railroad, and the demand for the guard placed 
it at once above par. Compliments were h'eaped upon 
the men, the best offers were made them if they remained 
in the service; but they felt too keenly their former 
insults, and accordingly were mustered out. The "Fre- 
mont Body Guard" occupies but one page in history, 
and none save its slanderers need blush at what is written 
there. It has been the subject of a graceful little volume 
entitled The Story of the Guard, written by Mrs. Jessie 
Benton Fremont. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain James S. Foley. 

First Lieutenant Joseph M. Kennedy. 

Second Lieutenant Isaac B. McLinn. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob A. J. Bigler, George M. Blinn, John Boake, Charles Bodine, 
George D. Bonham, William T. Bowen, Marshall Bruce, John W. Bur- 
ton, Amos G. Chapman, Francis Clark, Edwin Coolidge, Albert Cop- 
pers, George W. Craig, James W. Craven, Jerry Culan, Jerome F. 
Dandelet, Epaminondas Davis, James P. Day, Henry M, Dickens, 
Stephen M. Douglass, George Evans, David W. Fairchild, Josiah B. 
Fairchild, James K. Falls, William Farnam, Calvin C. Fay, John Fie- 
ber, Michael Fitzpatrick, George W. Gabriel, Alvin S. Galbreath, Nor- 
man Garrigus, John B. Gibner, Benjamin Giffen, William Haskelt, 
Thomas G. Herron, Israel C. Higbee, William B. Higbee, Newton M. 
Holtsinger, Thomas Hughes, Charles H. Hunter, James B. Irvin, Ma- 
son Jackson, Charles P. Jones, Daniel Jones, William L. Kay, Edward 
M. Keehun, Robert Lee, Marcellus A. Leeds, Alexander C. Linfort, 
William C. Livingston, Stugis O. Lovell, William S. Lowrey, Asa Mc- 
Kiphers, William McClellan, Samuel T. Messick, William A. Mont- 
gomery, Morris Mooney, Carey W. Moore, James B. Morgan, John 
H. Morrison.'Charles Murphy, Justine Murphy, Peter Murphy, William 
H. Murphy, Richard Neff, John Newman, Allan Purdy, Francis Rath- 
bone, Jeremiah T. Reed, Tande L. Reed, Thomas Reynolds, Conrad 
Rotkin, Francis Rosh, Gesler Rudolph, Walker Y, Sedam, Leonidas 
_gfigor, Frank D. Skiff, George W. Sloan, Martin L. Smith, Benjamin 
Staebler, Henry Stevens, James A. Stesvart, Richard Stockton, John 
F. Talbott, Sylvester Titsworth, James C. Thomas, James Thompson, 
John A. Thompson, Erastus Townsend, Harris Vanberger, Francis M. 
Van Horn, William H. Van Wade, Augustus We.xelburg, William C. 
Williams, John Giffen. 

SIXTH OHIO INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANY. 

This was raised in Greene and Hamilton counties, 
in August and September, 1861, rendezvoused at Camp 
Dennison, and ordered to Washington September 23d. 
Here it was handsomely equipped and mounted, but 
not long suffered to remain a distinctive Ohio organiza- 
tion, being attached presently to the Third New York 
cavalry as company L, and joining is regiment at Camp 
Bates, near Poolesville, December 9th. It shared the 
fortunes of this command in the various campaigns of 
1862-3-4, in Virginia and North Carolina, distinguishing 
itself greatly in the affair of September 6, 1862, at Wash- 
ington, North CaroUna, where it lost ten men and four- 
teen horses; in the battles of Kingston, White Hall, and 
Goldsborough Ridge; and in the raids, scouts, skirmishes, 
and battles around Richmond in the early part of 1864. 
When the time of its muster-out came, very few were left 
of the original organization. As an evidence of the abil- 
ity, of the men who composed this company, it may be 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



mentioned that it furnished to the service one colonel, 
one major, four captains, and fourteen lieutenants. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Jeptha Ganard. 

First Lieutenant James K. Wilson. 

Second Lieutenant Joseph C. Grannan. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

, First Sergeant William V. Lawrence. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Thaddeus C. Spurgeon. 

Sergeant George F. Dean. 

Sergeant Thomas T. Sharp. 

Sergeant Henry Debus. 

Corporal John Campbell. 

Wagoner John Clouser, 

PRIVATES. 

Aaron Bibbe, James Bibbe, Daniel Bozle, Hiram Bryant, Timothy 
Clarv, John Cuinmings, Byron N. Clark, William Carp, Henry Davis, 
Abraham Davis, Matthew Dougherty, Henry N. Ensnimger, Joseph P. 
Ewing, Adam Filer, Frederick William Fonderough, David M. Fisk, 
Thomas J. Fogarty, William Hampton, Timothy Hogan, John Hawley, 
Samuel Hoffman, Ambrose Hoffman, Charles Howe, Samuel Geffraner, 
Joseph Goode, Thomas Jerry, Josiah Kaylor, Hankerton B. Kepler, 
Charles H. Libeaux, Charles W. Lawson, Mordecai McKinney, Jere- 
miah McCarty, Lewis C. McCarty, Michael Miller, Amandus Michl- 
man, WiUiam McBride, William L. Miller, Charles H. Miller, Hugh 
J. McCune, Richard B. McCracken, James H. McDowell, Samuel M. 
McMillen, James MuUony, John Neddeman, Hiram P. Parsons, 
Howard L. Palmer, Sidney D. Piles, Andrew Rodamer, Moses Rooche, 
Han-ey C. Randall, Albert M. Spencer, Stanislaus T. Spencer, Wil- 
liam Stephens, Edwin Stebbins, James B. Shaw, Adam H. Schiyer, 
Charles Schwartz, William W. Shurtliff, January Spencer, August Shil- 
ling, Albert Snyder, James E. Scully, John D. Timmerman, George 
Wadsworth, Sampson J. D. Whiteman, George Wilber, John Wait, 
William Archibald, Lewis H. Allen, William Boggs, John M. Bolen, 
James J. Burke, John Burns, William Bitner, George Bitner, Henry 
Bokna, John Booker, Francis C. Hole, John F. Hogue. 

FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

The nucleus of this regiment was the One Hundred 
and Seventeenth Ohio infantry which was organized 
September 15, 1862, at Camp Portsmouth. On May 2, 
1863, the regiment was ordered by the War Department 
to be changed into the First heavy artillery, and was re- 
cruited to the maximum strength of that organization. 
It served, however, mainly as infantry throughout its 
whole term. In January, 1864, it was ordered to Knox- 
ville, Tennessee, where it remained till February 29th, 
when it started over the mountains, in the snow, for 
. Knoxville, which place was reached March 9th. After 
various experiences, the command, in the spring of 1865, 
was brigaded in the Department of the Cumberland, 
Colonel C. G. Howley, commanding. In connection 
with General Stoneman's raid and the general advance 
of troops, the brigade shut all the mountain passes to 
the retreating rebels in Virginia. After the surrender of 
Lee and Johnston the brigade was sent down to Ashville, 
North Carolina, and at Webster, Tennessee, received the 
surrender of the hostile Indians, under their chief, the 
rebel General Thomas. Returning to Greenville, Ten- 
nessee, the regiment remained in camp till July 15th, 
when it started homeward for the muster-out, and was 
discharged and paid at Camp Dennison, August i, 1865. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel Chauncey G. Hawley. 
Lieutenant Colonel Fordyce M. Keith. 
Major William G. Dickson. 
Major Robert W. Caldwell. 
Major Timothy S. Mathews. 



Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas J. Graham. 
Quartermaster Sergeant Robinson Klinsy. 
Commissary Sergeant Joseph W. Coffin. 
Commissary Sergeant August W. Ridgway. 
Surgeon Elbridge G. Hard. 
Surgeon Nelson B. Lafferty. 
Chaplain Tunis T. Kendrich. 
Sergeant Major Wallace E. Bratton. 

COMPANY A. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain William Carroll. 
First Lieutenant Joseph S. Jeffries. 
First Lieutenant Elisha Fitzwilliams. 
Second Lieutenant Clinton D. Evans. 
Second Lieutenant Charles W. Stinson. 
Second Lieutenant Daniel W. Friestone. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal William W. McCune. 
Teamster John M. Donchey. 

PKIVATES. 

Moses Hawkins, Victor P. Hantenbeck, James Kearns, Robert J. 
Lind, Charles Trueax. 

COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Close, Joseph Weigand; Corporal Robert Thorn. 
COMPANY C. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Second Lieutenant Edward W. T. Neff. 
Second Lieutenant Michael S. Keith. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Henry M. Spaulding. 

Musician Benjamin Whitehouse. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob Bohler, James M, Barnett, Bennett A. Carter, Charles W. 
Cook, Mahlon Easter, Elisha S. Gleason, William Harden, Wesley 
Hensley, Griffith Jones, John Kelly, James Linton, William McEl- 
haney, NyhiU Miller, Henry J. Patton, Maurice Pechin, John D. 
Quamby, William H. Wyer, Edwin L. Drake, Jacob Easter, Michael 
O'Donnell, William Andrews, Harvey F. Drake, John F. Marsh. 
COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant Skees S. Forrester. 
Second Lieutenant William H. Bonsall. 

PRIVATES. 

Lewellyn Humphreys, James S. Hastings, Cyrus Jenkins, John E. 
Jones, Joseph H. Stevens, Michael Branch, W. A. Baldwin, Isaac 
Cole, John Copes, Perry McGraw, Willi; 
George W. Newman. 

COMPANY E. 

PRIVATES. 

William H. Fields, James M. Lewis, George S. Pile. 
COMPANY F. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant John Q. Shumway. 

Second Lieutenant David C. Howard. 

PRIVATES. 

Charles W. Boyer, Hiram Like, Wi 

Moses McCormick, John T. Frybergt 

E. Rothwell. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

William H. Thatcher, David D. Wells, Thomas M. Wells, Alexander 
Wayson, Gregory George. 

COMPANY H. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Lieutenant William S. Martin. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph Rule. 
Second Lieutenant Lot Davies. 



I S. McGraw, Levi Meeker, 



m McDonald, John Boon, 
Andrew J. Newland, Jabez 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



i8S 



PRIVATES. 

Welsey A. Walton, Charles Craig, Nehemiah Gregory, George W. 
Jones, Thomas Baldwin, Robert B. Covert, Robert Ross. 

COMPANY I. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Lieutenant George Z. Dickerson. 
First Lieutenant Calvin- C. Mingers. 
Second Lieutenant David Foster. 
Second Lieutenant Thomas IVI. Ferry. 
Second Lieutenant Hugh Shoop. 

PRIVATES. 

Jacob M. Power, William C. Cole, Eli McGuigan, Henry Ashton, 
John Griffin, Philip Wolf, ]ohn W. Easley, John Riley, Thomas J. 
Vastine, Lawrence Purcell. 

COMPANY L. 

PRIVATES. 

David A. Pickens, Scott Preble, Napoleon B. Pyleman, Edward 
Parker, Jesse Ruff, Jacob R. Rhodes, John Swallow, William L. 
Stevenson, Jefferson Swank, Oliver Snyder, Frederick Stall, Sheldon P. 
Straub, Jeremiah Sigris, Sylvester L. Smith, Emmit Schoonover, Wil- 
son S. Stone, Anglo S. Stephenson, Martin Tisdle, Clement C. Thomas, 
George W. Taylor, Joseph V. Warner, Fergus S. Williams, William 
White, William G. Woodruff, Newell B. Wilson, Irving Weigins, 
John Wilson, Oliver Weiks, William H. K. Wagoner, Isaac Young, 
George Zeigler, Jacob Zall. 

COMPANY M. 

PRIVATES. 

William Clap, James S. Cross. 

SECOND OHIO HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

By the middle of 1863 the National armies had made 
important captures of forts and other strongholds belong- 
ing to the enemy. It became necessary to recruit a class 
of troops whose duty it should be to fortify, garrison and 
hold these captures. The One Hundred and Seven- 
teenth Ohio infantry had already been used as a nucleus 
for the First heavy artillery, and its ranks had been re- 
cruited up to the maximum standard. The Second Ohio 
heavy artillery, consisting of twenty-four hundred men, 
rank and file, was then authorized. It was made up of 
twelve batteries or companies, several of which contained 
men from Hamilton county. 

STAFF OFFICERS. 

Principal Musician William W. Hughes. 
Sergeant Major Thomas D. Woods. 
Sergeant Major John Williams. 
Sergeant Major George Anderson. 

COMPANY A. 

PRIVATES. 

William Myers, Walter Stevens. 

■ COMPANY B. 

PRIVATES. 

John Wallace, Joseph Hockinger, George Geil, William Lloyd, 
Theodore Wright. 

COMPANY C. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Daniel Stewart. 
Corporal Orson V. Kingsbury. 
Corporal David Parent. 
Corporal George W. Fitcher. 
Corporal William C. Aspinwall. 

PRIVATES. 

Theodore H. Aspinwall, James N. Booker, William Calhoun, 
Thomas Clark, Charles J. Clark, George W. P. Clinton, George F. 
Crockett, William DeArmand, James Fairbanks, James M. Fleming, 
August Freely, William C. Hall, William Henricks, George Jackson, 
Philip Johnson,. Gilmore C.Jones, William C. C. Lewis, Philip Leigh- 
ly, James Martin, George F. Melrose, Marshall McGrew, Moses 



Miller, Thomas Milliard, Lycurgus M. Swift, James Talbot, Benson 
Vanstand, Booth Westall, .Samuel Wilson, Christopher Witeherellery, 
Joseph Rafter, John Comer, John H. McMehan, Frederick Binder, John 
Stang, Christian H. Schrotke. 

COMPANY D. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Captain John G. Denbeck. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Thomas Minderwood. 
First Sergeant George Wilson. 
Sergeant Christian Crumy. 
Sergeant George Meir. 
Sergeant Frederick Kloeffler. 
Sergeant John R. Highland. 
Corporal Frank Hazen. 
Corporal Peter Muhrmann. 
Corporal Mathias Sauer. 
Musician Anthony Kern. 

PRIVATES. 

Robert Barr, James Close, Balshaser Claner, Henry Doffinger, John 
Farwell, Julius Foerster, Joseph Grammelbach, Patrick Glancy, Louis 
Herzog, Franz Hundt, Frederick Hilebracht, William C. Jacob, Henry 
Kreamer, Henry Konn, Frederick Metzker, August Hall, Owen O'Con- 
nor, Theodore Raimann, Charles Roth, Henry Stuerenberg, George P. 
Schwab, John Sullivan, George Wilson, John Zriener, Joseph Swisler, 
William J. Allen, Lewis Brown, William Dietz, Matthew Frantz, 
Charles C. C. Hamilton, Gustavus Rosenberg, John Dilling, Henry S. 
Havencamp, Christopher Cooney. 

COMPANY E. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Second Lieutenant Edward R. Davidson. 

PRIVATES. 

William Smith, William Price, Henry Foote, John H. Miller. 
COMPANY F. 

PRIVATES. 

Solomon Fisher, Samuel Murdock. 

COMPANY G. 

PRIVATES. 

James N. Booker, George W. Lenno.x, George Leagraphes. 
COMPANY H. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain John F. Herbert. 

First Lieutenant James E. Dresbach. 

First Lieutenant John F. Wienewski. 

Second Lieutenant Ira Semple. 

Second Lieutenant Charles A. McManis. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant John Williams. 
Sergeant George Anderson. 
Sergeant D. Woods. 
Sergeant Joseph Hyde. 
Musician James B. Heiner. 
Musician Samuel S. Ulrey. 
Wagoner Francis M. Bates, 

PRIVATES. 

George C. Allen, Charles F. .'\dams, Francis M. Burris, Daniel S. 
Beman, William A. Baker, Frederick Benner, William Clark, Jere- 
miah Desmond, Michael Dolan, William Jackson, William Johnson, 
Henry R. A. Jarrell, Abdial Kittsmiller, Francis Lotis, Joseph Mitter, 
jr., George W. Owens, Hiram Rose, Asa T. Richards, John Stone, 
William Sheets, George B. Ulray, John Vogel, William Williams, 
Amos Williams, T. Ross Walker, William Lucas, John R. Smith. 

COMPANY I. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 
First Lieutenant Alonzo J. Thompson. 
Second Lieutenant William P. Chapman. 

PRIVATE. 

William Brady. 

COMPANY K. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Second Lieutenant Thomas M. Sechler. 



186 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



COMPANY L. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant William F. Huston. 

PRIVATES. 

John Ritnian, Joseph M. Swan. 

COMPANY M. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

First Lieutenant John F. Wisnerosky. 
PRIV.\TES. 

William H. Ausman, James M. Anderson, Stephen BoUen, Jacob 
Bronn, John Cloyer, George Everhardt, John Huelberger, Gerhardt 
Loger, Monis Miller, Charles Storrs. 

FIRST REGIMENT OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY. — COMPANY B. 
PRIVATES. 

Herman H. Alms, Henry Amling. 

COMPANY F. 
Private Benjamin F. Gaskins. 

COMPANY G. 
Private John William. 

COMPANY H. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Corporal Marion Arnold. 

PRIVATES. 

John Harrison, Columbus Brannon, George Fisher, John Fisher, 
Peter Schaffer, John Dietz, Frank Fieber, A. R. Hathaway. 

BATTERY I. 

The nucleus of this was a company of light artillery re- 
cruited by Lieutenant Dammert, under the patronage of 
the- city council of Cincinnati. Its first duty was that of 
guarding the fortifications and approaches to Cincinnati 
back of Newport, Mount Adams, and Price's Hill. De- 
cember 3, 1861, an order was received from the War De- 
partment, through Adjutant General Buckingham, to 
muster the battery into the service of the United States. 
This was done at Camp Dennison, and the organization 
was designated as battery I, of the First regiment of 
Ohio light artillery. Colonel James Barnett commanding. 
January 26, 1862, the battery left Camp Dennison for 
West Virginia. It first landed at Parkersburgh, and from 
that place went by rail to New Creek, Virginia. It 
marched thence to Moorefield, February 10, 1862, and 
at that place had its first engagement with the enemy. 
It then returned to New Creek, and went by rail to 
Clarksburgh, where it lay for three weeks. March 26th 
the battery moved from Clarksburgh to Beverly, remain- 
ing at the latter place about ten days. It then moved 
over Cheat mountain to Monterey, and on April 25 th 
took part in the battle of Dinwiddle's Gap, near Monte- 
rey. The battery was then taken over to McDowell, and 
near that place it aided in fighting the battle of Bull Pas- 
ture Mountain, in which it lost one man killed. Re- 
treating down the valley to Franklin, it there joined Gen- 
eral Fremont's forces and went into camp. On the 
movement of Fremont, it marcked with him to Stras- 
burgh, and joined in the pursuit of the rebel army under 
Jackson up the Shenandoah valley to Cross Keys. Here 
it shared in the battle, losing one man killed and four 
wounded. After the battle the battery fell back to Mid- 
dletown, Virginia, and went into camp. July 5th it was 
again on the march, and, passing through Sperryville and 
across the Blue mountains, it went into camp at Luray, 



Virginia. Its duties while it lay at Luray were very ar- 
duous, as the enemy was desirous of crossing the moun- 
tains into Luray valley. In its efforts to prevent this, the 
battery was almost daily engaged with the enemy. From 
Luray it marched to Culpeper, and took part in the 
battle of Slaughter's Mountain. It then fell back to 
Warrenton, and thence to White Sulphur Springs, where 
it again engaged the enemy. Reaching Freeman's ford, 
on the Rappahannock, it was again engaged. It then 
moved with General Pope's forces, and took part in the 
second Bull Run battle. It lost twelve men killed and 
wounded, and twenty-two horses. It also had two of its 
guns dismounted, and the rest of its pieces were so disa- 
bled as to be unserviceable. Lieutenant Dammert drew at 
Washington a complete new outfit. October i, 1862, it 
left Washington, marched to Fairfax Court House, and 
went into camp. November ist it marched to Thorough- 
fare gap, and thence to Centreville. Thence it went to 
Fredericksburgh, and took part in the bombardment of 
that place. Falling back with the army, it went into 
winter quarters at Brooks' station. On the opening of 
the spring compaign, in March, 1863, the battery joined 
General Hooker's army, and took part in the Chancel- 
lorsville battle. Here it lost five men killed and six 
wounded, one gun, and sixteen horses. It then returned 
to Brooks' station, and on the reorganization of the Po- 
tomac army marched with it to Gettysburgh. In this 
battle the battery had four men killed and fifteen 
wounded, losing also nearly all its horses. Impressing 
horses from the neighboring farms, it moved with the 
army in chase of Lee. Crossing the Potomac at Berlin, 
it went into camp at Catlett's station. In October, 1864, 
the battery was transferred with the Eleventh and Twelfth 
corps to the army of the Cumberland, near Chattanooga. 
Lookout valley was the scene of its 'first engagement in 
the west. It was also engaged at Mission Ridge. The 
battery was then sent with General Sherman's forces to 
the relief of Knoxville. Returning, it went into camp at 
Chattanooga, and early in the spring joined in the At- 
lanta campaign. It was engaged in almost every battle 
of that campaign; itsiosses summed up forty men killed 
and wounded, and Second Lieutenant John Kortzebue, 
killed in front of Kenesaw Mountain. From Atlanta the 
battery returned to Chattanooga, where it remained about 
three weeks; and its term of service having expired, it 
was sent to Camp Dennison, and mustered out of the 
service July 24, 1865. During the whole service of bat- 
tery I, it was noted for its faithfulness and efficiency, and 
on numerous occasions was honorably mentioned in offi- 
cial reports by the generals commanding. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Henry F. Hynian. 

First Lieutenant William Damesert. 

Second Lieutenant Samuel H. Day. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Louis F. Doerr. 

Sergeant Chriss Whitman. 

Sergeant Henry Wood. 

Sergeant Jolin Robert. 

Sergeant Barney Focke. 

Sergeant Jack Simon. 

Corporal James Fitsimmons. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



187 



Corporal W. Evans. 
Corporal Charles Fetzel. 
Corporal Conrad O. Crawling. 
Corporal Henry Kinkel. 
Corporal Thomas Kasper. 
Blacksmith John M. Weigel. 
Bugler John Kronaner. 
Bugler John Lust. 

PRIVATES. 

Vincent Buckliert, Frank C. Buckley, Joseph Bushlee, Frederick 
Beeser, Joseph Breggameier, Frederick Beaker. Julius Bugfelt, Jacob 
Barner, Frederick Behymer, Ernest Boeger, Edward Bateman, Ralf 
Barnett, Frederick Bauer, Adam Boshner, J. R. Beckerstedt, John 
Bover, Philip Buettner, Philip Buehenberger, Hile C. Crawford, 
Joseph Crary, Edmand Desporges, Anson Desilver, Lewis Dempsey, 
Dennell Elliott, Joseph Eisenman, Charles Egelhaaf, Joseph Fran- 
son, John L. Felner, George Flossman, Joseph S. Foerderer, Wil- 
liam Grey, August Gerke, John Getz, B. F. Gaskin, John Geo- 
gan, H. Grupman, Frederick Hoegman, Henry Hardies, John 
L. Hofl, Gottlieb Berber, Jacob Huber, Henry Helker, Freder- 
ick Herrenconrs, Joseph Holcomb, Herns Heireman, George Loer- 
gens, Martin Knorr, John C. Keigel, John Kitzenger, Joseph 
Knepper, Frederick Randrob, William Ligtenheld, Frederick 
Lucas, Moses Longeneckert, John Luscomb, Newton Lohrer, Mike 
Leopold, William McDonald, Clemens Macke, Andrew Merkle, Jo- 
seph Meyer, John Murry, Thomas McGuire, James Doly, 
George Meyer, Frederick Meyer, Robert Magee, Harry Niller, 
Hugh O'Hara, Henry Pfister, William Peley, George Pfaunkock, John 
Pfau, Williarn Quinn, Peter Rackey, Charles Renihardt, John Robert, 
H. Scharnghnson, Charles Laak, Paul J. Schneider, Cowdrey 
Schwartzrauber, Matthias Starng, John Schneider, Louis Schmedlin, 
George Schlimt, John Schweiters, Frederick Schock, Henry Schran, 
Philip Smith, Henry Stoffel, Adam Thor, David P. Thompson, John 
W. Thomson, David Tracy, Bernard Traber, John H. Tiemeyer, Rob- 
ert Utteir, Clement Vollherst, Henry Wuelzer, William White, George 
Weibel, John M. Weigel, James W.allace, Moses Wauldhauser, Rom.an 
Weber, William Walter, Adolf Weisbrodt, Jasper Wilkie, Clement 
Weitzel, Adam Zeigler, Charles Wehrle, Julian Card, John Cary 
Charles E. Stockwell. 

COMPANY K. 

PK IV AXES. 

Paul Boss, Robert Bantlin, Peter Bechel, Henry Blanky, August 
Dembsky. Randolph Duhse, Chailes Ehrenstein, John Farby, William 
Hise, Charles Hauck, Gustav Humler, George Hoeffel, Charles Huber, 
Frederick Hauck, Michael Hamman, Charles Keisel, Louis Keifer, 
Jacob Lafors, Jacob Lindner, Mathias Meerfield, John Maul, Jacob 
Meyer, Francis H. Metzger, Daniel Metzger, John Perrmann, Charles 
Smith, Gottlieb Shalor, Henry Spitzfaden, Henry Schaffer, Hugo 
Shroeder, Christopher Todt, Benjamin Walter, Frederick Wehlaman, 
Charles Zeische. 

COMPANY M. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. 

Sergeant August Lasse. 

PRIVATES. 

Joseph Backlot, Joseph Brackmier, Joseph Futscher, Alonis Gepp- 
hard, Andrew G. Stack, Thomas Roffe, Jacobs Riebs, Seraphin 
Schuechter, Benjamin H. Gaskins, Henry Girtler. 

Recruits. — Privates Henry L. Griffith, Thomas Minford, Theodore 
Crowell. 

FIRST OHIO BATTERY. 
PRIVATES. 

William Demmons, Peter Conton, Lambert Beecking, Joseph Fanic, 
David Hutchinson, John Jacobs, William Jones, Dennis Martin, Fred- 
erick Meyers, Philip Schattong, Walter Stivers. 

SECOND OHIO BATTERY. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick O'Brien, Jacob Potts, Albert H. Sprague, Byron Williams. 

THIRD OHIO BATTERY. 
Private William Annis. 

FOURTH OHIO BATTERY. 

This was organized at Cincinnati by Caj^tain Lewis 
Hoffman, in August, 1861, was mustered in on the sev- 



enteenth, left camjj the next day, and rejDGrted in St. 
Louis August 2ist. It there received a full equijjment 
of James' rifled guns and all other necessaries. It was 
assigned to duty with General Siegel's division, and ac- 
comjDanied it in all its operations in southeastern Mis- 
souri. SjDringfield was occupied February 13, 1862, 
Price having evacuated it the night before. The battery 
joined in the pursuit, which continued for a week, and 
had frequent engagements with the rebel rear. At Ben- 
tonville, Arkansas, on the return, the rear of the Federal 
force was in turn attacked, and was covered in its move- 
ments by the Fourth. March 7th it moved with Oster- 
haus' division to the battle of Pea Ridge, in which it 
was very closely engaged, losing four men and one cais- 
son cajDtured, three men wounded, and one horse killed. 
It then marched over terribly bad roads to Helena, Ar- 
kansas, reaching that place July 14th. August i6th it 
was in an expedition to Milliken's Bend, where it cap- 
tured the rebel steamer Fair ¥\ay, loaded with munitions 
of war for Price's army. August i6th, at the same place, 
a rebel infantry regiment was surprised and put to flight, 
and its entire equipment captured. During September 
the battery was in camp at Helena, and encamped at 
Pilot Knob, Missouri, during part of October and No- 
vember. Returning to Helena November 23d, it was 
taken thence to Camp Steele, MississiiJjji, and remained 
there till December 19th, when it joined Sherman's ex- 
pedition against Vicksburgh, and was prominent in the 
assault at Chickasaw Bayou. It was also engaged at the 
capture of Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863, and had a 
gun disabled by a solid shot from the enemy. January 
29th the battery took position at Perkins' plantation, on 
the Mississipjji, to keep transports from going up to 
Vicksburgh. There and at Ballard's farm it did such 
duty till April 2d, when it was taken to Greenville and 
w-atched the enemy until the twenty-sixth, when it started 
anew for Millikin's Bend. In May it moved to Grand 
Gulf, and thence with the army to Vicksburgh, where it 
held its place in the lines till the surrender. It partici- 
pated in the pursuit of Johnston, and in front of Jackson 
fired nearly five hundred rounds into the city. Septem- 
ber 22d it was again at Vicksburgh; September 28th at 
Memphis, where a caisson exploded and killed three 
privates. October 2d it was in the battle of luka, and 
in other sharp encounters about this time. In Novem- 
ber it made the long march from the Tennessee near 
Chickasaw to Chattanooga, arriving on the twenty-third, 
and joining the rest of the Fifteenth corps. November 
24th it, with its division (Osterhaus'), was in the battle 
of Lookout Mountain. At Mission Ridge two of the 
six-pound rifles of the battery were exchanged for four 
twelve-pounders taken from the enemy. In December 
it was mostly in camp at Larkinsville, Alabama, moving 
thence to Woodville, January i, 1864, where it remained 
in camp four months. May ist, with the First division 
of the Fifteenth corps, it headed for Atlanta; was in the 
battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw, 
Atlanta (where it rescued the captured guns of an Illi- 
nois battery), and Ezra Church (where it was exceedingly 
imperiled), and in many minor affairs. August 14, 1864, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



its term having expired, it was relieved on the battle- 
ground by infantry, reached Cincinnati on the twenty- 
third, and was mustered out on the twenty-ninth. Those 
of its recruits whose terms had not expired were assigned 
to duty with the Tenth Ohio battery. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Lewis Hoffman. 

Captain George Froelicfi. 

First Lieutenant Lewis Pederit. 

First Lieutenant Lewis Zimmerer. 

Second Lieutenant Frank Max. 

Second Lieutenant George H. Hang. 

Second Lieutenant George Hust. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Charles Zeelinsky. 
First Sergeant Christian Goekel. 
Sergeant Amandus Pyeske. 
Sergeant George Broeekel. 
Sergeant William Maescher. 
Sergeant Philip Huber. 
Sergeant Herman Blume. 
Sergeant William Linderman. 
Sergeant Ferdinand Linck. 
Sergeant Andrew Nail. 
Sergeant Ciiarles Neminger. 
Sergeant Benjamin Harberland. 
Sergeant Andrew Majeroski. 
Sergeant Conrad Znicher. 
Sergeant Jacob Albert. 
Corporal Conrad Ebner. 
Corporal Frederick Genooekarva. 
Corporal Albert N. Hoffman. 
Corporal Anthony Taune. 
Corporal John Rohr. 
Corporal Philip Kling. 
Corporal Frederick Anforth. 
Corporal Matthias Linderich. 
Corporal Charles Urban. 
Corporal Max Joseph Hauck. 
Corporal William Guhe. 
Corporal George Seigle. 
Corporal Frank Kauffman. 
Corporal William Kerler. 
Corporal Frederick Lindenman. 
Bugler John B. Buesterer. 
Bugler William Keller. 
Bugler Phillipp Ott. 
Artificer Arnold Fricke. 
Artificer Christian Kleb. 
Artificer Charles Stauss. 
Artificer William Valk. 
Artificer Richard Stemshom. 
Artificer William Sehlei. 

PRIVATES. 

Nicolas Altmeyer, Henry Betz No. i, Henry Betz No. 2, George 
Bumk, William Bruckhard, Joseph Bens, Lewis Brauntz, Joseph Brent 
ung, John Breitung, Charles Binz, William Boeltzner, Henry Beuse" 
Herman Ballenberger, Charles Beutel, Henry Broders, Henry Berthel] 
Charles Bintz, William Cappen, William Dietering, Charles Dittmar, 
Andrew Diensebier, Herman Dreyer, Henry Doern, Lewis Dixson, Her" 
man Eppenstein, John Eggert, John Eisele, WiUiam Esslinger, Vincenz 
Eirgel, Ferdinand Erdman, Henry Eggemeyer, Rudolph Frese, Joseph 
Funk, John Fauk, Henry VonFilde, Anthony Freidman, Henry Fischer 
Joseph Frank, Charles Gerard, Michael Geisel, Lewis Griminger, Lorenz 
Groner, Andrew Goetz, Peter Harnzelman, Michael Helck, Joseph 
Haas,.Zoachim Hellstern, Gottlieb Helwig, William Heincke, Daniej 
Hutzel, John Joerger, Christian Jacobs, George Koenig, Michael von 
Kennan, Henry Kern, Jacob Klopp, Nicolaus Klopp, Lewis Krinn, 
Henry Knoll, John Kuntz, Henry Kapsce, .Anthony Koenig, John 
Keutner, Christian Keutner, Emil King, Ignatz Koch, Fred. J. Koch, 
Jacob Linkstein, Daniel Leabald, Louis Loftier. Paul Lenker, John 
Henry Linker, George Leuchtweiss, John Lang, Lewis Melcher, John 
Meyer, John Merkel, Nicolas Markowitz, Anthony Meyer, Frank 
Moerhrlein, George Mentel, Christian Marcus, Adam Markley, Leo- 
pold Musshaden, Herman Maas, August Meyer, Conrad Munding, 



Simon Nied, Joseph Nagel, William Nagel, August Nicola, Gustav 
Natlte, Charles Ott, Nicolas Ohio, Henry Plasphol, John Powers, 
Henry Quitsehreiber, Henry Ralfing, Charles Raff, Norris Schnieke, 
Henry Sarenberg, Henry Spitzer, Jacob Sieber, George Schaub, Chris- 
topher Schrag, Christian Schall, George Spath, John Stang, Kasper 
Schemetzler, Christian Schaffers, George Anthony Schneider, Matthias 
Stall, August Schnurr, Ferdinand Supper, Joseph Schaffers, Ferdinand 
Schram, Verner Schlumph, Frank Schneider, Joseph Trautwein, Henry 
Triesel, Nicolas Velten, Joseph Weber, William Wergo, William A. 
Wulzer, Frederick WindmuUer, Gregory Wernz, Conrad Weiss, John 
Wallenkaupt, John Wann, John F. Westbrook, Benedica Zimmerman. 

FIFTH OHIO BATTERY. 

This was recruited by authority of General Fremont, 
then in command in Missouri. On the twenty-second of 
September, i86i, the organization was effected, and on 
the eleventh of October it was ordered to Jefferson City. 
Before the arrival there. General Fremont was removed 
from his command, and a long period elapsed before suf- 
ficient arms and equipments could be procured to fit the 
regiment for service. March 7, 1862, the battery shipped 
on a steamer, proceeded to Savannah, Tennessee, and 
thence to Pittsburgh Landing. On the fifth of April it 
joined the command of General Prentiss, encamped not 
far from Shiloh church. In the engagement the next 
day, it lost in this, its first battle, one man killed, twenty 
wounded, two pieces, four caissons, sixty-five horses, and 
all camp and garrison equijDage. General Grant now or- 
ganized a force to move down into Mississippi by land, 
to operate against Vicksburgh ; and in a few days, the 
entire army at Corinth, except a garrison for the place, 
moved westward, the sixth division stopping for the time 
at Grand Junction, Tennessee. 

On the eleventh of November, Lieutenant Burton, 
who was wounded at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, 
and since his recovery had been with his lately recruited 
men watching Kirby Smith's movements near Cincin- 
nati, joined and took command of the Fifth at Grand 
Junction. The next day it started with the rest of Gen- 
eral Grant's army southward into Mississippi, and 
reached Holly Springs on the twenty-ninth. On the 
twelfth of December, the battery went into camp at 
Yocana creek, eleven miles south of Oxford, which was 
the turning point of its march, though the cavalry went 
some distance farther. The surrender at Holly Springs, 
and the consequent loss of stores, put the men. at once 
on three-quarter, and soon on half rations. January 5, 
1863, the division marched to Holly Springs and re- 
mained up to the tenth, forming the rear-guard of the 
army. During the entire march, going south and re- 
turning, the destruction by fire was immense; and the 
climax was reached the night before the last troops left 
Holly Springs by the burning of more than half the 
town. On the seventeenth of May orders came to em- 
bark for Vicksburgh. The two months of jj'revious in- 
action had put the battery in the best possible condi- 
tion. On the passage down the river, the fleet of trans-- 
ports was fired into by guerillas, and a number of sol- 
diers were killed and wounded. In retaliation, the 
troops landed and burned the village of Greenville. On 
the first of June the battery took position before Vicks- 
burgh in the siege proper, and was not again off duty 
till the end of the siege. On the morning of July 4th, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



two hours after the surrender, the battery started in pur- 
suit of Johnston. The first day's march was the most in- 
tensely hot, dusty, and exhausting the men had proba- 
bly ever experienced, though they travelled only ten 
miles. The expedition was under General Sherman, 
and consisted of the Thirteenth, of which the Fourth 
battery was then part, the Fifteenth and the Ninth army 
corps. Jackson was reached on the eleventh. The 
morning of July 17th found the city evacuated by the 
rebels, and it was at once occupied by our troops, who 
pursued Johnston no further. Nearly all the large 
buildings in the place had been burned at its former oc- 
cupation, and the work was now completed. ■ Four da3's 
afterward the march back to Vicksburgh began, and 
ended on the twenty-fourth, without notable incident. 
The battery was now ordered to Helena, Arkansas, and, 
arriving there, started September 13th, with other troops, 
with the intention of capturing and occupying Little 
Rock. Before starting, and on the way, there was much 
sickness; at one time there vfere but two well men in the 
entire command. A period of rest now occurred, dur- 
ing which the battery reached its proper standard by the 
arrival of recruits from Ohio. It formed a part of the 
army of occupation of Arkansas, and of the garrison of 
Little Rock for the remainder of its term of service. 
On the twentieth of September, those of the original 
command who were left, excepting fifteen who had re- 
enlisted, were mustered out and returned home. The 
battery was then remustered into service, and recruits 
gave it nearly its original strength. July 31, 1865, the 
war being over, the battery finally ceased to exist. 

VETERANS. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Andrew Hickenlooper. 
Captain Theophilus Kates. 
First Lieutenant Ciiarles I. Marsh. 
First Lieutenant Henry J. Stegeman. 
First Lieutenant Walter J. Trotter. 
Second Lieutenant Ozu L, Edwards. 
Second Lieutenant Alexander Temple. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant Frank M. Vanhorn. 

Quartermaster Sergeant William H. H. Amett. 

Sergeant Benjamin I. Southard. 

Sergeant Henry Brestly. 

Sergeant George Collin. 

Corporal James Shultz. 

Corporal Henry Wolff. 

Corporal William Rhegness. 

Corporal William Cary. 

Corporal Henry Dawson. 

Corporal John Weaver. 

Corporal William Johnson. 

Corporal John W. Orton. 

Artiftcer Florenz Sellner. 

Artificer George Dittoe. 

Bugler John B. Jones. 

Bugler Balthas Reif. 

Farrier William S. Garner. 

Wagoner Mark Woods. 

PRIVATES. 

Andrew Arnold, Milton S. Allen, Theodore Austin, Edward Bohl, 
Samuel Babbitt, George Bremer, Benjamin F. Brooks, Samuel Bretz, 
Jacob Beller, Henry V. Barnes, Fletcher Calvert, John Cottle, Ross 
Crossley, John L. Cassilly, Charles Carter, Peter Collins, William 
Chamney, John Deck, Timothy Donring, Lewis Epps, William H. 
Evans, John Filger, Daniel Focht, John Forbes, Patrick Fitzgibbon, 



Ebenezer Fuller, Thomas Fishbrume, John Fletcher, Eugene Horst, 
William Haslein, John Hampton, David Jones, William Johnson, 
William Koonce, John Kersey, Thomas Kearney, Jacob Karcher, 
Robert Kent, Andrew Long, Peter Mullen, Samuel McEwan, Richard 
McConghey, Lawrence Meddlecaff, Charles C. Morgan, John Morgan, 
Leroy Maygors, James Maloney, John Mitchel, Monroe Peters, William 
Price, Firman Preston, Lewis Reister, John Rodenstein, Edward Smith, 
George L. Smith, Nicholas Sebathus, John Sellins, John Stanford, 
Wellington Snedeker, Hazen E. Soule, Edward R. Slai, Robert 
Thomas, William Thompson, William Taylor, William Valentine, 
George Witherby, William O. Weibeld, Thomas C. White, Da\'id C. 
White, Peter Werker, Alexander Widdersthand, Thomas B. Ward, 
Adam Young, Jacob Zartman. 

Died. — Private Joseph Meiering. 

Discharged.- First Sergeant John M. Bedel; Quartermaster Ser- 
geants James J. Allen, Henry H. Easter; Sergeant John M, Boyd; 
Corporals Malon M. Lucky, Joshua Vanderwater, jr. ; Farrier James 
Shepherd; Wagoner Jacob Ruber; Hospital Steward Isaac L. Smith; 
Privates Richard H. Hopper, Lewis W. Bloom, Charles Beltz, Andrew 
Brehan, Peter Bitner, Amon E. Berry, Henry C. Burnes, John M. 
Case, William Crook, John Dwyer, John Davis, John F. Davis, Wil- 
liam T. Elliott, John M. Earnest, James Fisher, Peter Goranfle, Nich- 
olas B. Hopper, John Huff, William Johnson, Martin Krommer, 
George W. Leonard, Theodore McDonald, Patrick Maloney, Jacob 
Martin, Martin McLaughlin, William Nichols, Clark Noble, Conrad 
Remp, David R. Ross, Joseph Smith, Brosper Segrist, Peter Stockel, 
Frank Schenermann, Jacob Sellner, Nicholas Wieand, John Urber. 

Transferred. — Charles Carroll, WiUiam Madden. 

NON-VETERANS. 
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Lieutenant John H. Hollinshade. 
First Lidutenant Anthony B. Burton. 
First Lieutenant Lewis C. Sawyer. 
First Lieutenant John D. Bromer. 
Second Lieutenants Julius F. Blackbrum. 
Second Lieutenant William L. Broadwell. 
Second Lieutenant Bellamy S. Matson. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Sergeant Sylvanus Clark. 
Sergeant John N. Havlin 
Sergeant Francis H. Jewett. 
Sergeant Victor Burnham. 
Corporal William R. McCormick. 
Corporal Hiram Kester. 
Corporal Henry Brushbaum. 
Corporal Walter F. Burbeck. 
Corporal Charles W, Burmyghs. 
Corporal Richard Jones. 
Corporal Perry C. Grunden. 
Bugler David Lank. 
Artificer George McKelvey. 
Farrier Jacob H. Day. 
Wagoner John V. S. Minard. 
Saddler William H. Howells. 

PRIVATES. 

Frederick Beck, Charles N. Boardman, John G. Bowers, William H. 
Bowers, John J. Crist, Emile Cloe, John Coon, Charles H. Curl, Eben- 
ezer Colten, John Deppsler, William Davis, Joseph Dawson, Patrick 
Edwards, William Frank, Samuel Grunden, Ephraim Grunden, Charles 
V. Hearn, John Hay, James D. Harishan, Charles Hager, William M. 
Huey, David N. Jones, Robert W. Jones, John Kennedy, Casper 
Lambert, Henry Lotz, John Mundorff, Joseph T. Megrue, William 
Mead, Charles Notting, George Ott, Benjamin Fledle, George Pfeil, 
Moses D. Prindle, Enoch Plummer; Isaac W. Preston, Oliver N. 
Runyan, Frank Ribold, Isone Rhodes, Benjamin B. Smith, George 
Schneider, Jackson C. Shea, Schanan Souer, John Stevens, Andrew 
M. Trunk, Charles E. Utz, Cornelius A. Vickers, William Vickers, 
John Weaver, Thomas Weber, Cyrus R. Young. 

Killed in Battle. — David Peterson. 

Died. — Sergeants George Grigg; Corporal Jacob W. Anderson; Pri- 
vates George W. Biirkey, Alonzo Bartlett, Daniel J. Brink, Samuel 
Brink, Abner Bone, Joshua H. Bye, Henry Blackman, Henry Call, John 
Davis, David H. Dobbins, William Engle, Jacob Eyrlitt, Howell H. 
Howells, Howell D. Howells, Hopkin Hopkins, Matthew J. Johston, 
George Jacobs, Joseph J. Lake, Joseph P. Marsh, William McCullum, 



19° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Alexander McDonald, William Milar. George W. Pross, Irvin Reed, 
John Somlynn, Nicholas Stumpf, John Sheldon, Lorenzo Stevens, Ben- 
ton Temple, Jacob W. Wagner, John Windorff, Henry G. Ganckler. 

Discharged. — Sergeants Elmore Y. Mnnsell, Seth Sutherland; Cor- 
poral Edward Y. Myers; Privates William H. Anderson, Thomas 
Black, August A. Brenner, Joseph Bunting, Valentine Burbrick, Wil- 
liam P. Boyd, Reuben Carr, Nathan W. Crouch, Leroy D. Cooper, 
Henry L. Diniver, Phillip Dick, Samuel W. Faulknar, Benjamin 
Fisher, William C. Gray, Sumner T. Greene, Charles R. Greene, 
Henry R. Heap, Joseph Henry, George W. Hartv^'ell, Seth W. Hart- 
well, Robert H. Jones, David Jones, John Jones, Sebastian Kume, 
Frederick Kost, George Kimball, Thomas Lank, Willi.ini McCaul, 
William F. Palmer, James M. Randolph, William H. Richards, Alfred 
T. Sinker, John W. Shultz, John C. Storkler, Ely Stoten, Abraham 
Shively, John J. Smith, Francis E. Watson, James Vanmetre. 

Transferred. — Private Henry Alexander, George Coltin, Charles 
Grady, Conrad Weiss, Charles A. Wilby. 

Missing after Battle. — William H. Bowens, Benjamin F. Odle, 
George Pfeil. 

SEVENTH OHIO BATTERY. 

This battery was organized at Camjj Dennison and 
mustered into the United States service January i, 1862. 
April I Tth it arrived at Pittsburgh Landing and reported 
to General Grant. On the 20th the advance on Corinth 
was commenced, and the Seventh moved with the army 
until the evacuation of that place. At Coldwater, Ten- 
nessee, it had a skirmish with the enemy. At the Big 
Hatchie, the rebels were met and routed. Between De- 
cember 12, 1862, and January 6, 1865, this command 
bore honorable part at Vicksburgh Jackson, Mississippi, 
Natchez and Meridian. At the latter date the captain 
and fifty-one men were mustered out of service, by rea- 
son of expiration of term of enlistment. After this time 
the men did duty as infantry at Jackson until July, 1865, 
when, at Camp Chase, they were mustered out, jDaid and 
discharged. 

PRIVATES. 

James B. AlthofF, John Boffing, Thomas Boffing, Henry J. Ball, Ed- 
ward Bradley, Richard Benson, John L. Barger, Miles Clark, Charles 
Case, Patrick CanoU, Charles Digner, Thomas Edwards, James Fyfe, 
George Galbreath, Oliver Hamer, William Hervey, Daniel Johnston, 
Frank Johnson, William Large, Peter McDermott, Frederick Miller, 
William B. Meeker, Frank W. Pierson, Thomas Simmons, Henry Sick- 
man, Daniel Stickles, Philip Smith, Willian) Shankenberger, John Snell, 
Nicholas Vanpelt, Maxwell G. Whittlesey, George Waxier, William 
Welch. 

Discharged. — Privates Nicholas Beck, Ernst Kutteruff, Ernest Wolf, 
Otto Buschgens. 

EIGHTH OHIO BATTERY. 
NON-COMMI.SSIONED OFFICER. 

Bugler Oswald Jericho. 

PRIV..\TES. 

Henry Dickman, Gottleib Grerner, John Hausler, Jacob Rushel, 
Joseph Williax, Jacob Shaller, James Shoemaker, Samuel Wheeler. 

TENTH OHIO BATTERY. 

On the third of March, 1862, this battery completed 
its organization. Its first movement was to St. Louis, 
thence to Pittsburgh Landing. Afterwards it was in re- 
serve at the siege of Corinth, and at luka did garrison 
duty. October 4th, near Corinth, it had a successful skir- 
mish with the rebels, whom it pursued as far as Ripley, 
when it retunred to Corinth. The next movement was 
to Grand Junction and into Mississippi. It then formed 
part of the garrison of Holly Springs. After numerous 
changes of location, and many long and dangerous 
marches, on the twenty-eighth of July the battery entered 



Vicksburgh, and camped just above the cemetery. In 
August only seventeen of seventy-two men were fit for 
duty. The garrison during the winter, received about 
ninety recruits. Thirty-two, out of fifty-four eligible men, 
re-enlisted, and on the eighth of April, 1864, the com- 
mand left for Cairo. At Ackworth it became a part of 
the Fourth division of the Seventeenth army corps. On 
the tenth of June it took position at the front, and, with 
the exception of July 4th, was engaged every day for a 
month in front of Kenesaw Mountain and at Nicojack 
Creek. March 13, 1865, the Fourth and Tenth Ohio 
batteries were consolidated. They were mustered out 
at Camp Dennison, July 17, 1865. The name of the 
Tenth was retained by the consolidated batteries. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Quartermaster Sergeant George Dasher. 

Corporal Calvin Swift. 

Corporal James King. 

Corporal Andrew Schaffer. 

Corporal Henry Owens. 

Bugler John G. A. Trimble. 

Bugler Charles Mayer. 

Wagoner John W. Friend. 

PRIVATES. 

John M. Armstrong, James S. Beamis, William Boelzner, Anthony 
Boehm, Theodore Becker, Anton Brewer, James Bolander, John A. 
Conger, Andrew J. Grossman, Dennis Delaney, Frank Dittimer, Lewis 
Dixon, William H. Ditton, John F. Droste, Augustus Fisher, Joseph 
Funk, John Fieber, Albert Gauss, Henry P. Gross, Charles Hamway, 
Edward Humphreys, Nicholas Herbert, John Irion, Henry P. Jones, 
James Judy, Peter N. Joute, Emil King, Ignatz Koch, WiUiara Koep- 
ler, Frank Knauber, Milton P. Layman, Myers Mitchell, James C. 
Morgan, George Morre, Frank Malen, George Metzs, Henry Meyer, 
Gustave Nolte, Philip Ott, Louis Philips, George Pfeifer, William 
Pritchard, Herman Powers, Charles Ramsey, Levi W. Robinson, John 
Ruble, Gottlieb Reiner, James Ryan, George Smith, Frederick Suppers, 
Joseph Schaffers, Joseph Strehle. Frederick Schauffert, John F. Ste- 
phens, George Tay, Achilles Farrant, George Vehr, John Wollenhaupt, 
Jacob Wilson, Charles Weiland, Frederick Young, Henry R. Brown, 
John Britton, George Cave, Charles Hummel, Robert Morrison, John 
Thompson, Lewis Lugue. 

ELEVENTH OHIO BATTERY. 

This was recruited in Hamilton, Athens, Butler, Vin- 
ton, and Wyandot counties, August 20th to Septeinber 
with 15, 1861, and mustered in at St. Louis October 27th, 
one hundred and fifty-seven men. It had two six-pound 
rifles, two six-pound smooth-bores, and two twelve-pound 
howitzers, with full equipment. October 26th, at de- 
partment headquarters, the battery was presented by Mrs. 
Fremont with a superb silk guidon. Its earlier service in 
Missouri was severe, but not jjarticularly eventful. It 
was in the affair at New Madrid and Island No. 10, and 
brought in two rebel six-pounders as trophies. It went 
with General Pope to Hamburgh Landing and Corinth, 
where it was heavily engaged, and participated in the 
chase to Ripley. At the battle of luka it fl'as charged 
three times, and lost two officers and fifty-five men killed 
and wounded, more than half of the entire number it 
had on the field, besides all their horses and all their 
harness and equipments. It was subsequently engaged 
in the siege of Vicksburgh, and the battles of Raymond, 
Clinton, Jackson, and Chamjjion Hills, served in Steele's 
expedition to Little Rock, where it became sharply en- 
gaged; and thereafter was occupied with train-guard and 
garrison duty, and comparatively unimportant expedi- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



191 



tions, until the expiration of its period of service, when it 
was transported to Columbus, and there mustered out 
November 5, 1864. 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Archibald G. A. Constable. 
First Lieutenant Cyrus Sears. 
Second Lieutenant Frank C. Sands. 
Second Lieutenant David A. Southworth. 
Second Lieutenant William D. Linn. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

First Sergeant William W. Willey. 

Quartermaster Sergeant William JM. Wynne. 

Sergeant Jesse Hunt. 

Sergeant Joseph Taylor. 

Sergeant William K. Perrine. 

Sergeant Henry C. Kelton. 

Sergeant Norris F. Jellison. 

Sergeant John A. Morgan. 

Corporal Charles Balser. ' 

Corporal Joseph Sadler. 

Corporal Job J. McCreiglit. 

Corporal Benjamin Huber. 

Corporal Fletcher E. Armstrong. 

Corporal John H. Bradley. 

Corporal Peter D. Staals. 

Corporal Alonzo A. Kimball. 

Corporal John Bringman. 

Corporal Amos B. Alger. 

Corporal William Brush. 

Corporal Richard Bauer. 

Artificer John Ashenhurst. 

Artificer Michael R. DoUway. 

Artificer William W. Rosey. 

Bugler Samuel D. Jones. 

Bugler George Schilback. 

PRIVATES. 

Theodore Allen, Milo Allen, George Bangard, Valentine Burkis, 
John L. Barger, John Bassion, Daniel Bauchman, James W. Libby, 
Leonard Bothwill, William H. Balser, Daniel F. Brewer, Elias Bring- 
man, Jerome B. Brooks, William Bowen, Amos P. Brewer, George W. 
Beech, Asa Brush, George W. Buckley, Mortimer D. Butler, Oscar 
Carpenter, John W. Cherry, James M. Clouse, Obadiah Clouse, Wil- 
liam H. Clark, Francis M. Cooper, John Cosgrove, Ferdinand Cramer, 
William Crawford, Thomas D. Davis, John F. Davis, John Dean, John 
Dearden, James Deivine, William Dorg, William H. Dorn, John C. 
Dorn, William H. Di.xon, Patrick Doherty, Peter Erb, James R. Ew- 
ing, John Ettle, Jacob Everhart, Thomas Fitzgerald, Matthew Free, 
David A. Galusha, Moses Ganber, Samuel Gilmore, William S. God- 
dard, Martin V. B. Hall, Charles Huglin, James Haves, Lewis B. 
Henry, John F. Heltzell, Daniel Henow, David M. Hill, John H. 
Haughay, John Holland, John Hoover, John C. Hunter, John M. Ike, 
John R. Jurey, David Keyt, Patrick Lacy, Hiram McDonald, Andrew 
J. McCreigh, John A. McCarty, John J. McCowne, Lewis W. Math- 
ewson, George Miller, Josiah Miller, Michael Miller, Jacob T. Matson, 
Joseph Moore, Asa Mulford, David W. Montgomery, John Mowrey, 
Henry McLaughlin, Samuel Nelson, Charles P. Osborne, Arza B. 
Pitcher, William W. Powell, James R. Reed, Charles Rhodes, Charles 
H. Riley, Lewis Ridling, Nathaniel Resser, David L. Robinson, Joseph 
Roberts, Samuel Roberts, John Robbins, Henry B. Root, JohnScholl, 
William Sallie, Daniel Smith, William H. Swazze, Sharlock Stoufer, 
Robert Swegle, Samuel Stickler, Peter Sersain, Ira C. Swazze, Francis 
M. Wilson, Washington Walton, Michael F. Wisenberg, George 
Weidner, George J. Walker, Henry M. Welsh, Zachariah Welsh, 
Henty C. Worley, Martin N. Worley, Jerome Woolsey, James W. 
Whitlock, Milton D. Whaley, Silas Wheaton, Andrew Wolf, William 
H. Woodcock, John G. Taylor, Thomas Taylor, James M. Towers, 
Stephen Trimble, Levi Tidwell, William Valentine, Martin McLaughlin. 

TWELFTH OHIO BATTERY. 

PRIVATES. 

William H. Parmer, Milton S. Pollock. 

FIFTEENTH OHIO BATTERY. 
Private Jesse R. Nusum. 



SEVENTEENTH OHIO BATTERY. 
PRIVATES. 
John H. Baker, Henry W. Crozier, Albert J. Wakefield, Charles H. 
Nichols, Frederick O'Brien. 

EIGHTEENTH OHIO BATTERY. 

On the twenty-second of August, 1863, the necessary 
number of men to constitute a new six-gun battery were 
enlisted, and in camp. September 13th, they were mus- 
tered into service at Camp Portsmouth. The first en- 
gagement in which the battery participated, was about 
three miles from Spring Hill, Tennessee, on the fourth 
of March, 1864. The second was on the day following 
at Thompson's Station. From this time the enemy at- 
tacked the National pickets daily. On the tenth of April 
Franklin was attacked, but unsuccessfully. The twenty- 
seventh of June Shelbyville was taken by the advance of 
the Fourteenth army corjK, of which the Eighteenth 
formed an important part. In the battle of Chickamauga 
the battery did good service. September 21st, the enemy 
was again defeated at Rossville Road Gap, in Mission 
Ridge. Following this, the battery was under fire, and 
engaged with the rebel batteries on and near Moccasin 
Point for fifty-six days. Nothing of great importance 
occurred until the fifteenth of December, when it was in 
the battle of Nashville, where it did great execution with 
shell and solid shot. It joined in the pursuit that fol- 
lowed, and was in camp the most of the time after that 
until the order was received to muster out. The battery 
was discharged at Camp Dennison June 29, 1865. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Corporal Malachi Brigham. 

Corporal Richy A. Thomas. 

Corporal Patrick O'Doud. 

PRIVATES. 

John Hart, Thomas Wallace, George W. Beadle, George Coy, 
Michael Coogan, Rcinhard Christ, Darius Crossline, Edward Crotly, 
Michael Cowan, David Culliton, Charles Dicks, Samuel Dothwait, John 
Donohue, John Dougherty, Ferdinand M. Dugan, Dennis Ennis, John 
Fillspatrick, John Forrester, James Finley, John Farrell, Michael Feller, 
Jeremiah F. Hatpin, Patrick Heelan, John Habback, John Haab, John 
Joice, Thomas Kelly, John Lloyd, James Malone, James B. Martin, 
James J. McBride, James Macon, Thomas Mahoney, John V. Mulvey, 
Edward O'Donald, George Rink, Michael Raney, Michael Ryan, 
J. Redmond, Henry Wolfe, Henry Kummings, Patrick Skinney, 
jMichael Brophy. 

TWENTY-FIRST OHIO BATTERY. 



J'-< 



PRIVATES. 

Fitzpatrick, 



Thomas Martin; Sergeant 



Charles Campbell, 
William G. Ross. 

TWENTY-SIXTH OHIO BATTERY. 
Private Christian Seifert. 

Many Hamilton county soldiers were also in the regi- 
ments and batteries from other States, and in the gun- 
boat service. The number of men offered by Ohio, upon 
the first call of the President, was so greatly in excess of 
her quota that, notwithstanding the State put in the field 
several additional regiments at her own cost, many volun- 
teers eager to serve were compelled to seek enlistment 
elsewhere. Kentucky offered a convenient receptacle 
for the overflow from southern Ohio; and the earlier 
Union regiments raised in that State were considerably 
recruited from Cincinnati and its vicinity. The Four- 
teenth Kentucky infantry and the First Kentucky battery, 



192 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



for example, contained many men of Hamilton county. 
Others were in West Virginia, Indiana, Missouri and 
other State contingents; and not a few whose names, 
like those of men who went abroad to enlist, cannot be 
obtained now without great difficulty, and in many cases 
not at all, went into the regular army. 

Besides all these, and those who enlisted from Hamil- 
ton county in the regular army — whose names, like the 
others, it is not now practicable to obtain — there was the 
noble army of 

THE "squirrel HUNTERS." 

The dangers threatening Cincinnati in the latter part 
of the summer of 1862 led Governor Tod, as we shall 
see more fully hereafter, in the chapter on "The Siege of 
Cincinnati," to make a general announcement to the 
men of Ohio that all who reported with arms in hand 
would be transported at public expense to that city, and 
received for the time being into the service of the State. 
Telegraphic tenders had already been made to the au- 
thorities of that city, of militia in large numbers from 
Preble, Warren, Greene, Butler, Franklin and other 
counties; so that thousands stood ready to answer the 
call without delay. Before daylight of the next morning 
after the proclamation of the governor, the tread of the ad- 
vance of the grand army of Buckeye yeomen was heard 
upon the stony pavements of Cincinnati. As rapidly as 
possible the thronging hosts arriving were organized into 
companies and regiments, and sent to the works back of 
Covington, to the guard stations along the river, or to 
other posts of duty. The total number known to have 
entered this temporary service from the State at large is 
fifteen thousand seven hundred and sixty-six — which was 
doubtless exceeded by several hundreds at least — of 
which Hamilton county furnished five hundred and four. 
Some peculiarity of dress in many of them, and the 
armament of numbers with light squirrel-guns, suggested 
the happy title of "Squirrel Hunters" for the- entire 
unique contingent; but by whom it was first applied the 
"historian has failed to learn. The designation has, how- 
ever, passed honorably into history. The squirrel, amid 
appropriate scenery, and the squirrel-hunter, in fitting 
costume and in the act of loading his fire-arm, appear in 
good style upon the discharge certificates granted the 
Hunters upon the termination of their service; and a 
spirited page engraving, in the first volume of Mr. Reid's 
"Ohio in the War," further illustrates and commemorates 
their personnel and deeds. 

The Hunters were not long needed. Their relief 
from service began within ten or twelve days after they 
were called out, and by the middle of September nearly 
all were relieved and had returned to their homes. 
One of the last battalions to be freed from the trammels 
of military organization was that stationed at Gravel Pit, 
on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, to guard against the 
possible crossing of a rebel cavalry force at a shallow 
place in the river opposite that point. This command 
was under the personal direction of Major Richard M. 
Corwine, in general charge of the river defences, and was 
relieved on Tuesday, the sixteenth of September, by the 
Nineteenth Michigan volunteer infantry. Three days 



previously Governor Tod telegraphed to Stanton, Secre- 
tary of War: "The minute-men, or 'Squirrel Hunters,' 
responded gloriously to the call for the defence of Cin- 
cinnati. Thousands reached the city, and thousands 
more were en route for it. The enemy having retired, 
all have been ordered back. This uprising of the peo- 
ple is the cause of the retreat. We should publicly ac- 
knowledge this gallant conduct." 

At the next session of the legislature an act was passed 
and approved March 11, 1863, ordering the preparation 
and issue of formal discharge certificates "for the patri- 
otic men of the State who responded to the call of the 
governor and went to the southern border to repel the in- 
vader, and who will be known in history as the 'Squirrel 
Hunters.'" These papers, handsomely engraved and 
printed, and issued to large numbers entitled to them, 
read as follows : 

THE SQUIRREL HUNTERS' DISCHARGE. 

Our southern Border was menaced by the enemies of our Union. 

David Tod, Governor of Ohio, called on the Minute Men of the 

State, and the "Squirrel Hunters" came by thousands to the- rescue. 

You, , were one of them, and this is your Honorable Discharge. 

September, 1862. Chas. W. Hill, 

Adj't Gen. of Ohio. 
Approved by MALCOLM McDowell, 

David Tod, Governor. Major and A. D. C. 

This was accompanied, in each case, by this ringing 
letter from the governor, neatly printed for the purpose: 

The State of Ohio, Executive Department, ) 
Columbus, March 4, 1863. j 
To , Esq., of County, Ohio: 

The legislature of our State has this day passed the following resolu- 
tion: 

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Ohio, 
That the Governor be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate 
out of his contingent fund, a sufficient sum to pay for printing and lithographing 
discharges for the patriotic men of the State, who responded to the call of the 
Governor, and went to our southern border to repel the invaders, and who will 
be known in history as the "SQUIRREL HUNTERS." 

And in obedience thereto, I do most cheerfully herewith enclose a 
certificate of your service. But for the gallant services of yourself and 
the other members of the corps of patriotic "Squirrel Hunters," 
rendered in September last, Ohio, our dear State, would have been 
invaded by a band of pirates determined to overthrow the best Govern- 
ment on earth, our wives and children would have been violated and 
murdered, and our homes plundered and sacked. Your children and 
your children's children, will be proud to know that you were one of 
this glorious band. 

Preserve the certificate of service and discharge, herewith enclosed to 
you, as evidence of this gallantry. Tire Rebellionis not yet crushed 
out, and therefore the discharge may not be final; keep the old gun 
then in order; see that the powder-horn and bullet-pouch are supplied, 
and caution your patriotic mothers or wives to be at all times prepared 
to furnish you a few days' cooked rations, so that if your services are 
called for (which may God in his infinite goodness forbid) you mav 
again prove yourselves "Minute Men" and again protect our loved 
homes. 

Invoking God's choicest blessings upon yourself and all who are dear 
to you, I am, very truly, yours, 

DAVID TOD, Governor. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



193 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE MORGAN RAID THROUGH OHIO. 

The great Rebellion brought two notable and memor- 
able events to Hamilton county — the "Siege of Cincin- 
nati" in the summer and fall of 1862, and the raid of 
John Morgan through southern Ohio, traversing the 
entire length of this county as he entered the State, in 
July, 1863. The story of the former will be related in 
the history of Cincinnati ; that of the latter will be told 
here, in the general history of the county. It is extracted, 
very nearly, from Whitelaw Reid's admirable chapter on 
the subject in the first volume of his Ohio in the War, 
omitting some of the less important foot-notes, and em- 
bodying others in the text.* 

In July, 1863, Rosecrans lay at Stone River, menacing 
Bragg at Tullahoma. Burnside was at Cincinnati or- 
ganizing a force for the redemption of east Tennessee, 
which was already moved well down toward the confines 
of that land of steadfast but sore-tried loyalty. Bragg 
felt himself unable to confront Rosecrans; Buckner had 
in East Tennessee an inadequate force to confront Burn- 
side. But the communications of both Rosecrans and 
Burnside ran through Kentucky, covered mostly by the 
troops (numbering perhaps ten thousand in all) under 
General Judah. If these communications were threat- 
ened, this last force would at least be kept from reinforcing 
Rosecrans or Burnside, and the advance of one or both 
of these officers might be delayed. So reasoned Bragg 
as, with anxious forebodings, he looked about the lower- 
ing horizon for aid in his extremity. 

He had an officer who carried the reasoning to a 
bolder conclusion. If, aftena' raid through Kentucky, 
which should endanger the communications and fully 
occupy General Judah, he should cross the border 
and carry terror to the peaceful homes of Indiana and 
Ohio, he might create such a panic as should delay the 
new troops about to be sent to Rosecrans, and derange 
the plans of the Federal campaign. There was no ade- 
quate force, he argued, in Indiana or Ohio to oppose 
him; he could brush aside the local militia like house- 
flies, and outride any cavalry that could be sent in pur- 
suit; while in his career he would inevitably draw the 
whole Union force in Kentucky after him, thus diminish- 
ing the pressure upon Bragg and delaying the attack 
upon East Tennessee. This was John Morgan's plan. 

Bragg did not approve it. He ordered Morgan to 
make a raid in Kentucky ; gave him carte blanche to go 
wherever he chose in that State, and particularly urged 
upon him the capture of Louisville, but forbade the 
crossing of the Ohio. Then he turned to the perils with 
which Rosecrans' masterly strategy was environing him. 

*This chapter and that on the "Siege of Cincinnati," in the second 
part of this work, are extracted from Ohio in tlie War, by the cour- 
teous permission of the publishers, JMessrs. Wilstach, Baldwin & Com- 
pany, of Cincinnati. We congratulate the Ohio public, and especially 
the soldiers from the Buckeye State in the late war, upon the prospect 
of a second and improved edition of this great work, which is contem- 
plated by this house. It is one of those books which should never be 
"out of print" — an honor to the State, and a monument to the liber- 
ality and enterprise of its publishers and the industry of its compilers 
and editor. 



Morgan prepared at once to execute his orders; but at 
the same time he gave confidential information to Basil 
W. Duke, his second in command, of his intention to 
disregard Bragg's prohibition. He even went further. 
Weeks before his movement began, he sent men to ex- 
amine the fords of the upper Ohio, that at Buffington 
Island among them, and expressed an intention to re- 
cross in that vicinity, unless Lee's movements in Penn- 
sylvania should make it advisable to continue his march 
on northern soil, until he thus joined the army of north- 
ern Virginia. 

Here, then, was a man who knew precisely what he 
wanted to do. He arranged a plan far-reaching, com- 
prehensive, and perhaps the boldest that the cavalry ser- 
vice of the war disclosed ; and before the immensely su- 
perior forces which he evaded could comprehend what he 
was about, he had half executed it. 

/On the second of July he began to cross the Cumber- 
^nd at Burkesville and Turkey Neck Bend, almost in the 
face of Judah's cavalry, which, lying twelve miles away, 
at Marrowbone, trusted to' the swollen river as sufficient 
to render the crossing impracticable. The mistake was 
fatal. Before Judah moved down to resist, two regi- 
ments and portions of others were across. With these 
Morgan attacked, drove the cavalry into its camp at 
Marrowbone, and was then checked by the artillery. 
But his crossing was thus secured, and long before Judah 
could get his forces gathered together, Morgan was half 
way to Columbia. He had two thousand four hundred 
and sixty men, all told. Before him lay three States — 
Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio — which he meant to traverse; 
one filled with hostile troops, the others with a hostile 
and swarming population. 

The next day, at the crossing of Green River, he came 
upon Colonel Moore, with a Michigan regiment, whom 
he vainly summoned to surrender, and vainly strove to 
dislodge. The fight was severe for the little time it 
lasted ; and Morgan, who had no time to spare, drew off, 
found another crossing, and pushed on through Camp- 
bellsville to Lebanon. Here came the last opportunity 
to stop him.- Three regiments held the position, but two 
of them were at some little distance from the town. 
Falling upon the one in the town, he overwhelmed it be- 
fore the others could get up, left them hopelessly in his 
rear, and double-quicked his prisoners eight miles north- 
ward to Springfield, before he could stop long enough to 
parole them.* Then; turning northwestward, with his 
foes far behind him, he marched straight for Branden- 
burgh, on the 'Ohio River, some sixty miles below Louis- 
ville. A couple of companies were sent forward to capture 
boats for the crossing; others were detached to cross be- 
low and effect a diversion ; and still others were sent 
toward Crab Orchard to distract the attention of the 
Union commanders. He tapped the telegraph wires, 
thereby finding that he was expected at Louisville, and 
that the force there was too strong for him; captured a 
train from Nashville within thirty miles of Louisville; 
picked up squads of prisoners here and there, and 

* Some. horrible barbarities to one or two of these prisoners were 
charged against him in the newspapers of the ^day. 



194 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



paroled them. By ten o'clock on the morning of the 
eighth, his horsemen stood on the banks of the Ohio. 
They had crossed Kentucky in five days. 

When the advaace companies, sent forward to secure 
boats, entered Brandenburgh, they took care to make as 
little confusion as possible. Presently the Henderson 
and Louisville packet, the J. J. McCoombs, came steam- 
ing up the river, and landed as usual at the wharf boat. 
As it made fast its lines, thirty or forty of Morgan's men 
quietly walked on board and took possession. Soon 
afterward the Alice Dean, a fine boat running in the 
Memphis and Cincinnati trade, came around the bend. 
As she gave no sign of landing, they steamed out to 
meet her, and, before captain or crew could comprehend 
the matter, the Alice Dean was likewise transferred to 
the Confederate service. When Morgan rode into town 
a few hours later, the boats were ready for his crossing. 

Indiana had just driven out a previous invader — Cap- 
tain Hines, of Morgan's command — who, with a small 
force, had crossed over "to stir up the Copperheads," as 
the rebel accounts pleasantly express it. Finding the 
country too hot for him, he had retired, after doing con- 
siderable damage; and in Brandenburgh he was now 
awaiting his chief. 

Preparations were at once made for crossing over, but 
the men crowding down incautiously to the river bank, 
revealed their presence to the militia on the Indiana 
side, whom Captain Hines' recent performance had 
made unwontedly watchful. They at once opened a 
sharp fusilade across the stream, with musketry and an 
old cannon which they had mounted on wagon-wheels. 
Morgan speedily silenced this fire by bringing up his Par- 
rott rifles; then hastily dismounted two of his regiments 
and sent them across. The militia retreated and the two 
rebel regiments pursued. Just then a little tin-clad, the 
Springfield, which Commander Leroy Fitch had dis- 
patched from New Albany, on the first news of some- 
thing wrong down the river, came steaming towards the 
scene of action. Suddenly "checking her way," writes 
the rebel historian of the raid, Colonel Basil Duke, in 
his history of Morgan's cavalry, "she tossed her snub- 
nose defiantly, like an angry beauty of the coal-pits, 
sidled a little toward the town, and commenced to scold. 
A bluish-white, funnel-shaped cloud spouted out from 
her left-hand bow, and a shot flew at the town, and then, 
changing front forward, she snapped a shell at the men 
on the other side. I wish I were sufficiently master of 
nautical phraseology to do justice to this little vixen's style 
of fighting; but she was so unlike a horse, or even a 
piece of light artillery, that I cannot venture to attempt 
it." He adds that the rebel regiments on the Indiana 
side found shelter, and that thus the gunboat fire proved 
wholly without effect. After a little Morgan trained his 
Parrotts upon her; and the inequality in the range of the 
guns was such that she speedily turned up the river 
again. 

The situation had seemed sufficiently dangerous. Two 
regiments were isolated on the Indiana side; the gun- 
boat was between them and their main body; while every 
hour of delay brought Hobson nearer on the Kentucky 



side, and speeded the mustering of the Indiana militia. . 
But the moment the gunboat turned up the river, all dan- 
ger for the moment was past. Morgan rapidly crossed 
the rest of his command, burned the boats behind him, 
scattered the militia and rode out into Indiana. There 
was yet time to make a march of six miles before night- 
fall. 

The task now before Morgan was a simple one, and 
for several days could not be other than an easy one. 
His distinctly formed plan was to march through southern 
Indiana and Ohio, avoiding large towns and large bodies 
of militia, spreading alarm through the country, making 
all the noise he could, and disappearing again across 
the upper fords of the Ohio before the organizations of 
militia could get such shape and consistency as to be 
able to make head against him. For some days, at least, 
he need expect no adequate resistance, and, while the 
bewilderment as to his purposes and uncertainty as to the 
direction he was taking should paralyze the gathering 
militia, he meant to place many a long mile between them 
and his hard riders. 

Spreading, therefore, all manner of reports as to his 
purposes and assuring the most that he meant to pene- 
trate to the heart of the State and lay Indianapolis in 
ashes, he turned the heads of his horses up the river 
towards Cincinnati; scattered the militia with the charges 
of his advance brigade; burnt bridges and cut telegraph 
wires right and left; marched twenty-one hours out of 
twenty-four, and rarely made less than fifty or sixty miles 
a day. 

His movement had at first attracted little attention. 
The North was used to having Kentucky in a panic about 
invasion from John Morgan, and had come to look upon 
it mainly as a suggestion of a few more blooded horses 
from the "Blue Grass" that were to be speedily im- 
pressed intp the rebel service. Gettysburg had just been 
fought; Vicksburgh had just fallen; what were John Mor- 
gan and his horse-thieves? Let Kentucky guard her own 
stables against her own outlaws ! 

Presently he came nearer and Louisville fell into a 
panic. Martial law was proclaimed ; business was sus- 
pended; every preparation for defence was hastened. 
Still, few thought of danger beyond the river, and the 
most, remembering the siege of Cincinnati, were disposed 
to regard as very humorous the ditching and the drill by 
the terrified people of the Kentucky metropolis. 

Then came the crossing. The governor of Indiana 
straightway proclaimed martial law, and called out the 
legion. General Burnside was lull of wise plans for 
"bagging" the invader, of which the newspapers gave 
mysterious hints. Thoroughly trustworthy gentlemen 
hastened with their "reliable reports" of the rebel 
strength. They had stood on the wharf-boat and kept 
tally of the cavalry crossed; and there was not a man 
less than five thousand of them. Others had talked with 
them, and been confidently assured that they were 
going up to Indianapolis to burn the State house. 
Others, on the same veracious authority, were assured 
that they were heading for New Albany and Jefferson- 
ville to burn Government stores. The militia everywhere 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



195 



were sure that it was their duty to gather in their own 
towns and keep Morgan off; and, in the main, he saved 
them the trouble by riding around. Hobson came lum- 
bering along in the rear — riding his best, but finding it 
hard to keep the trail ; harder to procure fresh horses, 
since of these Morgan made a clean sweep as he went; 
and impossible to narrow the distance between them to 
less than twenty-five hours. 

Still the purpose of the movement was not divined — 
its very audacity was its protection. General Burnside 
concluded that Hobson was pressing the invaders so 
hard, forsooth, that they must swim across the Ohio be- 
low Madison to escape, and his dispositions for inter- 
cepting them proceeded on that theory. The Louisville 
packets were warned not to leave Cincinnati, lest Mor- 
gan should bring with them his artillery and force them to 
ferry him back into Kentucky. Efforts were made to 
raise regiments to aid the Indianians, if only to recipro- 
cate the favor they had shown when Cincinnati was under 
siege; but the people were tired of such alarms, and 
could not be induced to believe in the danger. By Sunday, 
July 12, three days after Morgan's entry upon northern 
soil, the authorities had advanced their theory of his plan 
to correspond with the news of his movements. They 
now thought he would swim the Ohio a little below Cin- 
cinnati, at or near Aurora; but the citizens were more 
apprehensive. They began to talk about a "sudden 
dash into the city. " The mayor requested that business 
be suspended and that the citizens assemble in their re- 
spective wards for defence. Finally General Burnside 
came to the same view, proclaimed martial law, and or- 
dered the suspension of business. Navigation was prac- 
tically stopped, and gun-boats scoured the river banks to 
remove all scows and flat-boats which might aid Morgan 
in his escape to the Kentucky shore. Later in the even- 
ing apprehensions that, after all, Morgan might not be so 
anxious to escape, prevailed. Governor Tod was among 
the earliest to recognize the danger; and, while there was 
still time to secure insertion in the newspapers of Mon- 
day morning, he telegraphed to the press a proclamation 
calling out the militia : 

Columbus, July 12, 1863. 
The Press of Cincinnati: 

Whereas, this State is in imminent danger of invasion by an armed 
force, now, therefore, to prevent the same, I, David Tod, Governor of 
the State of Ohio, and commander-in-chief of the militia force thereof, 
by virtue of tlie authority vested in me by the constitution and laws of 
said State, do hereby call into active service that portion of the militia 
force which has been organized into companies within the counties of 
Hamilton, Butler, Montgomery, Clermont, Brown, Clinton, Warren, 
Greene, Fayette, Ross, Monroe, Washington, Morgan, Noble, Athens, 
Meigs, Scioto, Jackson, Adams, Vinton, Hocking, Lawrence, Picka- 
away, Franklin, Madison, Fairfield, Clark, Preble, Pike, Gallia, High- 
land, and Perry. I do hereby further order all such forces, residing 
within the counties of Hamilton, Butler, and Clermont, to report forth- 
with to Major General A. E. Burnside, at his headquarters in the city 
of Cincinnati, who is hereby authorized and required to cause said 
forces to be'organized into battalions or regiments, and appoint alj 
necessary officers therefor. And it is further ordered that all such 
forces residing in the counties of Montgomery, Warren, Clinton, Fay- 
ette, Ross, Highland, and Brown, report forthwithto Colonel Neff, the 
military commander at Camp Dennison, who is hereby authorized to 
organize said forces into battalions or regiments, and to appoint, tem- 
porarily, officers therefor; and it is further ordered that all of such 
forces residing in the counties of Franklin, Madison, Clark, Greene, 



Pickaway, and Fairfield, report forthwith at Camp Chase to Brigadier 
General S. Mason, who is hereby authorized to organize said forces into 
battalions or regiments, and appoint, temporarily, officers therefor; 
it is further ordered that all such forces residing in the counties of 
Washington, Monroe, Noble, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Hocking, and 
Athens, report forthwith to Colonel William R. Putnam, at Camp 
Marietta, who is hereby authorized to organize said forces into battal- 
ions or regiments, and appoint, temporarily, officers therefor. 

David Tod, Governor. 

It was high time. Not even yet had the authorities 
begun to comprehend the tremendous energy with which 
Morgan was driving straight to his goal. While the peo- 
ple of Cincinnati were reading this proclamation, and 
considering whetlier or not they should put up the shut- 
ters of their store-windows,* Morgan was starting out in 
the gray dawn from Sunmanville for the suburbs of 
Cincinnati. Long before the rural population within 
fifty miles of the city had read the proclamation calling 
them to arms, he was at Harrison, which he reached at 
one P. M., Monday, July 13th. "Here," pleasantly ex- 
plains his historian, "General Morgan began to manoeuver 
for the benefit of the commanding officer at Cincinnati. 
He took it for granted there was a strong force of regular 
troops in that city. Burnside had them not far off, and 
General Morgan supposed that they would of course be 
brought there. If he could get past Cincinnati safely, 
the danger of the expedition, he thought, would be more 
than half over. Here he expected to be confronted ,by 
the concentrated forces of Judah and Burnside, and he 
anticipated great difficulty in eluding or cutting his way 
through them. Once safely through this peril, his escape 
would be certain, unless the river remained so high that 
the transports could carry troops to intercept him at the 
upper crossings," — unless, indeed ! . . "His 

object, therefore, entertaining these views, and believing 
that the great effort to capture him would be made as he 
crossed the Hamilton & Dayton railroad, was to deceive 
the enemy as to the exact point where he would cross 
this road, and denude that point as much as possible of 
troops. He sent detachments in various directions, seek- 
ing, however, to create the impression that he was march- 
ing to Hamilton." 

This was a wise and prudent action in the audacious 
rebel commander; but, well as he read the purposes of 
his antagonists," he here made a mistake. He supposed 
that he was to be confronted by military men, acting on 
military principles. As it was, he deceived everybody. 
The Hamilton people telegraphed in great alarm that 
Morgan was marching on their town. A fire was seen 
burning at Venice; and straightway they threw out pick- 
ets to guard the main roads in that direction, to watch 
for Morgan's coming. Harrison sent in word of the 
passage of the rebel cavalry through that place at one 
o'clock, and of the belief that they were going to Ham- 
ilton. Wise, deputy sheriff, who had been captured by 
Morgan and parolled, hastened to tell that the rebel chief 
had conversed very freely with him, had shown no hes- 
itation in speaking of his plans, and had assured him 
that he was going to Hamilton. All this was retailed at 

* Many thousand men wholly disobeyed the orders, and kept their 
stores or shops open through the day. 



196 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the headquarters, on the streets, and in the newspaper 
offices. 

That night,, while the much enduring printers were put- 
ting these stories in type, John Morgan's entire command, 
now reduced to a strength of barely two thousand, was 
marching through the suburbs of this city of a quarter of 
a million inhabitants, within reach of troops enough to 
eat them up, absolutely unopposed, almost without meet- 
ing a solitary picket or receiving a hostile shot. 

"In this night march around Cincinnati," writes again 
the historian of Morgan's cavalry, "we met with the 
greatest difficulty in keeping our column together. The 
guides were all in front with General Morgan, who rode at 
the head of the Second brigade, then marching in ad- 
vance. This brigade had, consequently, no trouble, 
but the First brigade was embarrassed beyond measure. 
Clark's regiment was marching in the rear of the Second; 
if it had kept closer up we would have had no trouble, 
for the entire column would have been directed by the 
guides. But this regiment, although composed of superb 
material, and unsurpassed in fighting qualities, had, from 
the period of its organization, been under lax and care- 
less discipline; and the effect of it was now observable. 
The rear companies straggled, halted, and delayed the 
First brigade — for it was impossible to ascertain immedi- 
ately whether the halt was that of the brigade in advance 
or-only these stragglers — and, when forced to move on, 
they would go off at a gallop. A great gap would thus 
be opened between the rear of our brigade and the ad- 
vance of the other ; and we who were behind were forced 
to grope, our way as best we could. When we would 
come to one of the many junctions of roads which oc- 
cur in the suburbs of a large city, we would be com- 
pelled to consult all sorts of indications in order to hit 
upon the right road. The night was intensely dark, and 
we would set on fire large bundles of paper or splinters 
of wood to afford a light. The horses' tracks on roads so 
much travelled would give us no clue to the route which 
the other brigade had taken at such points; but we could 
trace it by noticing the direction in which the dust 'set- 
tled' or floated. We could also trace the column by the 
slaver dropped from the horses' mouths. It was a terrible 
trying march. Strong men fell out of their saddles, and 
at every halt the officers were compelled to move continu- 
ally about in their respective companies, and pull and haul 
the men, who would drop asleep in the road — it was the 
only way to keep them awake. Quite a number crept off 
into the fields and slept until awakened by the enemy. At 
length day appeared, just as we reached the last point 
where we had to anticipate danger. We had passed 
through Glendale and across all of the principal subur, 
ban roads, and were near the Little Miami railroad. 
Those who have marched much at night will remember 
that the fresh air of morning invariably has a cheering 
effect upon the tired and drowsy, and awakens and in- 
vigorates them. It had this effect on our men on this 
occasion, and relieved us also from the necessity of grop- 
ing our way. We crossed the railroad without opposi- 
tion, and halted to feed our horses in sight of Camp Den- 
nison. After a short rest here, and a picket skirmish, we 



resumed our march, burning in this neighborhood a park 
of government wagons. That evening at four o'clock, 
we were at Williamsburg,' twenty-eight miles east of Cin- 
cinnati, having marched since leaving Sunmansville, in 
Indiana, in a period of about thirty-five hours, more than 
ninety miles — the greatest march that even Morgan had 
ever made. Feeling comparatively safe here, he permitted 
the division to go into camp and remain during the night." 

From this picture, by a participant, of the march of 
two thousand rebel cavalry, unopposed, through the sub- 
urbs of Cincinnati, we turn to the heart of the city. 
Through the day there had been a little excitement and 
some drilling. Part of the business houses were closed, 
but the attendance at the ward meetings was very meagre. 
General Cox, under directions from General Burnside, 
had divided the city and county into militia districts, as- 
signed commanders to each, and ordered the completion 
of their organizations. The following is that part of the 
orders which relates to the county at large : 

Hamilton county, beyond the limits of the city, will be divided into 
military districts as follows, and commandants of military companies 
will report to the following named officers: 

1. Mill Creek township, report to Genlral J. H. Bates, city. 

2. Anderson, Columbia and Spencer townships, report to James 
Peal, Pleasant Ridge. 

3. Sycamore and Synimes townships, report to C. Constable, Mont- 



gomery. 

4. Spiingfleld and 



[probably Colerain] townships, re- 



port to Henry Gulick, Bevis post office. 

5. Crosby, Harrison, Miami, and Whitewater townships, report to 
W. F. Converse, Harrison. 

6. Delhi, Storrs, and Green townships, report to Major Peter Zinn, 
Delhi. 

The above named officers will immediately assume command and es- 
tablish their headquarters. 

The district commandants had ordered the militia to — ■ 
"parade to-morrow!" By "to-morrow," as we have seen, 
John Morgan, after riding through the suburbs, was 
twenty-eight miles away. Toward midnight glimmerings 
of how it was being overreached began to dawn upon 
the public mind, as may be seen from the latest bulletins 
from headquarters, which the newspapers were permitted 
to publish. While the printers were busy with them, 
Morgan was marching his straggling, exhausted, scattered 
columns through the suburbs of Cincinnati. About the 
time city readers were glancing over them, he was feed- 
ing his horses and driving off the pickets at Camp Den- 
nison : 

11:30 p. M. — A courier arrived last evening at General Burnside's 
headquarters, having left Cheviot at half past eight in the afternoon, 
with information for the general. Cheviot is only seven miles from the 
city. He states that about five hundred of Morgan's men had crossed 
the river at Miamitown, and attacked our pickets, killing or capturing 
one of them. Morgan's main force, said to be three thousand strong, 
was then crossing the river. A portion of the rebel force had been up 
to New Haven, and another had gone to New Baltimore, and partially 
destroyed both of those places. The light of the burning towns was 
seen by our men. 'When the courier left, Morgan was moving up, it 
was reported, to attack our advance. 

I A. M. — A courier has just arrived at headquarters from Colerain, 
with dispatches for General Burnside. He reports that the enemy, sup- 
posed to be two thousand five hundred strong, with si.'c pieces of ar- 
tillery, crossed the Colerain pike at dark at Bevis, going toward New 
Burlington, or to the Cincinnati and Hamilton pike, in the direction of 
Springdale. 

1:30 A. M. — A dispatch from Jones's stationstates that the enemy are 
now encamped between Venice and New Baltimore. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



197 



2 A. M. — Another dispatch says the enemy are coming in, or a squad 
of them, from New Baltimore toward Glendale, for the supposed pur- 
pose of destroying a bridge over the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton 
railroad near Glendale. 

2 A. M. —A dispatch from Hamilton says it is believed that the main 
portion of Morgan's force is moving in that direction, going east. At 
this writing — a quarter past two in the afternoon — it is the impression 
that Morgan's main force is going east, while he has sent squads to 
burn bridges on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, and over 
the Miami river; but he may turn and come down this way on some of 
the roads leading through Walnut Hills and Mount Auburn. 

As a matter of fact, squads of Morgan's men did pass 
from Lockland through Sharpsburgh and Montgomery, 
and even so close to the city as Duck creek, two miles 
frorn the corporation line, stealing all the fine horses they 
could lay their hands upon. 

The next day, with the revelation that Morgan was 
gone, began the gathering of the militia. Some hurried 
to Camp Chase, to be there held for the protection of 
the capital, or thence thrown toward southeastern Ohio, 
on his front. Others assembled at Camp Dennison, to 
be hurried by rail after him. All over the southern part 
of the State was a hasty mustering and crowding upon 
extra trains, and rush to the points of danger. Hobson, 
who, in spite of Morgan's tremendous marching, was only 
a few hours behind, pressed so hard upon his trail that 
the flying band had little time for the burning of railroad 
bridges, or indeed for aught but the impressment of fresh 
horses. Judah, with his troops, was dispatched by boats 
to gain the front of the galloping column and head it off 
from the river. 

Meantime the excitement and apprehension in all the 
towns and villages within thirty or forty miles of Morgan's 
line of march was unprecedented in the history of the 
State. Thrifty farmers drove off their horses and cattle 
to the ■woods. Thrifty housewives buried their silver 
spoons. At least one terrified matron, in a pleasant in- 
land town forty miles from the rebel route, in her hus- 
band's absence, resolved to protect the family carriage 
horse at all hazards; and, having no safer place, led him 
into the house and stabled him in the parlor, locking and 
bolting doors and windows, whence the noise of his dis- 
mal tramping on the resounding floor sounded through 
the livelong night like distant peals of artillery, and kept 
half the citizens awake and watching for Morgan's en- 
trance. 

There was, indeed, sufficient cause for considering 
property insecure anywhere within reach of the invaders. 
Horses and food, of course, they took wherever and 
whenever they wanted them; our own raiding parties gen- 
erally did the same. But the mania for plunder which 
befel this command and made its line of march look like 
a procession of peddlers, was something beyond all ordi- 
nary cavalry plundering. We need look for no other 
stronger words, in describing it, than the second in com- 
mand has himself chosen to use: "The disposition for 
wholesale plundering," he frankly admits, "exceeded any- 
thing that any of us had ever seen before. The men 
seemed actuated by a desire to pay off in the enemy's 
country all scores that the Union army had chalked up 
in the South. The great cause for apprehension which 
our situation might have inspired seemed only to make 



them reckless. Calico was the staple article of appropri- 
ation. Each man -who could get one, tied a bolt of it to 
his saddle, only to throw it away and get a fresh one at 
the first opportunity. They did not pillage with any sort 
of method or reason. It seemed to be a mania, senseless 
and purposeless. One man carried a bird cage, with 
three canaries in it, for two days. Another rode with a 
chafing dish, which looked like a small metallic coffin, 
on the pommel of his saddle, till an officer forced him to 
throw it away. Although the weather was intensely warm, 
another slung seven pairs of skates around his neck, and 
chuckled over the acquisition. I saw very few articles of 
real value taken; they pillaged like boys robbing an 
orchard. I would not have believed that such a passion 
could have been developed so ludicrously among any body 
of civilized men. At Piketon, Ohio, some days later, one 
man broke through the guard posted at a store, rushed 
in, trembling with excitement and avarice, and filled his 
pockets with horn buttons. They would, with few ex- 
ceptions, throw away their plunder after a while, like 
children tired of their toys." 

Some movements of our own were, after their different 
fashion, scarcely less ludicrous. Some militia from Camp 
Dennison, for example, marched after Morgan till near 
Batavia, when they gravely halted and began felling the 
trees, to check him in case he should decide to come 
back over the route he had just travelled ! A worthy mi- 
litia officer telegraphed to Governor Tod Morgan's exact 
position, and assured him that the rebel forces numbered 
precisely four thousand seven hundred and fifty men! 
Burnside himself telegraphed that it was now definitely 
ascertained that Morgan had about four thousand men. 
At Chillicothe they mistook some of their own militia for 
rebel scouts, and by way of protection burned a bridge 
across a stream that was, at that season, fordable any- 
where, and near the bridge the water scarcely came to 
the horses' knees ! Governor Tod felt sure that only the 
heavy concentration of militia at Camp Chase had kept 
Morgan from seizing Columbus and plundering the State 
treasury. Several days after the bulk of the raiding 
force had been captured the governor gravely wrote to 
a militia officer at Cleveland, whom he was exhorting to 
renewed vigilance: "I announce to you that Morgan 
may yet reach the lake shore." 

But if there was an error m the zeal displayed, it was 
on the safe side. Over fifty thousand Ohio militia ac- 
tually took the field against the sore-pressed fleeing band. 
Not half of them, however, at any time got within three- 
score miles of Morgan. 

That officer was meantime intent neither upon the 
lake shore nor yet upon the treasury vaults at Columbus ; 
but, entirely satisfied with the commotion he had created, 
was dotng his best to get out of the State. . He came 
very near doing it. 

On the morning of the sixteenth of July, he was stop- 
ping to feed his horses in sight of Camp Dennison. 
That evening he encamped at Williarasburgh, twenty- 
eight miles east of Cincinnati. Then, marching through 
Washington Court-house, Piketon (with Colonel Richard 
Morgan going through Georgetown), Jackson, Vinton, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Berlin, Pomeroy, and Chester, he reached the ford at 
Buffington Island on the evening of the eighteenth. But 
for his luckless delay for a few hours at Chester, it would 
seem that he might have escaped. 

Until he reached Pomeroy, he encountered compara- 
tively little resistance. At Camp Dennison there was a 
little skirmish, in which a rebel lieutenant and several 
privates were captured; but Lieutenant Colonel Neff 
wisely limited his efforts to the protection of the bridge 
and camp. A train of the Little Miami road was thrown 
off the track. At Berlin there was a skirmish with the 
militia under Colonel Runkle. Small militia skirmishes 
were constantly occurring, the citizen soldiery hanging on 
the flanks of the flying invaders and wounding two or 
three men every day, and occasionally kiUing one. 

At last the daring little column approached its goal. 
All the troops in Kentucky had been evaded and left 
behind. All the militia in Indiana had been dashed 
aside or outstripped. The fifty thousand militia in Ohio 
had failed to turn it from its pre-determined path. Within 
precisely fifteen days from the morning it had crossed 
the Cumberland — nine days from its crossing into Indi- 
ana — it stood once more on the banks of the Ohio. A 
few hours more of daylight, and it would be safely across, 
in the midst again of a population to which it might look 
for sympathy if not for aid. 

But the circle of the hunt was narrowing. Judah, with 
his fresh cavalry, was up, andwas marching out from the 
river against Morgan. Hobson was hard on his rear. 
Colonel Runkle, commanding a division of mihtia, was 
north of him. And, at last, the local militia in advance 
of him were beginning to fell trees and tear up bridges 
to obstruct his progress. Near Pomeroy they made a 
stand. For four or five miles his road ran through a 
ravine, with occasional intersections from hill roads. At 
all these cross-roads he found the militia posted; and 
from the hills above him they made his passage through 
the ravine a perfect running of the gauntlet. On front, 
flank, and rear, the militia pressed; and, as Morgan's 
first subordinate ruefully expressed it, "closed eagerly 
upon our track." In such plight he passed through the 
ravine; and shaking clear of his pursuers for a while, 
pressed on to Chester, where he arrived about one o'clock 
in the afternoon of the eighteenth of July. 

Here he made the first serious military mistake that 
had marked his course on northern soil. He was within 
a few hours' ride of the ford at which he hoped to cross; 
and the skirmishing about Pomeroy should have given 
him ample admonition of the necessity for haste. But 
he had been advancing through the ravine at a gallop. 
He halted now to breathe his horses and to hunt a guide. 
Three hours and a half thus lost went far toward decid- 
ing his fate. 

When his column was well closed up, and his guide was 
found he moved forward. It was eight o'clock before he 
reached Portland, the little village on the bank of the 
Ohio nearly opposite Buffington Island. Night had fal- 
len — a night of solid darkness, as the rebel officers de- 
clared. The entrance to that ford was guarded by a little 
earthwork manned by only two or hree hundred infan- 



try. This alone stood between him and an easy passage 
to Virginia. 

But his evil genius was upon him. He had lost an 
hour and a half at Chester in the afternoon — the most 
precious hour and a half since his feet touched Northren 
soil; and he now decided to waste the night. In the hur- 
ried council with his exhausted officers it was admitted 
on all hands that Judah had arrived — that some of his 
troops had given force to the skirmishing near Pomeroy 
— that they would certainly be at Buflington by morning, 
and that gun-boats would accompany them. But his men 
were in bad condition, and he feared to trust them in a 
night attack upon a fortified position which he had not 
reconnoitred. The fear was fatal. Even yet, by aban- 
doning his wagon-train and his wounded, he might have 
reached unguarded fords a little higher up. This, too, 
was mentioned by his officers. He would save all, he 
promptly replied, or would lose all together. And so he 
gave mortgages to fate. By morning Judah was up. At 
daybreak Duke advanced with a couple of rebel regi- 
ments to storm the earthwork, but found it abandoned. 
He was rapidly proceeding to make dispositions for cross- 
ing, when Judah's advance struck him. At first he re- 
pulsed it, and took a number of prisoners, the adjutant 
general of Judah's staff among them. Morgan then or- 
dered him to hold the force on his front in check. He 
was not able to return to his command till it had been 
broken and thrown in full retreat before an impetuous 
charge of Judah's cavalry, headed by Lieutenant O'Neil, 
of the Fifth Indiana. He succeeded in rallying and re- 
forming his line. But now advancing up the Chester 
and Pomeroy road came the gallant cavalry that, over 
three States, had been galloping on their track — the three 
thousand of Hobson's command — who for now nearly 
two weeks had been only a day, a forenoon, an hour be- 
hind them. 

As Hobson's guideons fluttered out in the little valley 
by the river bank where they fought, every man of that band 
that had so long defied a hundred thousand knew that 
the contest was over. They were almost out of ammu- 
nition, exhausted, and scarcely two thousand strong; 
against whom were Hobson's three thousand and Judah's 
still larger force. To complete the overwhelming odds, 
that in spite of their efforts had at last been concentrated 
upon them, the ironclad gun-boats steamed up and opened 
fire. 

Morgan comprehended the situation as fast as the hard- 
riding troopers, who, still clinging to their bolts of cal- 
ico, were already galloping toward the rear. He at once 
essayed to extricate his trains, and then to withdraw his 
regiments by column of fours from right of companies, 
keeping up meanwhile as sturdy resistance as he might. 
For some distance the withdrawal was made in tolerable 
order; then, under a charge of a Michigan cavalry regi- 
ment, the retreat became a rout. Morgan, with not 
quiet twelve hundred men, escaped. His brother, with 
Colonels Duke, Ward, Huffman, and about seven hun- 
dred men were taken prisoners. 

This was the battle of Buffington Island. It was brief 
and decisive. But for his two mistakes of the night be- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



199 



fore, Morgan might have avoided it and escaped; yet it 
cannot be said that he yielded to the blow that insured 
his fate without spirited resistance and a courage and ten- 
acity worthy of a better cause. Our superiority in forces 
was overwhelming, and our loss trifling. Among the few 
killed, however, was Major Daniel McCook, of Cincinnati, 
a patriotic old man, for whose fate there was a very gener- 
al regret. He was not in the service, but had accompan- 
ied the cavalry as a volunteer. He was accorded a mili- 
tary funeral at Cincinnati, which was largely attended. 
He was the father of Robert L., Alexander M., and George 
W. McCook, besides several other sons, nearly all of 
whom, with notable unanimity, had been in the service 
from the outbreak of the war, and most of whom had 
risen to high rank. 

The prisoners were at once sent down the river to Cin- 
cinnati, on the transports which had brought up some of 
their prisoners, in. charge of Captain Day, of General Ju- 
dah's staff, of whose manly and soldiery courtesy they 
made grateful mention, albeit not much given to praise- 
ing the treatment they received at the North. The troops, 
with little rest, pushed on after Morgan. 

And now began the dreariest experience of the rebel 
chief Twenty miles above Buffington he struck the river 
again, got three hundred of his command across, and was 
himself midway in the stream when the approaching gun- 
boats checked the passage. Returning to the nine hun- 
dred still on the Ohio side, he once more renewed the 
hurried flight. His men were worn down and exhausted 
by long-continued and enormous work ; they were de 
moralized by pillage, discouraged by the scattering of their 
command, weakened most of all by the loss of faith in 
themselves and their commander, surrounded by a mul- 
titude of foes, harassed at every hand, intercepted at 
every loophole of escape, hunted like game night and 
day, driven hither and thither in their vain efforts to 
double on their remorseless pursuers. It was the early 
type'and token of a similar fate under pursuit of which 
the great array of the confederacy was to fade out; and 
no other words are needed to finish the story we have 
now to tell than those with which the historian of the 
army of the Potomac (Swinton) discribes the tragic flight 
to Appomattox Court House : 

Dark divisions sinl:ing in the woods for a few hours' repose, would 
hear suddenly in the woods the boom of hostile guns and the clatter Of 
the troops of the ubiquitous cavalry, and had to be up to hasten off. 
Tiius pressed on all sides, driven like sheep before prowling wolves, 
amid hunger, fatigue, and sleeplessness, continuing day after day, they 
fared toward the rising sun: 

"Such resting found the soles of unblest feet." 

Yet to the very last the energy this daring cavalryman 
displayed was such as to extort our admiration. From the 
jaws of disaster he drew out the remnants of his com 
mand at Buffington. When foiled in the attempted cross- 
ing above, he headed for the Muskingum. Foiled here by 
the militia under Remkle, he doubled on his track and 
turned again toward Blennerhasset Island. The clouds 
of dust that marked his track betrayed the movement 
and on three sides the pursuers closed in upon him_ 
While they slept in peaceful expectation of receiving his 
surrender in the morning, he stole out along a hillside 



that had been thought impassable — his men walking in 
single file and leading their horses; and by midnight 
he was out of the toils, and once more marching hard to 
outstrip his pursuers. At last he found an unguarded 
crossing of the Muskingum at Eaglesport, above McCon- 
nellsville; and then, with an open country before him, 
struck out once more for the Ohio. 

This time Governor Tod's sagacity was vindicated. 
He urged the shipment of troops by rail to Bellaire, near 
Wheeling; and by great good fortune Major Way, of 
the Ninth Michigan cavalry, received the orders. Pres- 
ently this officer was on the scent. "Morgan is making 
for Hammondsville," he telegraphed General Burnside on 
the twenty-fifth, "and will attempt to cross the Ohio river 
at Wellsville. I have my section of battery, and shall 
follow him closely." He kept his word, and gave the 
finishing stroke. "Morgan was attacked, with the rem- 
nant of his command, at 8 o'clock this morning," an 
nounced General Burnside on the next day, July 26th, 
"at Salineville, by Major Way, who, after a severe fight, 
routed the enemy, killed about thirty, wounded some 
fifty, and took some two hundred prisoners." Six hours 
later the long race ended: "I captured John Morgan to- 
day, at 2 o'clock p. M.," telegraphed Major Rue, of the 
Ninth Kentucky cavalry, on the evening of the twenty- 
sixth, "taking three hundred and twenty-six prisoners, 
four hundred horses and arms." 

Salineville is in Columbiana county, but a few miles 
below the most northerly point of the State touched by 
the Ohio river, and between Steubenville and Wellsville, 
nearly two-thirds of the way up the eastern border of the 
State. Over such distances had Morgan passed, after the 
di.saster at Buflington, which all had supposed certain to 
end his career, and so near had he come to making his 
escape from the State, with the handful he was stifl able 
to keep together. 

The circumstances of the final surrender were peculiar, 
and subsequently led to an unpleasant dispute. Morgan 
was being guided to the Pennsylvania line by a Mr. Bru- 
beck, who had gone out with a small squad of volunteers 
against him, but with whom, according to Morgan's state- 
ment, an arrangement had been made that, on condition 
that he would disturb no property in the county, he was 
to be safely conducted out of it. Seeing by the clouds 
of dust on a road parallel with the one he was on that 
the cavalry force was rapidly gaining his front, and that 
thus his escape was definitely cut off, he undertook to 
make a virtue of his necessity and try to gain terms by 
volunteering surrenderto his guide. Brubeck eagerly swal- 
lowed the bait, and accepted the surrender upon condition 
that officers and men were to be immediately paroUed. 
In a few minutes Major Rue was upon them. He 
doubted the propriety of such a surrender, and referred 
the case to General Shackelford, the second in com- 
mand in Hobson's column, who at once disapproved and 
refused to recognize it. 

Morgan thereupon appealed to Governor Tod, as com- 
mander of the Ohio militia, claiming to have surrendered 
upon terms with one of his subordinates, and calling upon 
him to mantain the honor of his officer thus pledged. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Governor Tod took some time to examine the case, and 
on the first of August responded : 

I find the facts substantially as follows: a private citizen of New Lis- 
bon, by the name of Brubeck, went out with some fifteen or sixteen 
others to meet your forces, in advance of an organized military body 
from the same place, under the command of Captain Curry. Said 
Brubeck is not, and nSver was, a militia officer in the service of this 
State. He was captured by you, and travelled with you some distance 
before your surrender. Upon his discovering the regular military forces 
of the United States to be in your advance in line of battle, you surren. 
dered to said Brubeck, then your prisoner. Whether you supposed 
him to be a captain in the militia service or not, is entirely immaterial. 

The officers of Morgan's command — not so much, per- 
haps, because of the lack of other secure accommoda- 
tions, as through a desire to gratify the popular feeling 
that they be treated rather as horse-thieves than as sol- 
diers, and with a wish also to retaliate in kind for the 
close confinement to which the officers of Colonel 
Streight's raiding party were then subjected to in rebel pri- 
sons — were immured in the cells of the Ohio penitenti- 
ary. They afterwards made bitter complaints of this in- 
dignity, as well as of the treatment there received, there- 
by only illustrating the different feelings with which men 
regard Andersonvilles and Salisburies from those with 
which they themselves regard from the inside places 
much less objectionable. 

After some months of confinement, Morgan hiinself 
and six other prisoners made their escape, on the night of 
the twenty-seventh of November, by cutting through the 
floors of their cells with knives carried off from the pri- 
son table, till they reached the air-chamber below; tunnel- 
ing from that under the walls of the building into the 
outer yard, and climbing the wall that surrounds the 
grounds by the aid of ropes made from their bed-clothes. 
The State authorities were very much mortified at the es- 
cape, and ordered an investigation. It was thus disclosed 
that the neglect which enabled the prisoners to prosecute 
the tedious task of cutting through the stone floors un- 
discovered had its origin in the coarse-minded suggestion 
of one of the directors of the penitentiary that the 
daily sweeping of the cells be omited, and the "d — d re- 
bles made sweep out their own cells. " This poor effort 
to treat the prisoners of war worse than he treated the 
convicts enabled them to cover up their work and con- 
ceal it from any inspection of cells that was made. It 
was officially reported that misunderstandings between the 
military authorities at Columbus and the civil authorities 
of the penitentiary led to the escape. Morgan quietly 
took the Little Miaini train for Cincinnati on the night 
of his escape, leaped off it a little outside the city, made 
his way across the river, and was straightway concealed 
and forwarded toward the confederate hues by his Ken- 
tucky friends. He lived to lead one more raid into the 
heart of his favorite "Blue Grass," to witness the decline 
of his popularity, to be harassed by officers in Richmond 
who did not understand him and by difficulties in his 
command, and finally to fall while fleeing through a kit- 
chen garden in a rhorning skirmish in an obscure little 
village in East Tennessee. He left a name second only 
to those of Forest and Stuart ainong the cavalry men of 
the confederacy, and a character which, ainid much to 
be condemned, was not without traces of a noble nature. 



Of the fifty thousand militia stated in round num- 
bers as the total number taking the field in this State du- 
ring the Morgan raid, Hamilton county was reported by 
the adjutant general to have furnished fifteen companies, 
with an agregate of one thousand, four hundred and six- 
ty-one men on duty, to whom were paid by the State the 
sum of eight thousand and one dollars. The military 
committees of the different counties through which Mor- 
gan passed, including Hamilton county, were called on 
by the governor to furnish full statements of the losses, 
both public and private, from the raid, and the names 
of the sufferers. In 1864 the legislature ordered the 
appointment of a board of commissioners to pass upon 
these claimes. — Messrs. Albert McVeigh, George W. 
Barker, and Henry S. Babbitt were appointed, passed over 
the track of Morgan, and had public hearings for the ex- 
amination of claims. In Hamilton county four hundred 
and thirty-six claims were presented — for damages done 
by the rebels, sixty-two thousand six hundred and twenty- 
two dollars and thirty-seven cents; for damages by Union 
forces commanded by Federal officers, twenty-five thou- 
sand two hundred and twenty-three dollars and fourteen 
cents; for damages by Union forces not under such com- 
mand, one hundred and twenty-seven dollars and fifty 
cents; — total sum claimed, eighty-seven thousand, nine 
hundred and seventy-three dollars, and one cent. The 
commission allowed — for rebel damage, fifty-three thou- 
sand, six hundred and forty-six dollars ; damage by Un- 
ion troops commanded by United States officers, twenty 
thousand, five hundred and twenty-nine dollars; damage 
by Union troops not so commanded, one hundred dollars ; 
^total allowed, seventy-four thousand, two hundred and 
seventy-five dollars. Property to the amount of four thou- 
sand four hundred and forty-five dollars taken from 
Hamilton county was traced into possession of the Fed- 
eral forces, and was duly accounted and paid for. The 
total expense of the raid to the State as estimated by the 
governor, inclusive of the pay proper of the militia, but 
exclusive of the heavy expense of subsisting and trans- 
porting them, was eight hundred and ninety-seven thou- 
sand dollars. 



CHAPTER XIIL 

THE COUNTY INSTITUTIONS. 

"In faith and hope the world will disagree. 
But all mankind 's concerned in charity ; 
.Ml must be false that thwart this one great end, 
And all of God that bless mankind or mend." 

Alexander Pope, "Essay on Man." 

THE LONGVIEW ASYLUM. 

For many years an embarrassing and increasing num- 
ber of incurable lunatics had been confined in the old 
Commercial hospital in Cincinnati. By midsummer of 
1853, one hundred and forty-seven inmates were con- 
fined in the lunatic department of that institution, and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



it was considered injudicious and even dangerous to re- 
ceive any more. A communication setting forth these 
facts was made by the board of directors of the city in- 
firmary to the board of commissioners for Hamilton 
county, and on the twenty-fourth of August, of the same 
year, the commissioners appointed Messrs. J. J. Quinn, 
David Judkins, and A. S. Dandridge, all M. D.'s, as a 
committee of examination and report upon the condition 
and demands of the unfortunates. These gentlemen 
did prompt, faithful and intelligent duty, and soon re- 
ported ably and at length, setting forth the absolute 
necessity of further provision for the insane of Cincin- 
nati and Hamilton county. They were then authorized 
to ascertain where a temporary asylum could be located; 
and their next report recommended the lease of the man- 
sion and grounds of Mr. Ames, on Lick run, near the 
city, at eight hundred dollars per year. The report was 
accepted by the commissioners, and September i, 1853, 
only three weeks and two days after the original com- 
plaint of the infirmary directors was made, the arrange- 
ment with Mr. Ames was effected and a commencement 
made of preparations for the reception of lunatic pa- 
tients in his building. On the third of the following 
October, Dr. Quinn, of the committee, was appointed 
superintendent of the new asylum. The better condi- 
tions of situation, living, attendance, etc., greatly ameli- 
orated the physical and mental state of the afflicted ones, 
and the reputation of the new asylum soon brought large 
additions to its numbers, two hundred and ninety-six pa- 
tients, or more than double the number before men- 
tioned as confined in the old Commercial hospital at the 
time of the change, being inmates at the period of their 
removal to the institution at Carthage in the spring of 
i860. During the time (nearly seven years) the Lick 
Run asylum was maintained, its cost to the county was 
but one hundred and eighty thousand, four hundred and 
eighty-three dollars and seventy-seven cents, or an average 
of about twenty-six thousand dollars a year. This in- 
cludes the expense of refitting and furnishing it at the 
beginning of its occupation, and at the close putting it 
again in order for its owners, as a residence. 

Preparations were not long delayed for the construc- 
tion of a more permanent retreat for the insane of the 
county. The Lick Run asylum had scarcely been se- 
cured, and the lunatic patients transferred from the Com- 
mercial hospital, when the board of commissioners 
moved for the erection of a more spacious and perma- 
nent institution. On the twenty-fifth of October, 1853, 
they ordered advertisement to be made "to the proprie- 
tors of lands in Hamilton county," that they desired to 
"purchase an entire tract of land of fifty or sixty acres 
within twelve miles of the city of Cincinnati, for the 
purpose of a county poor house and lunatic asylum. 
Sealed proposals of the terms of sale, with a correct 
surveyed description of said tracts of land, with its na- 
tural and artificial advantages, will be received from pro- 
prietors until the eighth day of November, 1853, at the 
auditor's office." Many land owners in various parts of 
the county sent in offers of sale by way of response, and 
on the eighteenth day of January ensuing, after full and 



impartial examination of the several properties and sites 
offered, the board of county commissioners determined 
upon the purchase, from several land owners in Mill 
Creek township, near Carthage, of one hundred and 
nine-tenths acres, at rates varying from two hundred dol- 
lars to five hundred dollars per acre. The next year, 
March 19, 1855, the largest and most ehgible of these 
lots, one of thirty-eight acres, bought of R. W. Lee and 
James Wilson, for five hundred dollars per acre, was 
formally set aside for the purposes of the asylum, leav- 
ing the remainder to the county infirmary. This was 
done, in the words of the order, " that the purchase of 
the grounds and the erection of a lunatic asylum suffi- 
ciently large to accommodate the wants of said county, 
may be separate and distinct from the county infirmary, 
and for that purpose we make the above order." 

Meanwhile plans and specifications had been procured 
for an asylum building; Mr. Joseph Talbert had been 
appointed superintendent of the work, on behalf of the 
commissioners; the excavation of a cellar and basement 
had been commenced, and a considerable amount of 
work done. Thus far materials were purchased and 
labor paid, at the order of the commissioners, as the 
work went on, but presently, on the twenty-first of 
March, 1855, contracts were made for the erection of 
the asylum as follows: For the stone work, with Jesse 
Timanus; for the brick work, with John Hawkins; for 
the plumbing, with Messrs. Hugh McCollum & Com- 
pany; and for the tin roofing and copper gutters, with 
William Dunn. The board was not unanimous in the 
award of these contracts, and the third member of it, 
Commissioner Rufifner, protested in writing against all 
the contracts, mainly on the ground that advertisement 
of their letting had not been made, and that none ex- 
cept the successful bidders had had the opportunity to 
make offers for the work. The matter was taken into 
the courts; and, a month or two afterwards. Judge Bel- 
lamy Storer, of the superior court of Cincinnati, ren- 
dered a decision holding that Jesse Timanus and others, 
contractors aforesaid, were not acting in compliance with 
law. The board of commissioners was therefore en- 
joined from proceeding with the work under these con- 
tracts. They were vacated, the work stopped, and the 
commissioners, under direction of the court pending 
future operations, placed it in a condition of safety 
against damage from weather and depredations. 

The sum of one hundred and two thousand six hun- 
dred and forty-nine dollars and eighty-seven cents had 
already been expended upon the building and grounds. 
Before proceeding to incur further expense, it was 
deemed advisable to submit the whole matter of the 
erection of a lunatic asylum at Carthage to the voters of 
the county for their decision. The vote was taken at 
the October election, 1856, and resulted in a majority 
for the asylum. The commissioners accordingly, on the 
twenty-third day of the next March, ordered the work to 
be recommenced and the foundation walls carried up to 
a level with the first floor. The construction of the re- 
mainder of the building was to be done under contract; 
and in July the board directed the county auditor to ad- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



vertise for proposals, and again, in September, the bids 
under the former advertisement having exceeded the ap- 
propriations made, he was directed to call ior further 
proposals, but not for the construction of one wing of 
the asylum. Numerous bids were submitted accord- 
ingly, and on the fifth of October the board concluded a 
contract with Mr. Wesley M. Cameron for the comple- 
tion of the asylum entire, with the exception of the 
north wing, according to plans and specifications, for the 
total sum of one hundred and forty-three thousand four 
hundred and thirty-six dollars and ninety-three cents; 
also for the delivery of three million brick, at six dollars 
and twenty-five cents per thousand, or an aggregate of 
eighteen thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. 

An act had been passed by the legislature, at the ses- 
sion of 1856, to "authorize the commissioners of Hamil- 
ton county to sell certain real estate in said county, and 
to provide for the erection of a county infirmary and lu- 
natic asylum therein." This act was amended March 8, 
1858, enlarging the powers of the commissioners; and 
an issue of bonds was made in pursuance thereof, to the 
amount of one hundred thousand dollars. The securi- 
ties were placed without difficulty — twenty-five thousand 
dollars at eight per cent, interest, and a like amount at nine 
per cent, in Cincinnati, at par; and fifty thousand dollars 
at eight per cent, and a premium of one-fourth of one per 
cent., in Philadelphia. The whole thus realized to the 
county one hundred thousand one hundred and twenty- 
five dollars. The county auditor was now author- 
ized to advertise for proposals for the erection of the 
north wing and gas-house, and Mr. Cameron, in the face 
of many favorable bids, received the contract on his en- 
tire bid, as the lowest in the aggregate, for the sum of 
seventy-nine thousand four hundred and eighty-five dol- 
lars and thirty-one cents. The work proceeded rapidly 
and satisfactorily under his contracts, and in a little more 
than two years after the signing of the first obligation the 
whole was completed. November 25, 1859, Mr. Isaiah 
Rogers, architect of the asylum, gave the board of com- 
missioners formal notice that Mr. Cameron had fulfilled 
his obligations. There was, however, still a great deal to 
be done upon out-buildings, water-works, and the grading 
and preparation of the grounds — much of which, indeed, 
was not effected until the building had been occupied and 
was under the control of the directors of the asylum. To 
add to the delays and cost, the asylum building, on the 
twenty-first of May, i860, shared in the destruction 
wrought by the tornado which swept through this region 
on that day, losing six roofs and sustaining serious dam- 
age to two others. Again an arrangement was made 
with Mr. Cameron, who speedily replaced the roofs. The 
entire expense of grounds and buildings, as provided for 
by the county commissioners, from 1854 to 1861, was five 
hundred and eighteen thousand six hundred and fifty-two 
dollars and twenty-five cents, of which two hundred and 
seventy-nine thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars 
and sixty-five cents were raised in the years 1855, 1858, 
1859 and i860, and the balance was received from the sale 
of bonds and other sources, including one hundred and 
forty thousand one hundred and fifty ^dollars in transfers 



from the county fund at various times. The house- 
furnishing complete, stock, and farm implements, in 
July, 1874, according to an inventory then taken, were 
valued at fifty-six thousand nine hundred and forty-four 
dollars and forty-eight cents. The entire cost of the 
asylum to November, 1877, was seven hundred and 
ninety-six thousand eight hundred and twenty-six dollars 
and twenty-three cents, including all out-buildings and 
the grounds belonging to the institution, which amount 
to about one hundred and twenty-five acres. An act was 
passed by the legislature May 13, 1868, which authorized 
the commissioners to procure additional lands for the use 
of the asylum, in accordance with which the board, at 
the request of the directors of Longview, retained the 
county infirmary farm of sixty-three acres, and passed 
twenty-five thousand dollars from the asylum fund to the 
credit of the infirmary fund, in compensation therefor. 
There were also purchased the lands and lots south of 
Centre street and west of the canal, for twenty-four 
thousand and eighty dollars and fifty-five cents. The di- 
rectors, in the course of their management, from the date 
of the organization of their board, July 13, 1859, to the 
end of their fiscal year, November i, 1877, also made 
many improvements on the grounds and buildings, put- 
ting in machinery and otherwise adding to its facilities 
and conveniences, to the amount of one hundred and 
thirty-two thousand two hundred and twenty-eight dol- 
lars and ninety-five cents. These, with the value of the 
house-furnishing, etc., as before stated, and the cost of 
maintenance and care of inmates during that period (one 
million six hundred and sixty-eight thousand and forty- 
one dollars and fifty-six cents), made their total expendi- 
tures, during a little more than eighteen years, one mil- 
lion eight hundred and eighty-two thousand and sixty-five 
dollars and fifty-four cents. 

There had been received to that time for State Central 
district patients (1869 to 1874, inclusive), $105,221.34; 
for colored patients from the State at large (1869 to 1877), 
$44,737.70; and for, pay patients (after 1861) under a 
system introduced by a resolution of the directors March 
5, i860, authorizing their reception and fixing the rates 
for their accommodation, $138,687.36; and from sales of 
produce, etc., at Longview, $9,640.28. Taxes for the 
support of the asylum had been collected by the county 
to the amount of $608,729.43, ranging from $1,000 in 
1877 to $81,439.98 in 1868. The amount of taxation 
for this purpose in some other years was very light, and 
during the years 1874, 1875, and 1876, none seems to 
have been collected. The State appropriation during the 
eighteen years amounted to $1,109,925.94. The total 
receipts of these years from all sources were $2,016,642.- 
05; the disbursements, as before given, $1,882,065.54. 
Two years thereafter the total sum expended had 
amounted to $2,063,026.26 — $90,127.64 for 1878, and 
$100,836.68 for the next year. Before the act of April 
28, 1873, the State paid as much for the support of 
Longview as was raised annually in the county by taxa- 
tion for general appropriations to lunatic asylums in the 
State. After that act an apportionment of expenditures 
was made upon a basis of population. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



203 



The first board of directors of Longview asylum was 
appointed jointly by the governor of the State and the 
commissioners of the county, and consisted of Messrs. 
John L. Vattier, John Burgoyne, and T. F. Eckert. 
They were appointed in pursuance of an act of the 
legislature of April 5, 1859, and took the oath of office 
on the thirteenth of July following, when the board was 
organized by the election of Dr. Vattier, president, and 
Mr. W. L. De Beck, secretary. November 10, 1859, the 
board appointed Dr. O. M. Langdon, of Cincinnati, 
superintendent; B. C. Ludlow, M.D., assistant physician; 
Mr. R. T. Thorburn, steward, and Mrs. Mary A. Sharp, 
matron. The present officers of the asylum are : C. A. 
Miller, M.D., superintendent, succeeding Dr. W. H. 
Bunker in 1878; Drs. J. M. Ratliff and F. F. Hellmann, 
assistant physicians; A. V. Stewart, steward. The 
directors are: H. D. Peck, president; James F. Chal- 
fant, secretary; A. J. Mullane, B. Roth, Dr. C. S. Mus- 
croft. 

Liberal appropriations have been made by the State, 
as just indicated, for the support of Longview asylum. 
The smallest appropriation was made the first year — 
seven thousand dollars; the largest in 1874 — one hun- 
dred and eighty-three thousand eight hundred and 
eighty-four dollars and fifty-eight cents — these granted 
in pursuance of an act passed March 10, 1857, entitled 
"An act to constitute the county of Hamilton a separate 
district for lunatic asylum purposes, and to provide for 
the erection and government of an asylum therein," and 
of amendatory and supplementary acts subsequently 
passed. A joint resolution of the general assembly, 
November 25, 1868, provided for the support and care 
of patients sent to Longview from the central district of 
the State. The jurisdiction of the State and county au- 
thorities is thus concurrent, and during some part of its 
history has been harmoniously exercised, and for the 
best interests of the. institution. 

The Secretary of the Board of State Charities, Dr. A. 
G. Byers, in his last published report, after some notice 
of the troubles brought upon the asylum through political 
"re-organization," says: "The present statusof the institu- 
tion is, so far as known, one of quiet and harmony. 
Recently, after a season of suspension, the trustees, who 
had so often and so openly denounced the superintend- 
ent as incapable, inefficient, and every way unfitted for 
such position, and who had been chiefly instrumental in 
bringing about the various and multitudinous investiga- 
tions, seem to have found out that after all they were 
mistaken, and so voted to reinstate and retain the super- 
intendent in charge of the asylum." 

At the session of 1878 a joint committee of the senate 
and house of representatives was appointed by the 
general assembly, to confer with the authorities of Hamil- 
ton county, with reference to ascertaining "how and 
upon what terms the Longview asylum for lunatics can 
be acquired by or transferred to the State." This move- 
ment was prompted by the State board of charities, the 
members of which believed that all the insane of the 
State should be under the care of the State, by a uniform 
system applicable to all the asylums. A careful state- 



ment of the cost of Longview to the county was made 
by Mr. VV. S. Cappeller, county auditor, and some 
negotiation was had looking toward the total transfer of 
the institution; but the desired result has not yet been 
accomplished. As we write these lines (Thanksgiving 
day, 1880), another and similar negotiation is in progress 
between the county authorities and a committee of the 
State legislature. 

The new asylum building began to be occupied by 
patients from the Lick Run asylum March 26, i860, and 
the removals continued until May 3d, when two hundred 
and ninety-six had been transferred. The first patient 
consigned to the asylum by order of the probate court 
was received March 31st. May 9th of the same year, 
all patients in the State insane asylum at Dayton belong- 
ing to Hamilton county, were also transferred to Long- 
view. At the close of the twentieth year of its history, 
in November, 1879, four thousand one hundred and 
thirty-one cases had been received and treated, of whom 
three thousand four hundred and forty-eight had been 
discharged — one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine 
males and one thousand six hundred and fifty-nine fe- 
males — one thousand eight hundred and seventy re- 
covered, five hundred and ten improved, one hundred 
and eighty-two unimproved, twenty-three escaped, eight 
hundred and forty-one deceased, and twenty-two as not 
insane. Six hundred and sixty inmates were remaining 
— about two hundred more than the institution can pro- 
perly accommodate; one hundred and seventy-eight 
were admitted during the last preceding year. Of the 
total number, all but fifteen — fourteen State colored 
patients and one pay patient — were dependent on Hamil- 
ton county. The number of inmates of the asylum 
pretty steadily increased from three hundred and thirty- 
three in i860, when it was opened, to a daily average of 
six hundred and seventy-three in 1879. The average 
cost of maintenance of each patient has varied from one 
hundred and thirty-two dollars and six cents in 1862 to 
three hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-nine 
cents in 1867. In 1878 it was one hundred and thirty- 
six dollars and fifty-six cents; in 1879, one hundred and 
forty-nine dollars and eighty-three cents. 

In 1866 the "Avenue House," a portion of the pur- 
chase before mentioned as made south of Centre street, 
and west of the canal, was fitted up, as allowed by a 
State law, passed April 5, i860, as an asylum for the re- 
ception of colored insane persons from the county. It 
has since been occupied for this purpose, with additional 
use, since the passage of an act of assembly April 30, 
1869, as an asylum for the colored insane of the State at 
large. The building is old and dilapidated, however, 
and the State board of charities urgently recommend 
some better provision for the care of this class of the in- 
sane. They say: "There are no apparent grounds of 
complaint as to the management of this department of 
Longview or the general treatment of colored patients; 
but the building precludes the idea of general comfort, 
while it suggests many fears for the safety of the inmates." 
The number of patients in this branch of the institution 
has always been limited; it was only sixteen November i, 



204 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



1877, and two years afterwards the State colored patients 
therein numbered but fourteen, equally divided as to the 
sexes. 

There are about ninety officers and employes con- 
nected with the institution, which, with the patients, 
make about seven hundred and fifty to be accommodated 
in the present buildings. 

THE COUNTY INFIRMARY. 

The history of this institution, so far as the original 
purchase of grounds for it near Carthage is concerned, 
has already been given in the preceding account of the 
Longview asylum. In 1870 the county commissioners, 
under the advice of the directors of the infirmary, pur- 
chased the property known as the "Green farm," in Mill 
Creek township, east of Carthage and north of the asy- 
lum. It occupies an elevation commanding a wide and 
pleasing view, taking in the fine scenery of the Mill Creek 
valley as far south as Spring Grove and Clifton, and ex- 
tending northward to Hartwell, Wyoming, Lockland, 
Reading, and Glendale. The tract consists of one hun- 
dred and nineteen and thirty-eight-hundredths acres, and 
was obtained for four hundred dollars per acre. 

The present infirmary building was completed and 
opened for the reception of inmates, on the twentieth of 
February, 1873. It is three stories high, with a north 
wing for the male department, a south wing for the fe- 
male and nursery departments, and a central or main 
building for offices, living rooms for the officers, the 
kitchen and bakery, dining rooms, etc. It is accounted 
a model building for the purpose in all its departments. 
The superstructure is of brick, faced with sandstone 
trimmings, roofed with slate, and well arranged on the 
pavilion and corridor system. The cost of the edifice 
was about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 

The farm is partly devoted to ornamental and play- 
grounds for children and the inmates, that part of it be- 
ing well shaded with forest trees. Another part is util- 
ized to advantage as a garden, and the remainder is kept 
in a high state of cultivation, and yields a considerable 
quantity of farm products. In 1879 twenty four acres 
were planted with corn, twelve with rye, seven with pota- 
toes, seven with oats, two with sweet potatoes, two with 
turnips, three with garden vegetables, and twenty acres 
were given to hay. Farm products, etc., were sold dur- 
ing the six months ending August 31st of that year, to 
the amount of two hundred and fourteen dollars and 
ninety-four cents. 

The number of inmates of the infirmary averages about 
two hundred, which is only two-thirds of the capacity of 
the institution. About sixty are received and discharged 
each half year. During the financial year 1878-9, the 
average cost of maintenance of each inmate was ninety- 
five dollars, or twenty-six cents per day, a very favorable 
exhibit for the economy exercised in the management of 
the infirmary. The total cost of the year was nineteen 
thousand nine hundred and seventy dollars and fifty-five 
cents. Inmates are received from all parts of the county 
except the city of Cincinnati, which has its own infirmary, 
located at Hartwell. One inmate, September i, 1879, 



had been in the institution since 1855, two since 1857, 
and two since 1858. A school is maintained at the public 
expense, for instruction in the elementary branches, and 
has a daily average attendance of about forty. 

The infirmary is managed by a board of three direct- 
ors, one of whom is chosen each year by the electors of 
the townships of Hamilton county. They not only have 
full charge of the proper relief of paupers admitted to the 
infirmary, but also of the necessary out-door relief to be 
granted on the application of the township trustees. 

The principal officers of the institution at present are: 
Colonel Thomas H. Hunt, superintendent; Mrs. T. H. 
Hunt, matron; T. S. Potter, M. D., physician; Miss Mary 
A. Harris, teacher. Its administration is quite warmly 
commended by the secretary of the State board of charities. 
In the third annual report of the board, published 1879, 
he says: "The infirmary buildings are quite commodious 
and well arranged, and, as observed during the year, as 
in former years, seemed under careful management." 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS. 

Notwithstanding the populous character of Hamil- 
ton county, the enterprising spirit of its people, and their 
diversity of material interests, there has not been, in the 
county at large, a very great amount of associated effort 
— hardly so much, indeed, as might have been expected. 
But the inclusion of Cincinnati within the limits of the 
county, and the absorption of so much of the latter by 
the former, have naturally thrown nearly everything in 
the way of general organization into the city. Hence 
we shall find the county associations, though, one or two 
of them, strong and useful, yet quite few and far between. 

THE county agricultural SOCIETY. 

The original agricultural society in this county was, 
nominally at least, a Cincinnati institution. It was organ- 
ized in that city in the early part of 1819, under the name 
and title of "The Cincinnati Society for the Promotion 
of Agriculture, Manufactures, and Domestic Economy." 
Its officers were simply a president, four vice-presidents, 
a secretary, a treasurer and an executive committee. 
The first officers were: General W. H. Harrison, presi- 
dent; Andrew Mack, first vice-president; Ethan Stone, 
second vice-president; Zaccheus Biggs, third vice-presi- 
dent; Stephen Wood, fourth vice-president; Jesse Eni- 
bree, secretary; James Findlay, treasurer; James Taylor, 
Ephraim Brown, Daniel Drake, Jacob Burnet, William 
Corry, Gorham A. Worth, Isaac H. Jackson, James C. 
Morris, Jacob Broadwell, executive committee. The 
membership fee was two dollars, and a like sum was pay- 
able annually for dues, with forfeiture of membership if 
not paid within one year after it became due. The an- 
nual meeting was to be held on the last Tuesday of Sep- 
tember, and other stated meetings on the last Tuesdays, 
respectively, of December, March and June. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



205 



The following declaration of principles and policy 
was also adopted by the society at the period of its organ- 
ization : 

Being convinced tliat a retrenchment in tlie expense of living will be 
an important means in alleviating the difficulties and pecuniary embar- 
rassmeiits which exist in every section of the county, we concur in adopt- 
ing the following declaration, viz. : 

Fint. We will not purchase, nor suffer to be used in our families, 
any imported liquors, fruits, nuts, or preserves of any kind, unless they 
shall be required m cases of sickness. 

Second. Being convinced that the practice which generally prevails 
of wearing suits of black as testimonials of respect for the memory of 
deceased friends is altogether useless, if not improper, while it is atten- 
ded with a heavy expense, we will not sanction it hereafter in our fami- 
lies or encourage it in others. 

Third. We will not purchase for ourselves or our families, such arti- 
cles of dress as are expensive and are generally considered as orna- 
mental rather than useful. 

Fourth. We will abstain from the use of imported goods of every 
description as far as may be practicable, and we will give a preference 
to articles that are of the growth and manufacture of our own country, 
when the latter can be procured. 

Fifth. We will not purchase any articles, either of food or dress, at 
prices that are considered extravagant, or that the citizens generally 
cannot afford to pay; but will rather abstain from the use of such arti- 
cles until they can be obtained at reasonable prices. 

Sixth. We will observe a rigid economy in every branch of our ex- 
penditures, and will, in all our purchases, be influenced by necessity 
rather than convenience, and by utility rather than ornament. 

Seventh. We believe that the prosperity of the country depends in 
a great degree on a general and faithful observance of the foregoing 
declaration: we therefore promise that we will adhere to it ourselves, 
and that we will recommend it to others. 

The formation of a library was contemplated by the 
constitution of this society, also the publication of me- 
moirs, and other measures of public utility. The soci- 
ety, as may be seen from its list of officers, included 
some of the most prominent and valued residents of the 
city and vicinity, and appears to have been strongly and 
well organized. It was deemed advisable after a time, 
however, to give the agricultural organization more dis- 
tinctively a county character, and the Hamilton county 
agricultural society was formed. Of this General Har- 
rison was president; Major Daniel Gano and the Hon. 
John Matson, vice presidents; Colonel H. S. Barnum, 
librarian; D. C. Wallace, secretary; J. P. Foote, corres- 
ponding secretary. In place of an executive committee 
there was a considerable number of curators forming a 
board of agriculture: Messrs. William Carey, James C. 
Ludlow, Israel Brown, S. J. Brown, Charles C. Clarkson, 
Charles Sellman, Joseph J. Haskins, J. D. Garrard, H. 
B. Fiink, N. Crookshank, John Ferris, James Hey, Oli- 
ver Jones, Samuel Ready, Duncan Cameron, Ethan 
Stone, James Seward, James Whallon, Thomas Smith, 
Peter Voorhees, Isaac Beconnet, Willard A. Place, 
Henry Wilde, Adam Moore, Alfred Sandford, William 
Burnet, Clayton Welch, Hugh Moore. A very interest- 
ing and curious old premium list of the society, bearing 
these names and giving much other information, still 
exists among the collections of the Ohio Historical and 
Philosophical society in Cincinnati. It is printed on one 
side of a single small sheet, which was an extra issue of 
the Farmet's Reporter; but in what year there is no 
means of ascertaining from the document itself. It is 
evidently, however, very old, probably dating back some 
time in the '20's. From it may be learned that there 



were then three hundred and fifty-six regular members of 
the society, some of them residing in the other counties 
of southern Ohio, and some in the neighboring counties 
of Kentucky. There were also seventeen honorary 
members, whose residences were scattered all the way 
from Kentucky to England, but were largely in the east- 
ern states. The marshals of the fair of that year were 
Colonels S. Scott and H. S. Barnum; orator, F. A. 
Thomas, esq.; auctioneer, A. B. Roiif. The premium 
list proper does not occupy one-tenth of the space of a 
modern list of the kind for a Hamilton county fair. No 
cash premium greater than five dollars was offered. The 
Farme?-'s Reporter and Western Agriculturist figures 
conspicuously and numerously among the premiums. 
For exhibitions of stock the inducements were mostly in 
the shape of certificates and diplomas. No racing 
"sweepstakes" or other premiums for speed were offered; 
but there were moderate cash inducements for the pre- 
sentation of the ordinary useful animals. Committees of 
judgment were appointed only for manufactured goods, 
silk, ii-nplements of husbandry, agricultural products in 
tolerable variety, fermented liquors, butter and cheese, 
horticulture, horses, asses and mules, neat cattle, swine, 
sheep and wool, plowing, domestic clothing, cooperage, 
hats, edged tools, manufactured tobacco, and mechanical 
implements. 

In 1853 there was a new organization of the society 
"for the improvement of agriculture within the county of 
Hamilton." Its president was now John K. Green; vice- 
president. General George Sneider; secretary, F. W. 
Stokes; treasurer, Peter Melendy; managers, Joseph 
Cooper, Elmore Cunningham, Clinton Ewing, Henry 
Debolt, Isaac B. Bruce. Competitors for premiums 
must be members, and members must be residents of 
Hamilton county, and pay one dollar annually into the 
treasury of the society. The list of articles for which 
premiums were to be awarded were ordered to be pub- 
lished in a newspaper or by handbills at least one month 
before the day of exhibition. The annual fairs must be 
held some time between the first day of September and 
the first of November, at such place as the directors 
should appoint. A resolution was passed by the new 
society "most earnestly inviting the farmers of the 
county, and all others friendly to the cause of agriculture, 
the arts, and the sciences, to unite with us in our efforts 
in the great cause of agricultural improvement." The 
first fair under these auspices was held at Carthage, on 
the twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth days of 
September, 1853. Besides the premiums usually offered 
at that day at such exhibitions, others were offered, as a 
diploma and ten dollars for the best essay on the charac- 
ter, coniposition, and improvement of the soil in Hamil- 
ton county, and a similar premium (second best, five dol- 
lars), for the best arranged and best managed farm in the 
county. The remainder of the premium list embraced 
inducements for the exhibition of catde, horses, sheep, 
swine, dogs (shepherd, Newfoundland, and rat-terrier), 
poultry, plows, farm implements, manufactured wares (a 
very short list by comparison with the lists of the present 
day), a plowing match, farm, dairy, and other products. 



2o6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



silk and domestic manufactures, needle, shell, and wax- 
work, paintings and drawings, designs, stoves, articles 
manufactured chiefly or wholly of metal, also of wood, 
iron and wood, and of stone, fire engines, chemicals and 
miscellaneous articles, field crops, and various displays in 
the horticultural department. There were no offers as 
yet for "trials of speed." 

The constitution of the society has received many 
modifications since its original passage, including the 
opening of competition in the various departments to all 
the world. At the third annual fair held from the fourth 
to the seventh of September, 1855, all premiums were to 
be paid, as per announcement in the premium list, in 
silver plate. There were now eighteen managers of the 
society, and the address to members and visitors, on one 
day of the fair, had become a regular feature of the 
yearly meeting. The fair grounds were permanently es- 
tablished on the site near Carthage, where they have 
since remained. 

The opening of the great Exposition attractions in Cin- 
cinnati, of late years, however, and the occurrence of its 
displays at the same time with the fair of the county so- 
ciety, drew the crowds away from the latter, and they be- 
gan to be, financially and otherwise, failures. A site 
nearer Cincinnati was consequently sought, and a special 
act of the legislature was obtained at the session of 1871, 
authorizing the society to purchase the property occupied 
by the Buckeye race-course, about two miles from the 
then city limits. A vigorous and faithful attempt was 
made to take the benefit of this measure, but the negoti- 
ations ultimately failed, through the inability or unwilling- 
ness of the county commissioners to comply with the 
requisite conditions of the purchase. The fair grounds, 
therefore, remain at the old place, and within the past 
year extensive and valuable improvements in the facili- 
ties for accommodating exhibits, costing about fifteen 
thousand dollars, have been made upon them. 

It is gratifying to add that the fair of last year (1880) 
was, in its benefits to the treasury of the society, and in 
every other way, a grand success. 

The fair of the year designated a few lines above 
(1871) was but the seventeenth held by the present 
society, two fairs having been omitted during the bloody 
years, the tremendous excitement and dangers of the 
war period. At this exhibition special and very liberal 
premiums, amounting to five hundred dollars, were of- 
fered by the pork-packers and slaughterers of Cincinnati 
for the exhibition of hogs. Sad to say, the total of the 
premiums was never collected from those pledging it, 
although most of the amount was finally in hand ; and 
what was raised was distributed p}-o rata among those 
entitled to the awards. 

In 1849, also, there was a failure to hold the fair by 
the older society, in consequence of the prevalence of 
cholera that year and the occurrence of the State fair 
during the same week. 

THE COUNTY SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. 

This was organized as the Hamilton county Sunday- 
school association in April, 1862, "to promote the interest 



of the Sunday-school work, to encourage a spirit of har- 
mony and Christian fellowship among its laborers; to 
gather them together at suitable seasons, and, by com- 
paring the statistics of their labors, to show forth to the 
world the blessings of the institution ; also to act as aux- 
iliary to the State Sunday-school union." It is said to be 
the first county organization of the kind in the State, and 
the first steps for its formation were taken before the State 
union itself was formed. April 8, 1862, in pursuance of 
consultations and a meeting held on the fifth of that 
month by a number of the leading workers in the Cin- 
cinnati Sabbath-schools, a call was issued to the officers 
of such schools throughout the county, for a convention 
of their superintendents and other delegates from the 
city and county, to meet in the Central Presbyterian 
church, Cincinnati, at ten o'clock, a. m., on Thursday, 
the seventeenth of April, with the following objects in 
view: "i. The formation of a county Sunday-school 
association, through which we may secure the statistics 
of the schools of the city and county from year to year. 
2. That we may awaken a deeper and wider interest in 
the cause of Sunday-schools in the county, and keep this 
interest alive by this instrumentality." Detailed reports 
of the schools were called for, to be brought to the con- 
vention or mailed previous to its session to Mr. L. H. 
Sargent, 31 Walnut street, Cincinnati. The call closed 
with this stirring appeal: "Brethren, come! Come in 
the spirit of the Master, and pray that He may direct 
the convention and bless our cause." It was signed by 
Messrs. L. H. Sargent, H. W. Brown, and George H. 
Wolf, all of Cincinnati, and members of the committee 
appointed for the purpose. 

The convention met upon the designated day. The 
response to the call was not large, probably in part from 
the shortness of the call, as well as from the newness of 
the movement and the absorption of the public mind 
largely in the events of the civil war then raging. 
Sixty-six delegates were present, however, representing 
thirty -four schools; and after an amicable conference and 
some interesting discussions the desired organization was 
effected. A. M. Searles was chairman of the meeting, 
and B. Frankland was secretary. The officers-elect of 
the association were: George F. Davis, president; W. 
T. Perkins, secretary; vice-presidents — first district of 
Cincinnati, S. H. Burton; second district, S. S. Fisher; 
third, L. H. Sargent; fourth, George H. Wolf The ap- 
pointment of vice-presidents for districts outside the city 
was left to the executive committee.. 

The new society took hold of its work with great en- 
ergy. After the formation of the State union, a State 
Sunday-school agent was employed, to organize county 
associations or unions throughout Ohio, and was paid a 
salary of two thousand five hundred dollars, principally 
by three or. four gentlemen of Cincinnati, connected with 
or interested in the work of the Hamilton county organ- 
ization. When his successor. Colonel Cowdin, of Gal- 
ion, was appointed, this association assumed the entire 
expense of his support. During its first year, eighteen 
mass meetings of the children, officers, and friends of 
the Sabbath-schools were held in Mill Creek township 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



207 



alone, with results, as the report of them at the next an- 
nual meeting declared, "even better than could have 
been hoped." Several reports from other districts, most 
of them equatly gratifying, were received at the first reg- 
ular annual meeting. 

Soon after the annual meeting of 1863 an agent was 
employed to canvass the county, hold meetings, stir up 
the workers to livelier interest and more intelligent pro- 
cedure in the work, and endeavor to obtain full statistics 
of the Sunday-schools of the county, with the aid of the 
vice-presidents in the several townships. The results 
were eminently satisfactory. The following remark was 
made in one of the subsequent reports concerning the 
statistics; ''They present a complete tabular view of the 
present condition of this important work, and are worthy 
of the earnest study of all who are interested in the moral 
and religious training of the young." A series of success- 
ful meetings to aid the work was held in the townships — 
Sunday being chosen whenever practicable. Thirty of 
such assemblies were had between May and October, 
inclusive of 1863, at which appeared a long list of distin- 
guished and zealous speakers from the city and else- 
where. They were largely attended, and were believed 
to have accomplished their objects in a very hopeful de- 
gree. In nearly every case where a meeting was held in 
a village or county neighborhood, the association was 
invited to^epeat the visit. 

The following are the principal items in the returns of 
1863 to the society: Number of children of school age 
in Hamilton county, 101,839, of whom about twenty- 
nine per cent., or 28,895, were in the Sunday-schools; in 
the city of Cincinnati, 81,839, of whom 20,700, or 
twenty-five per cent., were members of Sabbath-schools. 
Of the 20,000 children in the townships, 8,195, or forty- 
one per cent, were in such schools. Some townships 
reputed as high as seventy-five per cent of their children 
connected with the Sabbath-school work, but one town- 
ship reported an attendance as low as eleven per cent. 

The convention of April, 1864, was held in the Melo- 
deon hall, Cincinnati, and was large, enthusiastic, and 
every way profitable. Three hundred and ninety-nine 
delegates were present. The number of Sunday-schools 
in the county at this time was reported at about two hun- 
dred. 

The statistics of 1876-7, prepared and published under 
the auspices of the association, showed the number of 
schools held on the Sabbath in the county to be 213, of 
which Cincinnati had 99; children in county between 
five and twenty-one years old, 125,314; Cincinnati, 100,- 
762; enrolled in Sunday-schools, 37,162; the city, 26,- 
457, average attendance, 25,098; ofScers and teachers 3,- 
624, with average attendance of 2,873; made profession 
of religion during the year, 1,237; amount of collec- 
tions, $19,761; volumes in libraries, £1,345; taking Sun- 
day-school papers, 180 schools; holding teachers' meet- 
ings, 99. The treasurer of the society, Mr. William E. 
Davis, reported the receipts of the year $179.95, of 
which $140.20 were from the township schools. His 
disbursements amounted to $421, leaving due to him the 
sum of $241.05. 



The name of the society had been changed from "As- 
sociation," to "Union." It continued a career of active 
usefulness during most of the time until 1872, when it 
became quiescent and gave but occasional signs of exis- 
tence until October, 1878, when it was reorganized and 
the following named officers elected, who are those now 
in service; William George Doering, recording secre- 
tary; Dr. James Taft, corresponding secretary; Louis 
Manss, treasurer; Rev. A. N. Gilbert, Rev. S. Weeks, 
Rev. C. H. Daniels, H. W. Sage, H. W. Brown, execu- 
tive committee. 

Presidents of township Unions : A. W. Williamson, 
Anderson; Dr. E. G. Dalton, Columbia; Dr. J. M. Mc- 
Kinzie, Delhi; James M. Gamble, Green; M. Aurelius 
Francis, Harrison; Smith Stimmel, Mill Creek; Walter 
Howel, Miami; Rev. William James, Springfield; Wil- 
liam Graham, Sycamore; Rev. B. W. Chidlavv, White- 
water. Vice-presidents were not appointed at this time 
for Colerain, Crosby, Spencer, and Symmes townships. 

Cincinnati. — Eastern division of, east of Main, Rev. 
Sylvester Weeks ; central division, between Main an Cen- 
tral avenue, Rev. C. H. Daniels; western division, west of 
Central avenue, Rev. A. N. Gilbert. L. H. Sargent, 
president; George B. Nichols, John W. Dale, W. T. M. 
Gordon, vice-presidents. 

The official preface to the new constitution and by- 
laws, published shortly afterwards, says of the union : 

Now it begins to show signs of new vigor and promise of work, indi- 
cating returns tliat must yield large dividends for the Master. Our 
field of souls is much larger than when this union began its work. 
With age we have gained new experience and somewhat changed tac- 
tics. Formerly mass meetings once a year at central places and the 
best talent for oratory were the chief instrumentalities. Now hard 
work and thorough organization mean everything, Not that we love 
popular assemblies and the enthusiasm kindled by good speakers any 
less, but we have greater faith in God's blessing on good work done in 
the Master's name and for His cause. 

Notwithstanding this apparently vigorous and hopeful 
reorganization, the Union has not since manifested much 
activity nor held its annual meetings with regularity. 
The beautiful and interesting celebration of the Robert 
Raikes Centennial, in the Music Hall of Cincinnati, on 
the nineteenth day of June, 1880, was, however, held 
under its direction, and was a pronounced success. 

THE COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. 

In 1864 Professor U. T. Curran, now of Sandusky, 
then principal of the pubUc schools in Glendale, made an 
earnest effort to enlist others, especially the principals of 
the district schools in Cincinnati, in the formation of a 
county teachers' association; but without present success. 
On the twenty-ninth of August, 1867, however, a num- 
ber of teachers of the county, mainly from the country, 
met at the hall of the Hughes' high school, on Fifth 
street, to organize "an association to promote the prog- 
ress of education and mental discussion." Mr. Curran 
had by this time removed to the city, and was in charge 
of a private academy; but was still the prime mover in 
this organization. A teachers' institute was in session, 
and he, on the day named, handed a notice to Professor 
Lyman Harding, then superintendent of the city schools, 
to read to the members, inviting them to a meeting, on 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the adjournment of the institute, at noon, to form a 
county association. Mr. Curran, who has kindly fur- 
nished most of the facts for this preHrainary sketch, 
writes: "I then spoke to a number of teachers and 
asked them to stay at the close of the meeting. Of 
those importuned Mr. G. W. Oyler, Mr. G. A. Clause, 
Mr. G. Welsh, Mr. George WooUard, Miss Kate Wool- 
lard, and myself remained, and the four or five hundred 
other persons present left, looking curiously over their 
shoulders at the few who were to form the society. We 
six met, organized, appointed a committee on constitu- 
tion, etc., were very harmonious, enthusiastic, and full of 
hope, and were so reported in the papers. We called a 
meeting at Curran & Kuhn's academy, which was well 
attended. Very few teachers would take part in the 
meeting, because they were each afraid the other was 
some wise professor from the city. The writer was elected 
president, with the privilege of selecting his own execu- 
tive committee of three. I think I selected Clause, M. 
S. Turrill, and A. B. Johnson — I am sure of Johnson. 

"Dr. Curtis and John Talbot, a friend and a teacher of 
fifty years' experience, lent us their help. Dr. Mayo and 
other eminent men were called upon to address us, until 
we became accustomed to public speaking and had stud- 
ied the subject matter ot our profession so well that men 
within the ranks of the profession were ready to occupy 
with profit all the time at our disposal For three years" 
the society met at my school-room. I improvised seats 
by placing plank upon chairs. But at length it became 
evident that we needed a better place, and the city coun- 
cil generously allowed us the use of a room in their 
building. 

"In the meanwhile we organized the first county insti- 
tute ever held in the county. This was held at Glen- 
dale, at the Glendale Ladies' seminary. The second 
meeting was held at the same place; the third, if my 
memory serves me right, at College Hill. 

"I do not know that the society failed in holding a 
meeting at the appointed time, viz., the second Saturday 
of every month. It certainly did not during my time. 
The amount of good accomplished is inestimable. The 
professional spirit engendered is very great. And the end 
is not yet." 

From the records of the association it may be learned 
that G. W. Oyler was chairman at the first meeting and 
W. B. Welsh secretary. Messrs. N. T. Curran, G. A. 
Clause, of Cleves, and G. W. Oyler, of Storrs, were 
named a committee to prepare constitution and by-laws. 
The preamble to the constitution afterwards reported 
reads: "We, the undersigned teachers and others in- 
terested in the cause of education, in order to promote 
the progress of sound learning and mental discipline, do 
hereby ordain and adopt the following constitution and 
by-laws." A vice-president is appointed for every town- 
ship in the county, who must be a resident of the town- 
ship. Any person of good character may join the 
society. Among its members are a number of teachers 
very well known in the profession; as Richard Nelson, 
president of the Cincinnati business college; Florien 



Giaque, the lawyer and law-writer and compiler; G. A. 
Carnahan, A. B. Johnson, E. C. Ellis, M. S. Turrill, and 
others. The annual county institute is still, we believe, 
in charge of the association, and has been held regu- 
larly. The thirteenth session was held at Mount Wash- 
ington the last week in August, 1880, with an enrollment 
of two hundred and twenty-two, and a distinguished 
corps of instructors, including Professor Curran, Super- 
intendent John Hancock, and others of note. 

The officers of the association, so far as we find them 
recorded upon the defective minute-book of the secre- 
tary, have been as follows. The year of election only 
is given : 

President— 1867, U. T. Curran; 1872, G. W. Oyler; 
1873, Florien Giaque; 1874, W. H. Nelson; 1875, C. 
J. Fay; 1876, D. B. Moak; 1877, William Brickley; 
1878, J. Perlee Cummins; 1879, J. C. Heywood; 1880, 
E. C. Ellis. 

Recording Secretary — 1872-3, A. J. Disque; 1874, 
Miss A. Soules; 1875-6, J. P. Cummins; 1877, A. J. 
McGrew; 1878, John Logan; 1879, W. A. Doran; 1880, 
J. H. Locke. 

Corresponding Secretary — 1872, George AV. Warner; 
1873, C. S. Fay; 1875-6, Horace Hearn. 

Treasurer — 1872, F. C. Wilson; i873-'4-'5, L. A. 
Knight; 1876, William Brickley; 1877, J. P. Cummins; 
i878-'9-'8o, A. B. Johnson. . 

The number of members of the association is about 
one hundred and twenty-five. Its meetings are monthly 
during the ordinary school months of the year. 

SUNDRY SOCIETIES. 

In 1833 was organized the Hamilton county temper- 
ance society, auxiliary to the Ohio State temperance 
society. Bellamy Storer was president; Isaac G. Bur- 
net, vice-president; Thomas Brainard, corresponding 
secretary; Rufus Hodges, recording secretary; William 
T. Truman, auditor; Daniel W. Fairbank, treasurer; 
Stephen Burrows, John T. Shotwell and T. D. Mitchell, 
directors. 

A Hamilton county association of physicians has also 
left some faint footprints on the sands- of time. Dr. 
Mount was president; Dr. Landon C. Rives, vice-presi- 
dent; Dr. William Wood, orator; Dr. M. Flagg, treas- 
urer; and Dr. L. L. Pinkerton, secretary. 

One of the organizations of the Patrons of Hus- 
bandry — the Pomona Grange — embraces the entire 
county in its membership and field of operations. 



CHAPTER XV. 

RAILROADS. 

Whizzing through the mountain, 

Buzzing o'er the vale ; — 
Bless me ! This is pleasant — 

Riding on a rail. 

John G. Saxe, " Rhyme of the Rail. " 

It was but a single year after the successful experi- 
ments of George Stephenson at Gadshill, England, had 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



209 



established the practicabiUty of steam locomotion on rail- 
ways, that the first legislative movement was made to- 
ward their establishment in Ohio. February 23, 1830, 
Representative William B. Hubbard, of Columbus, sub- 
mitted to the general assembly "an act to incorporate the 
Ohio canal and the Steubenville railway company." In 
this conglomerate act was the germ of the magnificent 
railway system of Ohio, to which Cincinnati and Hamil- 
ton county owe so much of their material greatness. New 
charters were thereafter applied for in large numbers and 
rarely failed to be granted by the pliant legislature. 
Among the early charters may be mentioned that granted 
in 1832 to the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad com- 
pany, and another in 1835, to the Monroeville & Sandusky 
City railroad. The year 1836 was somewhat prolific in 
charters — among those granted being the organic acts of 
the Mansfield & New Haven, the Cleveland & Pitsburgh 
and the Little Miami railway companies. But down to the 
close of that year very little had been done toward the re- 
alization, in wood and iron and earthwork, of any of the 
projects, owing to the financial depression that prevailed 
during the latter half of that decade. The next year a 
law which obtained the popular (or unpopular) name of 
"the plunder act," was passed "to authorize a loan of 
credit by the State of Ohio to railroad companies and to 
authorize subscriptions by the State to the capital stock 
of turnpike, canal, and slack-water navigation companies." 
The act was repealed in 1840; though not until under it 
the incipient railway enterprises secured seven hundred 
and seventeen thousand five hundred and seventy-five 
dollars in loans; but they did not build ard equip as 
much as thirty miles of road with the entire sum. This 
was accomplished by the close of 1840, when these thirty 
miles were in use; and for some years the progress of 
railways in the State was slow, but three hundred and 
fifty miles having been constructed by 1846. Since then, 
however, the growth of the system has been something 
marvelous; and by the opening of the year 1880 the total 
length of the steam railway lines in Ohio was five thou- 
sand five hundred and twenty-one and twenty-seven hun- 
dredths miles, while the companies operating them 
numbered eighty-five. The total valuation of their prop- 
erty within the State, as fixed by the State board of equal- 
ization for 1879, was seventy-five million five hundred 
and seventy-three thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine 
dollars and thirteen cents. 

We now proceed to give an outline history of those 
railways which actually traverse Hamilton county, or 
some part of it, without detailed reference to the entry 
into Cincinnati of trains from other lines upon the tracks 
of these roads. 

' THE LITTLE MIAML 

This was the pioneer railroad constructed into or from 
Cincinnati. It received its charter from the State March 
II, 1836. The agitation in behalf of it took its rise in 
Cincinnati from a pressing sense of the need of a rail- 
way connection with the north and east through a route 
to Sandusky, connecting with the lake navigation, and 
thus affording a more ready and convenient outlet for the 



yearly increasing product of the Miami valley than the 
river supplied. The route proposed lay altogether in the 
valley of the Little Miami to Xenia, sixty-six miles from 
the city, and thence to Springfield, eighty-four miles 
in all. This was the whole length of the road, as orig- 
inally surveyed and chartered. At Springfield it was to 
meet the Lake Erie and Mad River railroad, forming 
with it a continuous line to Sandusky. Here also it in- 
tersected the National road, upon or near which a rail- 
way was sure to be built soon to Columbus and thence 
eastward. 

For the work of survey the services of a young scien- 
tist, then of but twenty-six years, struggling with pecuni- 
ary difficulties in the maintenance of his family and the 
establishment of the Cincinnati observatory, were secured 
as engineer. He afterwards became renowned as the as- 
tronomer, popular lecturer, author, and army commander, 
professor, and general, Ormsby M. Mitchel. Young 
Mitchel threw himself into the enterprise with all the 
energy which secured to the city of his adoption the 
observatory and its great telescope, in the face of tre- 
mendous difficulties. He became not merely a hired 
servant, but an active promoter, of the enterprise. He 
surveyed the route, made his estimates, and then aided 
in the push for pecuniary aid. In conjunction with Mr. 
George W. Neff, a prominent and influential citizen of 
Cincinnati, he pressed the merits of the project upon the 
attention of the city council, and finally secured a loan 
of the public credit of the city to the amount of two 
hundred thousand dollars. He then went to eastern 
cities, and did what he could, under the depressing cir- 
cumstances of the financial panic of those years, to se- 
cure further pecuniary aid for the company. Under the 
legislative act of March 24, 1837, the road secured a 
loan of State credit amounting to one hundred and fif- 
teen thousand dollars. Gradually but surely, as means 
became available in those "tight times," the construction 
of the road was pushed, and finally, in August, 1846, 
more than a decade after the obtainment of its charter, 
the promoters of the project had the satisfaction of wit- 
nessing its completion to Springfield. It was a gala time 
for Cincinnati — the consummation of the first of its 
since numerous railway enterprises. 

The difficulties with which this pioneer railroad battled 
in its earlier years were at times almost insurmountable. 
They were admirably depicted, from personal recollec- 
tions, in the address of Hon. S. S. L'Hommedieu, deliv- 
ered at a celebration by the Cincinnati Pioneer associ- 
ation, April 7, 1874: 

The struggle of the officers of the Little Miami company to carry on 
their work, the then young civil engineers can best record. They 
could tell how often, when pay-day came, how many cattle were 
butchered and distributed to the laborers — cattle which had been re- 
ceived in payment of the farmers' subscriptions to capital stock. They 
could also tell how the men of the "shovel and thepick" surrounded the 
house of honest William Lewis, the treasurer, demanding money from 
an empty treasury, calling him every kind of hard name, until he was 
forced in search of his president, in order to resign, saying, "These 
men, when I tell them I have no money, call me liar and scoundrel so 
often and so earnestly that I begin to think that I am what they call me, 
and I must resign. ". 

Thirty miles of the road were nevertheless opened to 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



public traffic in 1843. The total rolling stock of the 
company was then one eight-wheeled locomotive, two 
passenger coaches and eight freight cars — all, even the 
locomotive, made in Cincinnati. On the seventeenth of 
July, 1845, it was opened to Xenia, sixty-eight miles dis- 
tant, and the first train over the completed track to 
Springfield was run August 10, 1846. The cost of the 
road to this time had been one million two hundred and 
twenty-two thousand dollars; when afterwards leased 
to the Pennsylvania company it represented a value of 
about five millions. The property of the road had to be 
assigned to trustees before reaching Springfield ; yet a 
dividend upon the capital stock was already cleared by it 
in 1845, 2t^d thereafter, to the time of its lease, divi- 
dends were quite regularly declared to an average 
amount of ten per cent, per annum ; and it still, under 
the lease, pays a very handsome revenue to its owners. 
It has been, financially, one of the most successful rail- 
ways in the world. Its early dividends, however, were 
smaller, and the stock of the road first came to par in 

1852, after that of the Cleveland & Columbus, then 
reaching one hundred and twenty-five before experienc- 
ing a fall. Its convertible bonds were rapidly turned into 
stock, which is still largely held by the original parties or 
their heirs. The only bonded indebtedness of the road 
was created, to the amount of one and a half millions, 
to meet the expense of rebuilding and other improve- 
ments. The original strap rail used on the road was dis- 
placed by T rail, curves were straightened, grades re- 
duced, and other useful changes made. It now, for 
twenty-eight miles out of Cincinnati, has a double-track. 

The connection for Sandusky was not completed till 
the latter part of 1848, when the Little Miami and the 
Mad River railroads gave Cincinnati her first rail and 
water communication with the Atlantic coast. A large 
passenger and freight business was at once commanded; 
the leading stage lines upon or near the route soon were 
disused, and a great impetus was given to railway con- 
struction. 

The connection for Columbus was made at Xenia by 
the Columbus & Xenia railroad, which was, however, not 
constructed until 1848-9, the first passenger train travers- 
ing it February 20, 1850. Soon afterwards the members 
of the general assembly made an excursion over this and 
the Little Miami roads to Cincinnati. November 30, 

1853, the two companies operating each its own road en- 
tered into an arrangement by which both were operated 
as a single line. January i, 1865, they came into pos- 
session, by lease, of the Dayton & Western and the 
Richmond & Miami railways, and, later in the same year, 
by purchase, of the division of the Dayton, Xenia & 
Belpre road between the two places first named. The 
partnership arrangement of 1853 was dissolved Novem- 
ber 30, 1868, when the Little Miami company took a 
lease for ninety-nine years of the Columbus & Xenia 
road, and all the rights and interests of that corporation in 
the Dayton & Western, Xenia & Belpre, and Richmond 
& Miami roads. Just one year and one day thereafter 
the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis (Pan-Handle) rail- 
road company leased of the Little Miami company its 



own road, the branch owned by it from Xenia to Dayton, 
and all its rights in the Columbus & Xenia and other 
roads. The lease is for ninety years, renewable forever, 
and brings an annual rental of eight per cent, to the Lit- 
tle Miami company on its capital stock, besides interest 
on the funded debt, five thousand dollars yearly for ex- 
penses of organization, and the fulfillment of lease obli- 
gations to its own leased lines. The road is operated by 
the Pennsylvania company, which was a party to the con- 
tract, and by whom its faithful performance was guaran- 
teed. The total length of its lines is one hundred and 
nine-five and nine-tenths miles — eighty-four on the main 
line, Cincinnati to Springfield; sixteen on its branch, 
Xenia to Dayton; fifty-four and seventy-four hundredths 
on its leased line from Xenia to Columbus; thirty-seven on 
that from Dayton to the Indiana State line (Dayton & 
Western), and four and sixteen-hundredths thence to 
Richmond, Indiana (Richmond & Miami). It is one of 
the most profitable roads in the United States, its earn- 
ings per mile in 1879 being six thousand eight hundred and 
one dollars and ninety-two cents, and its expenses but four 
thousand four hundred and fifty-eight dollars and fifty- 
three cents per mile. A spacious and costly new depot 
is building for it on the southeast corner of Pearl and 
Butler streets, Cincinnati, erected, of course, by the 
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad company. 

CINCINNATI, HAMILTON, AND DAYTON. 

This was the second railroad to get into Cincinnati. 
Its company was chartered March 2, 1846, under the 
name of the "Cincinnati & Hamilton Railroad com- 
pany." An act passed March 15, 1849, to amend the 
several acts relating to the company, gave it its present 
corporate name. It is an interesting and noteworthy fact, 
considering the period of its construction, that the road 
was built without the aid of township subscriptions to its 
capital stock, and that its stocks and bonds sold at par, 
without cost of brokerage, in New York or elsewhere. 
In Cincinnati so sublime yet practical a faith was reposed 
in the enterprise, that in less than a month three-quarters 
of a million dollars, in cash subscriptions, were placed at 
its service; while the capitalists of New York city were 
to take the rest of the stock and the first issue of the 
bonds of the road at par. It was the first case of the 
kind, as to the fact last mentioned, and it is said to have 
surprised the brokers of Gotham very thoroughly. West- 
ern railroad securities had not theretofore been placed in 
that city without suffering large discounts, selling for but 
eighty to eighty-five cents on the dollar. 

The road was pushed rapidly, and was opened for bus- 
iness within a little more than a year — on the nineteenth 
of September, 185 1. For a long time it paid fair divi- 
dends to its stockholders, and promptly met all its obli- 
gations. 

On the eighteenth of February, 1869, the Cincinnati, 
Richmond c& Chicago railroad company leased its road 
and property, in perpetuity, to the Cincinnati, Hamilton 
& Dayton railroad company, and assigned to that com- 
pany also its lease of the Richmond & Miami railway. 
Previous to this, May i, 1863, the railway from Dayton 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



to Toledo, belonging to the Dayton & Michigan railroad 
company, had been similarly leased, and a modification 
of said lease being made in the early part of 1870, the 
entire line under operation has reached a total of two 
hundred and forty-four miles. In addition to their track 
of four feet ten inches guage, the company has a track of 
six feet guage between Dayton and Cincinnati, over 
which the cars of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio 
and the Erie railway companies are transported. In No- 
vember, 1872, the company purchased the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Indianapolis railroad. 

THE OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI. 

This was the third of the Queen City's successful rail- 
road enterprises, in order of time. The road reaches 
from Cincinnati to East St. Louis, on the Mississippi 
river, opposite St. Louis, a distance of three hundred and 
forty miles, only nineteen and one-half miles being in 
the State of Ohio. The road was built by two corpora- 
tions, completed in 1857, and since operated -under a 
sole management — the portion from Cincinnati to the 
Illinois State line as the eastern division, and that in Illi- 
nois as the western division. Originally it had a gauge 
of six feet, and in connection with the Atlantic & Great 
Western (now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio) and 
the Erie lines, made a through broad-gauge route between 
St. Louis and New York. The western division was sold 
under foreclosure in June, 1862, and reorganized as the 
Ohio & Mississippi railway company, February 5, 1863. 
The eastern division was sold January 9, 1867, to the 
owners of the western division, and the entire hne con- 
solidated November 21, 1867, with its present title. In 
addition to the main line above given, a branch road has 
lately been opened from the main line at North Vernon, 
Indiana, to Jefifersonville, in the same State, and Louis- 
ville, fifty-three miles in length, called the Louisville Di- 
vision of the Ohio & Mississippi railway company. This 
was constructed on the old, abandoned line of the Fort 
Wayne & Southern railroad of Indiana. The Springfield 
division was purchased January i, 1875. It is the old 
Springfield & Illinois Southeastern, sold under foreclos- 
ure in 1874, purchased by the bondholders, and trans- 
ferred to the Ohio & Mississippi company, March i, 
1875. The principal office is in St. Louis, and the fiscal 
and transfer agency is in New York city. Professor and 
General O. M. Mitchel did much of the early surveying 
on this road to eke out a poor income derived from his 
scientific and pedagogic labors. 

THE MARIETTA AND CINCINNATI. 

Tire original company was chartered as the Belpre & 
Cincinnati railroad company, March 8, 1845. In 185 1, 
by the consoHdation of the Belpre & Cincinnati and the 
Franklin & Ohio River railroad companies, its title was 
changed to the present one, and by the same act the 
company was authorized to build a railroad from a point 
on the Ohio river opposite Parkersburgh, Virginia, or 
from Harmar, opposite Marietta, to the city of Cincin- 
nati. The main line was finished to the. Little Miami at 
Loveland, April 20, 1857. A reorganization occurred 
August 15, i860, through bankruptcy. Soon after this 



the Union railroad was purchased, extending nine miles, 
from Scott's Landing to Belpre; also the Hillsborough 
& Cincinnati railroad. The latter extended from Hills- 
borough to Loveland, sixteen miles of which, from Love- 
land to Blanchester, constituted a part of the main line, 
and the remaining twenty-one miles are now known as 
the Hillsborough branch. January 26, 1864, the reor- 
ganized company purchased that part of the Scioto & 
Hocking Valley railroad extending from Portsmouth to 
the present track of the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley 
railroad in Perry county, a distance of over ninety miles, 
but having only fifty-six miles of road in operation. 

The extension from Loveland to the Cincinnati, Ham- 
ilton & Dayton railroad was completed February 17, 
1866. The Cincinnati & Baltimore railroad, reaching 
from Cincinnati to Cincinnati and Baltimore Junction, 
continues the line five and eight-tenths miles into Cincin- 
nati, and was opened June i, 1872, to furnish the Mari- 
etta & Cincinnati a track into the city under its own con- 
trol as a leased line. The Baltimore Short Line railway, 
thirty and three-tenths miles, was opened November 
15, 1874, and is leased by this company. The total 
length of lines now in use by the Marietta & Cincinnati 
is three hundred and twelve miles. Its own road is one 
hundred and nineteen and one-tenth miles long. 

CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS, CINCINNATI AND INDIANAPOLIS 

("bee LINE.") 

This railway was chartered March 12, 1S45, ^^^ ^^^ 
entire road of the original line, one hundred and thirty- 
eight miles, was completed February 22, 185 1. In 1861 
the company purchased that portion of the Springfield, 
Mount Vernon & Pittsburgh railway which lies between 
Delaware and Springfield. The Cincinnati and Spring- 
field company was organized September 9, 1870, and 
its road opened July i, 1872. It was built as an exten- 
sion into Cincinnati of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincin- 
nati, & Indianopolis railroad, and was leased in perpetu- 
ity to that company on completion, the lessor operat- 
ing the road, and paying any balance over operating ex- 
penses, after interest on bonds is paid, to the lessees. 
At the end of the year 1879 the total length of its lines 
was four hundred and seventy-one and sixty-five hundreths 
miles ; it owns three hundred and ninety-one and two- 
tenths miles. This route is popularly known as the "Bee 
Line," and the Cincinnati and Springfield end of it as 
the "Dayton Short Line." 

the CINCINNATI, INDIANAPOLIS, ST. LOUIS, AND CHICAGO. 

This road extends from Cincinnati to the Indiana State 
line, a distance of twenty and one-half miles. Here con- 
nection is made with the original line of the Cincinnati 
and St. Louis railroad company. This -company was in- 
corporated April 18, 1861. The Harrison branch, extend- 
ing from a point in Whitewater township known as the Val- 
ley junction, to a point on the boundary line between 
Ohio and Indiana, in Harrison village, a distance of six 
and two-thirds miles, all within Hamilton county, was 
constructed under the general law of May i, 1852, and 
amendments. On the first of May, 1866, the road of 
this corhpany, including the Harrison branch, was leased 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



in perpetuity to the Indianapolis and Cincinnati (later 
calledt he Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Lafayette) rail- 
road company. This company is also joint owner with 
the Little Miami company, of the Cincinnati Connection 
railway, a short line in the city, connecting tracks and 
depots of the two roads, each partner guaranteeing one- 
half of the bonds used in its construction. The Indian- 
apolis, Cincinnati, and Lafayette railroad property was 
sold to a committee of first-lien bondholders February 2, 
1880, and a new organization formed March 6th follow- 
ing, under the name of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. 
Louis, and Chicago railroad company, to whom the road 
was formally transferred. It is since known in railroad 
circles as "the Big Four." 

THE CINCINNATI EASTERN. 

This is a narrow-guage line, running from Little Miami 
Junction, a mile northwest of Newtown, Anderson town- 
ship, to Winchester, a distance of fifty-three and twenty- 
five hundreths miles. A branch of five miles reaches be- 
tween Richmond Junction and Tobasco, making a total 
of fifty-eight and one-fourth miles belonging to the road. 
The company was organized January 11, 1876, and the 
road opened to the present terminus in 1877. It is also 
proposed to build an extension to Portsmouth, completing 
a line of one hundred and eighty miles. At the west- 
ern end the tracks extend across the Little Miami rail- 
road and the south part of Columbia township, north of 
and near the city; but it has not yet been able to enter the 
city on its own rails, and this part of the line is conse- 
quently disused. 

THE CINCINNATI AND PORTSMOUTH. 

This railway, also narrow-guage, at this writing (De- 
cember, 1880) is laid between Columbia, where it joins 
the Little Miami road, and Amelia, in Clermont coun- 
ty, a distance of twenty and four-tenths miles. It is gra- 
ded and tied to Hammersville, sixteen miles further. The 
company was organized January 15, 1873, and the first 
division of the line was opened October 15, 1877. 

THE CINCINNATI AND FAYETTEVILLE. 

Another narrow-guage road, to extend one hundred 
and fifty miles, from Cincinnati to Nelson. The com- 
pany was organized in 1878. About twenty miles of 
the road bed have been graded for some time, and a con- 
tract was let in October, 1880, which requires its com- 
pletion by August I, 1881. It is at present to connect 
with the Cincinnati & Eastern at South Milford. 

THE MIAMI VALLEY. 

Still another narrow-guage, incorporated November 9, 
1874, and begun in 1876, to run, by way of Mason 
and Lebanon to Waynesville, forty-one miles, there meet- 
ing a narrow-guage road thence to Jeffersonville, on a 
coal road building eastwardly from Dayton. Its progress 
was stopped by litigation with owners of city property 
along its route up Deer creek, when it was graded from 
Norwood to Waynesville, but it is now in the hands of 
a new company called the Cincinnati Northern, of which 
General John M. Corse, the hero of Altoona, is president, 
and which is pushing the enterprise with great activity. 



THE COLLEGE HILL. 

The line of this narrow-guage reaches from Cincinnati, 
at Cumminsville, near Spring Grove cemetery, to Mount 
Pleasant, a distance of a little beyond six and one-half 
miles, and entirely within the county. The company 
was organized in 1875, ^"d the road opened to College 
Hill in May, 1876, and to its present terminus in 1877. 

THE CINCINNATI AND WESTWOOD. 

Another little narrow-guage road, built to accommo- 
date the suburban residents, from its junction with the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton, & Dayton railroad at Ernst Sta 
tion, near Spring Garden in the city, to Robb's or West- 
wood, about five miles. It was opened for business in 
March, 1876. 

THE RAILWAY TUNNEL. 

February 6, 1847, ^'^ act passed the general assembly 
for the incorporation of the Dayton, Lebanon, & Deer- 
field railroad company, which was to construct a railway 
between these points, intersecting the Little Miami rail- 
road at or near the last-named place, and so giving Day- 
ton another route to Cincinnati. One year thereafter 
the scheme had changed form, from either necessity or 
choice, and an amendatory act accordingly changed the 
name of the corporation to the Dayton, Springborough, 
Lebanon, & Cincinnati railroad company, at the same time 
granting it powers to construct a railroad from Dayton 
to Cincinnati — no part of which, however, was to be 
built in the valley of the Little Miami below Gainesbor- 
ough, Warren county. Still another act, a year after that, 
changed the name to the Dayton & Cincinnati railroad 
company, and gave it power to consolidate its interests 
with and take the name of any other railway company. 

The first report of the president and directors of this 
company appeared in 1852. They had selected the 
terminal points in the two cities named, and directed 
their engineer, Mr. Erasmus Gest, to survey, as nearly 
as possible, a practicable air-line route between them. 
This necessarily involved the construction of a tunnel 
through the ridge dividing the basin of Cincinnati from 
the broad valley at the northward. Mr. Gest in due 
time reported a Hne starting from the designated terminus 
in Cincinnati at the intersection of Pendleton street and 
the Lebanon turnpike, along the west side of that road 
for half a mile, crossing it by a bridge, and Deer 
creek, a little beyond, by a culvert, three-quarters of a 
mile further crossing the Walnut Hills turnpike, just be- 
low the former residence of Prestly Kemper, where it 
would enter the hill, pass it by a tunnel, and thence pro- 
ceed near Bloody and Ross runs and the Lebanon turn- 
pike to Reading and Sharonville, and so on to Dayton, 
which it would reach in fifty-two and one-half miles from 
Cincinnati, against the sixty and three-tenths covered 
already by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton rail- 
road. It was, in fact, the inception of the present "Day- 
ton Short Line." Mr. Gest's first report names a tunnel 
through the Walnut hills of fifty-five hundred feet in 
length, on a rising grade of thirty-nine and six-tenths 
feet per mile. The route and measurements were after- 
wards modified, in consequence of a change in the Cin- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



213 



cinnati terminal point to Broadway, between Court and 
Hunt streets, which involved the establishment of the 
tunnel upon a level thirty-five feet lower than the original 
survey contemplated. By the new route it was to enter 
the hill on the east line of the Walnut Hills turnpike, 
near the former residence of Herman Witte, and rise to 
the surface on the lands of S. Beresford, in a branch of 
Ross' run, northwest of Lane seminary; and thus the 
work was finally prosecuted for a tunnel of ten thousand 
and eleven feet, or nearly two miles. The "tunnel 
proper," however, was to b? but seven thousand nine 
hundred and three feet long. It was to be for a double 
track, arched with brick, resting upon stone side-walls, 
with allowance for arching with stone the approaches for 
an aggregate distance of two thousand two hundred feet, 
in addition to that of the tunnel proper. The width of the 
tunnel, inside of the arch, was to be nearly twenty-six feet, 
and the height in crown twenty feet. The width would 
allow double tracks, if necessary, of both the "Ohio" and 
"Indiana," or the broad and standard guages, as now 
designated, by laying four lines of rails on each set of 
ties. 

The work of excavating the tunnel was reported as 
comparatively easy, the mdurated blue marl and lime- 
stone composing the hill being easily drilled and blasted, 
and making a roof impervious to water and so firm that 
excavation might proceed a considerable time and dis- 
tance ahead of the arching, as was afterwards done. The 
original estimate of cost was eight thousand seven hun- 
dred dollars for right of way, including approaches and 
ground at the shafts, and four hundred and twelve thou- 
sand one hundred and seventy-eight dollars for the con- 
struction of the tunnel. This, added to the remaining 
cost of the road, about two million dollars in all, was a 
formidable sum in those days; but means were secured, 
at first almost wholly by subscription, to make a hopeful 
beginning of the work. A contract for building the 
entire line, including the tunnel, was let to Messrs. Ferrel 
& Dunham, December 10, 1852, and six days thereafter 
the work was begun. The next year they abandoned 
their contract for the work north of the tunnel, which 
was re-let to Mr. Daniel Beckel. By the first of March, 
1854, two thousand eight hundred lineal feet of the tun- 
nel and approaches had been excavated, and seven hun- 
dred and fifty feet entirely completed, with arches and 
side-walls. About two-sevenths of the work had been 
done. Eight points were made for operating — one at 
each end, and one each way at each of three shafts sunk 
from the surface of the hill. The work was thus in 
shape to be prosecuted very rapidly, had the means been 
forthcoming. It had been begun on shaft No. 2 De- 
cember 16, 1852; on shaft No. i and the north approach 
four days afterwards; on shaft No. 3 February 15, 1853; 
and on the south approach April loth, of the same year. 
Little difficulty was experienced from the influx of water, 
and none from noxious vapors. There was, however, 
about the usual percentage of casualties in such works, 
from blasting and other causes, by which several persons 
lost their lives. 

By March i, 1855, the tunnel for three thousand three 



hundred and thirty-six feet, or one-third its length, had 
been completed, except the arching for one thousand 
eight hundred and twenty-two feet and the walling for 
five hundred and seventy-seven feet. The rest of the 
tunnel had been drifted or perforated for one thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-eight lineal feet. The work 
had been, however, light for this year on the tunnel, and 
very little had been done on other parts of the line — 
nothing between the tunnel and the Cincinnati terminus. 
It had finally to be abandoned, for lack of means, after 
four hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars had been 
expended upon it; and the "Short Line" eventually 
found its way out of the city, to its route north of the 
dividing ridge, by the valley of Mill creek, thus losing 
some of the most important advantages which the tunnel 
would have secured for it. 

The "Dayton & Cincinnati Short Line," legally so des- 
ignated, was the reorganized old Dayton, Lebanon & 
Deerfield company. The change was made in 187 1. 
The former was itself subsequently reorganized, January 
21, 1872, as the Cincinnati Railway Tunnel company, to 
complete the old tunnel and run a road through it from 
the city north to Sharon, in Sycamore township, twelve 
and a half miles, where it will connect with the Cincin- 
nati & Springfield, otherwise the "Dayton Short Line," 
or the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis. 
It has done nothing to speak of, however. In that year 
there was a decided revival of interest in the project, 
and it was then understood to be in the hands of pro- 
jectors able and determined to prosecute it successfully. 
Said Mayor Davis, in his annual message, summarizing 
the transactions and plans of the year : 

It is the purpose, of the present m.anagers of this scheme to make a 
new railroad entrance into this city that shall be controlled for the bene- 
fit of all railroad companies who may seek it, upon such fair and 
equitable principles as shall benefit all and ,£^ive the control to none, 
and at the same time to afford the most favorable means for quick and 
cheap transit from our ON'ercrowded city to that beautiful section of 
country that lies back of Walnut Hills. 

At that time it was included in the plans of construc- 
tion of the Kentucky & Great Eastern railway company, 
to run from Newport along the Ohio to Catlettsburgh, so 
that its line should cross from Newport to Cincinnati by 
the railroad bridge then just completed, and go out of 
the city, to intersect the routes leading north, northeast, 
and northwest, by a track through the Walnut Hills tun- 
nel. Some work was accordingly done upon the bore in 
i873-'4, but it had presently to be again abandoned, and 
the scheme has since been held in quiet abeyance. That 
it will one day be pushed to completion, to the great ad- 
vantage of the railways that may use it, is among the 
reasonable certainties of the future. 

A CONNECTION RAILROAD. 

In i875-'6 a short line of road was built along Eggles- 
ton avenue to connect the railways entering the city with 
the canal, elevator manufactories, and other places of 
business in the eastern part of the city, thus effecting a 
great reduction in the cost of terminal charges, as from 
drayage. A great railroad warehouse was also put up, 
from which regular warehouse receipts were issued. 



214 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



THE UNITED RAILROADS STOCK-YARD 

company was incorporated in 187 1, with a capital of half 
a million. Its yards are in the valley of Mill creek, in 
the Twenty-fifth ward, and are considered among the 
finest in the world, costing about seven hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars, and affording accommodations at one 
time for twenty-five thousand hogs, ten thousand sheep, 
and fiye thousand cattle. The receipts per year average 
about one million hogs, three hundred thousand sheep, 
one hundred and sixty thousand cattle, and ten thousand 
calves. Almost all the railroads entering the city have 
connections with the yards. Many of the great pork- 
packing houses are erected near. 

THE KENTUCKY ROADS. 

Besides the railways which actually traverse Hamil- 
ton county, there are others upon the soil of Kentucky, 
but entering Cincinnati, or ending at Covington and New- 
port, which may properly be considered as belonging to 
the Cincinnati system. It is the existence of this city 
which determined their building in this direction; it was 
the wealth and enterprise of the city, mainly, which built 
them ; and by Cincinnati they are chiefly maintained. 
Foremost in interest among these is that which, by the 
public subsidies voted it and the personal supervision 
given it, by the long agitation in behalf of its construc- 
tion and the great local rejoicing at its completion, as 
well as the immeasurable benefits to be derived from its 
operation, is undoubtedly 

THE CINCINNATI SOUTHERN. 

The conception of this road, although the road itself 
is a realization of very recent years, is almost half a cen- 
tury old — nearly as old, indeed, as the steam railway in 
any country. The idea of some such connection with 
the South Atlantic had often occurred to the minds of 
foresighted citizens of Cincinnati; but it is not known to 
have been publicly presented until the summer of 1835, 
when it was broached by the well-known Dr. Daniel 
Drake, to a meeting of business men held at the Com- 
mercial Exchange, on Front street, to promote simply 
the construction of a railway from Cincinnati to Paris, 
Kentucky. He moved at that meeting the appointment 
of a committee of three, to inquire into the practicabil- 
ity and advantages of a railroad connecting the city with 
the seaboard at some point in South Carolina. (Tiie 
project of a Cincinnati & Charleston railroad is pre- 
sented with much force and enthusiasm in Mr. Cist's de- 
cennial volume on Cincinnati in 1841). The resolution 
was carried, and Dr. Drake, Thomas W. Bakewell and 
John S. Williams were nominated as the committee. 
They gathered material and digested it at leisure, and 
submitted an able report to another meeting, held in the 
city on the fifteenth of August, of the same year. It was 
supported in speeches by Mr. Williams and Mr. E. 
D. Mansfield. A standing committee of inquiry and 
correspondence was now appointed, consisting of General 
William H. Harrison, Dr. Drake, Mr. Mansfield and 
Judge James Hall, of Cincinnati; General James Taylor, 
of Newport; Dr. John W. King, of Covington; and 
George A. Dunn, of Lawrenceburgh. Mr. Mansfield was 



made secretary of the committee. He prepared a pam- 
phlet, entitled "Railroad from the banks of the Ohio 
to the tidewaters of the Carolinas and Georgia," accom- 
panying it with a suitable map. An extensive corres- 
pondence was undertaken, information was widely spread, 
and the project was greatly prompted by the intelligent 
action of the committee. In August, 1836, Mr. Mans- 
field (to whose Personal Memories we are indebted for 
nearly all the material of this paragraph, published an 
article in the Wester?i Monthly Magazine, a Cincinnati 
publication, advocating a* railway from Cincinnati to 
Knoxville, Tennessee, and thence through East Ten- 
nessee and Alabama to Mobile. Meetings to similar 
intent were held about the same time in Cincinnati and in 
Paris, Kentucky; and on the fourth of that month a great 
"Southwestern Convention" was held at Knoxville. It 
was attended by delegates from nine States — Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Kentucky,Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia and Alabama — among whom Messrs. 
Mansfield and Drake, Governor Vance, Alexander Mc- 
Grew, and Crafts J. Wright represented Ohio; and 
General Taylor, M. M. Benton and J. G. Arnold were 
present from Newport and Covington. Much contro- 
versy occurred at this meeting as to the proper termini 
in Ohio and the south — which was happily settled long 
after, as all the world knows, by Cincinnati herself at the 
north, and in the other direction by the convergence of 
lines upon Chattanooga — which was scarcely thought of 
in the earlier day, being then merely " Ross's Landing of 
the Cherokees," so called from its neighborhood to the 
headquarters of the Cherokee chief, John Ross, in a 
village still called Rossville, which acquired peculiar 
renown in connection with the ill-starred battle of Chick- 
amauga. Mr. Marisfield wrote an elaborate report of the 
Knoxville meeting for the next number of the Western 
Monthly; and there the project rested, substantially, for 
many years. 

The present road was built solely by the city of Cin- 
cinnati, in charge of a board of trustees, created under 
an act of the legislature May 19, 1869. By successive 
acts the city was authorized to issue its bonds to the 
total amount of eighteen million dollars, of which the 
whole amount has actually been voted, and esti- 
mates for the completion of the road remain, amounting 
to nearly three million dollars. In 1872 ten million dol- 
lars were voted, of which seven million dollars bear seven 
per cent, interest, the rest seven-thirty; in 1876 six mil- 
lion dollars — three million, one hundred and forty thou- 
sand two hundred dollars gold six per cents, and two mil- 
lion, eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars seven-thir- 
ties; in 1878 two million dollars seven per cents; and, as 
noted above, there is a prospect of further call upon the 
city for a large sum. Some of the grants were not obtained 
without great difficulty; and one vote, in 1876, for two 
million dollars, was defeated, though by the meagre ma- 
jority of two hundred or less. Under another act of the 
legislature, more hopeful and satisfactory in its terms, it 
secured a favorable vote the same year, by two thousand 
majority. The law had to be tested in the courts, how- 
ever, and was sustained. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



215 



The construction of the road was begun December, 
1873, and two-thirds of the heavy work was done by the 
close of 1875. July 23, 1877, it was open to Somerset, 
Kentucky, one hundred and fifty-eight and three-tenths 
miles, for passenger trains, and September 13th to 
freight trains, and was run to that point, under a license 
from the trustees, by an organization of citizens called 
the Cincinnati Southern railroad company. The rest of 
the line was opened December 9, 1879, to Bogie's Sta- 
tion, six miles from Chattanooga, whence it at present 
enjoys the facilities of another road for entering its vir- 
tual southern terminus at the latter place. May 23, 1879, 
the license of the other company having terminated, the 
line was leased to a private corporation known as the 
Cincinnati railroad company, by which it has since been 
operated. 

The length of the route from Cincinnati to Chatta- 
nooga is three hundred and thirty-six miles, with seven- 
teen and four-tenths miles of sidings. Much of it is 
laid with steel rails, and it is accounted in all respects 
one of the best constructed of American railways. Some 
of the finest triumphs of engineering achieved in any 
country are apparent upon its route. It passes forty- 
seven wrought iron bridges and viaducts, thirteen wooden 
bridges, twenty-seven tunnels, one of them four thousand 
seven hundred feet through, besides many deep cuts in 
the rock. Its completion after so many struggles, and at 
so much cost, furnished an occasion of great rejoicing to 
the people at both ends of and all along the line. The 
inaugural excursion of southern visitors, and the ban- 
quet, with its brilliant oratory and abounding good fel- 
lowship, formally celebrated the event in Cincinnati, 
March 18, 1880. 

The contract for the Southern railway bridge, which 
stretches from the foot of Home street to the Kentucky 
shore near Ludlow, west of Covington, was let in 1875. 
It was not completed, however, until after important di- 
visions of the road were opened; and the Cincinnati 
travellers and shippers experienced great inconvenience 
for want of it. High water in the Ohio delayed its con- 
struction, and once swept away the trestle-work of the 
longest span; but in 1877 the bridge was completed and 
occupied. It is used solely for railroad business. 
There are also important bridges over the Cumberland 
and Tennessee rivers. 

It is an interesting incident in the history of this en- 
terprise that in 1866 Mr. David Sinton, the Cincinnati 
millionaire, offered to undertake the construction of a 
railroad from the city to Chattanooga, if six million dol- 
lars were given to him as a bonus. The offer was not 
accepted, and an attempt was made to raise a stock sub- 
scription for the road. It reached eight hundred thou- 
sand dollars, and there paused, as did the project. 
However, out of the rough surveys made by interested 
parties about or soon after this time, and the con- 
sequent estimates that the road could be built for ten 
million dollars, grew the pressure upon the legislature 
for authority to vote aid to the road, and the subsequent 
votes which have saddled such an enormous debt upon 
the city. 



THE KENTUCKY CENTRAL. 

The main line of this road extends from Covington to 
Lexington, ninety-nine miles, a branch road from Paris ■ 
to Maysville bringing up the total to one hundred and 
forty-eight and one-half miles. The Covington & Lex- 
ington railroad company was chartered in 1849, ^"d the 
road opened in 1856. The section between Paris 
and Lexington was built by the Maysville & Lexing- 
ton railroad company, and opened in 1859. These 
roads were sold under foreclosure in 1865, and the pur- 
chasing bondholders organized under the title of the 
Kentucky Central association. The Kentucky Central 
railroad company, their successors, was chartered March 
20, 1875, and took possession May 1,-1875. The Mays- 
ville & Lexington railway was transferred to this company 
November 17, 1876. 

THE LOUISVILLE, CINCINNATI AND LEXINGTON. 

The total length of lines owned, leased, and operated 
by this company is two hundred and thirty-two and nine- 
hundredths miles. The main road stretches between 
Louisville and Lexington, and between the junction 
there and Newport. The company owning this road was 
the result of a consohdation, September 11, 1869, of the 
Louisville & Frankfort railroad company, chartered 
March i, 1847, completed September 3, 185 1, and the 
Lexington & Frankfort railroad company, chartered Feb- 
ruary 28, 1848, and finished March 19, 1849. For ten 
years before consolidation they were operated under the 
same management, dividing the net earnings in propor- 
tion to length of time. The Cincinnati Short Line rail- 
road was built by the two companies jointly. They as- 
sumed the title of Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington 
railroad company, and issued joint mortgage bonds se- 
cured on all these properties. The line was opened July 
I, 1869. The leased lines are the Louisville Railway 
Transfer, the Elizabethtown, Lexington & Big Sandy rail- 
road, and the Shelby railroad. The Newport and Cin- 
cinnati bridge is used under the joint guarantee of this 
company, and the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis 
railway company. The company became involved in 
financial difficulties, and the property was sold October 
I, 1877, to its present owners. 

THE COVINGTON, FLEMINGSBURGH AND POUND GAP. 

The line of this road lies between Covington, Ken- 
tucky, and Pound Gap, Virginia, a distance of two hun- 
dred and fifty miles. It was opened to Flemingsburgh 
in 1877, and to Hillsborough, eighteen miles from John- 
son, in 1878. This short line from Johnson to Hills- 
borough is all that was recently in operation. In 1879 
the name was changed to Licking Valley railroad. Its 
construction is still in progress. 

FOREIGN ROADS. 

A number of important railways traverse the city and 
county with their trains of cars, and enter the city of Cin- 
cinnati, but upon the tracks of other roads, which they 
have leased or otherwise secured the right to use. Among 
these are the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indian- 
apolis, to which we have given some special notice; the 
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis; the Cincinnati & 



2l6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Muskingum "Valley; the Baltimore & Ohio; the Cincin- 
nati, Wabash & Michigan; the Cleveland, Mount Vernon 
& Columbus; the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio 
(lately the Atlantic & Great Western); the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton& Indianapolis; the Whitewater valley; the Fort 
Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati; the Cincinnati, Richmond 
& Chicago; the Grand Rapids & Indiana; two lines pop- 
ularly known as "the Dayton Short Line & Columbus," 
and "the Dayton Short Line & Sandusky," and the Cin- 
cinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago. These roads 
are important to the city and to Hamilton county; but as 
neither gave origin to these lines or furnished anything 
but the occasion for their coming hither, their history is 
not, in general, considered as legitimately belonging to 
this narrative. 

A number of foreign roads, whose track or whose trains, 
in some instances, have small chance of ever reaching 
Cincinnati, have borrowed its imposing name to incorpo- 
rate with their titles, by reason of the prestige they would 
receive from it, or because, at the time of the organiza- 
tion of their companies, there was some hope that they 
would actually enter the Queen City. Such are the Cin- 
cinnati, Lafayette & Chicago; the Cincinnati, Rockport 
& Southwestern; the Cincinnati, Richmond & • Fort 
Wayne; the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland; the Co- 
lumbus, Springfield & Cincinnati; the Chicago, Cincin- 
nati & Louisville; the East Alabama & Cincinnati; and 
the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap & Charleston railroads. 
The last two are quite remarkable instances. Both are 
mere local roads, the one operating but forty miles, and 
those in Tennessee, the other but twenty-seven and a 
half, and in Alabama. Both are hopelessly bankrupt, 
and struggling almost from the beginning to maintain an 
e.xistence. Neither has the smallest likelihood, in all 
probability, of making Cincinnati a terminus — if, indeed, 
such hope was ever entertained by their projectors. 

Added to these may be a number of railroads now dead 
and gone, so far as the old names are concerned, their 
corporate existence having been lost, merged in that of 
other companies. There is a pretty long list of these, 
showing how desirable the name of Cincinnati has been 
thought to be by the railway managers and builders. 
Such were the Cincinnati & Indianapolis Junction; the 
Cincinnati & Chicago Air Line; the Cincinnati & Mar- 
tinsville; the Cincinnati & Southwestern; the Cincinnati 
& Zanesville; the Cincinnati, Batavia & Williamsburgh; 
the Cincinnati, Dayton & Eastern; the Cincinnati, Lex- 
ington & East Tennessee; the Cincinnati, Logansport & 
Chicago; the Cincinnati, Pennsylvania & Chicago; the 
Cincinnati, Huron & Fort Wayne; the Cincinnati & 
Whitewater Valley; the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanes- 
ville; the Dayton & Cincinnati; the Pittsburgh, Colum- 
bus & Cincinnati; the Hillsborough & Cincinnati; the 
Indianapolis & Cincinnati; the Jackson, Fort Wayne & 
Cincinnati; the Louisville, Cincinnati & Charleston; the 
Sandusky & Cincinnati; and the Sandusky, Dayton & 
Cincinnati. Reqidescat in pace. 

RAILROADS TO COME. 

Some of the Hamilton county railroads incorporated 
of late years are; The Cincinnati & Blanchester North- 



eastern, termini at Cincinnati and Columbus, capital 
stock five hundred thousand dollars, date of filing cer- 
tificate in secretary of State's office, January 30, 1878; 
the Cincinnati & Hamilton Narrow Guage, capital stock 
five hundred thousand dollars, date of filing certificate 
May 21, 1878; Cincinnati Surburban Steam railway, 
wholly in Hamilton county, termini at Cincinnati and 
Madisonville, capital stock three hundred thousand dol- 
lars — June 22, 1878; Cincinnati & Walnut Hills railway, 
further terminus at Mason, Warren county, capital stock 
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars — October 31, 
1878; Cincinnati, Portsmouth & Eastern narrow-guage, 
further terminus at a point opposite Huntington, West 
Virginia, capital stock five hundred thousand dollars — 
February 24, 1879 ; Cincinnati & New Richmond, cap- 
ital stock one hundred thousand dollars — October 20, 
1879; and the Cincinnati, Walnut Hills, Avondale & 
Union Village, capital stock one hundred thousand dol- 
lars — July, 1880. 

CITY RAILROAD INDEBTEDNESS. 

The Little Miami railroad received aid from the city, 
as a municipality, to the amount of one hundred thou- 
sand dollars, in 1844, to defray in part the expense of its 
extension. The Ohio & Mississippi had six hundred 
and sixty thousand dollars from the same source — half 
the sum in 1842 and the remainder in 1853. Under an 
ordinance of the city council, of date July 3, 1850, 
bonds were issued April i, 185 1, to the amount of one 
hundred thousand dollars, to aid the construction of the 
Cincinnati & Hillsborough railroad. In 1 850-1 the 
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in bonded 
indebtedness was voted to the Eaton & Hamilton rail- 
road; in 1851, one hundred thousand dollars to the Cov- 
ington & Lexington road; in 1854, one hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars to the Marietta & Cincinnati; and, 
at sundry times during the past few years, the enormous 
aggregate sum of eighteen million dollars to the Cincin- 
nati Southern. One and a half millions were voted 
under the Boesel railroad law to aid a line projected 
eastwardly along the Ohio, but the act was declared un- 
constitutional by the superior court of the State; and the 
bonds, after some further litigation, were recovered 
from the State office in which they had been deposited. 
The rest of the Cincinnati railroads, we believe, have 
been built without corporate aid from the city. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



217 



CHAPTER XVI. 

CANALS. 

Full free o'er the waters our bonny boat glides, 

Nor wait we for fair winds nor stay we for tides; 

Through fair fields and meadows — through country and town, 

All gaily and gladly our course we hold on. 

From the lake to the river, from river to lake, " 
Full freighted or light, we still leave a wake; 
From the West bearing all that a rich country yields, 
To the labor which makes the morn glad in the fields. 

Returning again from the river's bright breast. 
Bear the products of climes far off to the West, 
And add to the backwoodsman's comfort and ease 
All that commerce can give by its spoils of the seas. 

— Old Canal-boat Song. 

THE MIAMI CANAL. 

■ This enterprise was a part of the canal policy of the 
State from the beginning. As early as 1815, Dr. Drake, 
of Cincinnati, had suggested the desirability and practi- 
cability of a canal from that place to Hamilton, on the 
Great Miami, and in his book, the Picture of Cincinnati, 
clearly foreshadowed and intelligently discussed the en- 
terprise which took form in the next decade. Governor 
Ethan Allen Brown, a citizen of Hamilton county, was 
the first of Ohio governors in his annual rnessages to 
press upon the legislature the necessity of an internal im- 
provement system. December 14, 1819, in his inaugu- 
ral address, he said: "If we would raise the character of 
our State by increasing industry and our resources, it 
seems necessary to improve the communications, and 
open a cheaper way to market for the surplus produce of 
a large portion of our fertile country." 

Thereafter, in his rnessages to the general assembly. 
Governor Brown regularly and faithfully called the atten- 
tion of that body to the inauguration and maintenance 
of a system of canals within the State, and the adoption 
of preliminary measures to that end; and in a special 
communication of January 20, 1820, to the house of 
representatives, in answer to a resolution of that branch, 
he presented elaborate, clear, and well-informed state- 
ments concerning the practicability of connecting the 
Ohio river with Lake Erie by canals. 

In this message Governor Brown treated at some 
length, and with evident favor, the project of a canal 
through the Miami country. He thought that in the val- 
leys of the Mad river little more than excavation and a 
few locks of slight lift would be required. Down that 
river to Dayton and thence down the Great Miami, no 
very serious obstruction would occur until the hills be- 
low Franklin were reached. Near Middletown, as the 
governor sagaciously observed, the choice of two routes 
could be had, either down the river to its mouth, or "to 
turn the canal south into the valley of Mill creek, 
towards Cincinnati — the line ultimately adopted. 

A resolution had already been moved at the previous 
session for the appointment of a joint committee of the 
House and Senate, to consider the subject of a canal be- 
tween the two waters, and the expediency of employing 
engineers to ascertain the most eligible routes therefor, 
and a resolution passed in committee of the whole, of 



the House, at the same session, for the appointment of 
such engineer or engineers — but final action on it had 
been postponed. The next meeting of the law-making 
power, however, brought not a mere resolution, but a for- 
mal act, dated February 23, 1820, providing for the ap- 
pointment of three commissioners to locate a route be- 
tween Lake Erie and the Ohio, and the employment of a 
competent engineer and all necessary assistants. The 
action of the commissioners was made contingent upon 
the consent of Congress to make a sale of public lands 
within the State to the State, for the purposes of this en- 
terprise; and that provision caused the temporary failure 
of the movement, since a measure looking to such sale, 
although it passed the Senate of the United States, re- 
mained among the unfinished business of the lower 
branch at the next session of Congress, and did not be- 
come a law. A new act was passed by the general as- 
sembly, January 31, 1822, "authorizing an examination 
into the practicability of connecting Lake Erie with the 
Ohio river by a canal." It named — and herein is the 
germ of the Miami canal in legislation — arnong the 
routes to be surveyed, one "from the Maumee river to 
the Ohio river." The governor was authorized to em- 
ploy "an approved practical engineer" to make the sur- 
veys and estimates upon this and three other routes 

named in the act — all between the lake and the river 

with a view to ascertain the practicability of uniting those 
waters by a navigable canal." 

Messrs. Benjamin Tappan, Alfred Kelly, Thomas 
VVorthington, Ethan A. Brown, Jeremiah Morrow, Isaac 
Minor, and Ebenezer Buckingham, jr., were appointed 
commissioners by the act, to cause the necessary examin- 
ations, surveys, and estimates to be made. 

By a supplementary act of January 27, 1823, Micajah 
T. Williams, another distinguished citizen of Hamilton 
county, was appointed a commissioner, vice Jeremiah 
Morrow, resigned. Most of the other commissioners re- 
mained in service until the canals were constructed, and 
did eminently faithful, self-sacrificing, and useful duty. 

Mr. James Geddes (afterwards Judge Geddes), of New 
York, was employed as engineer, on the recommenda- 
tion of the governor and canal commissioners of that 
State. He retired within the year and was succeeded in 
September, 1814, by Mr. David S. Bates — also of New 
York, and also subsequently "Judge" — who remained in 
the canal service of Ohio as principal engineer until 
March, 1829. Mr. Samuel Forrer, one of the resident 
engineers, "whose industry, skill, and general informa- 
tion," say the commissioners in their second annual re- 
port, "promise him a high stapding for usefulness and 
respectability as a civil engineer," was the officer in 
charge of the preliminary and subsequent work upon the 
Miami canal from the first, and, after the completion of 
the same to Dayton, was superintending engineer of the 
line from Cincinnati to that place. 

The law providing for the surveys required the examin- 
ation of a route "from the Maumee river to the Ohio 
river." The cominissioners, however, in their first 
annual report (January, 1823), set forth among others, 
but much more briefly than the others, a "route by the 



2l8 



. HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



sources of the Maumee and the Great Miami rivers." 
They say : 

Tlie summit bed of these rivers is ascertained to be about three 
hundred and ninety-nine feet above Lake Erie, and by estimation five 
lumdred and fifty feet above the surface of the Ohio river at low-water 
at Cincinnati. 

This summit must be supplied with water by a feeder from the 
Great Miami, at or near the mouth of Indian creek. From this source 
the engineer has strong hopes that a sufficient supply can be obtained, 
but if it should fail, he represents that a copious supply can be drawn 
through a feeder from Mad river. 

This canal will be longer than either of the others, and the amount 
of lockage much greater. From this siunmit level the engineer states 
there is no obstacle to prevent a canal from being carried over into the 
valley of the Auglaize river, which will be much shorter than following 
the valley of the St. Mary's river. 

The appended report of Mr. Geddes, the engineer, 
locates this summit, or the separation of the Maumee 
and Miami waters, "near the road, about three miles 
north of Fort Loramie's," and adds: "Supposing the 
summit cut down to three hundred and eighty-three feet 
above Lake Erie level, and the descent to the Ohio at 
Cincinnati, estimated at four hundred and thirty-four 
feet, it would make nine hundred and seventeen feet 
lockage." 

In the second annual report of the cominissioners, 
January, 1824, the Maumee and Miami line receives fur- 
ther, though still, in comparison with the other routes, 
brief discussion. It is remarked: 

The unhealthiness of the season, and other causes which have op- 
erated to retard the prosecution of the surveys and examinations, have 
prevented the location of a line of canal on the western or Miami 
route. 

The canal line south from the summit would probably cross Ma.d 
river near its mouth, thence pursuing the valley of the Great Miami to 
a point where it may be thrown into the valley of Mill creek, thence 
along that valley to Cincinnati. The waters of Mad river may be 
thrown into this line near Dayton, and those of the Great Miami below, 
and, being conducted in sufficient quantities to the termination of the 
canal at Cincinnati, would afford power for extensive and valuable hy- 
draulic works, which are there much needed. 

This line of canal would pass through a section of country inferior 
to none in America in the fertility of its soil or the ciuantity of surplus 
productions it is capable of sending to market. That part of the canal 
between Dayton and Cincinnati may be with great ease supplied with 
water, could probably be constructed for a moderate expense, and 
would become a source of immediate and extensive profit. 

In May and the summer of 1824, a locating party, 
under the direction of the commissioners, ran a line for 
the proposed "western or Miami route," from the Lora- 
mie's and St. Mary's suinmit to Ohio, by way of Cynthi- 
ana, the immediate valley of Loramie's creek to its 
junction with the Great Miami, thence by the valley of 
the latter stream and the adjacent upland country to 
Jackson's creek, at a point seventeen miles above Day- 
ton, to that place by the valley of Mad river, and to Cin- 
cinnati by Middletown and the Mill Creek valley. "From 
Dayton to Cincinnati this line, sixty-six miles seventy- 
one chains in length, assumes generally a favorable as- 
pect. Two distinct lines were run into the city — one 
line to the upper plain, keeping up the level and enter- 
ing without locks until near the point of discharge into 
the Ohio at the mouth of Deer creek; the other locking 
down the valley of Mill creek past the western part of 
the upper plain to the lower plain of the city." By De- 
cember, 1825, however, when the commissioners made 



their fourth annual report, a decision was made in favor 
of the present line, on the high level, notwithstanding 
an estimated difference of forty-five thousand dollars in 
cost in favor of the iQwer line. The commissioners say: 

Upon a full investigation of the question of the proper point to 
terminate the canal, which was made in August last, it was deemed ad- 
visable, with reference to all the interests connected with the canal, not- 
withstanding the estimated difference of cost, to adopt the line upon 
the high level and terminate the canal at the mouth of Deer creek. 
The superior value of the hydraulic privileges afforded by the high 
level: the favorable position which the mouth of Deer creek affords, 
when compared with the other point of termination, for a safe harbor 
for steam and canal boats, both in high and low waters; the great fa- 
cility it affords over any other, for the construction of dry and wet 
docks, which the increasing commerce of the Ohio river and the inter- 
ests of the public will soon imperiously require; and the prominent and 
mutual advantage, both to the surrounding country and the city, which 
the level uninterrupted by locks for a distance of ten miles back into 
the country will afford ; all conspired to produce the conviction upon 
the minds of the commissioners that the adoption of that line was re- 
cjuired by the general interests connected with the work. It will be 
recollected that, in the last report of the board, calculations were 
made upon the extent and value of the supplies of water which it was 
believed could be drawn from the Miami river to this point. With a 
view to this object, the capacity of the upper end of this section of the 
canal is enlarged for the purpose of receiving and passing forward a 
greater supply of water. The first ten miles from the river are con- 
structing, with an increase of one foot in depth, and three feet and a 
half in the width of the top water line; and the next fifteen miles, 
with an increase of half a foot in depth, and one foot and three-fourths 
in the width of the top water line. The increase of the capacity 
of the canal must proportionally enhance its cost, and is another rea- 
son for the apparent disparity between the savings on this line, at con- 
tract prices, compared with original estimates, and the other lines un- 
der contract. It is, however, believed that the cost of this increase of 
the capacity of a part of the line will be more than reimbursed to the 
State in the value of the surplus water which is anticipated from it. 
Propositions have already been made by responsible individuals to con- 
tract for the use of the whole amount of surplus water which can be 
delivered at Cincinnati at the price placed upon it in the last report of 
the board — twenty thousand dollars. 

The latter part of this passage implies that the great 
work of internal improvement had been commenced by 
the State in the more material portions of it. This was 
the case with both the Ohio & Erie and the Miami 
canals. On the second of February, 1825, an act of the 
legislature had been approved "to provide for the internal 
improvement of the State of Ohio, by navigable canals." 
It passed the senate by a vote of thirty-four to two, and 
the house of representatives by fifty-eight to thirteen. It 
. authorized and empowered the canal commissioners to 
commence and prosecute the construction of a canal on 
the Muskingum and Scioto route, so called, from the 
mouth of the Scioto to Lake Erie, by way of the Licking 
summit and the Muskingum river, "and likewise a navi- 
gable canal on so much of the Maumee and Miami line 
as Hes between Cincinnati and Mad river, at or near 
Dayton." This was in pursuance of the next preceding 
report of the commissioners, which, after full discussion 
of the several routes proposed, declared it practicable to 
make canals upon those routes, "both of which," they say, 
"are of unquestionable importance, and ought to be 
made by the State, as soon as the necessary funds can be 
obtained and the wants of the people require them. 
They therefore recommended a law for the entire con- 
struction of the Ohio & Erie, and for that part of the 
Miami stretching from Cincinnati to Dayton — " leaving 
to succeeding legislatures to determine when it will be 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.- 



expedient to complete the western line to the foot of the 
Maumee rapids." In making recommendation of the line 
from Cincinnati to Dayton, "the board had been influ- 
enced by a consideration of its cheapness, when com- 
pared with the summit level or northern part of the 
route — the ease and certainty with which it can be sup- 
plied with water — the population and products of the 
country through which it passes — the present accommo- 
dations which it will give — and the certainty which it 
promises of profit to the State immediately after its com- 
pletion." The total length of the line, as surveyed from 
Cincinnati to the foot of the Maumee rapids, was now 
reported at two hundred and sixty-five miles, forty-two 
chains, with a lockage of eight hundred and eighty-nine 
and four-tenths feet, and estimated cost of two million 
five hundred and two thousand four hundred and ninety- 
four dollars. The estimated revenue from this division 
recommended to be constructed, for the first year after 
completion, was twenty thousand dollars from tolls, and 
a like sum from the rents of water-power. 

Contracts for a number of sections of the authorized 
lines were promptly made. The first ground broken on 
the Miami route was at Middletown, in 1825. Mr. S. S. 
L'Hommedieu, in his pioneer address, April 7, 1874, 
says that Governor Dewitt Clinton came from New York 
to perform the ceremony, and that with him was the 
Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, then governor of Ohio. They 
were escorted to the place selected for throwing up the 
first spadeful of earth by the Cincinnati Guards and the 
Hussars. The ceremony was duly performed, amid loud 
acclamations. The people felt that the canal was really 
begun, and would soon be a practical and useful reality. 
In the city, where real estate had much declined, it 
speedily recovered its prices, and then advanced, and an 
impetus was given to all kinds of business. 

The work went briskly forward. By the middle of 
December, 1825, thirty-one thousand nine hundred and 
ninety-four dollars had been expended upon the line. 
Within a year from that time, thirty-one of the forty-three 
miles under contract were completed, and the twelve 
miles remaining, mostly heavy work at the lower end of 
the canal, were in such a state of forwardness as to prom- 
ise completion by the first of the ensuing July. The fin- 
ished work included nine locks, five aqueducts, twenty 
stone culverts of three to twenty feet chord, with numer- 
ous paved waste weirs, road bridges, etc. There were 
some delays in the further prosecution of the work; but 
before the close of 1827, this first division of the canal, 
extending from the head of Main street in Cincinnati to 
the mouth of the Miami feeder, then reported as a dis- 
tance of forty-four miles, was completed. The commis- 
sioners say, in their sixth annual report : 

On the twenty-eighth of November, three fine boats, crowded with 
citizens, delighted with the novehy and interest of the occasion, left the 
basin six miles north of Cincinnati,* and proceeded to Middletown with 
the most perfect success. The progress of the boats was equal to 
about three miles an hour, through the course of the whole line, includ- 
ing:the detention at the locks and all other causes of delay, which are 

* The boats were obliged to start from this point on account of the 
accidental breach in one of the aqueducts, which prevented for a little 
longer time navigation between the basin and the city. 



nuirierous in a first attempt to navigate a new canal, when masters, 
hands, and horses are inexperienced, and often the canal itself is in im- 
perfect order. The boats returned to the basin with equal success, and 
it is understood have made several trips since, carrying passengers and 
freight. 

On the fourth of July next previous, the first boat nav- 
igating the Ohio & Erie canal had descended triumph- 
andy from Akron to Cleveland, thirty-eight miles, and 
was received, in its passage and .its entry into the city, 
with great acclamation. 

The entire line of the Miami canal, so far as author- 
ized, was now under contract, and to be completed by 
the first of June, 1828. By the seventeenth of March 
damages caused by floods and the effects of the winter 
upon the low^er part of the route had been repaired so as 
to admit of the passage of boats through from Middle- 
town to Cincinnati. The work elsewhere was unavoida- 
bly retarded, to the disappointment of the commissioners; 
and it was not until the month of November that the en- 
tire division from Cincinnati to Dayton was finished. 
Even then the dam over Mad river, for the feeder from 
that stream, was incomplete, from injuries received in the 
floods of January preceding. A feeder from the Mi- 
ami, a short distance above Middletown, had also been 
made, and a short side-cut to connect the canal with 
Hamilton had been constructed at a cost of six to seven 
thousand dollars, of which all but two thousand was con- 
tributed by the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville. The 
length of the division was sixty-five miles, twenty chains, . 
and thirty-four links, with nearly three miles of side-cut 
and feeders. It had cost seven hundred and forty-six 
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two dollars and seventy 
cents, averaging per mile ten thousand nine hundred and 
eighty-three dollars and twelve cents — an excess above 
the estiiuates, when the cost of connecting the canal with 
the Ohio river is added, of about one hundred and thirty- 
five thousand dollars. The tolls collected on the lower 
division of the canal, to the first of December, 1828, 
amounted to eight thousand and forty-two dollars and 
seventy cents. The tolls received during the next year, 
the first after the completion of the division, were twenty 
thousand nine hundred and forty-one dollars and thirty- 
six cents — a remarkably close approximation to the esti- 
mate of the commissioners some years before. The canal 
board now reports, among other matters : 
. "Navigation has been successfully maintained through- 
out the season on the canal, with the exception of the 
interruptions caused by two successive failures in one of 
the heavy embankments on Mill creek, by which it was 
suspended in the aggregate considerably upwards of a 
month. . . Contracts have been made for the 

extension of this canal from the head of Main street in 
the city of Cincinnati, to the termination of the level at 
the head of Broadway, and for the construction of a sec- 
tion crossing the immediate valley of Deer creek. It is 
proposed to put the remainder of the line to the river 
under contract in the ensuing spring." 

While the work was in progress, in August, 1828, the 
Western Pioneer, published at Cincinnati, thus made a 
note of it: 

The Ohio & Miami canals are advancing steadily. The latter is ex- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



pected to be completed and in operation tliis fall. This grand enter- 
prise has thus far equaled, if not exceeded, the best expectations of its 
most sanguine friends, whether in regard of the expense of construc- 
tion, the utility of the improvement itself, or the amount of revenue 
arising from it. Forty-two miles only of the Miami canal are in ope- 
ration, and on that part of the hne, too, where, from its contiguity to 
market, it is best needed, and of course least used. But on this part 
of the line, we were told by the collector of tolls at Cincinnati a few days 
ago, that the amount received for the quarter ending on the seventeentli 
ultimo, for tolls, was about three thousand dollars. It should also be 
taken into the account that this quarter occupies that part of the year 
when least produce is taken to market, and when of course the smallest 
amount of revenue would arise from it. 

In 1824, as before indicated, the remainder of the 
route, the division running northwardly froin Dayton to 
the Maumee at Fort Defiance, and thence northeast- 
ward along that river to its mouth at the w,estern extrem- 
ity of Lake Erie, had been located in good part, and the 
next year it was regularly surveyed. This extension was 
not in the canal policy of the State, as determined by the 
original law for the construction of the canals; but 
happily, by the generous action of the General Govern- 
ment, it was able in a very few years to provide for the 
completion of the work. In response to a memorial 
from the State legislature, backed by pressing solicita- 
tions of some of the most eminent citizens of Ohio, 
Congress, in the session of 1827-8, made a grant of a 
quantity of public land equal to one-half of five sections 
in width, on each side of the route proposed for the 
canal extension, between Dayton and the Maumee, so 
far as the same should be located through the Congress 
lands. In return it was simply provided that all persons 
or property of the United States should forever pass 
over said canals free of tolls. The amount of this grant, 
as afterwards ascertained, was three hundred and eighty- 
four thousand acres. Estimating its value by the mini- 
mum price put by the act of Congress upon the reserved 
alternate sections (two dollars and fiity cents per acre), 
the market value of the grant at that time was very 
nearly a million of dollars (nine hundred and sixty thou- 
sand dollars). The same act granted the State half a 
million acres more, in aid of its canals. This grant was 
conditioned upon the completion -within iive years of the 
canals already begun at the time of the passage of the 
act, and the grant for the Miami extension upon the 
commencement of the work within five and its 
completion within twenty years, on penalty of 
payment by the State to the Federal Government of the 
value of the lands. The legislature accepted the 
former, but declined the latter grant, as it was feared that 
it might be impossible to fulfil the conditions. The 
Solons of the State were not over-anxious to pledge it to 
the excavation of a costly work through a long stretch of 
country, most of which was still a howling wilderness. 
In this exigency, by great good fortune, Judge Jacob 
Burnet, of Cincinnati, in the session of 1829-30, took his 
seat in the Senate of the United States, as successor of 
General Harrison, at once manifested a lively interest in 
the subject, and presently secured the passage of an act 
repealing the twenty-year and forfeiture clauses, and mak- 
ing the grant equivalent to five sections for every mile of 
canal located on land previously sold, as well as that 
unsold, by the General Government. In pursuance of 



that measure, the land was located under direction of the 
governor, and by it, undoubtedly, the extension was 
effected. 

The Miami Canal, in its earlier years at least, was 
a financial success. In 1838, the net tolls, beyond re- 
pairs and expense of collection, etc., were two hundred 
and nine thousand seven hundred and seventy-three 
dollars, or a little more than four and a half per cent, on 
the cost of construction. In the year 1840, the tolls paid 
over six per cent, on original cost. The canal is still 
used to advantage, but the extreme lower end of it, in the 
city of Cincinnati, was abandoned some years ago, and 
turned into Eggleston-avenue sewer. As these pages are 
closed a measure is being pressed upon the legisla- 
ture to allow the abandonment of the canal below the 
basin near Cumminsville, and give up the berme-bank 
of the six miles thus vacated for railroad purposes, letting 
the College Hill narrow-guage, and very likely other rail- 
roads, into the city on their own tracks. 

A MIAMI SHIP CANAL. 

For many years, and especially during those iininedi- 
ately following the late war, the project was mooted of 
deepening and widening the Miami canal, so as to per- 
mit the passage of lake-going vessels to and from the 
Ohio river. At last Congress, during the session of 
1879-80, took cognizance of the movement as of na- 
tional iinportance, and made a grant from the treasury 
sufficient to secure a preliminary survey of the line with 
a view to its conversion into a ship canal. Captain W. 
S. Williams, of Canton, in this State, a gentleinan of 
long experience in engineering on Ohio canals, began the 
survey during the warm season of 1880 from Cincinnati 
to Paulding Junction, one hundred and eighty miles, 
whence the work was done to the other terminus by Mr. 
Ward, a Newark engmeer. They report informally that 
it will be necessary to widen the canal to nearly double 
its present width, deepen it twelve to fourteen feet, 
strengthen its banks and solidify its bed, and change its , 
course slightly at some points in Cincinnati, probably 
abandoning the present canal bed from some point near 
Cumminsville, and there turning the new canal into Mill 
creek. The last suggestion is considered specially im- 
portant in the city, as enabling its people to carry out 
the plans so frequently discussed there and by the State 
board of public works, of abandoning the present canal 
bed in the city limits, using it for railroad purposes, and 
converting Mill creek bottom into a great basin where 
coal could be shipped without transfer direct from the 
river to the north, and where an immense amount of 
water power could be obtained without risk on the part 
of the State or city. Final action in the matter has not 
yet been taken, as these pages go through the press. 

THE WHITEWATER CANAL. 

This e.Ktended to Cincinnati from the village of Har- 
rison, on the Whitewater river and Indiana State line, 
reaching the city by way of the Whitewater, Great 
Miami and Ohio valleys, entering the latter between 
Cleves and North Bend, through a tunnel of one thou- 
sand and nine hundred feet length, upon the old farm 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



of General Harrison, near his tomb. The Dry Fork of 
Whitewater and the Little Miami were crossed by aque- 
ducts ; Mill Creek by a stone arch. The work was twenty- 
five miles long, and at Harrison joined the Whitewater 
canal of Indiana, which extended fifty-five miles further, 
to the National road at Cambridge, in that State. By this 
connection it made tributary to Cincinnati a rich and 
fertile district in Indiana, with an area of nearly three 
thousand square miles, and was justly considered in its 
day an important improvement. It also brought a large 
amount of water-power to the city, estimated as sufficient 
to turn ninety runs of millstones. 

The means for its construction, about eight hundred 
thousand dollars, were furnished as follows : Fifty thou- 
sand dollars by the State of Ohio, forty thousand dollars 
by the city of Cincinnati, ninety thousand by citizens, in 
stock subscriptions for shares of one hundred dollars 
each; and the remainder was raised upon bonds and cer- 
tificates. A great freshet in December, 1846, swept off 
the feeder, dam, and a mile of the canal south of Harri- 
son; and in order to make the necessary repairs, the city 
was again called upon to lend its credit to the amount of 
thirty thousand dollars to the canal; which was accord- 
ingly repaired the next summer and fall. During the 
latter season the entrance to the canal at Harrison was 
destroyed by high water, which compelled a relocation 
on higher ground the next year, which the city's financial 
aid enabled the company to make. 

The second disaster is rather difficult to account for, 
if the tradition be true that the enterprise was in view so 
long before its consummation as 1832, when Mr. E. D. 
Mansfield and others of its intelligent friends at Cincin- 
nati availed themselves of the great flood of that year to 
get the high water mark at Harrison for a point of be- 
ginning, and thence make their calculations for the de- 
scent to the city. The canal was not finished until more 
than ten years afterwards, the first boat upon it reach- 
ing the city in November, 1843. It was used for a num- 
ber of years, but in 1863, having been abandoned, its 
bed within the city limits and the Pearl street market 
place were leased to the Cincinnati & Indianapolis rail- 
road company, for their tracks and depot, for the sum of 
six thousand dollars per annum for the first five years. 
The Plum street depot stands at or near the old ter- 
minus, and the remainder of the canal bed or tow-path 
to Harrison is partly used by the railroad. 

THE LOUISVILLE SHIP CANAL. 

An enterprise in which shippers and merchants in the 
Miami country have always felt a healthy interest is the 
canal around the falls of the Ohio, at Louisville. In 
1 818 the Jeffersonville canal company, for the purpose 
of constructing such canal, was incorporated by the In- 
diana legislature, and Jacob Burnet, Henry Bechtle, 
and other prominent Cincinnatians, were named in the 
act as among the directors. The charter was not to ex- 
pire until 1899, but the canal was to be finished under 
it by the close of 1824. It was to be two and three- 
fourths miles long, with an average depth of forty-five 
feet, a width at the bottom of fifty feet, and at the top 



of one hundred. The capital stock was one million of 
dollars, in twenty thousand fifty dollar shares. The 
privilege of a lottery, with prizes amounting to one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars, was also granted, and 
was faithfully used. The lottery was drawn in April, 
18 19, and the work seems to have been waiting for it, 
since it was begun almost at once, during the next month. 
The subsequent history of the canal does not specially 
concern this chapter. 



CHAPTER XVIL 



ROADS. 

The koad is that physical sign or smybol by which you will best 
understand any age or people. If they have no roads they are savages; 
for the road is a creation of man and a type of civilized society. 

If you inquire after commerce, look at the roads, for 
roads are the ducts of trade. If you wish to know whether society is 
stagnant, learning scholastic, religion a dead formality, you may 
learn something by going into universities and libraries— some- 
thing also by the work that is doing on cathedrals and churches, 
or in them ; but quite as much by looking at the roads. For if there is 
any motion in society, the road, which is the symbol of motion, will in- 
dicate the fact. Wliere there is activity, or enlargement, or a liberaliz- 
ing spirit of any kind, then there is intercourse and travel; and these 
require roads. So if there is any kind of advancement going on, if new 
ideas are abroad and new hopes rising, then you will see it by the roads 
that are building. Nothing makes an inroad without making a road. 
All creative action, whether in government, industry, thought, or reli- 
gion, creates roads. 

Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., "The Day of Roads." 

THE PIONEER ROADS. 

It is interesting to note that the very first publication, 
in any relation to the founding of Cincinnati, brings in 
the mention of a road. September 6, 1788, when 
Messrs. Denman & Filson put forth through the Ken- 
tucky G^a«if;//d' a prospectus for the laying-off a town "upon 
that excellent situation" opposite the mouth of the Lick- 
ing; "on the northwest side of the Ohio," they accoinpa- 
nied it with this announcement: "The fifteenth day of 
September is appointed for a large company to meet in 
Lexington and make a road from there to the mouth of 
the Licking, provided Judge Symmes arrives, being daily 
expected." The judge did not go to Lexington at that 
time; but the party was nevertheless formed without his 
presence, and executed its purpose within a week, Judge 
Symmes meeting it when he "landed at Miami" (the site 
of Cincinnati) on the twenty-second of the same month, 
and enjoying its company and protection as an escort 
during his explorations to the northward, until their dis- 
content at his unwillingness to let them destroy a small 
Indian camp, with its wretched inhabitants, sent them 
home. But, however well marked or "blazed" was their 
road through the wilderness, it was little used at first by 
the Losantiville people or their occasional visitors. The 
common way from the Miami settlements to Lexington 
continued to be by Limestone Point (Maysville), going 
thither by boat, keeping carefully on "the Virginia (Ken- 
tucky) side," through fear of the lurking savage, and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



thence sixty-four miles to the metropoHs of the infant 
State, all the way through almost pathless and uninhab- 
ited woods, except at the Blue Licks, where a man named 
Lyons had established a station and was engaged in salt- 
making. At Lexington, if a person wished to go to the 
east, it was customary to post written notices upon the 
trees that at such a date a party would be made up at 
Crab Orchard to traverse the wild country beyond that; 
and when a sufficient company had assembled to give 
reasonable promise of successful defence against any or- 
dinary war-party of Indians, it would take its departure 
from that point, bearing all needed supplies with them. 
Occasionally travellers would go to Limestone and pole, 
paddle, or pull their way up to Wheeling; but the other 
is said to have been the way usually preferred. After the 
organization of Hamilton county, the public officers who 
lived at Columbia commonly came down to Cincinnati in 
canoes or crossed and walked down "on the Virginia 
side," crossing again when they reached the mouth of 
the Licking. Even the canoe journey was not always 
safe, as an incident related in chapter VIII of this work 
shows. As for the densely wooded road or trail along 
the north bank between the two places, it was long un- 
safe, as the bloodthirsty savage still haunted the hillsides 
and thickets. The first road out of Losantiville in this 
direction ran nearly upon the subsequent line of the 
turnpike — as it needs must, from the narrowness of the 
strip much of the way between the hills and the river. 
It was, of course, not far from the river bank, and was 
but wide enough for the movement of a single wagon. 
Approaching the town above Deer creek, near the foot of 
Mount Adams, it descended westwardly about four hun- 
dred feet, crossed the creek, trended off in a southerly 
direction along its west bank with an ascending grade, 
which led up to the line of the present Symmes street, 
thence running directly toward and past Fort Washington, 
diverging east of it, at the intersection of Lawrence, 
going on both sides of the fort, and so entering the vil- 
lage. 

To the north and northwest of the town, the valley of 
Mill creek offered the only routes over which a road 
could reach the city without climbing steep hills and 
descending sharp declivities. Out this way, accordingly, 
the old "Hamilton road" gradually pushed — at first to 
Ludlow's station, and then, under military auspices, to 
Fort Hamilton, and so on through the chain of military 
posts to the Maumee. In its use for the march of the 
legions of the United States this road, for some years in 
the last decade of the last century, deserved almost the 
fame of the great Roman ways by which the conquering 
eagles were carried to the very borders of the empire. 
For many years it furnished the only convenient ave- 
nue of access to the back country; and in 1841 it is 
noted by Mr. Cist as, what it may still be considered, 
being the most important wagon road out of Cincinnati. 
About that time a turnpike of twenty-five miles length 
was constructed upon its line. 

One of the early wagon roads of greatest importance 
to Cincinnati was the "Anderson State road," connecting 
it with Chillicothe. It was a common road, cut through 



the woods at the expense of the State (about eighteen 
dollars a mile, exclusive of bridges), by Colonel Richard 
C. Anderson, of Chillicothe. It was made about forty 
feet wide, and was long the great thoroughfare between 
Cincinnati and the east. The "Milford pike" runs near 
its line for. a large part of the distance. 

ROAD LEGISLATION. 

One of the first acts of the territorial legislature, sitting 
in Cincinnati in the fall of 1799, was for the maintenance 
of a road from Marietta to that place, and to provide 
generally for the opening of roads and highways. Almost 
ten years before this, at the very first assembling of the 
general court of quarter sessions of the peace for Ham- 
ilton county, created by Governor St. Clair, and meeting 
a month afterwards (February 2, 1790) in Cincinnati, 
prompt attention had been given to similar matters. A 
"road or path" was ordered to be opened from the vil- 
lage to "the city Miami," by way of Ludlow's trace and 
Stone lick, and down the west side of Mill creek and 
along the south foot of the Ohio river hills to the said 
"city Miami," — Symmes' prospective city, now occupied 
in part by the villages of North Bend and Cleves. The 
citizens of the eastern terminus were to be called out to 
open and finish the road to the west border of Cincinnati 
township; and Mr. Darius Curtis Orcutt was appointed 
commissioner of highways to rally for a similar purpose, 
at their end of the line, the good people of Miami town- 
ship. The whole was to be finished within two months. 
On the petition of citizens of Columbia, another road 
was ordered to be opened — one from Fort Miami to "the 
south corner of Captain Mercer's lots," thence to the 
Little Miami, and along that stream to William Flinn's 
house, and thence by Turkey bottom to the most conve- 
nient ford to Wickersham's mill. This was to be com- 
pleted in one month. The overseer of roads for Miami 
township reported a road as completed from North Bend 
to South Bend. 

Now came the tug of war. Then, as later, there was 
vigorous shirking of road duty. At the next session of 
the court came James Goudy, overseer of highways for 
Cincinnati township, and reported that he had duly noti- 
fied the citizens within his bailiwick to turn out for the 
construction of the road to South Bend, but that " the 
greatest majority refused to attend on his notification, 
and in consequence the road remains unfinished." Where- 
upon the court promptly mulcted the recusant Cincin- 
nati township in the sum of one hundred "Spanish 
milled dollars." 

By the same authority, under a jurisdiction which 
would be considered quite unique in these days, certain 
streets were directed to be opened through Columbia and 
the adjoining lands. Luke Foster, Ephraim Kibby, and 
Joseph Reeder were appointed commissioners to "regu- 
late the streets" in that village, and similarly Isaac Mar- 
tin, Jacob Reeder, and James Cunningham were ap- 
pointed to open and clear out the streets of Cincinnati. 

At a session of the court in 1792, the opening of a 
road, petitioned for by the Cincinnatians, was ordered to 
be made nearly on a direct line on Mill creek, by " Lud- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



223 



low's station, White's improvement, Cunningham's sec- 
tion of land, and as far as Runyan's improvement." 

FURTHER FROM THE RECORDS. 

The following items, never before published, have 
been carefully abstracted from the most authentic records 
and traditions, and are alike instructive and interesting, 
inasmuch as they inform the reader at once of the first 
roads in the Symmes purchase. In connection are 
found the old army traces, location of first stations, and 
names of pioneer surveyors, and their assistants. Where 
names are given in clusters of two or three, the name of 
the principal surveyor comes first; and herein many 
readers will find, for the first time, perhaps, their grand- 
father's, or great-grandfather's, name in print : 

1790. Road laid out from Cincinnati, nortliwest along Ludlow's 
trace to Mill creek, two miles alcove its mouth, thence towards the Ohio 
and on to the city Miami. Surveyor, Darius Orcutt. 

1790. Road from Fort Miami, by Captain Mercer's to Little Miami 
river, by William Flinn's house, along Turkey bottom to Wickersham's 
mill. 

1790. Road reported completed from North to South Bend. 

1790. Streets improved in Columbia. Ephraim Kibby; Joseph 
Reeder, James Matthews, assistants. 

1790. Road out through western Cincinnati. Supervisor, James 
Goudy. 

1790-1. Cincinnati streets cleared and improved. Isaac Martin; 
Jacob Reeder, James Cunningham, assistants. 

1792. Road from Cincinnati up Mill creek, by Ludlow's station 
{now the north part of CumminsviUe) thence to White's station at the 
third crossing of Mill creek (upper Carthage now), and on to Cunning- 
ham's, and thence to Runyan's improvement. John Wallace; John 
■Vance, Daniel Griffin, assistants. 

[This track has been marched over by parts of four 
armies — Clark's in 1780; Harmar's left wing, 1790; St. 
Clair's main body in 1791, and Wayne's center and left 
wing in 1793.] 

1792. Road from Wickersham's mill to Mercersburgh (Newtown). 
Ichabod B. Miller; James Flinn, Captain Benjamin Davis, assistants. 

1792. Road from Cincinnati to the mouth of the Little Miami river. 
John S. Gano; Hon. William McMillan, John Ludlow, assistants. 

1792. Road from Nine Mile run, on St. Clair's trace, to Fort Ham- 
ilton, by Dunlap's station. John Dunlap; John Shaw, Mr. Barrett, as- 
sistants. 

1792. John Wallace's time extended on the road to Runyan's, till 
February, 1793. 

1792. Improvement of the road from Columbia by Crane's tan- 
yard, by Kibby's saw-mill, in the direction of White's trace to Mill 
creek, and along St. Clair's trace to Fort Hamilton. Ephraim Kibby; 
Daniel Griffin, Jacob White, assistants. 

1793. Survey of a road from near John Ludlow's and Samuel 
Robertson's, in Cincinnati, up Front street to the Little Miami. JohnS. 
Gano; William McMillan, John Ludlow, assistants. 

1793. Streets cleared in Cincinnati towards Gordon's inn and James 
Wallace's place, in the western part of the town. 

1793. Road ordered from Kibby's draw-well, in Columbia, to Craw- 
fish creek, thence to Duck creek, thence to a run in Samuel Bonnell's 
section, thence to the "great road" (now Lockland avenue, Carthage) 
thence northeast to White's ford, a distance of six miles from Colum- 
bia to White's station. John Reily; William Brown, Aaron Mercer, as- 
sistants. 

1793. Road laid out from "the Garrison, " at Mercersburgh (New- 
town), to Dry run, thence by Broadwell's clearing to the Little Miami, 
three miles and thirty-six poles. Ichabod Miller; Moses Broadwell, 
Isaac Morris, assistants. 

1793. Road improved from the mouth of Mill creek west to North 
Bend. James Goudy; David E. Wade, Samuel Dick, assistants. 

1793. Road corrected and improved from Cincinnati up to Colum- 
bia. Ephraim Kibby; Francis Dunlavy, William Brown, assistants. 

1793. Road surveyed and reported, "beginning at the meeting- 
house in Cincinnati," thence towards Mill creek, thence to the fifth mile 
tree at Ludlow's station, thence northeast to Mill creek (second cross- 



ing), thence to the seventh mile tree, to the eighth mile tree, thence to 
White's ford, thence to the tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and 
fourteenth mile trees at Runyan's. John Wallace, John Vance, 

1793. Survey of road from Cincinnati to the mouth of the Big 
Miami. Aaron Caldwell; John Brasher, Ephraim Brown, assistants. 

1793. Road from Cincinnati by Miller's tan-yard to Deer creek. 
Levi Woodward; Jacob Reeder, Samuel Martin, assistants. 

1793. Cincinnati streets ordered cleared from Front street, near Mc- 
Millan's and Freeman's, to the hill tops, near Winthrop Sargent's 
house. 

1794. Road laid out from John Ludlow's place in Mount Pleasant, 
eastward to Griffin's station, on Mill creek (now the western part of 
Carthage), thence to Tucker's station, thence to the great road leading 
to Hamilton. John Wallace; John Vance, Henry Tucker, assistants. 

1794. Road laid out from near Gano's and Stites's houses, in Col- 
umbia, to Round Bottom. Ira Dunlavy, John Gerrard. 

1794. Fourteen miles of road improved between White's ford and 
Fort Hamilton. John Wallace; Jacob White, John Winans, as- 
sistants. 

1794. Road granted from Covalt's station, on the Little Miami, to 
White's station, on Mill creek. Abraham Highly; John Dunlap, Jacob 
White, assistants. 

I79S- Road laid out from Main street, Cincinnati, northeast nearly 
on Harmar's trace (six miles,) "to the road connecting Columbia and 
White's station." 

[General Harrison went out over this trace in 1793, 
with the right wing of Wayne's army.] 

1795. Road established and improved from Captain Benham's lot, 
in Cincinnati, eastward by Hunt's tan-yard, five miles to Columbia. 
Levi Woodward; George Gordon, James Cox, assistants. 

I79S- Road laid out from mouth of Little Miami three miles, to 
Wickersham's mill. Ichabod Miller; Ignatius Ross, Richard Hall, as- 
sistants. 

1795. Streets cleared for village of Manchester (now in Adams 
county). Nathaniel Massie; William Ludsom, George Edginton, as- 
sistants. 

I79S- Road surveyed from Cincinnati, by Freeman's station, on Mill 
creek, to the Big Miami. 

1795. Road from Fairfield, seven miles, to Colerain. Ephraim 
Kibby; Benjamin Davis, Charles Bruce, assistants. 

1796. Road laid out from the mouth of the Little Miami, up the 
Ohio river, thirty-two miles. Ichabod Miller; John Whetstone, Igna- 
tius Ross, assistants. 

1796. Road from "Wallace's run on Fort Hamilton road," nine 
miles, to Morrill's station. Henry Weaver; Joseph Wilhams, James 
Cunningham, assistants. 

MORE STATE LEGISLATION. 

The attention given to roads in this county in the early 
day and as the county filled up, is further shown by the 
fact that, of the eighteen acts passed by the State legisla- 
ture relating to Hamilton county, between the years 1803 
and 1846, seven concern the opening or maintenance of 
wagon roads. The act of February 11, 1829, authorized 
the county commissioners to levy any sum not exceeding 
one and one-third mills upon the dollar, on the grand levy, 
for road purposes, for the permanent improvement of 
roads leading from the city of Cincinnati; "provided, 
the taxes levied in said county for road and county pur- 
poses shall not in any one year exceed three mills upon 
the dollar, on the grand levy or tax duplicate." Another 
act, approved February 6, 1832, further authorizes the 
commissioners to levy road taxes, but modified the act 
of 1829 so as not to allow the tax to be discharged by 
labor upon the roads. (There was evidently some shirk- 
ing more than a generation after Overseer Goudy made 
his report.) Another, of March 2, 1840, provides that 
such part of the road taxes as are collected in Cincinnati 
shall be paid into the treasury of the city, and be ex- 
pended for the construction and rej^air of bridges therein 



224 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and the clearing of market spaces; and for no other pur- 
pose. March 7, 1842, was approved an act authorizing 
the commissioners to make a graded road from the town 
of Carthage to the head of Vine street, Cincinnati — the 
famous '-Carthage road," furnishing perhaps the most 
pleasant drive out of Cincinnati and one of , the most use- 
ful of wagon-ways for other purposes. The same day 
another act permitted the taking of stone, gravel and 
other materials, to make and repair roads in Hamilton 
county, from any neighboring uncultivated lands, or to 
make drains ^nd ditches through such lands for the im- 
provement of the roads; the owner or occupant of the 
lands tO' designate the place whence the materials were to 
be taken, or the commissioner, if he refused or failed to do 
so; a fair compensation in money was to be paid; and if the 
parties could not agree upon the same, the amount was 
to be determined by three disinterested freeholders, mu- 
tually chosen by the parties. . The same day, too — which 
seems to have been prolific in benefits to Hamilton 
county highways — the county commissioners were au- 
thorized by the legislature to contract with the Cincinnati 
& Harrison Turnpike company to allow the citizens of 
the western part of the county to use the three miles of 
their road next the city free of toll, in consideration of 
the transfer to said company of any or all stock in it held 
by the city. A similar act, January 10, 1843, allowed the 
sale to the county of two miles of said turnpike, nearest 
the city, for six thousand dollars in the stock of the com- 
pany and the payment of not exceeding two thousand 
dollars into the bridge fund. February 15, 1844, the 
commissioners were enabled to make and advertise the 
public of rules and regulations to prevent the "tight lock- 
ing" of any wagon carrying wood or stone into Cincinnati, 
over any of the macadamized roads, if the loads exceeded 
fifteen hundred pounds; a violator of the law to pay a 
fine not exceeding one dollar for the first offence or two 
dollars for subsequent offences. They might also adopt 
any rules and regulations for the protection of bridges, 
not conflicting with the Federal and State constitutions — 
which seems a rather superfluous provision. But enough, 
perhaps, of legislation in behalf of local roads. 

CINCINNATI ROADS IN 1819. 

The Cincinnati directory for this year supplies some 
valuable hints as to the wagon roads tributary to the 
place just then made a city, by its table of distances — 
from Cincinnati to Detroit, Vincennes, Pittsburgh, New 
Orleans via Lexington, Nashville, and Natchez, Green- 
ville via Dayton, Chillicothe via Lebanon, and the same 
place via Williamsburgh. It notes of the bridge accom- 
modations in and about the city, that within two or three 
years two bridges had been built within the limits of Cin- 
cinnati — one three hundred and forty feet long, at the 
confluence of Deer creek with the Ohio, the other a few 
squares north. One had also been constructed over the 
mouth of Mill creek, near the west end of the city, by 
Ethan Stone. It was a toll bridge, and considered one 
of the finest in the State. Further notice will be given 
it, together with mention of other early bridges, in the 
third division of this book. 



TURNPIKES. ■ 

About 1830 the era of turnpikes, or macadamized and 
toll roads, set in. Several years previously, however, in 
1823, a charter had been granted to the Columbus & 
Sandusky turnpike company, which, although aided by a 
Congressional land-grant in 1827, took seven years to 
build its road; and then it was little better than a com- 
mon clay or mud road, and was almost impassable at 
some seasons. So loud were the complaints of the peo- 
ple concerning it that the legislature unconditionally re- 
pealed its charter in 1843. 

In 1826 only one turnpike road was in operation in 
the State, though several companies had obtained charters. 
This was the road from the mouth of Ashtabula creek, 
on Lake Erie, near which is the present city of Ashta- 
bula, to Warren. Another was building from Cleveland, 
through Medina, to Wooster; and still another from 
Cleveland via Ravenna and New Lisbon, to the Ohio. 
Three per cent, of the proceeds of sales of public lands 
in Ohio were paid in those days by the general govern- 
ment into the State treasury, to aid in the construction 
of roads. 

In February, 1828, the Cincinnati, Columbus & Woos- 
ter turnpike company was chartered, with a capital of two 
hundred thousand dollars, in shares of fifty dollars; and 
five years thereafter companies were chartered to build 
macadamized or turnpike roads from Cincinnati to Leb- 
anon and Springfield, and from Cincinnati to Harrison. 

By 1836 the great Cumberland or National road, built 
on a straight line, with stone set on edge, and culverts of 
cut stone, at a cost of fifteen thou&and dollars per mile, 
had reached Columbus, and was thereafter rapidly 
pushed westward to Indianapolis. It intersected several 
leading roads from Cincmnati, and a great impetus was 
given by it to turnpike building. Already, by the close 
of 1835, Cincinnati had the Milford turnpike, by which 
connection was had with Chillicothe; the Harrison pike, 
running from the city twenty miles to the State line at 
Harrison, was in progress, to be finished the next year, 
and was to be carried on to Brookville, Indiana; and 
there were also the Cincinnati, Columbus & Wooster, and 
the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Springfield turnpike compa- 
nies, not very active, it is true, but still holding in abey- 
ance their rights to build roads. Covington had also 
now its turnpike road to Georgetown and Lexington. 

By 1 84 1 the Harrison turnpike had been completed 
via Miamitown, and likewise the Hamilton pike; the 
turnpike to Lebanon and Springfield was in operation, 
running due north to Waynesville, and intersecting the 
National road at Springfield, so making a continuous 
macadamized and paved road to Columbus. The Cin- 
cinnati and Wooster pike was finished to Goshen, Cler- 
mont county, about twenty miles out. Several connec- 
ting turnpikes also brought tribute to the city. 

MR. CIST ON ROADS. 

In his volume representing Cincinnati in 1857, Mr. 
Charles Cist has the following notes on the roads of 
Hamilton county: 

Until about 1835, the roads around Cincinnati were of tliat primi- 
tive character which is pecuh'ai- to all new countries. Many of them led 





CHARLES SIMONSON. 



MRS. CHARLES SIMONSON. 



Barney Simonson came from New Jersey to Crosby (now Harrison) 
township in i8t8, and settled upon an unimproved trnct (e.vcept for a 
small cabin upon it), the same in part as that owned and occupied by 
his son Charles. Here he spent the remainder of his life, and died 
here upon the seventy-third anniversary of his birth. He was born in 
September, 1774, and departed this life the same day of September, 
1847. His wife was Catharine Freeman, also a native of New Jersey. 
She wa.s of English and Holland stock; her husband of Holland and 
French extraction. Their children are consecjuently of mi.xed Dutch, 
British, and Gaelic blood, with the first predomin.iting. They had 
eleven children, six daughters and five sons, viz: Nancy, Catharine, La- 
vina, Eliza, Sarah, Julia Ann, Jesse, Aaron, Barney, WiUiam, and 
Charles. Only Eliza (now Mrs. Joseph Atherton, of Stark county, Illi- 
nois), Sarah (Mrs. Milton Atherton, of Kewanee, Illinois), Juha Ann 
(now Mrs. James Rinice, residing near Indianapolis), Barney (a farmer 
in Indiana near Harrison), Jesse (a farmer and formerly a local Metho- 
dist preacher near Eaton, Preble county), and Charles are now living; 
and the last named, the youngest, is in his sixty-fifth year. He was 
born at the ancestral home in Essex township, Essex county, New 
Jersey, October 13, r8i6, and was consequently scarcely two years old 
when brought by his parents to this county. He received his formal 
education altogether in the schools of the neighborhood, and shared 
the labors of the farm with his father until the death of the latter, when 
he came into possession of the home farm, to which he has since made 
large additions by purchase, his place now comprising four hundred 
and forty acres of fine woodland and cleared fields. The elegant man- 
sion he now occupies was built in part by his father, over half a century 
ago, to which handsome improvements were effected by him about 
1866, making of it a spacious, comfortable, and very sightly residence. 
All the buildings upon the premises, including two large barns, a car- 
riage-house, and other conveniences, are painted white, making the 
group a conspicuous object in the landscape for a long distance in 
nearly every direction, even from New Haven village, in Crosby town- 



ship. The residence and part of the outbuildings appear to advantage 
in the illustration accompanying this sketch. Mr. Simonson has served 
as township trustee two or three terms, but has not been much in public 
life, confining his attention almost exclusively to the legitimate business 
of a farmer. He takes no very active part in politics, but aims always 
to vote, especially at elections of importance. He has been a Republi- 
can ever since the party had a being, and was a Whig before that. His 
first vote for President was cast for General Harrison, in 1840. He is 
not a member of any religious or secret organization, except the Pat- 
rons of Husbandry, which has a society in the neighborhood, called 
Sand Hill Grange, No. 700. He lives the quiet life of a prosperous 
farmer, in tranquillity and ease, much respected by his fellow citizens, 
and bidding every way fair to leave an honorable record behind him. 

Mr. Simonson was married to Miss I^iscetta Baughman, of the same 
neighborhood, October 4, 1844. The children by this marriage are two 
— Jennie, now the wife of Mr. Harry Bowles, a farmer in Whitewater 
township, married to him May 2, 1866; and William H., married Sally 
Wright, November 19, 1868, and residing upon his farm, formerly a 
part- of his father's estate, in a dwelling a short distance south of the old 
home. Mr. Simonson lost his first wife by death December 3, 1849, 
and was remarried June 25, 1863, to Miss Sarah Jane Gard, of an old 
Preble county family, her father having immigrated thither in 1812. 
She is the second daughter of Littlejohn aud Nancy (Wright) Gard, 
born at the old home in Preble county, February 28, 1830. She was 
trained in the home schools of that day, and remained with her parents 
upon a farm at Sugar Valley, between Eaton and Camden, Preble 
county, until her marriage with Mr. Simonson, as before noted. She 
is of a family of school-teachers, and doubtless owes much of her in- 
telligence and quickness of mind to this fact, but she herself never 
taught school. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Harrison. Since her marriage, which has proved childless, her history 
has been, of course, identified with that of her husband, in the peace- 
ful life of the farm and homestead. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



225 



over the tops of the highest hills, witliout any reference to grades, while 
all were what are now called mud roads. The invention of McAdam 
seemed to come as a special remedy for such highways and a great re- 
lief to a people suffering under such evils. It was not, however, until 
Cincinnati had attained thirty thousand inhabitants, that the macadam- 
ized roads were adopted here. Since that time every road of impor- 
tance leading from the city has been macadamized, generally by char- 
tered companies, and in some instances by the county commissioners. 
The following are the principal macadamized roads leading from 
Cincinnati: The Goshen, Wilmington, Washington and Circleville 
turnpike, one hundred miles; Montgomery, Rochester, Clarksville and 
Wilmington, fifty miles; Chillicothe and Hillsborough, only fifteen 
miles finished; Batavia, twenty-one miles; Lebanon, Xenia and Spring- 
field, seventy-two miles, continued tlirough Centreville, twenty-one 
miles; Great Miami turnpike to Dayton, through Monroe and Frank- 
lin, thirty-eight miles; Cincmnati and Hamilton, twenty-one miles; 
Colerain, Hamilton and Oxford, thirty-seven miles; Cincinnati, Car- 
thage and Hamilton, twenty-five miles; Dayton andSpringfield, twenty- 
four miles; Harrison turnpike, twenty miles; Covington and Williams- 
town, Kentucky, thirty-six miles. Total, fourteen macadamized roads, 
five hundred and fourteen miles. 

These roads proceed directly from Cincinnati, but many of them 
are continued, by their connection with other roads, until they extend 
through the State. Thus the Dayton and Springfield roads, by their 
connection with the National road at ' Springfield, go through the 
State to Wheeling and over the mountains to Baltimore. 

Six years after Mr. Cist wrote, there were twenty 
turnpikes and plank roads in Hamilton county — one 
hundred and seventy-three miles, covering one thousand 
two hundred and fifty-seven acres. In 1866 there were 
but sixteen turnpikes, one hundred and fifty-eight miles, 
still kept as toll-roads; but in 1868 there were twenty- 
three, of a total length of one hundred and ninety-five 
miles. 

It would be exceedingly tedious to follow the history 
of Hamilton county turnpikes down in detail. The 
county is now full of them, longer and shorter — some 
near the city but a fraction of a mile in length. Many 
of them have been made or bought and improved by 
the county, whose bonded road indebtedness, on the 
first of January, 1880, amounted to forty-two thousand 
eight hundred and ninety-five dollars and forty cents. 
The roads are mostly free; but there still linger at least 
thirteen of these toll-roads in the county, with an aggre- 
gate length of one hundred and thirty-two miles, and 
new companies continue to be incorporated. The in- 
corporations of this kind for the last two years have 
been: 

The Blue Rock Turnpike company; road from Six 
Mile House to New Baltimore; capital stock thirty-five 
thousand dollars; certificate of incorporation filed May 
8, 1878. 

The State or Cleves Road Turnpike company; road 
in Green and Miami townships; certificate filed June 4, 
1878. 

THE FIRST FERRY. 

As an appendix to this chapter, the document by virtue 
of which the first ferry was established across the Ohio, 
from any point in the present southern limit of Hamilton 
county, will be read with interest. 

On the thirteenth of February, 1792, the secretary of 
the Northwest Territory, then at Cincinnati, and, in the 
absence of Governor St. Clair, acting governor, issued 
the following proclamation: 

To all persons to zvhom these presents shall come, greeting: — 
Whereas, it has been represented to me that it is necessary for the 



public interests, and the convenience of the inhabitants of the county 
of Hamilton, that a ferry should be established ovgr the river Ohio, 
nearly opposite the mouth of Licking in the commonwealth of Virginia, 
and Mr. Robert Benham having requested permission to erect and keep 
said ferry: 

Now, know ye that, having duly considered of the said representation 
and request, I have thought it proper to grant the same, and by these 
presents do empower the said Robert Benham, of the county of Ham- 
ilton, to erect and keep a ferry over the Ohio river, from the landing- 
place in the vicinity of his house-lot, which is nearly opposite the 
mouth of Licking, to both points of the said rivulet and upon the 
Virginia shore; and to ask, demand, recover and receive as a compen- 
sation for every single person that he may transport over said 

ferry 6 cents 

For a man and horse r8 " 

For a wagon and team loo " 

For horned cattle, per head i8 " 

For hogs, each 6 

until those rates shall be altered by law or future instructions from the 
governor of this territory. 

■ And he is hereby required to provide good and sufficient flats or 
boats for the purpose, and to give due attention to the same according 
to right and common usage, and to govern himself in the premises by 
all such laws as hereafter may be adopted for the regulation of ferries, 
as soon as such laws shall be published in the territory. 

Given under my hand and seal, at Cincinnati, in the county of Ham- 
ilton, the eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and of the independence of 
the United States the sixteenth — and to continue in force during the 
pleasure of the governor of the territory. 

WiNTHKOi' Sargent. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



EARLY LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATORS. 

A CHAPTER may well be devoted here to some notices 
of the legislators and legislation for the Northwest Ter- 
ritory, a part of which is quite unique in character and 
object, and much has a direct local interest in this re- 
gion, as having been enacted by the governor and judges, 
or by the territorial legislature, in session at Cincinnati. 

THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' LAW. 

The ordinance of 1787 vested all legislative, execu- 
tive and judicial powers for the Northwest Territory, in 
the first instance, in the governor and judges, who were 
appointed by the President of the United States. This 
form of government was to continue until the popula- 
tion of the territory should so increase as to include five 
thousand free white males of full age, when the second, 
or more popular form of government, to which alone the 
people are now accustomed, should come in. The first 
session cJf this peculiar legislature, provided for the in- 
fancy of the territory, was held at Marietta in Septem- 
ber, 1787, and consisted of Governor St. Clair and 
Judges Parsons and Varnum only, the remaining judge 
under appointment (Armstrong) not yet having arrived, 
and, indeed, never taking his seat at all, but resigning 
instead, Judge Symmes being appointed to his place, as 
before noted. At the first meeting a very severe law, 
"respecting crimes and punishments," was enacted. It 
prescribed whipping as a part of the penalty for acts 
committed by a mob of three or more persons, for house- 



226 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



breaking, and for sundry other crimes and misdemean- 
ors, even for "assault upon a parent or master by a child 
or servant. If the child or servant were simply disobe- 
dient to rightful commands of his parent or master, he 
could be sent to jail or house of correction, and be com- 
pelled to remain there until he should humble himself 
to the satisfaction of his superior. For certain flagrant 
acts, -as perjury, forgery, and arson, the offender was to 
be set in the pillory after flogging. August 21, 1792, at 
Cincinnati, a law was passed in correspondence with the 
former enactment, entitled, "An act directing the build- 
ing and establishing of a court house, county jail, pillory, 
whipping post, and stocks in every county." Binding to 
labor — a virtual selling to slavery — was provided for 
certain cases of larceny, and afterwards for debt. Drunk- 
enness was punished by a fine of fifty cents for the first 
offence and one dollar for the second, failing to pay 
which, with costs, the offender must sit in the stocks "for 
the space of one hour." Various other penalties of a 
character quite unusual nowadays were prescribed, and 
the whole wound up with a sort of preamble or string of 
whereases at the further end of the code, by means of 
which it was hoped to check, without the infliction of 
penalties, certain practices detrimental to good order 
and Christian observances. These sections, as an inter- 
esting and unique relic of the early legislation, although 
their origin was not especially associated with this part 
of the State, are well worth reproduction here: 

Section 21, Whereas idle, vain, and obscene conversation, profane 
cursing and swearing, and more especially the irreverently mentioning, 
calling upon, or invoking the Sacred or Supreme Being by any of the 
divine characters in which he hath graciously condescended to reveal 
his infinite beneficent purposes to mankind, are repugnant to every 
moral sentiment, subversive of every civil obligation, inconsistent with 
the ornaments of polished life ancl abhorrent to the principles of the 
most benevolent religion. It is expected, therefore, that if crimes of 
this kind should e.\ist, they will not find encouragement, countenance, 
or approbation in this territory. It is strictly enjoined upon all officers 
and ministers of justice, upon parents, and others, heads of families, 
and upon others of every description, that they abstain from practices 
so vile and irrational, and that by example and precept, to the utmost 
of their power, they prevent the necessity of adopting and furnishing 
laws with penalties on this head; and it is hereby declared that Govern- 
ment will consider as unworthy of its confidence all those who may ob- 
stinately violate these injunctions. 

Section 22. Whereas, mankind, in every stage of informed society, 
have consecrated certain portions of time to the particular cultivation 
of the social -virtues and the public adoration and worship of the com- 
mon Parent of the universe; and, 

Whekeas, a practice so rational in itself and conformable to the 
divine precepts is greatly conducive to civilization, as well as morality 
and piety; and, 

Whereas, for the advancement of such important and interesting 
purposes most of the Christian world have set apart the first day of the 
week as a day of rest from common labor and pursuits, it is therefore 
enjoined that all service labor, works of necessity and charity only ex- 
cepted, be W'holly abstained from on said day. 

The marriage law permitted unions between male per- 
sons of seventeen and females of fourteen years of age, 
upon previous consent of their parents; and without such 
consent if of the ages of twenty-one and eighteen, re- 
spectively. A "pubhcation of the bans" was required 
fifteen days in advance of the ceremony, at church or 
some other public assembly; or, in lieu of this, a license 
could be obtained from the governor. Some of these 
old documents, granted by Governor St. Clair, are still 



held in Hamilton county and other parts of the State. 

LEGISLATION AT CINCINNATI. 

We now come to the matters more immediately inter- 
esting to Hamilton county, and which furnish ample jus- 
tification for the insertion of this chapter here. In June, 
179 1, the governor and judges met at Cincinnati for the 
exercise of the law-making powers; and thereafter, until 
the institution of the second grade of territorial govern- 
ment in 1799, they continued to meet at Cincinnati as the 
capital of the territory. On the twenty-second of that 
month they passed a law in two sections, the first of 
which ordained the penalty of a fine, or, in default of 
payment, fixture in the stocks for three hours, for mali- 
ciously tearing down or destroying, wholly or partly, any 
copy or transcript of a law of the territory or of the 
United States, or any official proclamation of the governor 
or President. The second section prescribed three hours 
in the stocks and payment of costs, or commitment to 
prison until the same were paid, for tearing down or defac- 
ing any publication of the bans of matrimony, or estray 
or other official notices. 

One of the laws passed by the governor and judges, at 
their meeting July 2, 1791, entitled, "an act to alter and 
amend the militia laws," directed that every person en- 
rolled in the militia of the territory should, whenever he 
attended public worship, arm and equip himself as if 
"marching to engage the enemy," on penalty of a fine, 
"as the law directs in cases of default when ordered for 
guard or other military duty," one half to go to the in- 
former, the rest to the county. If the fine were not paid 
within five days, levy might be made upon the goods and 
chattels of the defaulter, to the amount of the fine, with 
fifty cents additional for the costs, of which the justice 
got one-third and the constable two-thirds. 

The militia law of August, 1788, required that all 
male inhabitants, from the age of sixteen upwards, should 
arm and equip themselves with musket and bayonet, or 
with rifle and cartridge box, kept supplied with forty 
rounds of ammunition, and that thus fully equipped each 
should assemble with his fellow militiamen at ten o'clock 
A. M., on the first day of the week, at the place or places 
occupied for public worship, and there be subject to inspec- 
tion, drill, and other military discipline. 

A curiously loose act was passed August 21, 1792, "for 
the better regulation of prisons," which provided that if 
a prisoner confined in a civil or quitam action should 
escape through the insufficiency of the prison or the 
negligence of the sheriff or jailor, the luckless sheriff 
could be held for the debt. He was, however, to be in- 
demnified by the county, in a sum to be raised by tax- 
ation, equal to the full amount for which the prisoner, and 
then he, had been held, if the escape resulted from the 
weakness or insufficiency of the jail. This well-meant 
law, as might have been expected, often resulted in 
frauds upon the counties or the sheriffs, by collusion be- 
tween ostensible plaintiffs and defendants, where no debts 
were really due, and where, if due, nothing could pos- 
sibly be collected from the defendant ; so that, when the 
first territorial legislature met in 1799, the statute, or 
this section of it, was promptly repealed. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



227 



Another provision of the law exacted a penalty of one 
hundred dollars, or "such corporal punishment, not ex- 
ceeding forty stripes, as the court shall inflict," for con- 
veying to a prisoner, without the privity or knowledge of 
the jailor, any instrument, tool, or other thing whereby he 
might break out and escape. If the implement used was 
actually successful in accomplishing the prisoner's escape, 
the person supplying it, says the law, shall be liable to 
pay all such sums of money as the prisoner stood com- 
mitted for, and shall also have inflicted upon him, or her, 
all such punishment as the escaped prisoner would be 
liable for if a criminal and had been convicted of the 
charge for which he or she had been committed, unless 
such person would be liable to capital punishment, in 
which case the person assisting in such escape shall be 
punished by fine, imprisonment, whipping, or sitting on 
the gallows with a rope about his or her neck, or any one 
or more of the said punishments, as the court having cog- 
nizance thereof shall think proper to inflict. 

The governor and judges, also, in the exercise of their 
legislative functions, instituted a system of limited servi- 
tude or slavery for debt (not exceeding seven years), 
despite the famous provision of the organic act under 
which they held their official posts, that "there shall be 
neither slavery or involuntary servitude in the said terri- 
tory, otherwise than in punishment of crimes whereof 
the party shall have been duly convicted." The same 
law limited imprisonment for debt or fines to a term not 
to last beyond the second day of the session next after 
commitment, except in case of fraudulent concealment of 
property. 

In 1798 another law, adopted from the Kentucky code, 
allowed the selling to servitude for not more than five 
years of an offender convicted of maiming and disfigur- 
ing the person of another, in default of his ability to pay 
the fine and costs. This, however, was soon afterwards 
held to be unconstitutional, as Kentucky was not in the 
Union \^hen the territory was formed, and so an act, sin- 
gular to say, could not be thus adopted bodily from its 
code. 

The former act was passed in August, 1795. The ses- 
sions of this year — in Cincinnati, of course — extended 
through to June, July, and August, were prolific of legis- 
lation. It was evidently intended at this time, in view of 
the contemplated publication of the body of territorial 
law, to form a pretty compact and systematic collection of 
statutes. At the session of the summer of 1795 there 
passed no less than thirty-four of the sixty-four statutes 
adopted and promulgated by this gubernatorial and 
judicial legislature between the years 1790 and 1795, i"^" 
elusive. They were enacted by Governor St. Clair and 
Judges Symmes and Turner, but the entire body of ter- 
ritorial laws (the sixty-four) published after the meetings, 
■ took the name of the "Maxwell code," from the printer, 
the first one in Cincinnati, who made what was for the 
time a neat and typographically fairly accurate book of 
them. Two small volumes of territorial laws had been 
printed at Philadelphia in 1792 and 1794. Among the 
laws the Maxwell code contains is one of July 14, 1795, 
providing that the common law of England and all statutes 



or acts of the British parliament in aid thereof, passed 
prior to the fourth year of the reign of James I, and not 
local to the kingdom, should be of full force and effect 
in the territory, until repealed by legislative authority or 
disapproved of by Congress. The labor of drafting 
statutes at any time was made light to the governor and 
judges by the express permission granted them to copy 
the statutes of any State that was in the Union at the 
adoption of the ordinance of 1787. Judge Chase says 
of the system of territorial law as a whole, that notwith- 
standing many imperfections "it may be doubted whether 
any colony, at so early a period after its establishment, 
ever had one so good." 

Judge Symmes, however, seems to have had some 
fears of the force and validity of their laws. The follow- 
ing extract from one of his letters, written at Cincinnati 
June 17, 179s, well exhibits his apprehensions, and also 
the trials and tribulations experienced by the judicial 
legislators : 

"I had not been long at home from Jersey before I was called up the 
Ohio again to attend Governor St. Clair at Marietta in the capacity of 
a legislator. On the 20th of February, therefore, I set out on my 
passage up the river, and was buffeted by high waters, drifting ice, 
heavy storms of wind and rain, frost and snow, for twenty-three days 
and nights, without sleeping once in all that time in any house after 
leaving Columbia. I waited in vain twelve days at Marietta for the 
coming of the governor, and, he not appearing, I returned home. 

' ' The governor has since arrived at this place. About the same time, 
Judge Turner came up the river from the Illinois, when we were able to 
form a house and proceed to the consideration of our laws. Their bind- 
ing force was so enervated by the measures taken against them last 
session of Congress, that many citizens of lawless principles now revile 
and treat them as a nullity. How far the safety and happiness of the 
United States were involved in the downfall of our little code of juris- 
prudence, affecting few more citizens and scarcely more energetic than 
the by-laws of some country corporation — especially as they had 
undoubtedly been twice read and ordered by government to be printed — 
I will not pretend to conjecture. I only say, sir, that I am sorry they 
were found so exceptionable in the eyes of Congress. We lived 
tolerably happy underthem, and, if I am not mistaken, the happiness of 
the people is the object of laws. Hardly shall we be able to import and 
adopt a sufficient number of the laws of the original States to regulate 
our jiolice before the freemen of tlie territory will rise in numbers to 
five thousand, when the government will be new formed and the people 
make their own laws. I am, with best respects, 

Your very humble servant, 

John C. Symmes. 

Captain Dayton. 

the territorial legislature. 
The first grade of territorial government existed uutil 
1799, or for eleven years, when it was superseded by the 
second grade, the conditions of the ordinance of 1787 
having by that time been fulfilled. The governor, having 
ascertained that it had reached that degree of advance- 
ment, in point of population of free white males of legal 
age, which entitled it to the more popular form of govern- 
ment, on the twenty-ninth day of October, 1798, issued a 
proclamation directing the quahfied electors to hold elec- 
tions for territorial representatives on the third Monday of 
December next ensuing. Each voter at said election, under 
the ordinance, must have been possessed of a freehold of 
fifty acres of land; and the property qualification of each 
person elected to membership in the legislature must 
have reached the measure of three hundred acres. He 
must have been a resident of the territory for at least 
three years, and his term of service was for two years. 



228 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



The scheme of the territorial government provided for 
the establishment of a law making power to be composed 
of an elective house of representatives and a legislative 
council, the latter to consist of five members, who were 
to be appointed by Congress, from a list of ten persons 
nominated to that body by the territorial legislature. 
Such persons were to possess, each, a freehold of fi^e 
hundred acres of land, and be residents in the territory. 
Their term of service was five years. If a vacancy oc- 
curred in the council, the house of representatives were 
to nominate two others, one of whom would be selected 
by Congress to fill the vacancy. 

The election resulted in the choice of the following 
named members of the popular branch of the legislature: 

Hamilton county, William Goforth, William McMil- 
lan, John Smith, John Ludlow, Robert Benham, Aaron 
Caldwell, Isaac Martin. 

Washington county, Return Jonathan Meigs, Paul 
Fearing.- 

Ross county, Thomas Worthington, ' Edward Tiffin, 
Elias Langham, Samuel Findlay. 

Adams county, Nathaniel Massie, Joseph Darlinton. 

Wayne county, Solomon Sibley, Jacob Visgar, Charles 
F. Chabert de Joncaire. 

Jefferson county, James Pritchard. 

St. Clair county, Shadrach Bond. 

Knox county, John Small. 

Randolph county, John Edgar. 

Sixteen of these twenty-two members were residents 
within the present limits of the State, and had a controll- 
ing influence, not only by their numbers, but by their 
weight of character and knowledge of public affairs, in 
the deliberations of that branch. So also were three of 
the five members of the legislative council, which was 
composed, by appointment from a list selected by the 
house at its first session held in Cincinnati, beginning 
February 22, 1799, of Messrs. Jacob Burnet, James 
Findlay, Henry Vandenburgh, Robert Oliver, and David 
Vance. Dr. Tiffin, of Ross county, was chosen speaker 
of the house. 

This, the first legislature elect for the Northwest Ter- 
ritory, met in Cincinnati September 16, 1799, to which 
date it had adjourned, and organized the second grade 
of civil government for the vast tract of which Ohio was 
an integral part. William C. Schenck was chosen secre- 
tary of the council, Henry Vanderburg, printer; Abraham 
Cary, sergeant-at-arms; and George Howard, doorkeeper. 
Of the lower house Dr. Tiffin was speaker, John Reily, 
clerk; Abraham Cary, sergeant-at-arms; and Joshua 
Rowland, doorkeeper. The assembled solons, how- 
ever, did not get a quorum of members together until a 
week afterwards, and the first regular meeting was held 
on the twenty-fourth of September. It then remained in 
session until December 19, 1799, when it was prorogued 
by the governor until the first Monday in November of 
the next year, re-assembling then for the second session 
at Chillicothe, which had meanwhile been made the seat 
of territorial government by act of Congress. 

Judge Burnet, who was a member of the legislative 
council, and therefore intimately acquainted with the 



proceedings of the entire body, includes the following re- 
marks in his "Notes:" 

This being the first session, it was necessarily a very laborious one. 
The transition from a colonial to a semi-independent government called 
for a general revision, as well as a considerable enlargement, of the 
statute book. Some of the adopted laws were repealed, many others 
altered and amended, and a long list of new ones added to the code. 
New offices were to be created and filled, the duties attached to them 
prescribed, and a plan of ways and means devised to meet the increased 
expenditures, occasioned by the change which had just taken place. 

As the number pf members in each branch was small, and a large 
portion of them either unprepared or indisposed to partake largely of 
the labors of the session, the pressure fell on the shoulders of a few. 
Although the branch to which I belonged was composed of sensible, 
strong-minded men, yet they were unaccustomed to the duties of their 
new station, and not conversant with the science of law. The conse- 
quence was that they relied chiefly and almost entirely on me, to draft 
and prepare the bills and other documents which originated in the 
council, as will appear by referring to the journal of the session. 

THE legislature's LAWS. 

Notwithstanding the abrogation of many of the acts 
passed by the governor and judges, and the important 
modification of others, the acts which, looking from a 
later standpoint, one would presume to have been earliest 
repealed or amended, were left substantially unchanged. 
The severest enactments, those most abhorrent to our 
present sense of justice and views of penal legislation, 
were precisely those that remained untouched. The first 
laws passed by the new territorial legislature established 
and continued in force the statutes previously adopted 
by the governor and judges, in regard to corporal punish- 
ment for crime and punishment by the pillory and stocks, 
as also the law for the erection of these instruments of 
penalty, with the whipping-post at all the court houses in 
the territory. The preamble to this confirmatory act sets 
forth its necessity as springing from the information given 
to the general assembly by the governor of the territory, 
that at several times the governor and judges had pre- 
sumed to enact laws on their own authority, which were 
of doubtful validity, and had been so mentioned in the 
rulings and opinions from the bench. The new law was 
therefore enacted "to confirm and enforce" these laws. 
Another act of this people's legislature provided the pun- 
ishment of a heavy fine for maliciously firing woodland, 
prairie, or other lands. In case the offence was commit- 
ted by a servant or servants, and the master or mistress 
of him or them refused or neglected to pay the damages 
or fine, "then such servant or servants so offending shall 
be committed to the prison of his, her, or their proper 
county, until such debt, dues and demands are paid, or 
be whipped not exceeding thirty-nine stripes, at the dis- 
cretion of the court having cognizance thereof. There is 
a little reminiscence of St. Paul's chequered career in 
this prescription of the number of stripes, which is at 
least entertaining. 

Judge Chase, in his Sketch of the History of Ohio, 
makes the following review of the proceedings of this • 
legislature : 

The whole number of acts passed and approved by the governor was 
thirty-seven. Of these the most important related to the militia, to 
the administration of justice, and to taxation. Provision was made 
for the efficient organization and discipline of the military force of the 
territory; justices of the peace were authorized to hear and determine 
all actions upon the case, e.xcept trover, and all actions of debt, except 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



229 



upon bonds for the performance of covenants, without limitation as to 
the amount in controversy; and a regular system of taxation was estab- 
lished. The tax for territorial purposes was levied upon lands; that for 
county purposes upon persons, personal property, and houses and lots. 

During this session a bill authorizing a lottery for a public purpose, 
passed by the council, was rejected by the representatives. Thus early 
was the policy adopted of interdicting this demoralizing and ruinous 
mode of gambling and taxation — a policy which, with but a temporary 
deviation, has ever since honorably characterized the legislature of Ohio. 

Before adjournment the legislature issued an address to the people, 
in which they congratulated their constituents upon the change in the 
form of government, rendered an account of their public conduct as 
legislators, adverted to the future greatness and importance of this part 
of the American empire and the provision made by the National Gov- 
ernment for secular and religious instruction in the west; and upon 
these considerations urged upon the people the practice of industry, fru- 
gality, temperance, and every moral virtue. "Religion, morality and 
knowledge, " said they, "are necessary to all good governments. Let 
us, therefore, inculcate the principles of humanity, benevolence, hon_ 
esty, and punctuality in dealing, sincerity, and charity, and all the social 
affections." 

About the same time an address was voted to the President of the 
United States, expressing the entire confidence of the legislature in the 
wisdom and purity of his administration, and their warm attachment to 
tlie American constitution and government. The vote upon this ad- 
dress proved that the differences of political sentiment, which then agi- 
tated all the States, had extended to the territory. The address was 
carried by eleven ayes against five noes. 

On the nineteenth of December, this protracted session was termi- 
nated by the governor. In his speech on this occasion he enumerated 
eleven acts, to which, in the course of the session, he had thought fi^ 
to apply his absolute veto. These acts he had not returned to the leg- 
islature, because the two houses were under no obligation to consider 
the reasons on which his veto was founded; and, at any rate, as hie 
veto was unqualified, the only effect of such a return would be to bring on 
a vexatious and probably fruitless altercation between the legislative body 
and the executive. Of the eleven acts thus negatived, six related to the 
erection of new counties. These were disapproved for various reasons, 
but mainly because the governor claimed that the power exercised in 
enacting them was vested by the ordinance, not in the legislature, bu^ 
jU himself. This free exercise of the veto power excited much dis- 
satisfaction among the people, and the controversy which ensued be- 
tween the governor and the legislature, as to the extent of their respect- 
ive powers, tended to confirm and strengthen the popular disaffection. 

Thereafter, until the formation of the State, the legis- 
lature did not make many laws, although it assembled 
annually, 'In consequence of these bold assumptions of 
the governor, who arrogated to himseK most of the 
powers which have since been entrusted to the territorial 
legislatures. He not only erected new counties and 
fixed their seats of justice, and arbitrarily put the foot of 
his veto upon such legislative enactments, as we have 
seen, as he thought to encroach upon his prerogatives, 
but even promulgated new laws of his own devised by 
executive proclamation, without the concurrence of the 
legislature. These and other high-handed and unwar- 
ranted acts made the administration of Governor St. 
Clair exceedingly unpopular, so much so that when he 
proposed, in his official character, to address the consti- 
tutional convention, met at Chillicothe in November, 
1802, to form the State government, he was permitted to 
do so by only a bare majority of five, which passed a 
resolution that "Arthur St. Clair, sr., esquire, be permit- 
ted to address the convention on those points which he 
deems of importance." The value put upon his coun- 
sels at this time may be inferred from the fact that the 
policy recommended by him, namely, to postpone the 
organization of the State until the people of the orig- 
inal eastern division were plainly entitled to demand it. 



and would not be hampered by conditions — commanded 
but one vote in its support among the thirty-three mem- 
bers of the convention; and President Jefferson, upon 
being advised of this action of St. Clair, immediately re- 
moved him from the governorship, although he was sub- 
sequently reappointed. He left office finally very much 
under a cloud, and died in great poverty and obscurity. 

THE LEGISLATORS AS ELECTORS. 

One of the most interesting and important acts of the 
iirst and only territorial legislature which met in Cincin- 
nati was the election of a delegate to represent the ter- 
ritory in Congress. Much canvassing of names and abil- 
ities of candidates occurred before the session of the 
legislature; but by the time it assembled the contest had 
narrowed to two candidates — the distinguished soldier 
and citizen of Hamilton county, General William Henry 
Harrison, and Arthur St. Clair, jr., son of the governor, 
who naturally gave to his support the whole weight of 
the gubernatorial influence. The contest was thus made 
singularly even, considering the contrast in merits and 
reputation of the candidates; and when the two houses 
met in joint session for the selection of the delegate, 
twenty-one members being present, Harrison received 
but a majority of one vote, he having eleven and the 
younger St. Clair ten votes. Harrison at once resigned 
his post as secretary of the Northwest Territory, pro- 
ceeded to Philadelphia, took his seat in Congress, which 
was then in session, and was soon influential in securing 
very important legislation for his constituents. 

The legislature — of the territory or State — never again 
met in Cincinnati. Before the time to which the terri- 
torial assembly was prorogued had arrived, Congress 
passed an act, approved on the seventh day of May, cre- 
ating the Indiana Territory, and making "St. Vincennes, 
on the Wabash river," the seat of government for that 
territory, and "Chillicothe, on the Sciota river," the cap- 
ital of the Northwest Territory. The latter was also the 
first capital of the State, and remained such, with an in- 
terval, until the seat of government was permanently 
fi.xed at Columbus. In 1801, however, the legislature of 
the territory voted to return the capital to Cincinnati, in 
consequence, it is said, of riotous disturbance and insults 
offered in Chillicothe to the governor and several mem- 
bers of the legislature. But the law was never executed, 
by reason of the measures that were taken to form the 
State government, and the consequent failure of the ter- 
ritorial legislature to meet upon the next appointed day. 



230 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

COURTS AND COURT HOUSES. 

Nought is on earth more sacred or divine, 

That gods and men do equally adore, 

Than this same virtue, that doth riglit define ; 

For the heavens themselves, whence mortal men implore 

Riglit in their wrongs, are ruled by righteous lore. 

Edmund Spenser, "Faery Queen. " 

JUDGE LYNCH'S courts. 

The first arrangements in the Miami country for the 
protection of person and property against lawlessness 
were necessarily somewhat rude and informal. What 
Jud.^e Burnet, in his valuable Notes on the Northwestern 
Territory, says in a general way of the earlier Ohio colonies, 
is doubtless equally true of those which presently dotted 
the shore between the beautiful Miamis. His remarks 
and illustrations are these: 

When these settlements were commenced by emigrants who resorted 
to them, early in 1788, provision had not been made for the regular 
administration of justice. Judicial courts had not been organized, and 
the inhabitants found themselves in an unpleasant situation, as they 
were exposed to the depredations of dishonest, unprincipled men, 
without the means of legal redress. To remedy that evil, the people 
assembled to consult and devise a plan for their common safety ; they 
chose a chairman and a secretary, and proceeded to business. The 
meeting resulted in the adoption of a code of by-laws for the govern- 
ment of the .-lettlement, in which they prescribed the punishment to 
be inflicted for various offences, organized a court, established the trial 
by jury, appointed Mr. McMillan judge and John Ludlow sheriff. 
[Judge Burnet here evidently refers to a meeting in Cincinnati, which 
must have been several months, at least, later than " early in 1788."] 
To the regulations they all agreed, and each gave a solemn pledge 
to aid in carrying them into effect. It was not long before a com- 
plaint was made against Paddy Grimes, for robbing a truck-patch, on 
which the sheriff was commanded to arrest him and summon a jury for 
his trial. The order was obeyed, and on hearing the evidence the jury 
found him guilty, and he was sentenced to receive twenty-nine lashes, 
which were inflicted in due form on the same afternoon. Other 
complaints of a similar character were made; but, in consequence of 
the interference of the officer in command of the garrison, no further 
decisive proceedings were had, and this useful tribunal, organized for 
self-protection, on the genuine principles of Judge Lynch, was 
abandoned — but not without a serious conflict between the citizens 
and the military, in which Mr. McMillan received very serious and 
permanent injuries. 

THE ESTABLISHED COURTS. 

The first regular court organized for Hamilton county 
was that ordained by Governor St. Clair at Fort Wash- 
ington, when the county was proclaimed, January 4, 
1790, and designated in the elaborate old fashion as the 
court of common pleasand of general quarter sessions of 
the peace. The first session of the court seems to have 
been held on the ensuing second of February, at which 
were present William McMillan, presiding judge, Wil- 
liam Wells and William Goforth — William I, II, and 
III, judges; Jacob Tajjping, justice; John Brown, sheriff; 
Levi Woodward and Robert Wheelan, constables. Pro- 
vision had been made for such courts by a law of the 
territorial government, proclaimed at Marietta, .August 
23, 1788, which soon superseded, in the settlements 
rapidly springing up thereafter, the extemporized courts 
of Judge Lynch. 

'The territorial court was also held from time to time 
in and for Hamilton county. The "docquet" of the 
first session held in Cincinnati is still extant, and is a 



literary as well as judicial curiosity. It is as follows, 
7'c7-batim : 

DOCQUET 

of the first general court, of the territory of the United States north- 
west of the river Ohio, held within and for the county of Hamilton, 
which commenced at Cincinnati on October the fourth, in the year of 
our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States of America the fifteenth. 

October 4, 1790, eleven o'clock, A. M., Monday. 
The Honorable Judge Turner, escorted by the sheriff and attended 
by the clerk and other judicial officers of the said county, present. 
Court opened agreeable to proclamation at the instance of the honora- 
ble the judge, above mentioned, whose commission being openly read, 
and the necessary proclamations duly made for the judicial and minis- 
terial officers of the county to make their return, the sheriff presented 
his list of grand-jurors summoned: 

Of Cincinnati — i, Jacob Reeder; 2, James Wallace; 3, James Cun- 
ningham; 4, Francis Kennedy; 5, John Cummings; 6, John Vance; 7, 
John I'erry; 8, Seth Cutter; 9, Richard Benham; 10, James Bumes; ix, 
Luther Kitchell; 12, Henry Taylor; 13, Nathan Dunnals; 14, Joseph 
Cutter; 15, David Logan; 16, Abijah Ward. Of Columbia— 17, Ben- 
jamin Davis; 18, Elijah Mills; 19, Samuel Newell; 20, WiUiani Gerrard; 
21, Elijah Stites; 22, James Matthews; 23, John Manning; 24, Na- 
thaniel Stokes. 

Returned to serve, the first si.xteen, viz: i, Jacob Reeder; 2, James 
Wallace; 3, James Cunningham; 4, Francis Kennedy; 5, John Cum- 
mings; 6, John Vance; 7, John Terry; 8, Seth Cutter; 9, Richard Ben- 
ham; 10, James Burns; 11, Luther Kitchell; 12, Henry Taylor; 13, Na- 
than Dunnals; 14, Josiah Cutter; 15, David Logan; 16, Abijah Ward. 
One judge only attending, court, without proceeding to business, 
was adjourned until eleven o'clock of to-morrow, A. M. 

Tuesday, fifth October, 1790. 
Court opened puisuant to adjournment. Present, Honorable Judge 
Turner. Absentees (grand-jui'ors), Francis Kennedy, John Cummings, 
Luther Kitchell, David Logan. 

Proclamations duly made, court was adjourned till twelve o'clock at 
'noon to-morrow. 

Wednesday, sixth October, 1790. 
Present, honorable Judge Turner. Court opened pursuant to ad- 
journment. Absentees of yesterday obtained a remission of their re- 
spective fines. Necessary proclamations being made, court was ad- 
journed, ut supra, until twelve o'clock, at noon, to-morrow. 

Thursday, seventh October, 1790. 
Court opened agreeable to adjournment. Present, Honorable Judge 
Turner. Absentees (grand-jurors), Seth Cutter, Richard Benham, 
Luther Kitchell, Joseph Cutter. 

Court adjourned until twelve o'clock, at noon, to-morrow. 

Friday, eighth October, 1790. 
Court opened pursuant to adjournment. Present, Honorable Judge 
Turner. Joseph McHenry attended to serve on the grand jury. The 
same jurors absent to-day that were yesterday. 

Court adjourned until twelve o'clock, at noon, to-morrow. 

Saturday, twelve o'clock, ninth October, 1790. 
Court opened agreeable to adjournment. Present, Honorable Judge 
Turner. Grand jurors absent — John Terry, Nathan Dunnals, likewise 
the absentees of Thursday. 

Court adjourned until five o'clock of this day, afternoon. 

Eodem Die, five o'clock, afternoon. 
None of the judges present, the sheriff proceeded to adjourn the 
court without delay. 

No business entered upon at this term by reason of there not being 
present, of the honorable the judges, a number. sufficient to constitute 
a quorum. 

[Signed] W. McMn.L,\N, 

In behalf of John S. Gano, deputy to Israel Ludlow, clerk. 

Some notes have also been taken for this work from 
the records of the first session of the general court of 
quarter sessions of the peace, held in Cincinnati Febru- 
ary 2, 1790. Present, Judges Goforth, Wells, and Mc- 
Millan, Justice Jacob Tapping, Sheriff John Brown, and 
Constables Levi AVoodward and Robert Wheelan. A 
recognizance was returned against Josiah White, for 
slandering Jacob Tapping, esquire. The accused put in 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



231 



an appearance and offered an excuse, which procured 
his release. The grand jury brought in no bills, and 
were discharged. Sheriff Brown protested to the wor- 
shipful court against any and all accountability in keep- 
ing prisoners, there being as yet no jail. 

May term, 1790. — Present, the judges, justices, constables, and sher- 
iff. The commissions of the peace and the governor's proclamation 
were read. The names of grand jury were called; Robert Benham, 
foreman. Adjourned to 2 P. M. 

On sitting again, Abel Cook was called up for breach of the peace; 
also Josiah White, for selling liquor to soldiers; also Jacob Tapping, 
esq., for possessing four shirts and one pair of stockings, bought 
from a soldier; another count of the same sort appeared against the 
said Tapping. A call was ordered for Sylvester White and David 
Strong, for having "on account" public clothing. The same charge 
was made against Scott Tiavers, viz : that a pair of overalls and a 
woolen vest belonging to the Federal service were found in his posses- 
sion. Abel Cook plead guilty to hitting James Sowards, and was fined 
fifty cents. Thomas Cochran had fifty cents fine for selling whiskey. 
Tapping was fined seventy-five cents, and Scott Travers was let off. 
White failed to put in his appearance. Captain David Strong cleared 
up the matter as to his acquaintance with Tapping's clothes business, 
and was dismissed. The jury came in with a bill against Asa Harts- 
horn, Mahlon Ford, and David Strong for thrashing Isaac Taylor. 
The court adjourned. 

We have also the following memoranda from the 
higher court: 

1792. SUP REME COURT OF THE TEHKITOR Y. 

John C. Symmes, judge. Present, six justices — William Goforth, 
William Wells, William McMillan, John S. Gano, George Cullum and 
Aaron Caldwell; Joseph Le Sure, clerk pro tem.; Robert Bunten, cor- 
oner; John Ludlow, sheriff; Isaac Martin, sub-sheriff; Benjamin 
Orcutt, crier; Robert Wheelan, Samuel Martin, Sylvanus Runnels, 
constables. The grand jury was called over, David Davis, foreman. 
The jury retired. Witnesses were called for the United States court 
business, assaults and habeas corpus. "Job, a negro man, vs. John 
Tanner;" also United States vs. James Mays, for the murder of Mat- 
thew Sullivan; Same vs. Joseph Pa.xlon, as accessory with Mays; 
Same vs. George Turner, on certiorari; Same vs. Matthew Winton 
and Matthew Derough, charged with riot. The sheriff called forty- 
eight names, from which these twelve were chosen to try Mays: Rob- 
ert Benham, Robert Mitchell, Samuel Dick, Benjamin Jennings, Mat- 
thew Winton, Henry Pickle, James Dement, Charles Bruce, William 
Kelly, Samuel Rolston, James Miller, Steward Wilkins. 

Mays was convicted and duly hanged by Sheriff Ludlow. 

In this case Mr. Dunn was prosecutor, and Messrs. Goudy and 
Smith were counsel for Mays. The jury out an hour, and came in 
with a verdict of "guilty." The court received the verdict in the house 
of Isaac Martin. 

SOME CHANGES. 

June I, 179S, Governor St. Clair and Judges Symmes 
and Turner, sitting in legislative session at Cincinnati, as 
noted in Judge Symmes' letter in the last chapter, passed 
an act reconstructing the courts of general quarter ses- 
sions of the peace and of the common pleas, after a plan 
borrowed from the statutes of Pennsylvania. The former 
was to meet four times a year, and to be composed of the 
justices of the county nominated by the governor, sitting 
together in bank, any three of whom, but not less, might 
hold a session. This court might hear and determine all 
criminal cases in which the punishment prescribed did 
not exceed one year's imprisonment, nor involve life or 
limb, nor forfeiture of goods and chattels, or lands and 
tenements to the government of the territory. In and 
out of sessions, the justices, or any of them, might take 
all kinds of recognizances, whether for good behavior, 
keeping the peace, or for appearing at a superior court, 
or might commit to jail. Any justice, out of sessions, 



might hear and determine petty crimes and misdemean- 
ors, if punishaijl-e by fine only, and that not exceeding 
three dollars, and might assess and tax costs in such 
cases. The term of the quarter sessions could not ex- 
tend beyond three days. 

The court of common pleas was constituted of justices 
appointed by the governor, of whom three would make a 
quorum. Terms were to be held three times a year, and 
of a length according to the business before them. This 
court might hold pleas of assize, scire facias, replevin, and 
sundry suits and causes; inight hear and determine all 
manner of pleas and actions, civil, personal, real, and 
mixed, according to law. All writs ran in the name of 
the United States of America, and bore the name of the 
presiding justice of the court and the prothonotary or 
clerk. They were executed by the sheriff, or in case of 
his death or resignation, by the coroner. The common 
cases before these courts in the early day were on charges 
of fighting and for debt and trespass. 

The first State legislature provided for a supreme court 
and for courts of common pleas — one session of the for- 
mer and three sessions of the latter to be held in each 
county every year. The State was divided into three cir- 
cuits, of which Hamilton, Clermont, Buder, Montgom- 
ery, Greene, and Warren constituted the first. The 
judges were elected on joint ballot by the general assem- 
bly, and held their offices for terms of seven years. The 
common pleas was composed of one presiding judge and 
three associate judges, the latter chosen from the people 
at large. 

By the constitution of 1852, Hamilton county was 
made one judicial circuit, with its own judges of court of 
com in on pleas. 

THE OLD BENCH -AND DESK. 

The Hamilton county courts of course shared in the 
changes in the judicial system that prevailed under the 
State constitution throughout Ohio, whose history it is 
unnecessary to recite here. By the constitution of 1852 
the county was made a judicial district by itself, with 
three judges of the court of common pleas. Under the 
old system there had been four judges, but one of whom, 
the presiding judge, was usually from the ranks of the 
bar, the remainder, the associate judges, being selected 
from the community at large, presumably for their general 
good sense and native judicial qualities. Judge Carter, 
in his volume of Reminiscences and Anecdotes, furnishes 
the following recollections of the best known of the old 
judges in Hamilton county : 

Of all the judges of former d.ays, perhaps, there was no one so much 
Hked and loved for his genial, generous and whole-souled qualities and 
characteristics, as Judge Torrence. He was president judge of the old 
court of common pleas from before the year 1819 up to the year 1832 ; 
and, although he was not so much of a lawyer, he made a very good 
judge of the law, and administered justice somewhat like a Solomon or 
a Daniel. Boy as I was, I remember seeing him presiding on the bench 
and towering above his associates — for he was the tallest judge, and 
large and portly in figure and stature ; and he looked upon the bench 
every inch a judge. He came to this city at a very early day, and soon 
was a very popular fellow-citizen, for he was fellow-citizen with every- 
body—men, women, and children, and all. They all liked and loved 
him, and they always had. a good word to say for him, as he always 
had a good word to say to any of them. 

It has not been very many years since the decease of Judge Torrence 



232 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



at a very advanced age ; and citizens of the present day well remember 
him as one of the cleverest of men. While on the bench he was never 
known to say an unkind or rough word to any lawyer or officer of court, 
or any one else. He invariably preserved his good humor, and his good 
common sense too. 

Judge Carter has also a kindly word for the famous old 
clerk of the courts: 

Major Daniel Gano, the old long-time clerk of the old court of com- 
mon pleas and supreme court, and quite as long time clerk of the old 
superior court — who of the old pioneers of this city does not remember 
him, the finished and thorough clerk of the courts, and the cultured 
and pohshcd gentleman? . . He was born and grew up here, 
and he lived here, and he died here. Near four-scoie years of age, he 
departed this life, which had been rewarded, through the whole long 
line of it, by the highest regard and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He 
was a worthy, clever man and most efficient officer, and was certainly 
one of the best looking men in the city and country. He was distin- 
guished for wearing a large, perfectly white cambric ruffle down the 
open bosom of his shirt, adorned with a beautiful breastpin, and the 
old-fashioned, Revolutionary plaited queue of his hair, tied with black 
ribbon in a bow and hanging down his back between his shoulders ; and 
even for modern times he never gave it up, and retained in his toilet 
this mark of the old Revolutionary forefathers of this country, to the day 
of his shroud and coffin. He was buried with it, and no doubt it is in 
his grave and flourishing still. 

Another character of the old courts mentioned by 
Judge Carter, was John Stalee, who was deputy sheriff 
under many administration for a long series of years, and 
finally died in office, committing suicide by an over-dose 
of morphine. 

The old court of common pleas sat three times a year. 
It licensed ministers to solemnize the rite of marriage, 
and also licensed auctioneers, ferries and taverns. The 
court appointed its own clerk and public prosecutor, and 
the commissioner of insolvent.s, an oflScial of that day, 
the commissioner in chancery, county surveyor, and 
county inspectors. The associate judges had the power 
of appointment of the recorder, or of a county commis- 
sioner, in case of the death, resignation, or removal of 
the incumbent in office. * 

THE OLD SUPERIOR COURT 

sat but once a year. It was established in 1838, and or- 
ganized June loth of that year. David K. Este was the 
first judge. He resigned in 1845, and was succeeded, in 
order, by Charles D. Coffin, William Johnston, Charles 
P. James, and George Hoadly. The court was abolished 
in 1853, during the last incumbency, but revived the next 
year, with three Judges — Oliver M. Spencer, Bellamy 
Storer, and William N. Gholson — and a jurisdiction con- 
current with that of the court of common pleas. Other 
courts, as district, commercial (opened in 1848) criminal, 
probate and police courts, have been established from 
time to time, as the needs for the administration of jus- 
tice in the city and county have demanded them. 

THE COURT HOUSES. 

The early courts, according to Judge Burnet, were 
held in a rented room in the tavern of George Avery, 
near the frog-pond at the corner of Main and Fifth streets. 
The building was accordingly adorned with the prescribed 
instruments of justice in that day, the pillory, the stocks, 
and a whipping-post, and sometimes a gallows was added. 
A strong log building on the north side of the public 
square was occupied as a jail. 



The courts in the early day, in part at least, were held 
in the Gano building on Main street, between Fifth and 
Sixth. The territorial court met in Yeatman's tavern. 

The first court house owned by the county was a rude 
stone building on the public square, near the southwest 
corner of Fifth and Main streets, fronting on the former, 
about where Allen & Company's drug store now stands, 
but somewhat back from the street, giving room for the 
erecting of a speakers' stand or bower on the fourth of 
July and other public occasions. It was built in 1802, 
and its entire cost is said to have been but three thousand 
dollars. It was built of limestone, after a plan furnished 
by Judge Turner, in the shape of a parallelogram, with 
forty-two feet front and fifty-five feet depth. The walls, 
including the parapet, were forty-two feet high. A wooden 
cupola, with four projecting faces, arched and balustraded, 
twenty feet high, terminated by a dome and resting on a 
base of twenty feet square, surmounted the whole. The 
total height to the top of the cupola was eighty-four feet. 
There were wings for public offices, two-storied and fire- 
proof, in Judge Turner's original design; but they were 
not constructed by the county. 

THE JAIL 

stood on the site of Cavagna's grocery, west of the court 
house, also facing Fifth street, with the whipping-post 
etc., a little way to the front. "Jail bounds" were allowed 
in that day, and those for Hamilton county are still to be 
seen marked upon an old docurnent in the county clerk's 
office. 

The first institution of this kind here was moved for 
as soon as 1792, and was constructed early the next year. 
Mr. Charles Cist says, in one of his numerous publica- 
tions: 

The first jail here was built early in 1793, and, as everything else in 
the early days of Cincinnati, was located to accommodate the conven- 
ience of the bottom interest. It was, therefore, built upon Water 
street, west of Main street. Although a mere log cabin, of a story and 
a half in height, and probably si.tteen feet square, the ground in its 
neighborhood being cleared out, it was distinctly visible from the river. 
Small as it was, it was amply large enough to accommodate the pris- 
oners, most of whom were in for debt. Neither were its inmates kept 
strictly within its limits, or even those of the yard adjacent; the prison- 
ers visited around the neighborhood throughout the day, taking care to 
return in time to be locked up at night, and on the appearance of the 
sheriff scampering home in a great fright, like so many rats to their 
holes. 

Judge Symmes wrote from North Bend to Escjujre 
McMillan, December 28, 1792, concerning this proposed 
institution; 

Dear Sir : I hope that by this time the jail is begun and going on 
briskly. I hear that the people of Cincinnati are voting on this ques- 
tion — whether the jail shall be built on the first bottom or the second 
bank? If you will allow us at North Bend to vote also, our voice is for 
the second bank most decidedly. Our reasons are ; The ground will 
be had much cheaper — fuel will be had easier and at less expense — the 
situation'will be more elevated and healthy, in addition to its more 
magnificent appearance — the soil is much more dry — the prisoners 
will at no time be drowned in a fresh like pigs in a sty — a great expense 
will be saved in carting the timber — it is or soon will be in the centre of 
the town — it will be more convenient than Cincinnati for the people of 
the other villages in the county — water may be had by digging a well, 
which ought to be within the liberties of the prison, and if it stood on 
the banks of the Ohio, a well will be necessary that privileged prison- 
ers for debt, allowed the liberty, might draw for themselves. But if in- 
terested motives are to direct our votes, the inhabitants of North Bend 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



233 



vote that the prison be built on Congress green (the public ground in 
front of the village of North Bend) — a most elegant situation. 
Sir, your most obedient servant, 

John Cleves Symmes. 
William McMill^^n^esq. 

This place of confinement is reported also to have 
' been so insecure that it often cost as much for recaptures 
as for incarceration. At one time, knowing his man 
would escape from the " board pile," as the jail was 
Called, Sheriff Ludlow allowed him twenty lashes and 
then dismission from further durance vile. This man 
had robbed a clothes-line. Mays, the murderer who fur- 
nished forth the first non-military execution in Hamilton 
county, was kept with more care. Sheriff Ludlow's bill 
for his keeping stands as follows : 

November 15, 1792. 
Hamilton county, to John Ludlow, sheriff, — Dr. 

Boarding James Mays after sentence, execution expense, 

gallows and grave . .^15 8s. gd 

This bill was not paid until six years later. 

A second and larger jail soon became necessary, and 
a new one was put up late the next year at Stagg's cor- 
ner, the southeast, of Walnut and Sixth streets. It was 
in size fifteen by twenty feet only, but was two stories 
high, built of hewed logs, with "lapt-sh ingle" roof 
About a year thereafter, eight yoke of oxen, belonging to 
the garrison of Fort Washington, and in charge of Cap- 
tain Thorp, quartermaster, assisted by John Richardson, 
were employed to remove it to the lot at the corner of 
Church alley and Walnut street, where it remained for 
some years. The following unique notice, published by 
an unlucky debtor in the Cincinnati Spy for November 
4, 1799, is supposed to have emanated from this minia- 
' ture bastile : 

Those indebted to Dr. Hines are desired to remit the sums due — 
he being confined to jail deprives him of the pleasure of calling person- 
ally on hh ir\&nd5 — theywiU therefore oblige their unfortunate friend 
by complying with this request without loss of time. 

Hamilton county prison, October 29, 1799. 

The total cost of jails for the county to and including 
thij year, for building, repairs, etc., is ascertained to have 
been three'thousand and thirty-two dollars. 

Mr. Cist's Miscellany, a treasure-housS of Cincinnati 
and Miami antiquities, also furnishes the following inter- 
esting remarks and reminiscences : 

As a gallows stood in 1795 on Walnut below Fifth street, the pre- 
sumption is that it had not unfrequently been made use of although 
there is little pioneer lore on the subject, and its victims must have been 
distinct from the military corps, in which deserters are shot, not hung_ 
But in those days the gallows, the pillory, and the whipping-post, were 
appendages of civilized society, two of them in the farther advance o^ 
civilization driven out of existence, and the third in a rapid prbcess of 
extinction. Several of our citizens survive [1845] who have witnessed 
not only these structures, but also the administration of justice unde'' 
their operation. Jonah Martin, while a youth, was present when Sher- 
iff Goforth inflicted the "forty stripes save one" upon a woman con. 
victed of setting fire to haystacks, and Mr. Samuel Stitt witnessed the 
same punishment applied to another woman guilty of theft, by the hands 
of Levi McLean, the deputy sheriff and jailor at that time. It musf 
not be inferred, however, that the infliction was as severe as it appeared 
to be. Goforth was a man of great humanity, and even McLean, al. 
though jailor, pound-keeper, butcher, and constable, four hard-hearted 
vocations, played on the fiddle and taught singing-school. 
" Men are not steel, but steel is bent. 
Men are not flints— even flint is rent." 
and Levi, unless his prisoners rebelled on his hands, or he had himself 
taken a glass too much, in which case he would turn in and take a flog- 



ging frolic among his pets, without making much distinction between 
debtors and criminals, was rather a good-natured fellow than otherwise. 

Thirty-six years later, persons are yet living who saw 
" many a man," as they express it, tied up and whipped 
at this post. The following is the court record in one of 
these cases : 

At a special court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, holden 
at Cincinnati, in and for the county of Hamilton, in the territory of the 
United States northwest of the Ohio river, on the twenty-first day of 
August, 1792, the grand jury return a bill of indictment against Patrick 
Dorsey, for feloniously stealing and carrying away from the armorer's 
shop at Fort Washington, in said county, on Saturday the eighteenth 
day of August instar.t. one silver watch, of the value of fifteen dollars. 

The prisoner, Patrick Dorsey, pleads not guilty, and thereupon trial 
was had, and the jury say: "We, the jury, do find the prisoner guilty, 
as stated in the indictment." Thereupon the court sentenced the afore- 
said Patrick Dorsey to receive twenty-five stripes on his bare back, and 
also to pay to Peter Davis, from whom the watch aforesaid was stolen 
(the said watch being restored to said Peter again), the sum of fifteen 
dollars, together with the costs of prosecution, herein taxed at eight 
dollars and twenty-five cents. 

The whipping-post stood about one hundred feet west 
of Main and fifty south of Fifth street, near the line of 
Church alley. The jailer usually did the whipping, and 
it is said that sometimes, when he was intoxicated, he 
would take down the cat-o'-nine-tails and, going in among 
the prisoners, administer an indiscriminate flagellation on 
general principles. 

In the matter of executions, the county has been sin- 
gularly fortunate, considering its population and crime 
record during the last half century, scarcely more than 
half a dozen men having been hanged in it, under sen- 
tence of the courts, during that period. 

The third jail, built up town after the burning of the 
first court-house and the leasing of the county's half of 
the public square, stood on the west side of Sycamore 
street, between Hunt and Abigail, not far from the pre- 
sent county prison. It was a more spacious and com- 
fortable affair, built of brick, with fourteen rooms for 
prisoners, and a yard enclosed with a high brick wall, in 
which they might take exercise. It was occupied until 
the construction of the new court house and jail was so 
far advanced that a transfer of prisoners could be made. 

THE SECOND COURT HOUSE. 

The first court house was used as a barrack during 
part of the War of 181 2-1 5; and the carelessness of some 
soldiers who were playing cards in one of the rooms or 
in the garret, resulted in the destruction of the building 
by fire early in the year 1 8 1 4. The county commissioners 
then decided to remove the temple of justice further 
out — to a point then almost, or quite, out of the village 
— upon a large lot tendered the county as a gift by Mr. 
Jesse Hunt, its owner, near the present intersection of 
Main and Court streets. The new building was soon 
begun, but, though no great structure for size or elabora- 
tion of architecture, it occupied several years in building, 
and was not finished until 1819. Judge Carter has sup- 
plied an elaborate description of this court house in his 
recent volume of Reminiscences and Anecdotes, which we 
copy in full by"permission : 

It was situated, itself and appurtenances, on a circular plat of ground 
about two hundred feet in diameter — ^just where our present modern 
court house stands. It was a substantial and spacious structure, about 
sixty-two feet in length east and west, and fifty-six feet in breadth north 



234 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and south, and elevated to tlie cornice fifty feet, to the summit of the 
dome or cupola on the^centre of the uprising, four-sided roof, one hun- 
dred and twenty feet, and to the top of the spire one hundred and sixty 
feet. It contained two fire-proof rooms, in which the clerk of the court 
of common pleas and the supreme court, and the recorder of deeds 
kept their ofiices. On the first floor over the basement was a large, 
spacious, and commodious court room, finished and furnished in a 
style of much neatness and even elegance for days of yore. This great 
room e.vtended the whole length of the building, and was near thirty feet 
in width. On the north side of the court room, before large windows, 
was tlie large elevated bench for the judges, and here the presiding 
judge and his three associates sat and judged, and administered jus- 
tice according to the law. Immediately before the bench was the law- 
yers' long table, and at each end was the clerk's and the sheriff's places 
or desks. The place for the lawyers, or bar of the court room, was sep- 
arated from the auditory by a long, open, heavy, colonnaded balustrade, 
about four feet high, reaching the whole length of the room, and 
entered by a gate attended by the janitor,' who sat in a chair by it, and 
faithfully attended, that no intruders should enter the sacred precincts 
without leave or license. The space outside and south of the bar was 
devoted to spectators, being open in front and having benches under 
tlie gallery for the accommodation of those who had business in and 
before the court, and who sat in an.xious expectation, awaiting call by 
their lawyers. Above, extending the whole length of the room, was a 
large enclosed gallery filled with seats, also for the accommodation of 
the people when anything very important was going on, which attracted 
crowds to the court house. This gallery was supported by some half a 
dozen columns underneath, in front, and the ceiling of the court room, 
under a large beam or cross-piece, was supported by one very large 
corinthian-capped column, and this stood on a large frame-work 
pedestal built on the floor. The jury so much in use in the courts were 
accommodated with some fixed arm-chairs, away from the lawyers' 
table, and just beyond the whitened large column, and were thus in 
position to be conveniently addressed by the lawyers and by the court. 
Immediately before the judges' long bench, on the balustrade of the 
bar, about the middle of it, was placed the prisoners' dock, or box, an 
elevated, open-worked, enclosed, white-painted platform, with a long 
seat, sufficient to accommodate six or eight prisoners, and, being as 
high as the bench of the judges, and in juxtaposition to it, it was so 
conspicuous that it was a continued and continuous eye-sore to the 
judges, lawyers, and citizens, and an ugly, displayed pillory for the 
poor-devil prisoners who were placed in it at times and became the 
closely observed of all observers. The floor of the old court room, 
within the bar, was usually covered with a large, striped rag-carpet; 
and this was strewn over hither and thither with huge spittoons, for the 
accommodation of those of the bar and others who had the habit of 
chewing tobacco, and they were numerous. The court room was well 
lighted and well ventilated, having three or four large windows thirteen 
feet long by five feet wide, on each end, and seven smaller ones on the 
north side. At the east end was a large chimney, and in it a huge fire- 
place, which, when containing a large fire, as it always did in the 
winter time, kept things considerably warm around about, and besides 
this, near the centre of the room, was a very large, old fashioned 
rectangular stove with large extended pipe, so that there was no com- 
plaint of cold when fires were completely on and the old sergeant-at- 
arms was in good health and all about. 

This room, the only court room in the building at first, was a very 
spacious, convenient, and comrnodious one for all the purposes of law 
and justice, and we doubt if there were many better court rooms in the 
land. For thirty years it proved sufficient and capable, and as one 
room with others would have been quite so to-day for all purposes of 
bench, bar, and people. The old people, as well as the old 
judges and the lawyers, took much pride in the old court room. 
Afterwards, about the year 1838, there was another smaller court 
room constructed in the old court house. This was in the sec- 
ond story, immediately above the one'described, and was occupied 
by a new court, which the exigency of the times seemed to require, 
called the superior court, and now remembered as the old superior 
court. The old court house also contained a sheriff's office, not very 
large, but convenient in its arrangement, on the souyrwest corner, and a 
county commissioners' office, and a grand-jury room, and several other 
jury rooms. The great building had three large outside doors on' the 
east, on the west, and on the south sides, opening out into stoops with 
stone steps to the ground on the east and west, and wooden 
porch and steps on the south side. The number of large win- 
dows in its walls above and below, and on every side, was about fifty, 
and all these were ornamented with the old-fashioned green Venetian 



blinds; while the outside walls of the court house were painted a pale 
cream, or nearly white color, giving to the building a marked, distinc- 
tive, and even beautiful appearance as seen from every side, especially 
as it was adorned with a large central square dome erected on the 
middle of the ascending four-sided roof, and this dome surmounted by 
a cupola with green Venetian blind windows and a tall spire above it, 
with long, gilded vane, and the four cardinal points on it with gilded 
letters, N., S., E., 'W., and two huge balls above and below, all shining 
in luminous gold. In former days no court-house could be built and 
exist and live without a steeple — 

" Saint Patrick wa.s a gintleman, % 

And came from dacent paple; 
He built a church in Dublin town, 
And on it placed a staple." 
And as with the churches, so with the court houses of former aays. 
they were literally nothing without a spire for aspiring minds. 
They were of no account without a " staple" for the stable, staple, and 
steepling ambition of young fledged lawyers, whose flight might reach 
its highest pinn^^cle. 

The dome, spire, and steeple of the old court house were the tall- 
est of the kind in ye ancient days, and commanded the admiration, 
and almost the adoration, of the old people; and the old court house 
was the centre of attraction for the judges, the lawyers, and the people. 
As the old court house was the centre of attraction, so it stood in the 
centre of a large, circular plat of ground, with the streets forming a 
capacious way all around. On the periphery or circumference was 
erected a white painted rail-fence, with four ornamented gates to the 
yard of the court house, one on each side, with the cardinal points. 
The yard within was sodded with green grass, slanting and inclining 
from the basement walls of the court house, and adorned in neat and 
orderly manner with locust trees and shrubbery; and from each of the 
gates there were wide pathways leading to the court house doors, and 
one or two of these were paved with large flat flagstones, so that the 
"circular square " of the court house had quite a beautiful and attrac- 
tive appearance. 

After some years, the necessities of increased business requiring it, 
there were two separate buildings erected on Main street on the front 
line of the square, one north and one south of the line of the court 
house, the. former one occupied by the treasurer, auditor, and county 
commissioners' offices, and the latter by the offices of the clerk of the 
court of common pleas and the county surveyor; and these were quite^ 
neat and eligible buildings for their purposes, adorned with side, cov- 
ered porticos as they were, and flights of steps leading up to them 
over the offices in the first or basement story. They of course added 
much to the importance and attraction of the court house square, and 
converted the shape of the grounds from a circle to a larger segment of 
a circle. 

The large plat of ground upon whicli the old court house and its 
appertaining surroundings stood, was given to the county of Hamilton 
for the purposes of a court house and county offices by Jesse Huttt. an 
old. respected, opulent, pioneer, public-spirited citizen of Cincinnati, 
and the grandfatHfer of our present United States senator. Hon. George 
H. Pendleton, on the mother's side — about the year 1814 or 1815. 
But at that time the grounds were considered far out of town, and it 
was some time before the minds of the citizens of the city could be 
brought to any unanimity on the subject of locating the public build- 
ings of the county there, so far off from the limits of the stores and 
dwellings of the town. But at last the gift was accepted, and opera- 
tions were commenced for the erection of the court house, and they 
dragged their slow length along, and it was not until the close of the 
year 18 19 that the court house was completely finished and ready for 
full occupation, and then it was occupied; and then commenced the 
proper, prosperous, and profound history of the old court house. 

In the afternoon of Monday. July 9. 1849. this old and noble struc- 
ure burned up. or down, and nothing was left of it but its thick, black- 
ened walls, and they had been made and builded to last forever. Fire 
had been communicated to it by a neighboring pork-house conflagration 
on a warm summer's day. It caught on its exposed tinder roof and cu- 
pola, and soon roof. dome, cupola, spire, and steeple were wreathed 
and enveloped in smoke and flames. I remember intently gazing at the 
surrounding, wrapping, warping, writhing, enclosing flames from the 
immense roof, and these whin ing, whirling, and curling and leaping 
amidst the densest black smoke from the now fired frame-work of the 
dome and steeple, presented a flaming and famous scene for a painter. 
Dome, spire and steeple and roof soon fell with a tremendous crash 
into the midst of the enclosing and enveloping walls, which were only 
blackened and not injured in their structure by the fire in the least, and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



235 



they stood for a long while a sort of ruined monument of former justice 
and law, for lawyers "to look and admire — rire — rire," and citizens to 
gaze and wonder at what had been done for so many long years within 
those now blackened, scorched, and charred walls. 

During the burning of the roof and dome and tower of the old court 
house it was a very curious and interesting sight to see numei'ous doves 
or pigeons flying in extended circles about the flames, as near as the 
fierce heat would permit them. The cupola had been a long-time 
home for the pigeons of the city. There they had been reared them- 
selves, and there they had been in turn raising their young, many of 
whom no doubt perished in the flames; and the now-devouring flames 
they encircled and encircled in their lofty flight in the air, apparently, 
like the dove of old, without a place whereon to set their feet. It was 
indeed a sort of romantic tableau. The old court house, it seems, was 
the home of the pigeons, as well as the judges and lawyers, ct illiid 
omnc genus. It was a great old court house, and had a great history 
in its eventful days. Sorry to part with it. 

Drake and Mansfield's book, entitled Cincinnati in 
1826, has the following derogatory remarks concerning 
the old court house: 

It presents neither in its domestic economy nor external architecture 
a model of convenience or elegance. Its removal from the centre of 
the city is justly a cause for complaint. 

THE TEMPORARY COURT HOUSES. 

After the fire the courts and county offices, and the 
law library, found a temporary home in a large brick build- 
ing of four stories on the northwest corner of Court street 
and St. Clair alley, owned by Mr. James Wilson, and 
afterwards occupied by Messrs. Wilson, Eggleston & 
Company, as a pork-packing house. The offices went to 
the second floor; the four rooms required by the Su- 
preme court, the court of common pleas, the superior 
and commercial courts, were found on the third floor; 
and the law library, then very small, was put in a small 
room on the same floor, near Canal street, and looking 
out upon the alley. After the common pleas was re- 
organized and enlarged in 1852, more room was required; 
and in order to keep the common pleas rooms together, 
the third floor was given ujd to them; the superior and 
cornmercial courts were provided for on the second floor 
of a building across the alley, on Court street, the two 
structures being connected by a bridge from one second 
floor to the other. Mr. W. W. Scarborough says in his His- 
torical Address on the Bar Library, published in 1865: 

It is not to my purpose specially to describe those buildings, or to 
chronicle the many rich things done and said there. No one of the 
bar of that time could wish a more felicitous subject. But it was an evjl 
place, • " no place of seeds, or of figs, orof vines, or of pome- 
grantaes. 

By the time the new courts had gone in operation tm- 
der the constitution of 1852, the lower story of the new 
court house was so far completed that the county com- 
missioners directed the courts to be removed from the 
packing-house to such rooms as were ready in the new 
building. They were small, dark, and cold; and the 
judges and the bar had a generally unpleasant time of it 
there. Finally, one of the judges had a long siege with 
sore eyes, as a result of his attendance in these rooms, and, 
by arrangement with the supreme judge and the three 
common pleas judges, who together constituted the dis- 
trict court, he secured a peremptory order to the sheriff 
that other quarters for the courts should be obtained. 
The sheriff accordingly rented from the owner, Henry 
Snow, a member of the bar, the large building on the 



northeast corner of Ninth and Walnut streets, which he 
fitted up in comfortable style for the several courts; and 
there they were held until the spacious and well lighted 
court rooms in the second story of the new court house 
were ready for occupation. The county commissioners, 
albeit the removal had been accomplished without their 
sanction, cheerluUy indorsed the action, and ordered all 
bills incurred by it paid by the county. 

THE NEW COURT HOUSE. 

In 1851, county commissioners Timanu^, Black, and 
Patton, in pursuance of previous orders, awarded the con- 
tract for a new court house, the fine building now occu- 
pied by the county officers, the courts, and the bar library, 
and for the jail, to Messrs. M. H. Cook & Company, for 
the total sum of six hundred and ninety-five thousand 
two hundred and fifty-three dollars and twenty-nine cents. 
The work was to be done according to the plans and spec- 
ifications submitted by Isaiah Rogers, architect. The 
work was commenced, but suffered many frequent delays 
occasioned by change of plans and conflicting views as to 
style and utility. The building stands on the east side 
of Main street and faces west at the intersection of 
Main and Court streets. The length of the front is one 
hundred and ninety feet, extension back one hundred 
and ninety feet, and the height sixty feet, being three 
stories high above the pavetnent entrance. The ground 
rooms are occupied by the county treasurer, coroner, 
sheriff, and surveyor, with apartments in the rear cor- 
ners alloted to the recorder and county clerk. The main 
entrance leads up wide iron stairs to the rotunda room 
on the second floor, wherein the criminal court is held. 

Around this central court room pass wide halls, from 
which direct entrances are had to the auditor's, recorder's, 
and clerk's offices; also to the grand jury rooms and the 
probate court. On the third floor are the courts of com- 
mon pleas, superior court, the law library, and the sten- 
ographers' quarters. The building is of the most substan- 
tial stone and brick work, fire-proof, easy of access, well 
lighted from the outside and centrally from a glass dome 
in the middle of the building. 

Immediately back of the court house is the county 
jail, facing east on Sycamore street and surrounded by a 
high wall. The jail is connected with the court house by 
subterranean passages. Between these main buildings, 
shut out from pubhc view, the executions by hanging are 
conducted. The estimated cost of the jail was two hun- 
dred and twenty-six thousand five hundred and twenty 
dollars. It, like the court house, is constructed of 
Dayton limestone, and was built later than the court house, 
being commenced in 1861. Its style of architecture is 
Doric and Corinthian. All the work inside the cells, etc., 
is made of boiler iron. ■ The number of cells is one hun- 
dred and fifty-two. 



SOME OFFICIAL ANTIQUITIES. 

The original appointinents of justices of the peace for 
Hamilton county were noted in chapter IX of this work. 
Among them was William Goforth, who entered upon 
his duties about one month after appointment. His 



236 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



official docket, in part at least, has been preserved; and 
is a curiosity in its way. We have the pleasure of 
presenting 

EXTRACTS FROM JUDGE GOFORTH's DOCKET. 

1790. 

February 2. Took the oath of allegiance to the United States of 
America, and the oath of office as a justice of the peace for the county 
of Hamilton. 

February 4. Joseph Gerard tooli the oath of allegiance to the Uni- 
ted States of America, and was qualified as constable. 

August 12. I received a visit from Esq. Wells and Mr. Sedam, 
an officer in the army, who spent most of the day with me, and towards 
evening, as they were going away and I was walking with them to the 
boat, Esq. Wells introduced a conversation with me respecting the 
pernicious practice of retailing spirituous liquors to the troops, and 
informed me that General Harmar wished me to write to Cochran and 
some others, in order to prevent such mischiefs as were taking place. 
I observed to the gentleman that we had more effectual ground to go 
upon, and that, by virtue of a statute of the territory, a special session 
might be called, and wished Esq. Wells to meet me on the fore part of 
the fourteenth of August for that purpose, at Cincinnati. 

August 14. On Saturday, fourteenth, I arrived at Cincinnati with 
Esq. Gano— waited upon Esq. JVIcIVIillan, who was in alow state cf 
health, but gave me encouragement that he would be able to sit in 
session. I immediately despatched a messenger to inform Esq. Wells 
of my arrival, and another to carry the following letter to General 
Harmar; 
Dear Sik:— 

It has been intimated to me that the persons sanctioned in May term 
last, to keep public houses of entertainment for the accommodation of 
strangers and travellers, have abused that indulgence in a. way that 
must eventually be detrimental to the public service, by debauching 
the troops under your command with spirituous liquors. I have, there- 
fore, convened a special session on the occasion, which are now met 
and ready to proceed on that business; and would therefore thank 
General Harmar to be so kind as to furnish the session with such evi- 
dence as may be an effectual clue to go into a thorough investigation 
of the matter; and, as the session are now convened, your compliance 
as speedily as may be with conveniency to yourself will greatly oblige. 
Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, 

William Goforth. 
Hon. General Harmar. 

Cincinnati, 14th August, 1790. 

The court being opened, present, William Goforth, William Wells, 
William McMillan, John S. Gano.* 

Captain Ferguson, Captain Pratt, Captain Strong, and several other 
officers appeared, agreeable to General Harmar 's orders, and informed 
the court that, in consequence of the troops being debauched by spirit- 
uous liquors, punishment had become frequent in the army, and that 
the men were sickening fast, and that the sickness, in the opinion of 
the doctors, was in a great degree brought on by excessive hard drink- 
ing, and the officers complained of three houses which had retailed to 
the troops, to wit: Thomas Cochran, Mauhew Winton, and John 
Scott. These charges were supported by evidence, and Thomas Coch- 
ran and Matthew Winton, each with a security, were bound by their 
recognizance at the ne.\t general quarter sessions of the peace, to be 
holden at Cincinnati, for the county of Hamilton, on the first Tuesday 
in November next, in the sum of two hundred dollars, and in the 
meantime to refrain from retailing spirituous liquors to troops without 
a written permission from their officers; and John Scott in the sum of 
thirty dollars. The court being adjourned without day. 

The prompt circumstance with which, after the good 
old English style, the early courts were opened in this 
wilderness west, may be inferred from the following 
court report, which appeared in the Centinel of the 
Northwest Territory for April 12, 1794: 

On Tuesday, the nth inst., the General Court opened at this place, 
agreeably to adjournment from October last, before the Honorable 
Judge Turner. The procession from the Judge's chambers to the pub- 
lic ground was in the following order: 

Constables, with Batons. 



*From this quadruple and august presence, it would seem that this 
is a full session of the court of general quarter sessions of the peace. 



Sheriff and Coroner, with White Wands. 
Goaler. 

The Honorable Judge. 
Clerk, with a Green Bag. 
Judges of the Common Pleas. 
Justices of the Peace. 
Attorneys, Messengers, etc. 

While the stalwarts were away fighting the Indians, 
those pioneers who remained at home, in this county at 
least, entitled themselves to the pecuniary regards of the 
county commissioners by kilUng wolves, panthers and 
wild-cats. If a boy killed a "big wolf," the scalp, 
properly certified, would bring two dollars; and if a man 
killed one of these wild animals less than si.^ months old, 
he got one dollar and twenty-five cents. If the com- 
missioners thought a man should be engaged in abler 
business than killing "five-months' wolves or sucking 
wild-cats," they would beat him down to three scalps for 
a dollar. In 1797, the commissioners set apart two hun- 
dred dollars to kill wolveS and wild-cats with. In the 
year 1800 Joseph Moore killed a wolf, James Pelliciew 
five, John Smith, Rowland Hindle, Joseph Williams, 
Stephen Wood, Joseph Walker, John Vincent, Robert 
Terry, John Shaw, Gale Seward, William Smally, John 
Dearth, James Bunnel, Peter Balfell, Jesse Anthony, 
and Joseph Sutton, killed one wolf each; James Mills 
five, Ma.\ Parhagon six, James Ross two, Daniel Gibson 
two, Robert McKinney four, John McGormick two 
wolves and a wild-cat, Peter Murphy three "old" weaves, 
John McKain two, William Dowder two, James Dement 
two, Alexander Huston two, Samuel Gregory three, 
James Flynn eight, Benjamin Truman two, Elijah 
Chapman four, Eminanuel Burget and JcThn Spencer one 
and a half apiece, Nathan Abbott two. The scalps were 
properly certified, and one hundred and sixty-six dollars 
and seventy-five cents paid to the slayers. There was 
money and some fun in the scalp trade; and there was 
scarcely a boy, doctor, preacher, or lawyer but could 
relate a personal adventure connected with them and 
tell how much his "scalp fetched. " 

April 24, 1809, James Lyon, William CuUum, Enos 
Hurin, James Ewing and John Mahard were severally 
commissioned justices of the peace for the township of 
Cincinnati. Job Foster and Joseph Jenkins were 
similarly commissioned for the township of Springfield; 
Garah Markland and Stephen Wood for the township of 
Miami and Judah Willey for the township of Colerain, 
Si to continue in office for three years from the third day 
of that month. 

On the twenty-first of February, 1809, Griffin Yeat- 
man was appointed and commissioned notary public in 
and for the township of Cincinnati, "to continue in 
office for three years, if he shall so long behave well." 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



237 



CHAPTER XX. 

CIVIL LIST OF HAMILTON COUNTY. 

The roll of honor in the public offices of civil life, for 
the county of Hamilton, is almost as imposing in its way 
as the military roster. The county has been singularly 
fortunate in the eminent usefulness to which its repre- 
sentative citizens have attajned, and, in general, in their 
public and private character. It has furnished to the 
country one President of the Federal Union, in the per- 
son of General William Henry Harrison; and another, 
General Rutherford B. Hayes, although not elected from 
Cincinnati, was once a resident of the city, as was also 
one chief justice of the supreme court of the United 
States, Hon. Salmon Portland Chase. The number of 
citizens of this county who have filled high positions in 
the President's cabinet, in the diplomatic and consular 
service of the country, in the service of the State other- 
wise than as governor, and in various capacities too nu- 
merous to make a roll of the incumbents practicable in 
this work, is very great indeed. We present herewith a 
partial, but sufficiently indicative civil list of the county. 
All available sources of information, and a vast deal of 
time, has been exhausted in the effort to make the 'list 
complete; but we must rest with the names here given. 
It is believed that they, with dates, so far as given, are 
noted with approximate exactness, though some errors 
will doubtless appear. 

GOVERNORS. 

Charles Wylling Byrd, secretary of the Northwest Ter- 
ritory, and acting governor of the territory after the re- 
moval of General St. Clair, near the close of 1802, until 
the institution of the State government, March 3, 1803; 
Othinal Looker, acting governor of the State of Ohio, 
April 14th to December 8, 1814, by reason of the resig- 
nation of Governor R. J. Meigs, to accept the office of 
postmaster general of the United States. Ethan Allen 
Brown, governor from December 14, 1818, to January 
4, 1822, when he resigned to become United States sen- 
ator from Ohio. Salmon P. Chase, governor from Janu- 
ary 14, 1856, to January 9, i860. Rutherford B. Hayes, 
January 13, 1868, to January 8, 1872. When Governor 
Hayes was re-elected, in 1875, he was a resident of San- 
dusky county, and resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the 
office of President of the United States. Edward F. 
Noyes, from January 8, 1872, to January 12, 1874. 
Thomas L. Young, March 2, 1877, to January 14, 1878, 
in place of Governor Hayes, resigned. Richard M. 
Bishop, January 14, 1878, to January 14, 1880. [Of 
the thirty-five governors and acting governors which the 
Northwest Territory and the State of Ohio have had, 
Hamilton county furnished seven, or just one-fifth. 
Jeremiah Morrow also, who was elected Governor from 
Warren county, was originally a citizen of Hamilton 
county.] 

TERRITORIAL DELEGATE IN CONGRESS. 

William Henry Harrison, 1799. Resigned to accept 
the office of governor of the Territory of Indiana. Wil- 
liam McMillan, 1800-01, vice Harrison, resigned. 



UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

John Smith, 1803-08.* Ethan Allen Brown, 1822-5, 
vice William A. Trimble, of Highland county, who died 
in 1822, from the effects of a wound received at Fort 
Erie, in the War of 1812. William Henry Harrison, 
1825-8. Resigned to accept appointment as minister to 
Colombia. Jacob Burnet, 1828-31, vice Harrison, re- 
signed. Salmon P. Chase, 1849-55 J ^^^o 1861, but re- 
signed to take a place in the cabinet as Secretary of the 
United States treasury. George E. Pugh, 1855-61. 
Stanley Matthews, 187 7-9, vice John Sherman, resigned 
to take I he portfolio of secretary of the treasury. George 
H. Pendleton, 1879-. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 

William Henry Harrison, 1816-17, vice John Mc- 
Lean, of Warren, resigned; also 1817-19, James W. 
Gazlay, 1823-5; James Findlay, 1825-33; Robert T. 
Lytle, 1833-5, resigned October 16, 1834, and re- 
elected November 8, 1834; Bellamy Storer, 1835-7; 
Alexander Duncan, 1837-41, and 1843-5; Nathaniel G. 
Pendleton, 1 841-3; James J. Faran, 1845-9; David T. 
Disney, 1849-55; Timothy C. Day, Scott Harrison, 
1855-57; George H. Pendleton, 1857-65; William S. 
Groesbeck, 1857-9; John A. Gurley, 1859-63; Alexan- 
der Long, 1863-5; Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Eg- 
gleston, 1865-9; Peter W. Strader, 1869-71 ; Job E. Ste- 
venson, 1869-73; Aaron F. Perry, 1871-2, resigned; 
Ozro J. Dodds, 1872-3, vice Perry; Milton Sayler, Henry 
B. Banning, 1873-9; Benjamin Butterworth, Thomas L. 
Young, 1879-83. 

MEMBERS 0*F THE FIRST STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CON- 
VENTIONS. 

The First Convention, 1802. — Charles W. Boyd, John 
W. Browne, Francis Dunlavy, William Goforth, John 
Kitchel, Jeremiah Morrow, John Paul, John Reily, John 
Smith, John Wilson. 

The Second Convention, 1851. — William S. Groes- 
beck, George W. Holmes, J. Daniel Jones, Adam N. 
Riddle, Charles Reemehn, Edward C. Roll, John Strubel. 

The Third Convention, 1873. — Rufus King, Richard 
M. Bishop, Samuel F. Hunt, Charles W. Rowland, Elias 

* By resolution of the Ohio legislature, passed December 19, 1806, 
Mr. Smith was requested to resign his seat in the Senate, on the ground 
that he did not attend to his duties as senator. Tucker's Life of Jef- 
ferson has the following note upon the subject :- 

"John Smith, a senator from Ohio, was one of those involved in the 
conspiracy of Aaron Burr, and was indicted by a grand jury at Rich- 
mond. As soon as he attended the Senate, on the twenty-seventh of 
November, 1S07, a committee was appointed to inquire whether he 
should be permitted to hold his seat in that body. On the thirty-first 
of December, the committee having made a report against him, he was 
allowed to defend himself against the report there adduced by counsel 
and by adducing testimony, both oral and written. After the evidence 
was heard, and several postponements of the investigation at his in- 
stance, the question of his expulsion was taken on the ninth of April, 
when, there being nineteen yeas and ten nays, and consequently not 
two-thirds for his expulsion, it was determined in the negative. He 
kept his seat, and voted during the remainder of the session, and on 
returning to Ohio resigned his seat." 

Return J. Meigs, of Marietta, was then elected to fill the vacancy. 
In 1847, a book entitled "The Victim of Intrigue — A Tale of Burr's 
Conspiracy," by James W. Taylor, to vindicate the reputation of Sena- 
tor Smith from the charge of implication in the conspiracy, was pub- 
lished in Cincinnati by Roberts & Jones. 



238 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



H. Johnson, Julius Freiberg, George Hoadly, John W. 
Heiron, Joseph P. Carberry, John L. Miner (in place of 
Josiah L. Keck, resigned). 

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE TERRITORY. 

Jacob Burnet, James Findlay. 

MEMBERS OF THE TERRITORIAL ASSEMBLY. 

1 7 99-1 800. — William McMillan, William Goforth, 
John Smith, John Ludlow, Aaron Caldwell, Isaac Martin, 
Robert Benham; 1801-2. — John Ludlow, John Smith, 
Francis Dunlavy, Moses Miller, Jeremiah Morrow, Dan- 
iel Reeder, Jacob White. 

SPEAKERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE HOUSES. 

Senate. — Daniel Symmes, Second and Third general 
assemblies; Samuel R. Miller, Twenty-ninth and Thirty- 
first; David T. Disney, Thirty-second and Thirty-third, 
and at the extra session of 1835; James J. Faran, For- 
tieth and Forty-first. (After the adoption of the consti- 
tution of 1852, the lieutenant governor presided over the 
senate.) 

House of Representatives. — Micajah T. Williams, 
Twenty-third general assembly; David T. Disney, Thir- 
ty-first; James J. Faran, Thirty-seventh; A. J. Cunning- 
ham, Fifty-ninth. 

STATE SENATORS. 

First general assembly — Francis Dunlavy, Jeremiah 
Morrow, John Paul, Daniel Symmes; Second — John Big- 
ger, W. C. Schenck, Daniel Symmes, William Waid; 
Third — Daniel Symmes; Fourth — Cornelius Snider, 
Stephen Wood; Fifth — Stephen Wood, AVilliam McFar- 
land; Sixth — Stephen Wood, Hezekiah Price (to fill un- 
expired term of John Taggart, resigned); Seventh and 
Eighth — Stephen Wood, Hezekiah Price; Ninth — 0th- 
niel Looker, Aaron Goforth (to fill the place of Alexan- 
der Campbell, resigned); Tenth — Elnathan Stone (to fill 
vacancy caused by death of Aaron Goforth), Othniel 
Looker; Eleventh — John Jones, Francis McCormick; 
Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth — John Jones, Oth- 
niel Looker ; Fifteenth — Othniel Looker, Ephraim 
Brown; Sixteenth and Seventeenth — Ephraim Brown, 
George P. Torrence; Eighteenth and Nineteenth — Eph- 
raim Brown, William H. Harrison; Twentieth, Twenty- 
first, and Twenty-second — Ephraim Brown, Benjamin M. 
Piatt; Twenty-third — Clayton Webb, Nathaniel Guilford 
(to fill vacancy of Benjamin M. Piatt, resigned) ; Twenty- 
fourth — Clayton Webb, Nathaniel G. Pendleton ; Twenty- 
fifth — N. G. Pendleton, Stephen Wood; Twenty-sixth — 
Stephen Wood, Andrew Mack; Twenty-seventh — Andrew 
Mack, Jonathan Cilley; Twenty-eighth — Jonathan Cilley, 
Ethan A. Brown; Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth — Jonathan 
Cilley, Samuel R. Miller; Thirty-first— Samuel R. Mil- 
ler, Alexander Duncan; Thirty-second — Alexander 
Duncan, David T. Disney; Thirty-third and extra 
session — David T. Disney, Henry Morse; Thirty- 
fourth — Henry Morse, William Price; Thirty-fifth — 
John H. Garrard, William Price; Thirty-sixth — John 
H. Garrard, William Oliver; Thirty-seventh — Wil- 
liam Oliver, George W. Holmes; Thirty-eighth, Thirty- 
ninth, and Fortieth — George W. Holmes, James J. Far- 
an; Forty-first — James J. Faran, Oliver Jones; Forty- 



second and Forty-third — Oliver Jones, David T. Disney; 
Forty-fourth — Oliver Jones, J. H. Ewing; Forty-fifth and 
Forty-sixth — J. H. Ewing, Charles C. Reemelin; Forty- 
seventh — J. H. Ewing, John H. Dubbs; Forty-eighth — 
John H. Dubbs, William F. Johnson (seat of latter con- 
tested and given to Lewis Broadwell); Forty-ninth — 
Lewis Broadwell, William S. Hatch; Fiftieth — Edwin L. 
Armstrong, Adam N. Riddle, John L. Vattier; Fifty- 
first— George H. Pendleton, 'John Schifif, William F. Con- 
verse; Fifty-second — Stanley Matthews, William F. Con- 
verse, George W. Holmes; Fifty-third — William S. 
Hatch, A. B. Langdon, Charles Thomas; Fifty-fourth — 
Thomas M. Key, E. A. Ferguson, George W. Holmes; 
Fifty-fifth — Benjamin Eggleston, Thomas H. Whetstone, 
William S. Groesbeck; Fifty-sixth — Benjamin Eggleston, 
Thomas H. Whetstone, Thomas H. Weasnor (at the ad- 
journed session, Joshua H. Bates took the seat of Mr. 
Weasnor, resigned) ; Fifty-seventh — Warner M. Bateman, 
S. L. Hayden, G. B. Hollister; Fifty-eighth— Thomas R. 
Biggs, Henry Kessler, John F. Torrence; Fifty-ninth — 
Thomas H. Yeatman, Michael Goepper, Samuel F. 
Hunt, Nathaniel Lord, jr.; Sixtieth— .John Schiff, Joseph 
F. Wright, Thomas L. Young; Sixty-first — William Pitt 
Wallace, Vachel Worthington, Stephen H. Burton; Sixty- 
second — Joshua H. Bates, Henry Kessler, E. F. Klein- 
schmidt, E. P. Ransom; Sixty-third — James M. Arm- 
strong, William T. Forrest, Henry C. Lord, Theodore 
Marsh; Sixty-fourth — Benjamin Eggleston, Charles 
Fkischmann, Josiah Kirby. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

First General Assembly — Thomas Brown, John Big- 
ger, James Dunn, Vf'illiam James, Robert McClure, Wil- 
liam Maxwell, Thomas McFarlan; Second — Samuel 
Dick, William Dodds, Abner Garrard, Ephraim Kibby, 
Ichabod Miller, John Wallace, Stephen Wood, William 
McClure; Third — Stephen Wood, Hezekiah Price, Ju- 
dah Willey; Fourth — John Jones, Hezekiah Price, 
Adrian Hagerman; Fifth — Ethan Stone, John Jones, 
Hezekiah Price; Sixth — Othniel Looker, Zebulon Foster, 
John Jones; Seventh — Othniel Looker, William Perry, 
James Clark; Eighth — Othniel Looker, James- Clark, 
William Ludlow; Ninth — John Jones, Peter Bell, Sam- 
uel McHenry; Tenth — Peter Bell, John Jones, Ogden 
Ross; Eleventh — Peter Bell, Ogden Ross, William Corry; 
Twelfth — Zebulon Foster, Peter Bell, Ephraim Brown; 
Thirteenth and Fourteenth — Jacob Burnet, Ephraim 
Brown, Peter Bell; Fifteenth — Arthur Henry, Daniel 
Hosbrook, Benjamin M. Piatt; Sixteenth and Seven- 
teenth — Andrew Mack, Samuel McHenry, Peter Bell ; 
Eighteenth — Peter Bell, Samuel McHenry, William 
Corry; Nineteenth — Zaccheus Biggs, Clayton Webb, Mi- 
cajah T. Williams; Twentieth — Clayton Webb, Micajah 
T. Williams, John T. Short, Samuel R. Miller; Twenty- 
first — Benjamin Ayres, William Disney, Samuel Rees, 
Micajah T. Williams; Twenty-second — Samuel Rees, 
William Disney, Daniel Hosbrook, Micajah T. Williams; 
Twenty-third — Micajah T. Williams, William Corry, Sam- 
uel McHenry; Twenty-fourth — Samuel McHenry, 
Charles G. Swain, Elijah Hayward; Twenty-fifth — Elijah 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



239 



Hay ward, Charles G. Swain, William Corry; Twenty- 
sixth — Elijah Hayward, Peter Bell, John C. Short; 
Twenty-seventh — Elijah Hayward, Robert T. Lytle, 
Alexander Duncan; Twenty-eighth — David T. Disney, 
Samuel Rees, George Graham, jr., Alexander Duncan; 
Twenty-ninth — Daniel Stone, Samuel Rees, Leonard 
Armstrong; Thirtieth — Alexander Duncan, David T. 
Disney, Daniel H. Hawes, John Burgoyne; Thirty-first 
— D. T. Disney, Samuel Bond, Israel Brown, Adam N. 
Riddle; Thirty-second — Adam N. Riddle, Samuel Bond, 
William C. Anderson, John Burgoyne; Thirty-third — Wil- 
liam C. Anderson, Samuel Bond, John C. Short, Elijah 
Hotchkiss; Extra session, 1835 — Samuel Bond, Elisha 
Hotchkiss, John C. Short; Tliirty-fourth — William Conc- 
lin, James J. Faran, Andrew Porter, Daniel Hosbrook; 
Thirty-fifth — Israel Brown, George W. Holmes, James 
Armstrong; Thirty-sixth — James J. Faran, James Given, 
A. F. Carpenter; Thirty seventh — James J. Faran, Israel 
Brown; Thirty-eighth — Robert Moore, Thomas J. Hen- 
derson; Thirty-ninth — A. F. Carpenter, John M. Coch- 
ran, John Reeves; Fortieth — Robert Moore, William 
Hatch, James H. Ewing, Oliver Jones; Forty-first — 
Israel Brown, Archibald Gordon, William Wakefield ; 
Forty-second — James H. Ewing, William Wakefield, 
John Snyder; Forty-third — Israel Brown, Charles Ree- 
melin, James H. Ewing, Jacob Flinn; Forty-fourth: — 
John McMakin, Charles Reemelin, Thomas J. Galla- 
gber, Jacob Flinn ; Forty-fifth— William S. Smith, Wil- 
liam F. Converse, John McMakin, John B. Warren; 
Forty-sixth — Edward L. Armstrong, William F. Con- 
verse, William S. Smith, John B. Warren; Forty-seventh 
— George E. Pugh, Alexander N. Pierce, Henry Roed- 
ter, Alexander Long, Edward L. Armstrong; Forty-eighth 
— Alexander Long, John Bennett, Henry Roedter, George 
E. Pugh, Andrew Putdon; Forty-ninth — Peter Zinn, 
James Iliff, John Bennett, John Schiff, Andrew David- 
son; Fiftieth — William H. Lytle, Benjamin T. Dale, 
James Shuble, Thomas F. Eckhart, John B. Staetler, An- 
drew Davidson, Richard H. Stone, Oliver Brown. At 
the adjourned session, Henry Brachman, vice Jacob 
Struble, deceased; Fifty-first — H. B. Brown, Joseph E. 
Egley, Nelson Cross, John B. Krauth, E. Bassett Lang- 
don, John N. Ridgway, George Robinson, Thomas 
Wright; Fifty-second — Joseph E. Egley, E. B. Langdoni 
William M. Corry, James P. Holmes, George C. Robin' 
son, Charles Thomas, Ebenezer T. Turpin, John P. Slough; 
Fifty-third — George C. Robinson, Patrick Rodgers, Hun- 
ter Brooke, "Aaron C. Bagley, Isaac C. Collins, Joseph J. 
Bobmeyer, James Saffin, Joseph T. Wright; Fifty-fourth 
— William J. Flagg, John Schiff, Joseph Jonas, Patrick 
Rodgers, Joseph F. Wright, William Jones, William Jes- 
sup; Fifty-fifth — Peter Zinn, George Keck, William 
Stanton, Milton Sayler, William J. Flagg, James Hus- 
ton, Amzi McGill, Henry Brachman, Theodore Marsh; 
Fifty-sixth — William Stanton, George Keck, Henry 
Brachman, Amzi McGill, James Huston, J. M. Cochran, 
S. L. Hayden, John K. Green, Josiah Kirby ; (adjourned 
session — N. P. Nixon took the place of George Koch, 
deceased); Fifty-seventh — Henry Kessler, William Stan- 
ton, N. P. Nixon, J. M. Cochran, Gustav Tafel, M. P. 



Gaddis, Thomas L. Young, F. H. Oberkline, George B. 
Wright (at the adjourned session, Griffith M. Bunce 
and Charles E. Cist, to take the places, respectively, of 
Maxwell P. Gaddis and George B. Wright, resigned); 
Fifty-eighth — Henry C. Borden, Robert S. Coleman, 
George Cist, Henry G. Kennett, Frederick W. Moore, 
William H. Scott, George W. Skaats, Jacob Wolf, Henry 
Warnkin; Fifty-ninth — Henry M. Bates, Thomas A. 
Corcoran, A. J. Cunningham, Ozro J. Dodds, Thomas 
J. Haldeman, James H. Hambleton, George H. Hill, 
John K. Love, Augustus Ward, Ernest F. Kleinschmidt; 
Sixtieth — John M. Brunswick, John M. Cochran, 
Thomas A. Corcoran, Robert Creighton, John J. Fallis, 
Thomas J. Haldeman, John A. Shank, Robert O. 
Strong, Charles P. Taft, John M. Wilson (at the ad- 
journed session H. F. Brashear and M. W. Olin, vice, re- 
spectively, Robert Creighton and R. O. Strong, resigned); 
Sixty-first — Chapman C. Archer, George W. Boyce, John 
J. Geghan, James S. Gordon, Paul A. J. Huston, Edwin 
W. Miller, Elbert P. Newell, John M. Patterson, Thomts 
E. Sater, James L. Haven; Sixty-second — S. W. Bard, 
L. Burckhardt, Gabriel Dirr, H. P. Goebel, John E. 
Naylor, George W. Skaats, Peter F. Stryker, R. M. 
White, W. P. Wiltsee, John W. Zumstein; Sixty-third — 
Lloyd S. Bunn, Milo G. Dodds, William Jessup, Fred- 
erick Klimper, Benjamin F. Lovelace, William B. Loder, 
Joseph G. Sexton, John Sullivan, Irwin B. Wright; 
Sixty-fourth — Lewis M. Dayton, Charles C. Davis, Jo- 
seph E. Heart, William H. Hill, Frank Kirchner, D. 
Gano Ray, Peter Stryker, Lewis Voight, George W. Wil- 
liams. 

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND OF THE 
GENERAL QUARTER SESSCONS OF THE PEACE. 

WiUiam McMillan, William Goforth, WiUiam Wells, 
(appointed by Governor St. Clair, January 4, 1790, under 
the territorial organization). 

The first justices of the peace were appointed for the 
county at large, and sat on the bench with the justices of 
the quarter sessions. The original appointments of 1790 
were John S. Gano and Benjamin Stites, of Columbia; 
Jacob Tapping, and George McCullum. Others were 
added from time to time, of whom we have only the 
name of Henry Weaver, of Tucker's Station, appointed 
by Governor St. Clair in 1794, and of those whose names 
appear upon the records of the court from 1790 to 1802, 
as follows: We give only the year of their first appear- 
ance on the record : 

1792, Aaron Caldwell; 1793, John Armstrong, James 
Barrett; 1794, John Mercer; 1795, Stephen Wood, John 
S. Wallace; 1796, Thomas Gibson, John Beasly; 1797, 
Nathan Ellis; 1799, Ignatius Brown, William Bunn, Ich- 
abod B. Miller, Asa Kitchell, Jacob White, Alexander 
Martin; 1800, Olear Todd; 1801, James Findlay, Joseph 
Prince, Emanuel Vantrees, Cornelius Sedam; 1802, Wil- 
liam Armstrong, Samuel Robb. 

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. 

1803, Thomas Gibson, presiding judge, three associ- 
ates; 1804, Michael Jones, presiding judge; 1805, Francis 
Dunlavy, presiding judge for fourteen years; associ- 



240 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



ates, James Silvers (to at least 1819), Luke Foster (1803- 
10). [Mr. Dunlavy was the first judge on the first circuit, 
which embraced Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, 
Montgomery, and Greene, and afterwards Clinton and 
Preble counties.] 1804-6, Matthew Nimmo, associate; 
1807, William McFarland, associate; 1808-10, John 
Matson, associate; i8io-i6, Stephen Wood, associate; 
1811, James Clark, associate; 1817, Othniel Looker, as- 
sociate; 1818, William Burke, associate; 18 19, George 
P. Torrence, presiding judge until 1832; John C. Short; 
1820-22, Othniel Looker, James Silvers, Peter Bell; 
1823-4, Samuel R: Miller; 1825-6, Patrick Smith, Benja- 
min Piatt; 1825-9, Peter Bell, Patrick Smith, John Jolley. 
[It is quite certain that one or more of these gentlemen 
held the office before and after these dates; but we only 
know that they were holding in these years.] 1829-31, 
Enos Woodruff [A similar remark is true of Mr. Wood- 
ruff, as also of Mr. Rees and many others named below 
— in nearly all cases, probably where but a single year is 
given in connection with a name. If the dates of their 
several terms could be completed, many of the gaps ob- 
servable in the list would doubtless be filled.] 1831, 
Samuel Rees; 1831-6, Thomas Henderson; 1834, John 
M. Goodenow; 1834-6, John Burgoyne, Jonathan Cilley; 
1836, David K. Este; 1839-40, N. C. Read, Joseph 
Brown, Richard Ayres; 1839-45, Henry Morse; 1845-6, 
William B. Caldwell; 1845, Israel Brown; 1845-51, Rob- 
ert Moore; 1846-51, James Saffin; 1846-51, John A. Wise- 
man; 1850, Samuel M. Hart; 185 1» Robert B. Martin. 
[Under the New Constitution.] 

1852, Stanley Matthews, Donn Piatt; 1852-61, A. G. 
W. Carter; 1858-67, M. W. OHver; 1858-61, Patrick 
Mallon; 1860-1, Isaac C. Collins; 1861-7, Nicholas 
Headington; 1861-77, Charles C. Murdock; 1867-72, 
Joseph Cox (also 1877, — , in place of Judson Harmon); 
1867-77, Manning F. Force; 1872, — , Jacob Burnet, Wil- 
liam L. Avery; 1877-8, Judson Harmon ; 1877, — , Nich- 
olas Longworth, Robert A. Johnston; 1878, — , Fayette 
Smith, Frederick W. Moore. 

[The judges of the superior and other local courts are 
city officers, and will be named in the civil list of Cincin- 
nati.] 

Under the new constitution and laws of 1852, all pro- 
bate business was set over to the probate court, then 
organized; and all books and papers pertaining thereto 
were transferred to the care and keeping of the new court. 
The probate judge is, ex officio, clerk of the court, and 
appoints all deputies and clerks in his department. There 
are at present three deputies, six recorders, a messenger, 
and a janitor in the office. The chief deput)', Daniel 
Herider, esq., has been connected with the probate court 
almost continuously from the time of its organization — 
twenty-eight years. All books and papers in the pro- 
bate office are vigilantly cared for; and the records are 
almost perfect, back to the beginning of the "quarter ses- 
sions" court in 1790-91. The following is a complete list 
of the judges: 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

1852-5, John B. Warren; 1855-8, John Burgoyne, sr.; 
1858-61, George H. Hilton; 1861-4, Alexander Pad- 



dack; 1864-7, Edward Woodruff; 1867-70, Edward F. 
Noyes; 1870-3, George F. Hoeffer; 1873-4, William 
Tilden (died in office, and Albert Paddack appointed); 
1873-80, Isaac B. Matson. 

CLERK OF THE COURTS. 

This office was appointive till the constitution of 1852. 
1790-2, Israel Ludlow, prothonotary of the court of com- 
mon pleas and clerk of the general quarter sessions of the 
peace; 1792-3, Samuel Swan; 1793-1818, John S. Gano; 
18 19-1 835, Daniel Gano; 1836, William H. Harrison; 
1841, J. W. Piatt; 1845, James McMasters; 1846-51, Ed- 
ward C. Roll; 1854, J. M. McMasters; 1858-61, Rich- 
ard H. Stone. 

COUNTY CLERKS. 

1861-4, Charles E. Cist; 1864-7, Benjamin J. Hor- 
ton; 1867-70, T. Bishop Disney; 1870-4, H. H. Tinker; 
1874-7, William M. Trevor; 1877-80, Lewis G. Ber- 
nard; 1880-, Samuel W. Ramp. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

This office was also appointive till the year 1833. 
1792-3, Abner Dunn; 1793-4, Ezra Freeman; 1795, 
Isaac Danville; 1796, John S. Wills; 1797, Arthur St. 
Clair, jr.; 1798, George W. Burnett; 1799-1807, A. St. 
Clair, jr.; 1809-10, Ethan A. Brown; 181 1, Elias Glover; 
1812-29, David Wade; 1831-4, Daniel Van Matre; 
1836 — , N. C. Read; 1841, J.T. Crapsey; 1845-6, Charles 
H. Brough; 1858, T. A. O'Connor; 1859-63, Theophi- 
lus Gaines; 1864-5, E. B. Hutcheson; 1866-7, William 
H. Kerr; 1867-9, H. W. Thomson; 1869-70, C. H. 
Blackburn; 1871-3, William M. Ampt; 1873-4, Robert 
O. Strong; 1875, Clinton W. Gerard; 1876-8, Charles W. 
Baker; 1879-80, Lewis W. Erwin, Samuel H. Drew; 
1881, Miller Outcalt. 

SHERIFFS. 

1790-2, John Brown, gent; 1791, Isaac Martin (dep- 
uty); 1793-4, John Ludlow (R. Wheelan and Martin, 
deputies); 1795-6, Daniel Symmes; 1797-1804, James 
Smith. [Also collector of the government revenue, univer- 
sally known as "Sheriff Smith"] ; 1805-6, William McFar- 
land; 1806-10, Aaron Goforth ; 181 1-12, Joseph Jenkin- 
son; 1813-14, John S. Wallace; 1816, Daniel Hosbiook; 
1S17, William Ruffin; also 1823-5; 1818-22, Richard 
Ayres; 1829, John C. Avery; also 1839-42; 1831-4, 
Ebenezer Hulse; 1836-8, Samuel Fosdick; 1843-6, John 
H. Gerard; 1847-8, Thomas S. Weaver; 1849-50, Joseph 
Cooper; 1851-2, Charles W. Smith; 1S53-4, Benjamin 
Higdon; 1855-6, Gassaway Brashear; 1857-8, Richard 
Matthews; 1859-60, Henry Kessler; 1861-2, John B. 
Armstrong; 1863-4, William Long; 1865-6, Richard 
Calvin; 1867-8, Henry S. Schotman; 1869-70, Daniel 
Weber; 1871-2, Joseph E. Heart; 1873-4, George W. 
Zeigler; 1875-6, Fred Springmeier; 1878-8, William Pitt 
Wallace; 1879-80, George Weber; 1881, Samuel Bailey, jr. 

AUDITORS. 

This office was created by act of the legislature at the 
session of 1820-1. It was elective annually until 1824. 

1825, John T. Jones; 1829-36, John S. Wallace; 1841-5, 
Hugh McDougal; 1846, John S. Thorp; 1849-50, A. 
W. Armstrong; 1858-9, J. Dan. Jones; 1859-61, Howard 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



241 



Matthews; 1861-3, William P. Ward; 1863-5, Jo'"'" E. 
Bell; 1866-7, S. W. Seibern; 1867-9, August Willich ; 
1869-71, George S. LaRue; 1871-3, W. M. Yeatman; 
1873-7, Joseph B. Humphreys; 1877- , William S. 
Capeller. 

TREASURERS. 

This officer, under the first State constitution, was 
appointed, at first by the associate judges of the court of 
common pleas, and afterwards by the county commis- 
sioners. After 1827 he was elected biennially. 

i79S-7> Stephen Wood; 1798-1806, Jacob Burnet; 
1807, James Ewing; 1809, John H. Armstrong; 1810-14, 
Joshua L. Wilson; 1815-19, David Wade; 1825-31, 
Richard Fosdick; 1834-6, Geoige P. Torrence; 1840-1, 
Samuel Martin; 1845-6, George W. Holmes; 1849-50, 
Henry Debolt; 1857-8, R. Hazlewood; 1859-60, George 
Fries; 1861-2, E. D. Cruikshank; 1863-4, Oliver H. 
Geffroy; 1865-7, O. W. Nixon; 1867, A. C. Parry; 1867- 
8, Miles Greenwood; 1869-70, John Sebastian; 1871-2, 
Frederick J. Mayer; 1873-4, John Gerke; 1875-6, Ross 
H. Fenton; 1877-8, James S. Wise; 1879-80, John G. 
Fratz; i88r, L. A. Staley. 

RECORDERS. 

This officer was appointed by the judges of the court 
of common pleas until 1831. Since that time he has 
been elected by the people. 

1790, James Burnet (register of deeds); 1802, Oliver 
Spencer (also 1804); 1803, John W. Brown; 1819, 
Thomas Henderson; 1825-41, Griffin Yeatman; 1845, 
Thomas Heckewelder; 1850, William Horn; 1858, John 
W. Carlton; 1859-62, Henry Ives; 1863-66, F. H. Oehl- 
man; 1866-68, John E. Rees; 1869-70, Thomas L. 
Young; 187 1-74, George J. Leininger; 1875-79, Frank 
Bruner; 1880, George O. Deckebaugh. 

ASSESSORS. 

This office was in existence for about twenty years, 
from 1825. 

1829-34, Jonathan Pancoast; 1835-36, Jonah Martin; 
1841-42, H. R. Bywaters; 1845-46, Robert Winter. 

COLLECTOR. 

This office existed until 1827, when it was abolished 
and the treasurer was charged with its duties. We find 
the name of but one incumbent of the office, Thomas 
Clark, in and about the year 1819. 

SURVEYORS. 

The surveyor was appointed by the court of common 
pleas until 1831. 

1802, Benjamin VanCleve; 1806, Thomas Hender- 
son; 1817-20, Joel Wright; Daniel Hosbrook; 1825-32, 
Eli Elder; 1833-36, Garrett Vleit; 1836, Mahlon Brown; 
1841-51, John L. Hosbrook; 1851-60, James B. Bell; 
1861-66, Joseph W. Gilbert; 1870-72, Jacob Ammen; 



1873-75. Samuel P- Bowles; 1876-79, George Haire ; 
1879-80, John H. Welsch; 1880, Peter N. Jonte. 

CORONERS. 

1792, Robert Bunten; 1794-9, George Gordon; 1800, 
William Austin; 1801-2, William CT Schenck~i 803-4, 
Joseph Carpenter; 1805-6, Henry Ewing; 1807-10, Wil- 
liam Woodward; 1811-19, William Butler; 1820-1, Lot 
Cooper; 1823-5, David Jackson; 1840, Lewis Day; 
1841-5, Charles Hales; 1849-50, Henry Lowry; 1853-4, 
Henry Noble (also 1857-8); 18556, S. G. Menzies; 
1859-60, M. T. Carey (also 1865-6); 1861-2, F. L. Em- 
mert (also 1867-68); 1863-4, George A. Doherty; 1869- 
70, Charles Betscher; 1871-2, J. W. Underbill; 1873-76, 
P. F. Maley; 1877-8, Ferdinand Stich; 1879-80, An- 
thony L. Carrick; 1881, John H. Rendigs. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 

1796-7, Willia m McMillan ; 1796-7, Robert Wheelan; 
i79S^97T^obert Benham; 1797-1800, Joseph Prince; 
1798-1801, David E. Wade; 1799-1802, Ichabod B. 
Miller; 1800-5, William Ruffin; 1801, John Bailey; 
1802-5, William Ludlow; 1803, John R. Gaston; 1804-7, 
Zebulon Foster; 1805-8, John Matsen; 1805-12, Jacob 
Felter; 1806-11, John Riddle; 1811-18, Ezekiel Hall; 
1811-19, Clayton Webb; 1812-18, John Elliott; 1818-20, 
Adam Moore; 1818-25, Isaac Jackson; 1819-25, Rich- 
ard Fosdick; 1825, Israel Brown; 1829, William Ben- 
son, Abraham Ferris; 1829-31, William Snodgrass; 
1831, William Wakefield, Samuel Borden; 1834, Garrett 
Vanosdal (also 1846); 1834, Oliver Jones; 1834-41, 
Thomas Cooper; 1836-44, E. D. Williams (also 1846); 
1836-9, William B. Dodson; 1S40-4, Pressly Kemper; 
1840, B. F. Looker; 1841-4, Jonathan Larrison ; 1846, 
Henry Debolt; 1850, Levi Buckingham, R. K. Cox; 
1850-2, John Patton; 1852, John Black, Jesse Timanus; 
1858, John H. Gerard; 1858-9, John McMakin; 1860-5, 
John N. Ridgeway; 1859-61, Michael Goepper; 1861-3, 
Leonard Swartz; 1862 4, Frederick J. Mayer; 1864, 
W. L. Converse; 1865-7, Casper Geist; 1865-6, J. W. 
Fitzgerald; 1866-8, Amzi McGill; 1867-9, John Ferris; 
1868-70, C. V. Bechmann; 1869-71, Robert Simms; 
1870-2, William Holmes; 1871-3, John Martin; 1872-5, 
Joseph E. Safer; 1873-5, Charles Huff; 1874-6, Jacob 
Baumgardner; 1876-8, Aaron Hopper; 1877-9, Herman 
Fricke; 1878-80, Joseph M. Reardon; 1879, John Zum- 
stein; 1880, B. F. Hopkins; 1881, Martin Harrell. 

COMMISSIONERS' CLERKS. 

No attempt has been made to bring this list down 
from 1820. 

1796-7, Tabor Washburne; 1798, John Kean; 1799- 
1800, Reuben Reynolds; 1801-4, Aaron Goforth; 1804-7, 
John S. Gano; 1807-1 1, Thomas Rawlins; i8i'2, Jere- 
miah Reeder; 1813, David Wade; 18 14-15, C. Webb; 
1816-19, Micajah T. Williams; 1820, Aquila Wheeler' 



Townships and. Villages 



OF 



HAMILTON COUNTY. 



ANDERSON. 



BOUNDARIES AND TOPOGRAPHY. 

Anderson, the soiitheasternmost township in Hamilton 
county, and the only one of this county lying east of 
the Little Miami river — that is, in the Virginia Military 
district — is bounded on the south by the Ohio river, on 
the west by the Ohio and the Little Miami, on the north 
by the latter stream, which divides it from Columbia and 
Spencer townships, and on the east by a line drawn from 
the southeast corner of fractional section numbered 
twenty-two, in Columbia township, or from the mouth 
of the East fork of the Little Miami, south of its inter- 
section with the Ohio at the mouth of Eight Mile creek. 
By this line it is separated from Clermont county on the 
east, and is the only township of Hamilton which imme- 
diately adjoins Clermont, without the intervention of a 
stream. The greatest length of the township, about nine 
miles, is on this hne, but the length of that portion of the 
Little Miami that touches Anderson township is very 
nearly the same. The other sides, being bounded alto- 
gether by the Ohio and Little Miami rivers, are exceeding- 
ly irregular in their boundary lines; but the township, va- 
rying from the breadth of a few yards at its northeastern- 
most and southeasternmost points to its greatest breadth 
of six and a half miles on an east and west line from the 
mouth of the Little Miami, has an average width of five 
miles. Its area is equivalent to nearly thirty-seven sec- 
tions, or twenty-three thousand five hundred and seventy- 
one acres. A large part of this tract, on the west and 
north sides of the township, lies in the broad, fiat, and 
fertile valley of the Little Miami, upon which the site of 
Newton lies, and near which, in a commanding position, 
Mount Washington sits upon the hills, easily overlooking 
a broad view of the valley. The general level of the hill- 
tops in this township is high, Mount Washington being 
five hundred feet above low-water mark in the Ohio, and 
other heights almost as lofty. One or two points in this 
township are said to be the loftiest in Hamilton county. 
The ancient plateau of this region has been deeply cut 
through, not only by the greater waters of the Ohio and 



the Little Miami, but by several small streams, prominent 
among which is Clough creek, with its two principal 
headwaters or branches taking their rise, respectively, in 
the eastern and southern parts of the township, uniting 
east of Mount Washington, and flowing thence in a gen- 
eral northwesterly and westerly course to the Little Mi- 
ami below Union bridge. Its valley and the bordering 
hills are exceedingly picturesque, and comprise many val- 
uable farms and fine farm buildings. Five Mile creek is 
another stream of some local importance in the south of 
the township, likewise formed by the junction of two 
headwaters, one rising a little northeast of Cherry Grove, 
near the county line, and the other just south of the 
Ohio turnpike, a mile and a half west of the same 
place. They unite their waters — like Clough creek, also 
receiving a very small stream near their point of junction 
— about a mile north of the Ohio, and after a westerly 
and southwesterly course of some two miles, reach that 
river about midn^ay of its course along the southern bor- 
der of the township. Three or four minor tributaries of 
the Ohio also aid m breaking down the hills on this side 
of the township, the highlands here, as in Columbia and 
all the river districts of Cincinnati east of the old city, 
crowding closely upon the river, and leaving scarcely 
room enough for the wagon-road long existing there and 
the track of the projected Ohio River & Virginia railway. 
A few rods above the mouth of the Little Miami a petty 
stream sets into that river, bearing the name of the noted 
creek that ploughs through the western hills of Cincinnati 
— Lick run. Three other brooks, more or less ramified 
toward their sources — two of them bearing the names, 
respectively, of Little Dry run and Big Dry run — feed the 
Little Miami at various points in the township above 
Clough creek; and channels or mill-races of some size, 
in two instances, connect points on the river northeast, 
northwest, and north of Newtown, thus virtually forming 
islands of two and a half to three miles in circumference, 
which nearly adjoin each other just opposite Plainville, 
and about a mile due north from Newtown. It is a remark- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



243 



ably well-watered township, pleasingly diversified in its 
surface, and valuable in the capabilities of its soil and 
other products. 

Besides the natural features of Anderson which vary its 
topography, its broad surface is further intersected by the 
Batavia turnpike in the northern part, which takes Union 
bridge and Newtown on its way; the Richmond turnpike 
on the extreme south, passing California and hugging the 
river closely until its exit from the county, shortly after 
which it trends rapidly northeastward; the Salem and 
Ohio turnpikes, also in the southern half of the township, 
the latter passing through Mount Washington and Cherry 
Grove; a number of other good wagon roads; the Cincin- 
nati & Eastern narrow-guage railway, along the valley of 
the Little Miami, by Newtown, in the north part; with a 
branch from a point a mile and a half east of Newtown, 
running up the valley of Dry run, to a point due east of 
Mount Washington, where it leaves the township; and the 
Cincinnati & Portsmouth narrow-guage railway, cutting 
the southern and eastern parts in an exceedingly tortuous 
line, as compelled by the broken country, from the cross- 
ing of the Little Miami southwest of Mount Washington 
to the departure from the township and county consider- 
ably to the northward, near Mount Carmel, in Clermont 
county. As well as the nature and demands of the town- 
ship will permit at present, it is served with means of 
transportation; but other railroads have been projected, 
as that already mentioned along the Ohio. 

ANCIENT WORKS. 

The observations of an intelligent man, who saw the 
mounds and other ancient remains in this region in the 
early day, must ever be of interest. The following re- 
marks were made by the Rev. Philip Gatch, who came to 
Anderson township in 1798, in his autobiographic sketch: 

This beautiful land has been a hidden space to civilization for many 
ages. There are traces in many parts of ancient fortiiications and 
other works which could not have been made by the Indians, but by a 
people much further advanced in civilization than they now are. The 
growths of timber upon these works, consisting of mounds and elevated 
embankments, seem to be the same as on the ground generally, which 
shows their great antiquity. What people or race constructed these 
works is not now known, and probably never will be. Some think 
these formations were before the flood ; but this notion, it appears to 
me, is refuted by timbers being found in the earth to a great depth. I 
saw timber that was found on digging a well on high land ; also by salt 
water shells being found in high places. Nature is a grand laboratory, 
and it is ever in progress — imperceptible it may be to the eye, but its 
doings are marked by centuries. The process of change in the natural 
world is ever in progress. 

Much later, but still so far in the past as to lend some 
special interest to the narrative — in Mr. E. D. Mans- 
field's Monthly Chronicle for August, 1839 — one "T. C. 
D." (said to have been Timothy C. Day) gave an inter- 
esting description of the works as they were to be seen 
in his time : 

In perhaps no portion of this State are these gigantic vestiges of an 
unknown and populous age so abundant as in the alluvial bottoms and 
adjacent neighborhoods of the iVIiarai. They are to be met with at al- 
most every step, and in groups so numerous that the eye can scarcely 
embrace their number. Mounds of every description, size, and shape, 
circular forts, embankments miles in length, and of great size, point out 
the immense labors and workmanship of a mysterions people. Allow- 
ing for the probable absence of the requisite implements for their erec- 
tion, and the washing of their friable soil for centuries, they may be truly 



reckoned as successful rivals to the greatest of their prototypes of the 
sandy plains of Egypt. Some are even so stupendous that, were it not 
for the evident signs of human mechanism that mark their construction, 
they might claim the impress of a mightier hand. 

About a mile east of Newtown, in this county, on the farm of Levi 
Martin, is a mound of the largest class. Its shape is an oval oblong, 
rounding to its apex with the most perfect accuracy. It is situated on 
a shelf of land about thirty feet above the alluvial bottom of the Little 
Miami. The soil around it is gravelly, but the material of its structure, 
as usual, is a brick clay. Near its summit is a large beech, probably 
two feet in diameter, and its sides are covered with a thick growth of 
underwood, with several large forest trees. It is within three hundred 
yards of a high range of hills, and could not, therefore, have been 
erected as a watch-tower or a place of defence. It has never been 
opened, but the most probable conjecture is that it is the monument of 
some mighty chief, who lies interred in its centre. The plain around 
its base is perfectly level, except within twenty feet of what was proba- 
bly its original circumference; the washing of rains has filled it up to a 
considerable height. The dimensions of the mound, from actual ad- 
measurement, are as follows: 

Circumference at the base 600 feet. 

Width at the base 150 feet. 

Length at the base 250 feet. 

Perpendicular height 40 feet. 

covering an area of about an acre. 

Last summer the workmen, in procuring gravel for the Batavia turn- 
pike, immediately in the rear of Newtown, in the bank of a small stream 
called Jennie's run, disinterred an immense number of human skele- 
tons. This ancient burial ground is on a gravelly point that juts out 
from the bank into the run, forming an acute bend. The graves are not, 
on an average, more than two feet in depth, though probably they were 
originally a great deal deeper, as the ridge has evidently washed to a 
considerable degree. As far as caved, the point is a solid body of 
coarse gravel till within about two and a half feet of the surface, which 
is composed of sand and loam. The skeletons lay in the sandy stratum, 
between the gravel and earth; and so far as preservation is concerned, 
it has answered the purpose well. Whole anatomies have been exhumed 
in an excellent state of soundness — the teeth particularly, some of them, 
as white as ivory, and perfect in every respect. Forest trees, such as 
beech, sugar, and oak, some at least two feet in diameter, were growing 
immediately over the graves, and their gnarled roots twisted fantastic- 
ally through the skulls of these remnants of an ancient people. 

A fall of gravel would frequently leave bare the whole front of a grin- 
ning skeleton, seemingly thrust in the grave feet foremost; and, in fact, 
the whole of the bodies bore evidence of a promiscuous burial, some 
placed horizontally facing the west, others level, anon a group of four 
heads within the space of two feet, and in every imaginable position. 
About twenty feet from the first discovery of the bones, the workmen 
came to a large body of charcoal and the remains of a stone fire-place. 
An earthen vessel was found by some boys, which was broken and de- 
stroyed before an actual description could be obtained. Several of the 
skulls exhibited traces of violence, such as^ would lead one to suppose 
that this had been a scene of carnage, and the dead bodies thus fur- 
nished a rude and hasty burial. 

Several curiosities have been found in the neighborhood, such as 
pipes, earthen pots, and copper plates. Two small limestones, hol- 
lowed out from an inch on the outer edge to an eighth in the center, 
were found in a ploughed field. They are perfectly round, and are very 
neatly carved, the one about two-thirds the size of the other. The 
largest is about four inches in diameter. 

The principal pre-historic monuments in Anderson 
township, as previously intimated, are found, like those 
generally in the eastern parts of Hamilton county, in or 
near the valley of the Little Miami. They are : 

I. A large mound in the doorway of the old Turpin 
homestead, now occupied by Philip Turpin, esq., about 
a mile northeast of the Union bridge, on the Batavia 
turnpike. Although undoubtedly much smaller than 
when first heaped, it is now ten feet in height, with a cir- 
cumference at the base of one hundred and seventy-five 
feet. It is situated directly in a line between the front 
gate and front door of the premises, and the foot-way be- 
tween these points runs around it. It thus forms a com- 



244 



-HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



manding and very interesting object in the scene, as 
viewed by the passer-by on the turnpike. About it is an 
ancient cemetery, probably not older than the Indian 
period, however, from which human remains may be ex- 
humed with almost every lift of spade or shovel. Upon 
the same premises, it may be here remarked, was the 
camp of Tod's company of independent scouts, for some 
time during the Morgan raid and scare of 1863. It was, 
although bearing an "independent" name, a regularly 
organized command under the leadership of Captain 
Wheeler, and named from Governor Tod, then at the 
helm of the State. While here it did considerable scout- 
ing, marching, and countermarching, but was not called 
upon to burn much powder in the face of the enemy. 
The marks of its occupancy are yet to be seen in the 
boards and fences gnawed by the horses, in the stabs of 
bayonets upon the house-doors, and otherwise. Some 
distance south of Union bridge is a rather curious old 
brick school-house, situated below the roadway to Mount 
Washington. It was built in 1847, and is still used with 
tolerable convenience for the needs of the sub-district. 

2. Nearly a mile and a half across the hills from the 
Turpin homestead, and about three-quarters of a mile 
south of Newtown, in the valley of a small tributary of the 
Little Dry run, on Colonel Jewett's farm, is a large mound. 
This reaches fifteen feet in altitude, and is two hundred 
and twenty-five feet in circumference at the base. It is 
further in the interior than any of the important tumuli 
of this part of the valley. 

3. In Newtown itself formerly, immediately before the 
old Methodist church, at the junction of the Plainville 
road with the Batavia turnpike, was a mound of size 
enough to make its removal worth while for the sake of 
the material, which was used in the construction of the 
Plainville highway. We do not learn that any specially 
noticeable relics were discovered in the process of re- 
moval. 

4. Near this spot, east of Newtown, and on the line of 
the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, is the Odd Fellows' 
cemetery, in which is a beautiful mound of ten feet 
height and a base circumference of two hundred and ten 
feet. It is a very appropriate mark and ornament of the 
cemetery. 

5. A tumulus existed until recently on the Plainville 
road, three hundred yards northwest of the cemetery 
mound. It was about seven feet high and one hundred 
and fifty feet around at the base. It was thoughtlessly 
and remorselessly removed two or three years ago, simply 
to fill hollows in the road; and in the process of removal 
sundry bones, pieces of charcoal, and other objects came 
to light, unmistakably identifying it as an artificial work 
and a veritable relic of the Mound Builders. 

6. Southwest of both these, on the bank of the Lit- 
tle Dry run, on the "first bottom" of the Little Miami, 
and at the foot of the hill cut by the Batavia turnpike, 
was a mound which was destroyed when that road was 
built, and some bones and other relics were found in it, 
as described in the article of "T. C. D." 

7. A few score yards due south of this site is an arti- 
ficial eminence of about three feet high — much reduced 



from its ancient height by the long processes of cultivation 
upon it, its surface having been annually plowed over for 
many years. Its site is upon the Levi Martin estate, 
south of Little Dry run. 

8. Upon the same property, three hundred yards 
south of east from the last mentioned, is the "Big 
Mound," as it is familiarly known. Says Dr. Metz, in 
his article on "The Pre-historic Monuments of the Little 
Miami Valley" (Journal of the Cinciimati Society of 
Natural History, October, 1878): 

This is tile largest mound in this vicinity, and in the country. Its 
present elevation is about thirty-nine feet, with a circumference of six 
hundred and twenty-five feet at base. It has been cultivated for the 
last thirty years, with the exception of the last two years, and is now 
overgrown with blackberry bushes. It was at one time covered with 
forest trees. A large oak on its top had a diameter of four feet : this 
I have from reliable authority. It has not been explored ; the proprie- 
tor desires to let the dead rest, as he expresses it. 

9. Recrossing Little Dry run nearly half a mile 
north of east, we come upon two low mounds, near the 
Batavia turnpike — one five feet high and the other three 
and a half above the general level. 

10. North of these, across the turnpike on the estate 
of William Edwards, is a scattered group of four mounds, 
but nearly in a line from east to west, with an average 
distance from each other of two hundred feet. The east- 
ernmost of the four is in the first bottom of the Big Dry 
run, and but a few yards west of that stream. It is ex- 
cellently preserved, very regular in its form, eight feet 
high, and about eighty feet in diameter at the base. 
Upon an elevation of thirty to forty feet above the level 
upon which this mound stands — that is, upon the second 
terrace or bottom of the Miami valley — are the other 
three mounds. The two in the centre of the group are 
each about four feet in height; the fourth, or westernmost, 
is ten feet high, and has a circumference about the same 
as that of the mound at the foot of this terrace. The 
smaller tumuli were once, very likely, as high as this; 
but they have been plowed over annually for a long time. 

11. Two miles northeast of this group, almost in the 
northeastern comer of the township, on the farm of 
Michael Turner, is another very interesting series of 
ancient works, consisting of one large and one smaller 
enclosure and four mounds. The large enclosure, north 
and west of the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, which, 
together with a small stream, passes between this and the 
other members of the group, is designated as No. i upon 
Dr. Charles L. Metz's chart of the pre-historic monu- 
ments of the Little Miami valley; the smaller enclosure, 
about a fifth of a mile north of east of the other, and 
the northernmost of the four works east of the Cincin- 
nati & Eastern track, as No. 2 ; the two mounds next 
south of this, in order, as Nos. 3 and 4 ; and the emi- 
nence east of No. 3 as No. 5. This explanation will 
render intelligible the following description, which is ex- 
tracted from Dr. Metz's article accompanying the chart, 
in the Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural His- 
tory, for October, 1878: 

No. I is the largest and most interesting work in the Miami valley. 
An extract from an article by T. C. Dale, or Day, on the antiquities of 
the Miami valley, published in the November number of the Monthly 
Chronicle, in 1839, is as follows: "The site of this stupendous fortili- 
cation, if we may so call it, is a few rods to the right of the road lead- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



245 



ing from Newtown to Milford, and about midway between them. It 
is situated on a ridge of land tliat juts out from tlie third bottom of 
the Little Miami, and reaches within three hundred yards of its bed. 
From the top of the ridge to low-water mark is probably one hundred 
feet. It terminates with quite a sharp point and its sides are very 
abrupt, bearing evident marks of having once been swept by some 
stream of water, probably the Miami. It forms an e.Ktremity of an 
immense bend, curving into what is now called the third bottom, but 
which is evidently of alluvial formation. Its probable height is forty 
feet, and its length about a quarter of a mile before it expands out and 
forms the third alluvial bottom. About one hundred and fifty yards 
from the extreme point of this ridge the ancient workmen have cut a 
ditch directly through it. It is thirty feet in depth; its length, a semi- 
circular curve, is five hundred feet; and its width at the top is eighty 
feet, having a level base of fortv feet. 

At the time of its formation it was probably cut to the base of the 
ridge, but the washing of the rains has filled it up to its present height. 
Forty feet from the western side of the ditch is placed the low circular 
wall of the fort, which describes in its circumference an area of about 
four acres. The wall is probably three feet in mean height, and is 
composed of the usual brick clay, occasioi.ally intermixed with small 
flat river stone. It keeps at an exact distance from the top of the 
ditch, but approaches nearer to the edge of the ridge. The form of 
the fort is i perfect circle, and is two hundred yards in diameter. Its 
western side is defended with a ditch, cut through the ridge in the 
same manner as the one on the eastern side. Its width and depth are 
the same, but its length is greater by two hundred feet, as the ridge is 
that much wider than where the other is cut through. The wall of the 
fort keeps exactly the same distance from the top of this ditch as of 
the other, viz., forty feet. Its curve is exactly the opposite of that of 
the other, so as to form two segments of a circle. At the southeastern 
side of the fort there is an opening in the wall thirty-six yards wide; 
and opposite this opening is one of the most marked features of this 
wonderful monument. A causeway extends out from the ridge .about 
three hundred feet in length and one hundred feet in width, with a 
gradual descent to the alluvial bottom at its base. 

The material of its construction is evidently a portion of the earth 
excavat.ed from the ditches. Its easy ascent and breadth would induce 
the belief that it was formed to facilitate the entrance of some ponder- 
ous vehicle or machines into the fort. To defend this entrance they 
raised a mound of earth seven feet high, forty wide, and seventy-five 
long. It is placed about one hundred feet from the mouth of the 
causeway, and is so situated that its garrison could sweep it to its base. 
The whole area of the fort, the wall and causeway is covered with large 
forest trees; but there is not a tree growing in either of the ditches, and 
there are but a few low underbrush on their side. 

At present the circular wall is almost leveled, but can be readily 
traced by the color of the soil and the large number of flat river-stones. 
The ditches can be easily recognized. The mound is still prominent. 
It measures now in height five and one-half feet, diameter twenty-five 
yards, circumference seventy-five yards. The causeway is cut through 
by the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, the forest cut away, and the soil 
cultivated annually. 

No. 2 of this group is a large, circular embankment, with a diame- 
ter of about one hundred and twenty-five yards. The material form- 
ing theembankment is evidently taken from within theenclosure. This 
work is a perfect circle, with an opening or gateway thirty feet wide to 
the soudi. It is about three hundred yards distant from the fiist work 
of this group. 

Two htindred yards to the south of this circle are two mounds, 
No.*4 on chart being the larger. It has a circumference at base of two 
hundred and fifty feet and an elevation of twelve feet. One hundred 
and fifty yards east of these mounds is another of very regular shape 
(Group D, No. 5, on chart); height, four feet, circumference one hun- 
dred and fifty feet. 

Members of the Madisonville Scientific and Literary 
society have done much excellent work in the survey and 
description of the works in this part of Anderson town- 
ship ; and to the chart and accompanying article of Dr 
Metz, of that society, we acknowledge invaluable aid in 
preparing the above notice. 

THE ORIGINAL LAND OWNERS. 

Anderson township, as already intimated, is distin- 
guished above all other townships as the one subdivision 



of Hamilton county which lies on the Virginia military 
tract, reserved between the Little Miami and Scioto, for 
land bounties to the soldiers of the Virginia line, serving 
in the_ war of the Revolution, on Continental estab- 
lishment. The history of this reservation, with many 
interesting facts pertaining thereto, will be found in the 
chapter on land titles, in the first division of this work. 
The following memoranda indicate the original owners 
of the respective surveys noted in that part of the Mili- 
tary tract which is now Anderson township : 

No. 395. Bennett Tompkins, one thousand six hun- 
dred and sixty-six and two-thirds acres. 

No. 410. Major John Crittenden, one thousand acres. 
He was the father of John J. Crittenden, the Kentucky 
statesman, and was an officer in tne Revolutionary war, 
settling afterwards in Woodford county, Kentucky. His 
tract was one of the finest in the Little Miami valley; 
and yet, so little was the value of land esteemed in those 
days, that he traded the whole thousand acres of splendid 
bottom and hill land to Major John Harris, of Manni- 
cantown, near Richmond, Virginia, for a mosquito bar. 
Harris in his turn sold it to Dr. Turpin, of the same 
place, for a pair of blooded mares; and Turpin made a 
present of it to his son Philip, who settled it, and devel- 
oped it into a rich estate, which is still held by his de- 
scendents. 

No. 427. John Anderson, seven hundred and fifty 
acres. 

No. 500. Holt Richardson, five hundred acres. 

No. 535. Robert Blair, William Cassel, John Dem- 
sey, Benjamin Gray, John Halfpenny, Daniel Sahon, one 
thousand acres; also John Green and James Giles. 

No. 536. John Steele, six hundred and sixty-six and ■ 
two-thirds acres. 

No. 552. Robert Powells, six hundred acres. 

No. 608. Abram Hites, one thousand acres. 

No. 609. Joseph Egglestone, one thousand acres. 

No. 618. Robert Morrow, two thousand acres. 

No. 620. Theodore Bland, one thousand three hun- 
dred and thirty-three and one-third acres. 

No. 624. A. Singleton, five hundred and fifteen acres. 

No. 637. William Taylor, one thousand acres. 

No. 706. Jacob Fears, James Friggin, James McDon- 
ald, James Payton, one thousand acres; John Brown, 
two hundred acres. 

No. 916. William Moore, one hundred and sixty acres. 

No. 1,115. William Mosileye, one thousand acres. 

No. 1,126. John' Parke, one thousand acres; James 
Pendleton, one thousand acres. 

No. 1,581. General James Taylor, five hundred and 
fifty acres. This gentleman was the well-known Newport 
pioneer, father of the venerable Colonel James Taylor, 
who still resides upon the old place on the Kentucky 
shore, and retains large landed interests in Anderson 
township. We here acknowledge much indebtedness to 
him in the preparation of this work. General Taylor 
became possessor, first and last, of a very large share of 
the lands in the township, most of which he re-sold. 

No. 1,618. Hites and Robinson. 

No. 1,674. Edward Stevens, one thousand acres. 



246 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



No. 1,677. Colonel Richard Clough Anderson, four 
hundred and fifty-four acres. He was the chief surveyor 
of the Military district, appointed to that office by the 
State of Virginia. He resided ten miles south of Louis- 
ville, where he kept the office for many years, and until 
it was removed to Chillicothe, in this State. He was 
father of the late Hon. L. Anderson, of Cincinnati, and 
Marshall P. Anderson, of Circleville, also a well-known 
citizen, more recently deceased. The township takes its 
name from Colonel Anderson. 

No. 1,679. Edward Clark, four hundred acres. 

No. 1,680. Joseph Neville, two hundred acres. 

No. 1,682. John Mead, four hundred and thirty-four 
acres. 

No. 1,775. General George Washington, President 
of the United States, nine hundred and ninety-seven 
acres. A very appropriate number for the greatest of 
Revolutionary heijoes to hold. It was in the year 1775 
that he took command of the Continental armies, at 
Cambridge, Massachusetts. His was the triangular tract 
next the present Clermont county line, the northeast- 
ernmost survey in the township, the point of it resting 
on the Batavia turnpike, but a little way from the mouth 
of the East fork of the Little Miami. 

No. 2,204. Nathaniel Wilson, four hundred acres. 

No. 2,276. General Nathaniel Massie, six hundred 
acres. This owner was one of the most active and enter- 
prising surveyors in the Military district, and the founder 
of the earliest towns within its borders — Manchester in 
1794, and Chillicothe in 1796. 

No. 3,393- John Nancarrous, two hundred and seventy 
acres. 

No. 3,394. P. Higgins, ninety acres. 

No. 3,817. John Hains, two hundred and fifty acres. 

No. 4,243. Frank Taylor. 

No. 6,532. John English, two hundred and fifty 
acres. 

No. 8,903. George C. Lights. 

covalt's station. 

The first settlers upon the present soil of Anderson 
township were probably Abram or Abraham Covalt and 
companions, who pushed up the Little Miami in 1790 or 
1 79 1, and established a station on Round Bottom to 
protect themselves, about twelve miles from the mouth 
of the river, as it runs. This was known as Covalt's 
Station, and was considered important enough in 1 791 to 
secure a garrison of twenty soldiers from Fort Washing- 
ton. In the absence of the soldiers, however, Mr. 
Covalt, while hunting with two others, was attacked by 
the Indians, killed and scalped near the station. Wood 
was sent to Columbia village, and a relief party started 
out at once; but without much effect. Mr. Daniel Doty 
was of this party, and left some interesting notes of the 
affair. He then .saw for the first time a scalped man, 
and was naturally much shocked. He records that 
"when a person is killed and scalped by the Indians, the 
eyebrows fall down over the eyeballs and give them a 
fearful look. " 

The following account of the killing of Covalt is 



derived from the narrative of Thomas Fitzwater, a de- 
scendent of William Fitzwater, who had personal knowl- 
edge of the affair. It is contained in the history of 
Clermont county: 

Towards noon on the first day in which Buckingham, Fletcher, and 
Covalt started on their hunt, Covalt began to get very uneasy and to 
urge the others to return home, saying there might be Indians about. 
The other two told him there was no danger, but this did not satisfy 
him. The nearer night approached the more importunate he became, 
and the more he urged them to return. This uneasiness in Covalt's 
mind Buckingliam always viewed as a bad omen. His entreaties final- 
ly prevailed on the others and they consented to return. So they left 
the 'licks' in order to reach the station while it was yet daylight. 

Arriving opposite to where Buckingham's mill now stands, while 
Covalt and Fletcher were walking close together, and Buckingham 
about three rods behind, suddenly three guns were fired about twenty 
yards distant. Buckingham looked forward and saw Covalt and 
Fletcher start to run down the Miami, and also saw three Indians jump 
over a log, yelling and screaming like demons. As Buckingham wheeled 
to run up the river he tried to throw off his blanket, but it hung over 
his shoulders like a powder-horn, as the strap passed over his head. 
When he did get it loose it took his hat with it. He ran up but a few 
poles, then took up the hill, the river and hill being close together. As 
he went up the hill he looked back several times, but saw no one in pur- 
suit. When he arrived on the top he got his gun ready for emergency, 
then stopped, looked back, and listened. While thus standing he 
heard the Indians raise the yell down in the bottom, thirty or forty rods 
distant, then he knew they had caught one or both of the others. 
When he found the Indians were that distance from him, he knew that 
he could make tracks as fast as they could follow him. So he steered 
over the hills and came to the Miami, at what is now Quail's railroad 
bridge. Getting to the station he found that Fletclier had got there a 
few minutes before him. By this time it was night. 

Fletcher's story of the affair was that he and Covalt ran together 
some distance, when Fletcher's feet became entangled in a grape-vine, 
and down he fell, where he laid perfectly still until the Indians passed 
him. One passed close to him, no doubt thinking he had fallen to rise 
no more. And they all kept on in hot pursuit of Covalt. As soon as 
they got out of sight Fletcher made his escape down the river. Ne.xt 
morning a party of men left the station to look for Covalt. Arrived at 
the place they found his body, his scalp, gun, tomahawk, powder-horn, 
blanket, knife, hat, and part of his. clothes gone, and an old broken 
rifle left near his body. The Indian traces showed that they had 
crossed and re-crossed at Indian ripple. They were not traced any 
farther. 

Enoch Buckingham (one of this party) continued with his family at 
Columbia, from the spring of 1790 to 1795. Some time this spring 
they moved into a log cabin on the banks of the Miami, on the lower 
Buckingham farm. 

A FORTIFIED STATION. 

Probably as early as 1790, the eyes of some of the set- 
tlers, or newcoiners to Columbia, were turned to the broad 
and fertile tracts in the valley east of the Little Miaini, 
and a party of colonists soon attempted to make a 
home there. Their first settlement was opposite Turkey 
Bottom, at the foot of the hills on survey number five 
hundred and thirty-six, about a mile below the present 
site of Union ridge, on the land now owned by Colonel 
James Taylor. Here, for their protection against the 
Indians, as the custom then was, they built a small 
block-house, or stockade, which, from the principal man 
of the party, the father of the late John H. Gerard, ex- 
sheriff of Hamilton county, received the name of "Ge- 
rard's Station." Other settlers to be protected by it are 
said, by Colonel Taylor, to have been Joseph William- 
son, Stephen Betts, Stephen Davis, Major Stites, Captain 
Flinn, and others. He says that the block-house stood 
on the side of the hill near what is called Big spring, and 
not far from Flinn's ford across the Little Miami, which 



HISTOKi OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OIHO. 



247 



was on the principal land-route, in the early day, from 
Cincinnati and Columbia eastward. Stites and Flinn are 
reputed to have had at least one sharp fight with the red- 
skins at this station. Some traces of it were to be ob- 
served until quite recent times. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

Anderson township was erected by the court of general 
quarter sessions of the peace, in 1793. It was then 
bounded by the Little Miami to the east fork, from the 
mouth of which a line was described to a point nine 
miles east, thence another due south to the Ohio, and 
from the point of intersection the Ohio formed the boun- 
dary to the place of beginning. It must have been after- 
wards enlarged, as settlements increased, since it is other- 
wise said* to have included all of Hamilton county 
between the Little Miami and the Elk river, or Eagle 
creek. So lately as 1803 it is officially described as "all 
that part of Hamilton county east of the Little Miami 
river," which then, however comprised only the present 
limits of the township, or about the same. The voters 
were then to meet at the house of Thomas Browne, in 
Newtown, and elect three justices of the peace. 

In the latter part of 1799 two townships were set off 
from the eastern part of the large old township of Ander- 
son — Washington township, which included all the north- 
ern part of the present Clermont, and the south part of 
Warren county; and Deerfield township, which covered 
all the southern and central portions of Clermont and 
Brown counties to the aforesaid Eagle creek. The same 
year a county called Henry was set off" by the territorial 
legislature along the river next east of the present Ham- 
ilton, with Durhamstown (now Bethel) as the county 
seat, but the act was negatived by Governor St. Clair, 
who pocketed it with several other bills of similar char- 
acter, as he claimed that the legislature in passing them 
usurped his own prerogatives; the next year he, by proc- 
lamation, erected the desired new county in this direc- 
tion by the name of Clermont, when Anderson township 
and Hamilton county, on the southeast, were reduced to 
their present boundaries. 

Anderson, as the fifth township created in the old 
Hamilton county, was directed by the court of quarter 
sessions to take for its cattle-brand the letter E. The 
first township officers were as follows : 

John Garrard, clerk; Jesse Garrard, constable; Rich- 
ard Hall, overseer of roads; Joseph Frazee, Jacob Back- 
oven, overseers of the poor; Joseph Martin, Jonathan 
Garrard, viewers of enclosures and appraisers of damages. 

We have the following notes of justices of the peace in 
later'times : 

1819, Jonathan Garrard; 1825, Jonathan Garrard, Wil- 
liam E. White, Richard Ayres; 1829, Jonathan Garrard, 
Clayton Webb; 1865, R. L. Wright, Abner Jones; 1866- 
71, R. L. Wright, Abner Jones, A. Durham; 1872-6, R. 
L. Wright, Abner Jones, K. H. Van Rensselaer; 1877, 
Jones, Wright, Van Rensselaer, D. A. Garrett; 1878-9, 
George W. Jones, George Jones, D. A. Garrett, August 
Crance; 1880, Jones, Jones, and Crance. 

* Histoiy of Clermont county. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Immigrants to the Miami county did not turn so 
readily to the Military district as to the Symmes Purchase 
and the Congress lands, since the titles to the latter were 
considered better and more rehable, and less likely to 
involve litigation. As early as 1790, some white settlers 
are believed to have set down their stakes within the 
limits of the .present Anderson township; and, as we have 
seen, a fortified station against the Indians probably 
existed upon Anderson soil that year. The first settle- 
ments, according to Colonel James Taylor, of Newport, 
were made upon Bennett Tompkins' survey at the mouth 
of the I,ittle Miami; Crittenden's survey, settled by Philip 
Turpin, near the present Union bridge; Powell's, Massie's, 
Richardson's, John Andersons', Bland's, and Moore's, 
and the surveys numbered one thousand five hundred 
and twelve and one thousand seven hundred and twenty- 
three. Besides those named in connection with Gerrard's 
station and Philip Turpin, who was among the earliest, 
there were Isaac Vail, John Grimes, the Edwardses, 
Corblys, Debolts, Johnsons, Clarks, and Durhams, 
whose families were upon the soil of Anderson during the 
closing decade of the last century or the opening one of 
this. Settlers were not numerous, nor their improve- 
ments large, for obvious seasons, until after the pacifi- 
cation of the Indian tribes in 1794, by Wayne's victory at 
the battle of the Fallen Timbers. Many memoranda of 
individual settlements in the early day will be found in 
the paragraphs below: 

OTHER NOTES OF SETTLEMENT, ETC. 

Mr. John Betts, grandfather of George'M. Betts, came 
to Anderson township at a very early day. He was of 
Irish descent, and emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio. 
John R. Betts, father of George M., was born in this 
township. For several years he was in the pork business 
in Cincinnati. His wife's name was Sarah S. Martin. 
She was a daughter of George Martin, who died in 1878, 
at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He was here 
when the old fort was at Columbia. His wife was a 
Rigdon. She was the first white child on the north side 
of the Little Miami river. Mr. John R. Betts had three 
children: George M., Elizabeth (Mrs. S. Burdsall), and 
Emma (Mrs. George Pike). The son is now superintend- 
ent of the Mount Washington Canning company, which 
cans from twelve to fifteen thousand cans of fruit and 
vegetables per year. 

AquilaJDurham was born in M aryland in M ay, 1779, 
and died in September, 1870, in his ji inety-second yea r. 
He was^~fRe'youngest orTTaniily of eleven children, six 
of whom lived to be over eighty-five years of age. The 
family was noted for longevity. His father died at the 
age o f ninety-six, a nd had six brothers and two sisters, 
each of whom lived to be over eighty. Their father 
came from Durham, E ngland, in 1722. and settled in 
Maryland. JosHua~I)urham, father of the subject"ortliis 
sketch, sold his estate and slaves in Maryland soon after 
the close of the Revolution, and started for the West. 
But, owing to the depreciation of the continental money, 
he and his family were obliged to remain in Pennsylvania 



248 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



several years. They arrived in Cincinnati in June, 1797, 
only eight years after its settlement, and pushed right 
out into the wilderness to make a settlement, and built a 
cabin in the Miami bottoms, about ten miles from Cin- 
cinnati. Aquila was then eighteen years old. He helped 
his father open a clearing in the woods, and,..being a skil- 
ful hunter, kept the family supplied with game. Many 
hardships were encountered; but they were so accustomed 
to them that they seemed rather to enjoy the dangers of 
the chase and the hard labor and privations they had to 
undergo. Whe n General Harri son was governor of the 
Indiana Territory, with headquarters at Vincennes, Aquila 
kept him supplied with sheep and cattle, which had to be 
driven through the unbroken wilderness. Many thrilling 
adventures were experienced by his parties when on the 
road. Wild animals were troublesome at night, and the 
Indians were constantly on their path. IniSo^Jievvas mar- 
ried tn_H '""ript Thomp son, daughter of Barnard Thomp- 
son, a Revolutionary soldier. They settled nearhis father's, 
and two years later moved upon the farm now owned by 
Thompson Durham. He lived on that farm for sixty-two 
years. They raised ten children, all of whom lived to be 
over forty-five years old. Seven of them still live. His wife 
died in 1868, after sixty-four years of married life. He 
voted in 1802 at the first election held in Ohio, and never 
missed an election as long as he lived. He attended the 
Cincinnati markets for almost sixty years, at first carrying 
his produce to market on hoseback, then in wagons to 
the river and thence in a boat. After roads were opened, 
he went through to the city in his wagon. Every Tues- 
day and Friday found him in the market. Many of the 
old citizens wer'e his customers, and well remember him. 
It was his. pride and boast that no one ever said he was 
not honest. 

Walter Johnson settled in Anderson township in 1804, 
where his death occurred eighteen years after. He was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1782. He was a leading farmer, 
and was several times a member of the board of trustees 
of the school board. His wife was Anna Bridges. The 
surviving members of his family are Rebecca Cox, W. W. 
H.Johnson, Franklin Johnson, Hannah Cord, Charles 
Johnson, Walter R. Johnson, Anna Johnson, and Sallie 
Norton. Charles Johnson's birth is dated in the year 
1820. He has filled several township offices. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Corbley, and their children are John C, 
Walter R., Van R., and Leonidas. 

Francis H. Jewett is the son of David Jewett. His 
mother's name was Eunice Rider. The father, who was 
born in Maine, emigrated from New York to Cincinnati 
in the year 1835. In the last named place, in 1840, the 
son was born. At the age of twenty-seven he was mar- 
ried to Catharine Henn. Three years later he began the 
dairy business in Covington, Kentucky, where he remained 
up to the year 1876, when he removed to his present 
place in Anderson township. He is said to possess ex- 
cellent business qualifications — in fact is the successful 
owner and manager of the largest dairy in the township. 

David Jones, and his wife, Mary S. Jones, emigrated 
from Virginia to the State of Ohio, and were among the first 
settlers in Anderson township, where the former died in 



1872. Abner Jones, grandson of the preceding, was 
born in 181 6. In 1849 he was married to Miss Emily 
Bennett, daughter of Samuel D. Bennett, of the same 
township. In politics he has always been a Democrat, 
and for twenty-four years has held the office of justice of 
the peace. 

Mr. John Webb was taken to Cincinnati with his fam- 
ily early in 1790. He was born in Monmouth, New Jer- 
sey, four years previous to this time. His death occurred 
in Newtown, in 1857. His wife's maiden name was Han- 
nah Frost. She was one year her husband's senior; her 
death occurred in 1857. The surviving members of the 
family are Sidney Webb, of Delta, Ohio, and L. A. Webb, 
of Anderson township. The last named son in 1840 
married the daughter of John Frost, of Hamilton coun- 
ty. Ten years later he built the house in which he now 
resides, the site of which is said to be the highest eleva- 
tion of land in Hamilton county. Among the leading 
farmers of the county the subject of our sketch holds a 
prominent position. 

Michael Lawyer emigrated from New'Jersey to Ham- 
ilton county in 1 81 5, and thence to Clermont county* in 
181 9. He was born in that State in 177 1, married 
Nancy Martin, and remained in New Jersey about ten 
years after marriage, when he took his family across the 
mountains into Pennsylvania and settled in Green 
county, where they lived fourteen years. In 181 5 they 
removed to the west, coming down the Ohio on a flat- 
boat, commonly called a "family boat," and stopped at 
the mouth of the Little Miami. They resided in this 
valley four years, and then removed to Clermont county, 
where the father died in 1835, and the mother ten years 
afterwards. The surviving children are Catharine Paul, 
Isabella Becker, and Michael Lawyer. The last-named 
was born in 1812, and was consequently but three years 
old when his people landed in the Miami country. In 
^1839 he married Cynthia Robinson, daughter of John 
Robinson, and ten years thereafter removed from Cler- 
mont county to the farm he now occupies in Anderson 
township, where, in 1859, he built the fine residence in 
which he makes his home. 
■^^ Winfield S. Durham was born in 18 17. His marriage 
occurred in 1844. The same year he built the home 
where he now lives in comfort, having secured a fine 
competence in the business of farming. His mother 
was Narcissa Wilmington, the daughter of Joseph Wil- 
mington, of Clermont county. The parents of Mr. Dur- 
ham first settled near the mouth of the Little Miami. 
They have six children living at the present time. 

Isaac Edwards, born in New Jersey in the year 1800, 
was a settler of Clermont county, where he died in 1855. 
His wife's name was Alice Sawyer. They have three 
children now living, of whom William Edwards, jr., was 
born in 1830. He was married in May, 1863, to Miss 
Ellen Dole, of Olive Branch, in the same county, by 
whom he has nine children, all living. The next spring 
after his marriage he removed to the fine place he now 
occupies, immediately adjoining the Edwards station on 
the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, in a handsome house 
upon the farm of his uncle, William Edwards, sr. Here 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



249 



he has devoted himself closely to his legitimate business 
of farming, without any turn for speculation or public life. 
He is now hard upon fifty years old, but is still in the prime 
of his powers, a strong man and an excellent farmer. 

Samuel Johnson, father of James O. Johnson, was 
among the first who settled on Clough creek, where he 
remained during the rest of his lifetime. He was born 
in Virginia, from which State he emigrated to Ohio, and 
was a leading resident of Anderson township. His wife's 
name was Nancy Estel. 

Jos eph Ma rtin settled in Anderson township as early 
as I7QS _ He was born in Bedford. Pennsylvania, whence 
he emigrated to Ohio. His death occurred in the same 
township in the year 1846. He was in the old block- 
house at Gerard Station. His wife was Miss Rebecca 
Gerard. Four children are still living, of whom their 
son, Gano Martin, was born in 181 1. At the age of 
twenty-nirie, he was married to Elizabeth Curry, the 
daughter of Colonel William Curry. They still live on 
the old homestead. Mr. Martin has always been in pol- 
itics a Republican. Since 1840 he has been an active 
rnember of the Baptist church of Newtown, in which he 
has always taken great interest, and for the support of 
which his contributions have been no small part. 

W, H. Markley was born in 1827, at the place where 
he now resides. He married Catharine 'Silvers, with 
whom, surrounded by a large circle of friends, he enjoys 
his large farm and beautiful home. His father, Jacob 
Markley, first settled in Anderson township in 1814. He 
was born in West Maryland in 1803, but emigrated from 
Virginia to Ohio. He died in this township in the year 
1879. He was a large land-owner, and also followed the 
business of boating on the river to New Orleans. His 
wife's maiden name was Emeline Martin. There are five 
children living at the present date. 

Thomas Mears, a native of London, England, came 
to America and became a resident of Philadelphia about 
the year 1794. From this city he removed to Cincinnati 
at a very early date, where he practiced law. His 
brother John was a coppersmith, at which trade he 
amassed a large fortune. Some branches of the family 
still remain in Cincinnati. In 1858 he was killed by be- 
ing thrown from a carriage. His father, a physician, was 
a man of remarkable bravery. He died in the West In- 
dies from yellow fever, where he was practicing at the 
time. He was a great traveller, and when the country 
was new is said to have driven from New Orleans to Cin- 
cinnati in a gig. The wife of Thomas Mears was Polly 
S. McCormick, daughter of Rev. Francis McCormick, 
one of the founders of Methodism in the west. The 
children of this marriage were William E. Mears; Fran- 
cis Mears, of Clermont county; John Mears, of Ander- 
son township; and Eliza C. Mears, now Mrs. Stoms, also 
of Anderson township; Esther Mears, afterwards Mrs. 
Whetstone, deceased; Isaac Mears, now in Colorado; 
and Patsy, who died in infancy. William was born in 
Columbia in 1835. Previous to 1875 he was a merchant 
a large part of the time. At that date he became a 
member of the postal corps, where he remains at the 
present. His wife was Miss Hannah A. Sutton, 



Robert Martin was born in Ireland in 1772. He 
settled in Sycamore township in 1820, and died in 
Symmes township in the year 1850. He was educated 
for the ministry, but was a teacher the greater part of his 
life. His wife was Jane Luckey. The surviving mem- 
bers of the family are Belinda Clemmens, Jonathan T. 
Martin, and Dr. J. S. Martin. The last-named is a grad- 
uate of the Eclectic Medical institute, of Cincinnati, of 
the class of 1849. Since that time he has been practic- 
ing in the town of Mount Washington, with the excep- 
tion of three or four years spent in the south and west. 
His present wife was Julia C. Bishop, of Anderson town- 
ship. The have two children, Matilda Elms and Olive 
May Martin. 

Absalom H. Mattox first settled in Springfield, Ohio, 
in 1840. Before this time he was one of the early set- 
tlers of central Ohio, serving as sheriff of Clark county 
from 1825 to 1830. He came to Cincinnati in 1865, 
and died ten years later. His business was that of a 
merchant. His wife was Drusilla Haskell, and the mem- 
bers of his family now living are Absalom H. Mattox 
and F. G. Mattox, the latter a lawyer by profession, and 
at present clerk of the United States court at Columbus. 
Absalom H. became associated with the editorial corps in 
1872, where he still remains, and since 1865 he has been 
connected with the Cincinnati Gas Light company. 

Isaac Turner was born in Virginia in the year 1780, 
but emigrated from Green county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio. 
He settled in Columbia township as early as 1816. His 
death occurred in Anderson township in July, 1833. He 
was considered a leading farmer at that time, and had a 
decided reputation for industry. His wife, Sarah Turner, 
died in 1848. The surviving children are Electa High- 
land, Rachel Martin, Michael Turner, and Syrena Light. 
Michael Turner was born in 1809. At twenty-six years 
of age he was married to Nancy Flinn. They have six 
children living: Isaac D., J. J., George W., Anna E., 
John W., and E. J. He has remained on the old home- 
stead and followed the business of farming the greater 
part of his life. At one time he was extensively engaged 
in pork-packing, in which he secured a fine competence. 

Louis Drake was among the pioneers of Columbia 
township. Born in New Jersey, he emigrated from that 
State to Ohio, where he died in 1832. He was in the 
War of 181 2, and at different times filled several town- 
ship offices. His wife's name was Elizabeth Kennedy. 
They had eleven children, only four of whom are now 
alive. T. T. Drake was born in Columbia in 1818. He 
has followed the business. of farming in a large way, and, 
having secured a good property, has now retired from ac- 
tive life. His present residence is in Newtow-n. His 
wife was Lydia Mills, and there are two children, Louis 
D. Drake and Ordeha L. McGill, both of whom are also 
residents of Newtown. 

Martin Hess was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1803, from which State he emigrated to Ander- 
son township in 1828, when he took immediate charge of 
the Turpin mills. He continued in his position, re- 
spected by all, for twenty-five years, and died in 1855. 
His wife — Eliza Flint previous to her marriage — was born 



25° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



in 1806, and is still living, at the advanced age of seven- 
ty-four. The children are Sarah Muchmore, Martin V. 
Hess, G. W. Hess, Lottie Searles, and Amanda Hess. 
Mr. M. V. Hess was elected township clerk in 1868. 
Two years later he became township treasurer, which of- 
fice he has since held, with the exception of two years. 
He is the present incumbent. 

Isaac Edwards emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, 
and settled in Clermont county about 1805. Two years 
afterward he came to Anderson township, where he died 
in 1827, being a leading man of his time. His wife was 
Hannah Martin. She died in 1837. The surviving chil- 
dren are William Edwards, of Anderson; Rebecca Horn, 
of Knox county; Elizabeth Day, of Van Buren county; 
Samuel and Edward Edwards, both of Anderson town- 
ship. Edward Edwards was born in 181 2, on the old 
homestead, where he yet lives. The farm consists of two 
hundred and ninety-six acres of rich bottom lands. His 
wife's name was Eliza Glansey. The children are Euphe- 
mia Jones, Laura Jewett, Harry Edwards, Melvin Ed- 
wards, and Clara Hammel, all living at the present time 
in Hamilton county. 

William_IL_Ayres was born in the year 1849 . Leaving 
school at the age of nineteen, he entered the employ of 
Mr. W. R. McGill, and still holds his position, respected 
by all who know him. The first representative of his 
family in Ohio was his grandfather, John Jones, whose 
wife was Hattie Durham before her marriage. 

R. W. Hibben first setded in Anderson township in 
1839! lle~was born in Charlest on. South C arolina, and 
came from that city to Ohio. He died in~i844. His 
wife's name was Rebecca E. Goodman, and they have 
seven children living. Duke G. Hibben, the son of the 
preceding, was born in South Carolina in 1829. At the 
age of ten he came to Anderson township, and still re- 
mains on the old homestead, surrounded by many friends. 

Samuel Shaw settled at Newtown in 1828. He was a 
Pennsylvanian by birth, but emigrated from there to Ohio, 
where he lived until the time of his death in the year 
1848. He was the proprietor of a hotel for thirty-one 
years. His wife was Isabel Jefferies. Five children are 
living. The son, Moses Shaw, was born in 1833. In 
1861 he was married to the daughter of Jacob Ross. He 
has always followed the business of farming. 

Elisha Miller settled in Anderson township in 181 2. 
He followed the business of blacksmithing and farming, 
and has given the art of wood carving a deal of attention, 
receiving a diploma for the finest carving on exhibition at 
the tri-State fair of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. He 
was married, in 183-, to Hester J. Hopper, daughter of 
Abraham, who is noticed elsewhere with the Hopper fam- 
ily. He is a man respected by all. 

The oldest bouse remaining in the township is a hewed 
log house near the site of Gerard's station, which was 
built in 1805 by Josiah and Samuel Holley. It is much 
in repute as a veritable relic of the olden time, and one 
of the most venerable dwellings in Hamilton county. 

The first mill in the county was Wickersham's (some 
say Coleman's), upon, or rather in front of Nathaniel 



Wilson's survey No. 2,204, at the rapids of the Little 
Miami, about two miles from its mouth and below the 
mouth of Clough creek, not far from the present site of 
Union bridge. Colonel Taylor says his father. General 
James Taylor, was at the mill in 1792; and further: 

He went with a servant with two bags of corn to have it ground. 
The mill, he said, was a rough affair, constructed out of two Ken- 
tucky flat-boats, which made meal of a very coarse chaiacter. He said 
travelling to that spot at that day was not considered very safe, as In- 
dians had been seen a few days before on the trail leading to the mill 
from Fort Washington, and in fact had killed a man. Philip Turpin, 
who settled on Crittenden's survey No. 410, about 1795, subsequently 
built a flouring-mill near the spot where Wickersham built his mill. Said 
mill stood thereuntil within the last ten years, when (1870) it was torn 
down by his heirs. 

The Turpin mill, which was a very fine one for its day, 
and did excellent service for two generations, was built 
about 1805. In the same year the first ferry over the 
Little Miami was established in the vicinity by the Hol- 
leys before mentioned, which they leased for one hun- 
dred dollars in cash and one hundred gallons of whis- 
key. This beverage was then made in considerable 
quantity at a large distillery half a mile from Turpin's 
mill, upon or near the site of the old block-house. 

All ferries across the river in this region have long 
since been superseded by bridges, the finest of which is 
the Union bridge, between Mount Washington and Lin- 
wood, so-called from the former union of Hamilton and 
Clermont counties in sustaining the expense of the con- 
struction of a bridge built in 1836, at the old Flinn's 
ford, about a mile below the present site of the bridge. 
It was a plain wooden structure, which was removed in 
1875; and in that year and the next the fine suspension 
bridge now used was erected upon its more eligible site 
by the Cincinnati Iron Bridge company. Its expense, 
seventy-nme thousand eight hundred dollars, was sus- 
tained by Hainilton county alone, a bonded indebted- 
ness being created therefor, upon authority granted by 
the legislature. It is three hundred and fifty-three feet 
long, and every way a substantial and graceful structure. 
The river, on the Miami front of Anderson township, is 
also spanned by two railway bridges, erected for the Cin- 
cinnati & Eastern and the Cincinnati & Portsmouth nar- 
row-gauge railroads. There is also a wagon brid.ge for 
the turnpike near the mouth of the Little Miami, and 
another across the river at Plainville, from which a plank 
sidewalk connects it with Newtown — an improvement 
made by the enterprise and liberality of the citizens of 
the latter village. 

EARLY RELIGION. 

The Miami Island church, the second church of the 
Miami association in order of time (afterwards Little Mi- 
ami Island church, and finally simply Miami), on one of 
the islands in the river of that name, was formed about 
1795, by settlers of the Baptist faith removing from Co- 
lumbia, and was served at first by Elder John Smith, of 
the latter place, who had then or a few years afterwards 
a mill at the island, about eight miles from Columbia. 
He was also pastor from 1801 to 1804. Elder James 
Lee was pastor from 1799 to 1801. Elder John Corbly, 
who had settled a few miles below Milford, preached here 
for some time afterwards. In 1808 Moses Frazer was 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



251 



called as pastor, and was still with the church when it 
was dismissed in 1816, with eight others, to form the 
East Fork Baptist association. James Jones was pastor 
in 1816. In 1799 the membership here was reported to 
the Miami association as sixty-two, nearly twice the 
number of any other church in that body, and almost ex- 
actly one-third of the entire membership of the associ- 
ation, although it then consisted of six churches. Wil- 
liam Milner was a lay-delegate from this church to the 
meetings in 1797-8, to organize the association, and was 
on the committee to draft its "principles of faith, prac- 
tice and decorum." 

The association met with the Island church October 
20, 1798, when the rules were adopted, and so the asso- 
ciation was fully constituted. 

The venerated name of Rev. Philip Gatch will ever be 
associated with the records of pioneer settlement and 
early religious movements in Hamilton and Clermont 
counties. He was one of the most remarkable men of his 
time in the Little Miami valley. Mr. Gatch was born 
near Baltimore, Maryland, March 2, 1 751, of Prussian 
stock on his father's side and Burgundian on his mother's. 
He was converted under Methodist influences in 1772; be- 
gan to speak as an exhorter in the same year; the next 
year was sent into New Jersey as the first itinerant of the 
church ever sent into the State. He and the Rev. Mr. 
Walters, then laboring in Virginia and Delaware, were, 
indeed, the first preachers recruited for the Methodist 
itinerancy in this country. At the conference of 1774, 
held in Philadelphia, he was one of five received into full 
connection. January 14, 1788, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Smith, of Powhatan coun ty, V irginia. After 
mucinaBbrious and abfe service at the east, part of the 
time under severe persecution, being often threatened, 
once dangerously assaulted, and once plastered with tar, 
he engaged in farming for a time; emancipated his slaves 
in December, 1780, remove d to Buckingham, Virg inia, 
and improved a large farm. In 1798 he resolved to emi- 
grate to the Northwest Territory, and set out for the land of 
hope Oclot5ef~iith, of that year, with his brother-in-law, 
the Rev. James Smith, and family, and a near friend, Mr. 
Ambrose" Ransom and his family. Thirty-six persons, 
white and colored, were in the colony. After many 
tribulations, by land and water, they reached the Little 
Miami valley. Says Mr. Gatch in his journal: 

From Williamsburgh we passed on to Newtown, and for some days 
pitched our tents in Turpin's bottom, and tliere, withi those who were 
with me, were accommodated with a small shop used by a mechanic. 
On Sunday morning after our arrival the boats landed. My heart was 
dissolved into love and gratitude to God for his care over us on our 
journey, and bringing us safely into this desirable and distant land. I 
rented a house in Newtown, and we were treated kindly by the people, 
though they cared little for religion. The land which I had taken in ex- 
change for my fatm in Virginia did not answer for a settlement, so I 
purchased a tract in the forks of the Little Miami river. 

His residence in Anderson township was, therefore, 
brief, lasting only till the middle of the next February, 
when his cabin was finished and he moved beyond the 
East fork into it. His history thenceforth belongs 
mainly to Clermont county, which he served long and 
ably in public stations, as justice of the peace, associate 
judge of the court of common pleas, member of the first 



constitutional convention, and otherwise. He remained 
identified, however, with the religious interests of the 
lower Miami valley, preaching regularly at Newtown and 
other places, though not as a circuit preacher until cir- 
cuits were regularly established and appointments made 
to them, and frequently preached thereafter. He died 
in the fullness of years and honors December 28, 1835, 
and was laid to rest beside his venerable wife, in the 
burying-ground upon his farm. 

In this connection the following recollections of Mr. 
Gatch, concerning early Methodism on the Little Miami, 
will be read with interest: 

The conference did not appoint a preacher to Miami circuit in 1800. 
There were at the time four or five local preachers in the Miami coun- 
try, and they went everywhere preaching the word. They systematized 
their operations, preached not only on Sabbath, but also on other days, 
held two-days' meetings, and kept up a routine of quarterly meetings. 
They were much encouraged in seeing the pleasure of the Lord pros- 
per in their hands. Those popular meetings were held at different 
points, but most of them were held in the forks of the Miami, and it 
was matter of astonishment to see the numbers that attended; women 
would walk twenty and even thirty miles to attend them. The whole 
care devolved on three families; each would have frequently to provide 
for from fifty to a hundred people. The men at night quartered in 
barns and out-buildings, while the women lodged in the cabms. 

It was a striking scene to witness the breaking up of one of these 
night meetings. The people, though coming from a distance, had no 
way of returning in the darkness but by dim paths or traces, some of 
which had been first formed by tlie tread of wild beasts. To obviate 
this difficulty they «ould procure fagots made of bark from the trees 
or splinters made fine and rendered highly combustible; these would be 
fired up on starting home, and in every direction they might be seen 
like so many meteors, bounding amid the thick forest and gilding the 
foliage of the loftiest trees, while the air would often be made vocal 
with their songs of rejoicing and praise. 

Bishop McKendree, in one of his letters, speaks of 
a meeting at Mr. Gatch's house in June, 1802, which 
some women walked thirty miles to attend. A powerful 
revival occurred at this meeting. Another remarkable 
service was held in 1805, under an awning in front of 
Mr. Gatch's cabin, by Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat, and 
their travelling companion, the Rev. J. Crofford. When 
each of these had preached at the same service, it was 
insisted by Bishop Asbury that Mr. Gatch should preach 
also, which made four sermons in succession. And yet, 
says Mr. Gatch, "so precious was the word of the Lord 
in those days that the congregation evinced no uneasi- 
ness, but paid the greatest attention to all the discourses." 
He elsewhere writes : "The first circuit that was formed 
here extended over a tract of country from the Ohio up 
the Miami rivers to Mad river, and the labors of the 
preachers who travelled it were great. Now [1827] there 
are seven circuits within the bounds of the first one." 
The quarterly meetings were held commonly at the house 
of Mr. Gatch, when his patient, devoted wife would have 
to provide for the entertainment of fifty to one hundred 
persons. 

NEWTOWN. 

This is the oldest town in the western part of the 
county, and by far the oldest in Anderson township. A 
cluster of settlers, as we have seen from Mr. Gatch's 
narrative, was here as early as 1798; and no great while 
after that, we may presume safely, the place was almost, 
if not quite, as populous as in 1830, when it contained 
one hundred and sixty-one people. It was laid off on 



252 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



General Massie's survey, No. 2,276, in the north part of 
the township, and on the border of the Little Miami 
bottoms at the foot of the hills, in 1801, by General 
James Taylor, and was by him at first called Mercers- 
burgh, in honor of General Mercer, of Revolutionary 
fame. The most easterly part of the present site was 
first built up, and bore the name of Mercersburgh ; but 
afterwards the whole of the site was occupied under the 
designation of Newtown. 

The first hewed log house in Anderson township was 
built near Newtown on the premises now occupied by Mr. 
E. J. Turpin, by Isaac and David Jones, immigrants 
from Hampshire county, Virginia. 

A stone building was erected at Newtown in 18 13 for 
the use of the Methodist Episcopal church. When a 
new meeting-house was put up on the same site in 1861, 
the stones used for this basement were taken from the 
old building. Rev. John Strange was the first circuit- 
rider to serve the Methodist charge here. The Revs. 
Philip and James Gatch, and other pioneers of Method- 
ism in the Miami valley, also often preached here. 
"Mother Jones" is remembered as the first Methodist 
woman in or near the place. 

Newtown has also a Regular Baptist and a Universal- 
ist church, the latter which contains also an Odd Fellows' 
hall. 

The fine school-house now occupied, was erected in 
i860, and received an addition in 1880, It contains five 
school-rooms, three of which are occupied. The princi- 
pal of the school is Mr. J. C. Heywood, who has held 
his place with much acceptance for several years. 

The first school-house in the place stood at no great 
distance from this one. One of the earliest teachers 
here was EU Davis, a native of Salem, New Jersey, who 
removed to Hamilton county from Lexington, Kentucky, 
and taught school for several years with marked success, 
as he was thorough in discipline and scholarship. He 
won equal popularity as a justice of the peace, in which 
capacity he served for several years. In 1808 he married 
Ruth Long, and after a further residence of four years at 
Newtown, he removed to Union township, Clermont 
county, where his remaining years were spent. 

At one of the early fourth of July celebrations in New- 
town, Colonel Clayton Webb was the reader of the Decla- 
ration of Independence, and Mr. William de Courcy, of 
Clough creek, was orator of the day. 

Newtown has a population of four hundred and twen- 
ty-seven, by the census of 1880. 

MOUNT WASHINGTON. 

The advantages of this locality, as a suburban resi- 
dence for business men of Cincinnati, were early appa- 
rent. It occupies one of the highest tracts of land in the 
county, and at some points commands views stretching 
along the river valleys five miles in each direction. The 
highland reaches westward almost to the banks of the 
Little Miami. King's Pocket-book of Cincinnati says of 
this place: 

It is noted for its beautiful rolling private grounds, perfect drainage, 
and consequent good liealtli; also for its fine avenue of evergreens and 
deciduous trees, with probably the finest collection of magnolias in the 



county. It has a town hall, a fine graded public school, young ladies' 
seminary, and three churches." 

The original village of Mount Washington was laid off 
in 1838 by James C. Ludlow; but large additions have 
since been made to it. The municipality was incorpo- 
rated November 14, 1867, and it has since had a full vil- 
lage organization, with mayor, common council, board of 
health, etc. Captain Benneville Kline was mayor for 
several years, in the earlier day of its corporate existence. 

About 1840 the post office of Mount Washington was 
established, that at Salem, or "Mears," a mile distant, 
upon which the inhabitants had chiefly depended for 
their mails, being vacated in favor of the new one. S. J. 
Sutton, the merchant of the place, was the first post- 
tnaster, and his clerk and deputy, Mr. W. B. Dunham, 
then filled the post for twenty- five years, from 1852 to 
1876, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, 
Mr. John Roell. 

Mr. Dunham was also one of the early school-teachers 
in this region, having taught in a country school-house 
upon the site of the present public school building, as 
long ago as 1836. While postmaster he did also a gen- 
eral merchandizing business, and is still living, retired 
from business, at his old home in Mount Washington. 
One of his sons, Mr. J. H. Dunham, perpetuates in a 
manner his services to education, by printing the Public 
School Journal, an educational monthly magazine edited 
in Cincinnati by Professor Wilson, of the public schools, 
and published by Messrs. Henley & Chadwick, of that 
city. Mr. Dunham's printing-office and the Mount Wash- 
ington Canning company, a large establishment previ- 
ously mentioned in these notes, now furnish the chief 
industries of the place. 

The present school-house, upon a site occupied for 
fifty years for purposes of education, was erected under 
the auspices of the Odd Fellows' organization to some 
extent. The schools occupy four rooms under the 
charge of Mr. A. W. Williamson, principal. 

A Methodist Protestant church was erected here in 
1861, a small, plain, frame building, and was used more or 
less continuously, by this and the Baptist denoinination, 
until about 1872, when it was abandoned. A Catholic 
congregation here, together with one each at Newtown, 
California, and Columbia, is served by the Rev. Father 
B. Engbers. The Methodist Episcopal church here is 
ministered to, at this writing, by the Rev. John H. Story. 

We append a sketch of the Mount Washington Baptist 
church, kindly furnished by its pastor, the Rev. B. F. 
Harmon: 

This church began its life in 1866 as a mission of the Columbia Bap- 
tist church, under the direction of its pastor. Rev. B. F. Harmon. Its 
meetings were held at first on Sunday afternoons in the Protestant 
Methodist church, which was hired for the purpose. The mission grew 
steadily in interest and numbers until 1869, when it was constituted 
into a separate church, and was recognized by a large council composed 
of the pastors and representatives of the city churches and others in the 
vicinity. Great interest and unanimity marked the sessions of the 
council. The church immediately called to its pastorate the Rev. B. F. 
Harmon, who has remained with it continuously to the present time. 
The same year was distinguished by the dedication of a new church 
building. It is a two-story brick edifice, and is accounted a model of 
taste and beauty. The church property is valued at ten thousand dol- 
lars, is free from debt, and an ornament to the beautiful village in 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



253 



which it is located. Several extensive revivals have occurred in the his- 
tory of the church, and its growth has been steady and healthful. 

One of the most notable citizens of Mount Washing- 
ton, in the present generation, was Dr. Leonard W. 
Bishop, a native of Cheviot, in Green township, but who 
removed to this locaHty in 1849, to practice medicine. 
It was a terrible cholera year, and he soon found abun- 
dant opportunity for professional activity. He was a 
thoroughly public-spirited man, and one of his projects 
was that of a fine academy in the place. During the 
war he was secretary of the Anderson township relief 
society, of which Captain Kline was president, and aided 
to keep the township clear of all drafts and to disburse 
large sums for the assistance of soldiers' families. After 
the battle of Pittsburgh Landing a large meeting of citi- 
zens of the township was held at Mount AVashington, to 
consider the best means of sending relief to the two com- 
panies from the township that were in that hard-fought 
action. Dr. Bishop was unanimously deputed to go to 
the front with suitable supplies for the Anderson men, 
and to bring back their dead, sick and wounded. At 
Cincinnati he fell in with Dr. Comegys, of that city, 
who was about to leave for Pittsburgh Landing in an of- 
ficial capacity, and was by him appointed a surgeon on 
his staff, which gave him superior facilities of movement 
within the lines of the army. He found the Anderson 
companies, and promptly relieved their wants. Within 
two weeks he had fulfilled his mission, and returned with 
his precious charge of disabled and dead heroes. At 
another large meeting held after his return, he received 
a unanimotis vote of thanks on behalf of the people of 
Anderson township, which was all the compensation he 
asked or received for his services. He was thereafter 
often summoned to Cincinnati to assist the army sur- 
geons in the work of the hospitals. After the war he 
removed to Mount Carmel, in Clermont county, where 
we believe he now resides. 

The Rev. Francis McCormick, formerly a neighbor of 
Rev. Philip Gatch, on the East fork of the Miami, and, 
Hke him, one of the pioneer preachers of Methodism in 
the Northwest Territory, spent his last days near Mount 
Washington, whither he removed in 1806. He was an 
old Revolutionary soldier, who had served under Lafay- 
ette at Yorktown. At his cabin beyond the East fork, 
in 1797, it is said the first Methodist class organized in 
Ohio was formed. 

The people of Mount Washington formerly reached 
the city principally by omnibus to the Little Miami rail- 
road at Plainville, and thence by rail; but since 1878 
they have been more conveniently served by the Cincin- 
nati & Portsmouth narrow-gauge railroad, which has a 
station half a mile below the village. The place had 
three hundred and ninety-three inhabitants in the year 
1880. 

CALIFORNIA. 

This place, sometimes erroneously called Caledonia 
in old documents, was laid out in 1849, by Joseph Guth- 
rie, John W. Brown, and Thomas J. Murdock, in the 
southwest part of the township, upon the Ohio river, 
. about a mile below the mouth of the Little Miami, and 



upon Bennett Tompkins' survey number three hundred 
and sixty-five, one of the first, as^has been noted, to be 
settled in the township. The place is about eight miles 
from Fountain Square, in the city of Cincinnati, which 
furnishes it with a goodly share of its residents, and also 
the opportunity for some manufacturing to' advantage. 
The first business of importance here was the Molders' 
Union foundry, which was established on the co-opera- 
tive plan while the town was still new, by a number of 
striking stove-molders from Cincinnati. Mr. James C. 
C. Hollenshade, a prominent citizen connected with the 
business, had warmly espoused their cause, and was em- 
ployed to conduct their enterprise at California. They 
organized a regular corporation, of which he was made 
president and business agent. He opened the stock- 
books for the molders, subscriptions of stock to be paid 
in work, and Mr. Hollenshade relying upon his own 
credit to secure the means for building the foundry, pro- 
curing the necessary machinery and stock, and running 
it until money was in the treasury of the company for 
his repayment. This he successfully accomplished, and 
ran the establishment to satisfaction the first year, paying 
the full bill of prices as stipulated to all the workmen. 
He then resigned to go into the wrought-iron and hard- 
ware business in Cincinnati; and the enterprise in due 
time went the way of nearly all similar undertakings. 
The prospects of the place since, however, have at times 
looked up quite bravely; and in 187 1 (May i) the Cali- 
fornia Building and Savings Association, No. i, filed 
its certificate of incorporation in the secretary of State's 
office at Columbus, for operations at this point. The 
Richmond turnpike passes this place, as also the pro- 
jected line of the Ohio River & Virginia railway, and the 
Cincinnati & Portsmouth narrow-gauge has a station but 
a mile distant. St. Jerome's church (Catholic), supplied, 
as before noted, by the Rev. Father Engbers, is located 
here. The tenth census allows the village three hundred 
and seventy-six people. 

OTHER POST OFFICES. 

The post offices of the township, not already indicated, 
are Ced^r Point, Fruit Hill, Cherry Grove. Pleasant Val- 
ley, and Sweet Wine. The first-named of these is of 
very recent establishment, and has Mr. R. A. Shannon 
for postmaster. It was formerly Taylor's Corners at the 
junction of the road from Mount Washington to the 
Ohio turnpike, and takes its present name from the fine 
cedar trees at the point of junction. These were planted 
by Mr. Taylor, an Englishinan who settled there about 
1845, and put up a large frame building for a grocery 
store and residence. This locality became celebrated 
far and wide, especially for its beautiful garden and 
grounds, and was long maintained by its proprietor, who 
finally sold it and removed to the west. Sweet Wine 
takes its unique name from one of the chief products of 
the colony of Germans in the southeast of the township, 
who are mainly its patrons. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Anderson township, by the census 
of 1880, was four thousand, one hundred and forty-one, 



254 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



against four thousand and seventy-seven ten years before. 
A comparative statement of the number of its inhabit- 
ants, during the several years in which the federal census 



has been taken, will be found, as in the case of other 
townships of Hamilton county, at the close of chapter 
X, in the first part of this work. 




■JI7i'S.Bitr;to-= 



9. .>>>///^./?. 




J^iioJijf AKJ-iitl*"^ 



jz&! 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Biographical Sketches. 



THE TURPIN FAMILY. 

Three brothers came from Yorkshir e, England , prob- 
ably in the seventeenth century, and settled in Chester- 
field county, Vi rginia . One of them was Philip, father 
of Thomas Turpin, who married Obedience, daughter of 
Martha (Goode), a branch of the famous Goode famil}', in 
the Old Dominion. He was father of Thomas, jr., who 
was wedded to Mary Jefferson, a lady reported to have 
been of the blood of the great Monticello statesman. 
They were parents of a family of ten children, among 
whom were two Philips. The first died young ; the second 
survived to manhood, married Caroline Rose, became a 
physician in and near Richmond, Virginia, and the "Dr. 
Turpin" whose name is identified with the early settle- 
ment of Anderson township. He never was a proprietor 
here, and never visited the Miami country; but was as- 
signee of an extensive "army right," or land-warrant (No. 
1007) granted to John Crittenden, a lieutenant "in the 
Virginia Line on. Continental Establishment," — that is, 
in the Revolutionary war^n consideration of military 
services. The following, the original of which is in the 
possession of E. J. Turpin, esq., is the primal document 
in the case: 

On February 7, 1785. 

I hereby acknowledge having sold unto Doctor Phillips Turpen my 
military right, consisting of two thousand six hundred sixty-six and 
two-third acres, meaning the warrant, the expenses of which he is to 
defray, and which I hereby oblige myself, my heirs, exers and admin- 
itrs. to make a right so soon as such right can be made. 

I also acknowledge the receipt of seventy-three pounds for the same 
out of the sum of one hundred pounds, which is the sum agreed on. 

Given under my hand. 
Test JOHN Ceittenden. 

Francis Harris. 

Among the children of Dr. Turpin was Philip Turpin, 
his only son, he having two daughters besides. To him, 
at about the time he attained his majority, the father 
presented, by assignment, the right to one thousand acres 
in the Virginia military district, under the Crittenden 
warrant. Young Philip made several trips on horseback, 
near the close of the century, to and from the Miami 
valley, sometimes visiting Lieutenant Crittenden at 
Lexington (this was the father of John J. Crittenden, the 
celebrated lawyer and statesman); and finally, it is 
believed in the year 1797, he set his pioneer stakes down 
upon the rich tract below Newtown subsequently patented 
to him, and began improvement on it. After a few 
years he removed to the Kentucky shore for a more 
healthful location, and resided on the hills opposite the 
mouth of the Little Miami. In 1799, October 9, his 
patent to the Survey No. 416, upon which he had located, 
for one thousand acres, was granted and signed by John 
Adams, President of the United States and Timothy 
Pickering, Secretary of State. Mr. Turpin was married 
in 1807, to Miss Mary Smith, of a family that had just 
immigrated to Kentucky from New York. His father 
was a slave-holder at the old home, and shortly after his 
marriage sent out to him a young colored girl named 



Gracie, as a house-servant. This woman, now Mrs. Wat- 
kins, is still living in the family of E. J. Turpin, and is 
supposed to be eighty-eight to ninety years old. She 
was at the time of her arrival the only colored person in 
the neighborhood, and was naturally a great curiosity. 

Mr. Turpin spent five to six years upon the Kentucky 
hills, where his first children, Philip and Ebenezer, were 
born, and he then removed to his Anderson farm. In 
1824 he erected the well known Turpin mill, a large 
flouring establishment, upon the site of the old mill of 
the Holleys at that point, about a quarter of a mile below 
the present Union bridge, probably at the same place 
where the floating mill of Wickerham was anchored in 
the pioneer days. He conducted this mill, as well as 
farming operations. In the mill he was in partnership 
for the first five years with his brother-in-law, Aaron 
Foulk, who was a practical millwright and miller, and 
had superintended the construction and starting of the 
mill. Mr. Turpin also, about 1826 or 1827, built a small 
distillery on Clough creek, one mile from the mill, which 
he carried on for three or four years, and then left it to 
the management of his sons. He remained in the mill- 
ing business, however, until the time of his death, in 
1834. He built the original family mansion at Union 
bridge, of which the present mansion, occupied by the 
younger Phihp Turpin, is an enlargement. The mother 
died in August, 185 1. They left children as follows: 

Philip Parmell, born November 18, 1804; died June 
24, 1818. 

Ebenezer Smith, born May 30, 1808; married Amanda 
Melvina, daughter of Major John Armstrong, of Plain- 
ville, January 19, 1831; died September 15, 1879. 

Caroline Matilda Rozenia, born May 13, 1810; over- 
turned with several others in a skiff crossing the Little 
Miami at Round Bottom ford, July 3, 1822, and drowned. 
Edward Johnson, born at the old home in Anderson 
township May 6, 18 14; further noticed below. 

Mary Margaret, born May 20, 1816; died September 
8, 1816. 

Philip Parmell, born August 5, 1818; married Nancy 
Campbell Johnston September 24, 1846; died Septem- 
ber 29, 1848. 

Robert Carmichael, born September 3, 1820; married 
Frances Mary Stewart September 23, 1846; died of con- 
sumption, while travelling in the south for his health, on 
board the steamship Galveston, near the Balize, Decem- 
ber 22, 1847. 

Mary Caroline, born November 6, 1822; died while at 
school in Augusta, Kentucky, July 19, 1839. 

Aaron Foulk, born June 24, 1827; died September 16, 
1851. 

Edward J. Turpin, born at the time and place above 
noticed, spent his early years at home, receiving his educa- 
tion in the schools of that neighborhood, except during 
a few months' attendance, shortly after his father's death, 
at Woodward college, Cincinnati, when the Rev. Dr. B. 
P. Ayzelott was president and Dr. Joseph Ray was pro- 
fessor of mathematics. Returning to the farm, he en- 
gaged in its labors, and after his father's death leased the 
interest of his brothers in the mill and managed it for 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



three or four years, also conducting the distillery for some 
time before he took the mill, but relinquishing it before 
his connection with the mill ceased. In the spring of 
1844 he left the mill altogether and bought the fine place 
he now occupies half a mile south of Newtown, upon 
which he erected the spacious mansion in which he dwells, 
somewhat remodelled of later years. Here he has lived 
the tranquil life of a successful and independent farmer, 
unvexed by public affairs or party squabbles. He has, 
however, been a staunch Republican since the party 
sprang into being, and was a Free Soiler from the time 
of the Van Buren campaign, and takes a cordial interest 
in the success of his party when elections are pending. 
He is unconnected with any religious, secret, or benevo- 
lent society, except the Newtown Grange of Patrons of 
Husbandry. 

Mr. Turpin was married May 29, 1839, to Miss Chris- 
tina, daughter of Mathias Kugler, of the pioneer family 
that settled early in the century near Camp Denison, 
and of Elizabeth (Waldsmith) Kugler, daughter of the 
famous miller and land-owner of that settlement. She is 
still living. They have had eight children, all of whom 
survive save one. 

Hon. Ebenezer S. Turpin was identified with the 
growth of Hamilton county for more than half a century. 
He was born, as noted above. May 30, 1808, and died 
at his home in Anderson township, half a mile north of 
Newtown, September 15, 1879. I" his early life he at- 
tended Wing's academy in Cincinnati, upon the present- 
site of the Gazette office, and in due time was 
associated with his father and his brother Edward in 
the mill below Union Bridge, the two brothers continu- 
ing in the business together after the decease of the eld- 
er Turpin. This was abandoned, however, in 1868, 
when the mill was demolished, the back-water from the 
Ohio having destroyed the power. He had previously 
carried on for a number of years a distillery near New- 
town, and engaged in other business, most of which was 
successful and realized him a handsome fortune. He 
settled on a valuable farm in the vicinity adjoining that 
of his brother Edward, upon which he erected a hand- 
some dwelling, and resided there at the time of his 
death. In 1855, at the earnest personal solicitation of 
Judge Long and the Hon. William Corry, he became a 
candidate for the legislature on the Democratic ticket, 
and was elected, serving for one term. He made a faith- 
ful and successful member, but steadfastly refused to 
enter public life thereafter. He was a Democrat, how- 
ever, to the end of his days. The Cincinnati Daily En- 
quirer, in an obituary notice of Mr. Turpin, said: 

His personal character was in the highest degree honorable, He 
was a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and faithful citizen. 
His benevolence was only equaled by his honesty and probity in busi- 
ness matters, and many young men received their start in life from him. 
He had a kind word for everybody, was unostentatious in his manners, 
and a kind master and friend. 

About two years ago Mr. Turpin received a stroke of paralysis, which 
made him an invahd ever since. The cause of his death, however, was 
a pulmonary affection. 

The children of Ebenezer S. and Amanda (Arm- 
strong) Turpin numbered eleven, three sons and eight 
daughters. Among them, still surviving, are Estus K., 



the subject of a notice below; Philip T., who resides at 
the old homestead, near the Union Bridge; Margaret, 
now wife of Hon. James S. Gordon, of the Washington 
Republic (formerly of the Post), and a prominent journal- 
ist of the capital; Leila, the oldest daughter, who married 
Dr. W. P. Elston, a physician of Columbia, Hamilton 
county,- both now dead; Lizzie, married Major Wil- 
liam E. Jones, of Cincinnati, and deceased three weeks 
after marriage; Theresa, wife of E. E. Hulderson, esq., 
formerly prosecuting attorney, and himself now deceased, 
and Luella, wife of Charles B. Russell, treasurer of the 
Cincinnati gas company. 

Estus K. Turpin was born in the paternal residence, 
which he now owns and occupies, July 18, 1840. He 
was trained in the public schools of Cincinnati and in the 
private academy kept by Professor Andrew J. Rickoff 
Returning to the farm at the age of twenty-one, he un- 
dertook the management of it, in consequence of his 
father's failing health, and has remained a farmer upon 
this place ever since, as manager or owner. In April, 
1875, he was elected a member of the county board 01 
control upon the Democratic ticket, and re-elected three 
years afterwards, running several hundred votes ahead of 
his ticket, which was at that time generally in the minor- 
ity. Although a public officer, he does not take any 
more time for politics than is the business of a good citi- 
zen, and is by no means a professional office-seeker. 
He is still; unmarried, devoting himself so far to the care 
of his aged mother and the management of his estate. 



WILLIAM EDWARDS, SR. 
The Edwards family is of \\^elsh ancest ry. Samuel 
Edwards^ was the first to emig'rate from the old world 
home, not far from the middle of the last century. He 
was somewhat of a roving disposition, and made his way 
alone to America, where he settle d in New Jersey , prob- 
ably as a farmer, as his son, Isaac, the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was after him. His other son, John, 
went to New York city and engaged in business there 
until the fatal period of the prevalence of yellow fever, 
which swept him and his entire family into the grave. 
These were the only children except one daughter, Eliz- 
abeth, who became Mrs. Seth Ray, of Milford, Cler- 
mont county, Ohio. Their mother was Mrs. Rose, of 
New Jersey, who had Mr. Edwards for her second hus- 
band. He died in New Jersey, and his wife long after, 
at the pioneer home in Anderson township, about 1810, 
aged more than eighty years. She was then residing 
with her son Isaac, who had come from New Jersey to 
the Miami country in 1805, landing -first in Cincinnati, 
but going without unnecessary delay to a tract he had 
purchased upon and near the present site of Newberry, 
Clermont county. He found the land unsuited to his 
purposes and only stayed upon it two years, removing 
then to the southward upon the farm now occupied by 
his son Edward, adjoining the homestead of William 
Edwards. Here the remainder of his life was spent in 
the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, during twenty years, 




yy' 



^CyC/~L^CJ- L {9i -^i-^ iiJ^/-yt^-<--'<~€<...^:r-J^ 




c^oc^:: <2.'-7<>'L- 



)ue/^ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



or until his death in 1827, being then sixty years of age. 
At the same place died his mother and four of his chil- 
dren. He had been married at the old home near Mid- 
dleton, Monmouth county, New Jersey, to Miss Hannah 
Martin, about 1801, before the removal to the Miami 
valley. They had twelve children — William, Mary (Mrs. 
Timothy Day), John, Rebecca, EUzabeth, Samuel, Ed- 
ward, Joseph, Redford, Job, Lydia Ann (Mrs. Nicholas 
Edwards), George Washington, and one that died in in- 
fancy unnamed. Of this large family, William, Rebecca 
(Mrs. Martin Hahn, widow, residing near Galesburgh, 
Illinois), Elizabeth (Mrs. Timothy Day, of Iowa), Sam- 
uel, Edward and Redford J. are still living. 

William Edwards, the oldest son, was born in New 
Jersey May 10, 1802. He was brought with the family 
to the west, and received some education in the sub- 
scription schools of that time, but says he pretty regularly 
forgot, at the end of every term, all he had learned during 
its session, and began anew with the next school. His 
childhood and youth were spent at the paternal homes 
in Clermont county and in Anderson township, until his 
marriage, December 11, 1823, to Miss Nancy Day, 
daughter of Timothy and Sarah (Crane) Day, who had 
come to this region about the year 1800. One of her 
brothers, Timothy Day, jr., married her husband's sister 
Mary, and upon her death married EUzabeth, another 
sister, as above noted. After his marriage, Mr. Edwards 
removed from the paternal ropf to a double log cabin 
standing near the homestead, but upon another farm,' for 
which his father had traded. This he occupied until it 
became much out of repair, when he put up a frame 
dwelling upon its site, which was in its turn superseded 
by the present spacious and comfortable brick mansion, 
erected in the year of the Harrison campaign, of which 
Mr. Edwards has an interesting relic in the shape of a 
Whig banner, with the portrait of the hero of Tippeca- 
noe and appropriate inscriptions. The farm upon which 
the residence stands had long before become the prop- 
erty of Mr. Edwards, to which he has since made large 
additions by purchase. Here he has since continually 
resided, engaging himself almost exclusively in the labors 
of the farm. Sometimes he has purchased for sale, in 
addition to his own crops, the products of his neighbors, 
in some instances to large amounts. He has wasted 
none of his energies in public office, except as he has 
served the township in some of its minor posts. He has 
often been solicited to becorrie a candidate for the legis- 
lature, but has invariably declined. He is faithful in his 
voting, however, having voted successively for fifteen 
candidates for the Presidency, and always upon the 
Democratic ticket, to which he has given a life-long alle- 
giance. He has never allied himself with any religious 
or secret societies, and is independent in all his thinking 
and his actions. Although close upon the border of 
four-score years, he has remarkable vigor of mind and 
body, and preserves his faculties almost unimpaired. 
His venerable wife also still survives in apparently good 
health, but their long union has proved childless. They 
have raised, however, several nephews and nieces and 
other children. A number of their relatives reside near 



them, their dwellings and other houses making a hand- 
some cluster of buildings at the station, on the Cincin- 
nati & Eastern Narrow Guage railway, which is called 
from him "Edwards." 



WILLIAM R. McGILL. 
Joseph McGill, grandfather of the subject of this no- 
tice, came fro m Scotland to America in 1790, and settled 
at a pointonSeneca la ke, in the Sta te__ofJiew_York, 
where his third son, Jame s McGj jl, was born February 
16, 1805, one of a famllyof six sons and one daughter. 
The whole family removed to the west in the spring of 
1811, and made their home in Cincinnati. It was the 
year of the earthquake and the first steamboat down the 
Ohio valley- — a notable period in the history of this re- 
gion. They remained in the city four years, until 18 15, 
when they changed their residence to Newtown. In June 
of that year the mother died, and the bereaved father, 
sorrowing deeply for the loved and lost, followed her in 
about two months, leaving a family of seven orphans. 
They were left in destitute circumstances, and the chil- 
dren were separated, James, then in his eleventh year, 
going to live with Mr. Jacob Denham, a cooper, at Per- 
fin's Mills, or Perrintown, Clermont county. He learned 
the trade with Mr. Denham, and remained in his employ 
untilhe was eighteen years old, when he went to live with 
Mr. Moses Crist, who was also a cooper, at Montgomery, 
in this county. He worked for him two years, and re- 
moved to Sharonville, in Sycamore township, where he 
went-into partnership in a small store, with a Scotchman 
named Galbreath, This was in the spring of 1825. 
James was now twenty years old and had saved two hun- 
dred dollars, which constituted his sole investment in the 
store. Every winter, for seven consecutive years, he also 
loaded a flat-boat at Cincinnati with pork, flour, lard, the 
whiskey which was then an indispensable part of the car- 
go, and other articles, which he started for New Orleans, 
and sold at a good profit there and along the coast. 
Among his best customers was General Wade Hampton, 
father of the present governor of South Carolina, who 
(the elder Hampton) then had a plantation on the Mis- 
sissippi. Mr. McGill walked the long distance from New 
Orleans to his home several times, but afterwards returned 
by steamer. He encountered many serious dangers dur- 
ing these trips, both by land and on the river; but es- 
caped all unharmed. He kept his business at Sharon- 
ville, which continued to enlarge and prosper, and, with 
his ventures in trading down the rivers, enabled him rap- 
idly to accumulate means. In the fall of 1831 he sold 
his interest in the Sharonville store to his partner, and 
loaded a boat for his eighth venture, and was ready to 
start, but accidentally met in Cincinnati John H. Gerard, 
then a merchant at Newtown, with whom he effected a 
trade of the boat and its cargo for the stock of Mr. Ger- 
ard. In December he took charge of the Newtown bus- 
iness, and the next February, the season of the great 
flood in the Ohio, which reached even to the streets of 
the village, he removed his family thither. In 1834 he 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



sold his store back to Mr. Gerard, and bought the farm 
occupied by him the rest of his days, in the immediate 
vicinity of Newtown, on the east of the village, along the 
Batavia pike. In 1836 he was elected justice of the 
peace, and served four years. He also took an active in- 
terest in the building of the Batavia turnpike, and was a 
director and treasurer of the company for some years. 
He rather shunned than sought public life. He was 
sometimes pressed to become a candidate for the State 
legislature, but would not 'consent to run. He was a cor- 
dial friend of popular education, and served for many 
years upon the local school board, aiding to build the 
first public school-house in the village. In every respect 
he was public-spirited, assisting with his means in the 
erection of the churches there, as also of the bridge 
across the Little Miami at Plainville, and in other enter- 
prises calculated to benefit the community. He died 
August 17, i860. He was married November 20, 1828, 
to Miss Asenath Ryan, of Sharonville, by whom he had 
eight children — Viola (died in early life), William Ryan 
(named from his maternal grandfather), Joseph, Mary, 
John, Priscilla, Maria, Emily (Mrs. Lewis D. Drake, re- 
siding at the old homestead near her brother's store in 
Newtown). None are now living except William, Mary, 
and Emily. 

William Ryan McGill was born at Sharonville, April 
8, 1 83 1, the first son of James and Asenath C. (Ryan) 
McGill. His primary education was received at New- 
town, but he subsequently graduated from a three-years' 
course at College Hill, in the Farmers' college, his prep- 
aration enabling him to enter to advanced standing as a 
sophomore. He went at once into business in Newtown, 
in a small way at first, as a merchant, buying the old 
stock of John W. Crossley. Mr. Crossley at once bought 
a new and handsome stock and opened another store 
just across the way, which for a time greatly injured the 
business of Mr. McGill. By the third year, however, 
the trade of the latter had greatly improved and finally the 
store of Mr. Crossley became so unprofitable that he 
sold out and went to California, where he died. Mr. 
McGill has since remained steadily in the mercantile 
business, enlarging it year after year, until it has been 
long considered the leading establishment in Newtown, 
and commands custorners far and wide in Hamilton and 
Clermont counties. Beginning in September, 185 1, in 
a single small room now occupied by his stock of gro- 
ceries, he has now six rooms filled with the general stock 
of a country store, including drugs, school-books, and 
the like, besides the usual stocks of dry-goods and gro- 
cery stores. He has found time, however, to serve the 
public as township treasurer, for seven consecutive years, 
and was the leading spirit in the inception and prosecu- 
tion of the important enterprise of building the Cincin- 
nati and Eastern railroad. This was undertaken in 1876, 
purely as a local enterprise along its proposed route, and 
Mr. McGill devoted himself largely for months to the 
awakening of an interest in the project and the solicita- 
tion of subscriptions to its stock and the right of way, 
and then to the prosecution of the work, as well as mak- 
ing himself a liberal subscription and loaning large 



amounts to the company. He was one of the original 
directors of the corporation and its vice-president, under 
the presidency of Mr. Samuel Woodward, and he and H. 
Wilber — both of Morrow, Warren county — were the projec- 
tors of this work. Upon Mr. Woodward's retirement, to 
accept the position of general superintendent of the 
Cincinnati Southern, in 1879, ^^- McGill was promoted 
to the presidency of the Eastern, which he now holds. 
He found his road in the hands of a receiver, with a 
floating debt larger than could be managed; but within 
twenty months he secured the payment of all obligations 
of this character and also of a larger sum in overdue 
interest on bonds, and so rescuing it from the hands of 
the receiver, he taking the road again fully in charge on 
the first of March, 1881. With this good work he is 
solely credited by those who know the internal. history of 
the corporation owning the road. He travelled far and 
near to find the creditors of the company and effect set- 
tlements with them; and through infinite trouble and 
difficulty succeeded in obtaining personal interviews with 
all creditors and making satisfactory settlements. As a 
result the bonds of the road are now at par, and its op- 
erations are oh a working basis, hopeful and prosperous 
beyond all expectations. It is believed it will speedily 
become, under Mr. McGill's presidency, one of the most 
profitable railway properties in Ohio, and of very great 
value to Cincinnati, to which the early completion of the 
Cincinnati Northern, with which it intersects, will soon 
give it direct entrance. 

Notwithstanding his engrossment in public and private 
cares, Mr. McGill has taken a very lively interest in the 
religious and secular training of the rising generation. 
For twenty-one consecutive years — since April, i860 — he 
has been superintendent 'of the Sunday-school connected 
with the Universalist church in Newtown; and for the 
past fifteen years has been a member of the school board 
of the village, aiding in the material enlargement of the 
school-house and in making Newtown an independent 
district by act of the legislature. In all enterprises for 
local benefit he is among the first and foremost, and 
seems to have no higher ambition than to leave his part 
of the world the better for his having lived in it. He 
has been a life-long Democrat, but is not an active poli- 
tician, much less an office-seeker. 

Mr. McGill was married December 3, 1861 (the 
bride's eighteenth birthday), in Norwood, Columbia 
township, to Miss Delia L. Drake, only daughter of 
Thomas T. and Lydia A. (Mill) Drake, who are now re- 
siding with their daughter and her husband in Newtown. 
Mr. and Mrs. McGill have two children living — Alice, 
born September i, 1864, and Louie D., born July 10, 
1877. The former is a student at the Ohio Wesleyan 
college in Cincinnati. Their eldest born, a son, died 
unnamed in infancy. 



ABRAM EBERSOLE. 
Jacob Ebersole came from Germany to America some 
time in the eighteenth century, and settled in Washington 
county, Maryland, not far from Hagerstown. After his 




/ / /' 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



immigration he married a Miss Smith, two of whose 
brothers — Nicholas and Michael Smith — were among 
the Kentucky pioneers of Boone and Kenton's days. 
One settled in Bourbon county, and the other in an ad- 
oining region. Some descendants of this family, cousins 
of Abram Ebersole, afterwards lived at Stone Side, 
up the Little Miami valley. Jacob and Mary Ebersole 
had four daughters and two sons, among whom was 
Christian Ebersole, the oldest son and the oldest of the 
family. He stayed at home until his marriage, about 
1798, when he was united to Miss Annie Shouff, of the 
same neighborhood. He then determined to try his 
fortunes further towards the setting sun, among his and 
his wife's relatives in Kentucky, and emigrated, in 1799, 
to Bourbon county. His father and mother followed 
soon after to the same part of the county, and died there. 
His parents spent their last days in Maryland with the 
rest of the family, none of whom migrated to the west 
except Christian. After improving a place and farming 
for three years in the wilds of Kentucky, he decided to 
remove to the north of Ohio; and on the second day of 
March, 1802, he halted his emigrant wagon at the site 
which has so long been the home of himself and his des- 
cendants. This is upon the survey No. 395, or the 
"Tompkins survej'," a large tract which now includes 
the village of California and many pieces of farming 
land. Here, immediately adjoining the present plat of 
the village, to the west of it, and with an extensive front- 
age upon the Ohio and Little Miami rivers, he purchased 
from General Lytle a fertile tract of four hundred and 
fifty-six-hundredths acres, which is still held undivided by 
the family. It was unimproved, except for a cabin at 
the ferry at the mouth of the Little Miami and another 
not far off. He at once built a cabin also on the eligible 
and beautiful site where the family mansion now stands, 
which was then in dense woods, and began clearing and 
cultivating his farm ; also keeping the ferry before men- 
tioned across the Little Miami, which he and his son 
Abram maintained by skiffs, canoes and flat-boats until 
about 1850, when the New Richmond turnpike was built, 
and its bridge superseded the necessity for a ferry. He 
died at his home here June, 1836, and his wife Novem- 
ber 3, 1827. Their children numbered nine, as follows: 
Christian S., now living at Madison, in this county, in 
his eighty-second year; Catharine (Mrs. Robert Fee, of 
Moscow, Clermont county), deceased in 1878; Abram, 
the principal subject of this sketch; Jacob, a farmer near 
New Richmond, Clermont county; Mary, born Septem- 
ber 16, 1803, and still residing at the old home with her 
sister-in-law, Mrs. Abram Ebersole; Martha Ann, Maria 
and Elizabeth, who died unmarried, while still young 
ladies; and John, who died at the age of nineteen, in 
1832. 

Abram Ebersole was born at the old home, September 
18, 1808, the same year in which the house was built. It 
is now somewhat enlarged and improved, one of the old- 
est brick dwellings in the county, and is still thoroughly 
habitable, comfortable, and sightly. He was educated 
in the country schools of his neighborhood, in a high 
school kept by a Frenchman named Decorney, at Alex- 



ander, Kentucky, ten miles from the Ebersole place, and 
at Miami university, where he attended for two years, 
but was prevented by ill health from graduating. At the 
age of about nineteen he left the schools and returned 
home, where he shared the labors of the farm with his 
father and brothers. On the thirteenth of May, 1856, 
he was married to Miss Celina M. Johnson, second 
daughter of John and Sarah (Cox) Johnson, who resided 
near Salem, in Anderson township. Her father was of 
an old pioneer family, which came to the Miami valley 
about 1808, headed by her grandfather, Walter Johnson, 
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1781. Her maternal 
grandparents, Thomas and Margaret (Mercer) Cox, were 
born in Maryland, but removed upon their marriage to 
Virginia, where her mother, Sarah Cox, was born, and 
thence they emigrated to Anderson township in 1807. 

Mr. Ebersole's father had now been dead for many 
years, and Abram had come into possession of the home 
farm by inheritance. He continued to reside there, and 
by industry and energy maintained it well, reaping the 
average share of prosperity which fell to the farmers of 
this part of the Miami and Ohio valleys. He took a 
lively interest in the construction of the New Richmond 
turnpike, of which he was, at various times, president 
and treasurer, and in all other local affairs that promised, 
in a material or moral way, to benefit the community. 
He was an active advocate of the temperance reform, 
and made his daily life and example correspond in every 
respect to his principles of total abstinence. As noted 
below, the only secret organization he ever joined has for 
its object the promotion of temperance. He took a 
practical interest in the Union Sabbath-school at Cali- 
fornia, which he regularly attended, although not a mem- 
ber of any church. He was at first a Whig and then a 
Republican, at times devoting considerable time and at- 
tention to the promotion of party interests in the town- 
ship and county; but asked nothing himself, although he 
was several times made trustee of the township, and for 
many years was a member of the local school board. 
He connected himself with none of the secret societies, 
except with one of the reformatory orders, known as the 
Sons of Temperance. He was content with the quiet, 
independent life of a farmer, not engaging in trade or 
speculation, nor using his education as a writer or public 
speaker. He was a kind and genial man in his family, 
and in all his relations in life; sustained to the end a 
high reputation for morality and integrity among his fel- 
low-men; and left the legacy of a good example to his 
posterity and to the community. He died at his home 
in Anderson township, near California, March 9, 1868, 
the result of an accident, he falling, four days before his 
death, from the loft of his barn to the floor, fracturing 
his skull so that he was not afterwards conscious to the 
moment of his death. He was in his sixtieth year. His 
remains were buried in the cemetery at Mount Washing- 
ton, where a monument commemorates his memory. 
His widow continues to reside at the old homestead. 
His children are as follows: 

Martha Frances, born July 9, 1857; Augusta, born 
February 23, 1859, died at the age of two years; 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Stanley, born September 24, i860: Milton, born August 
8, 1866. All are at home with their mother. With them 
also resides their aunt, Miss Mary Ebersole, at a vener- 
able age, who has erected a noble monument for herself 
in the fine large school-house adjoining the farm, to the 
erection of which she contributed a very liberal sum, 
and thereby secured the building at that time and place. 



THE ARMSTRONG FAMILY. 

The ancestral home of this well-known, old Anderson 
family was near Fredericksburgh, Maryland, vvhenceTfiey 
moved to Buckingham county, Virginia. The head of 
the family was now Nathaniel .Shepherd Armstrong, who 
had nine children — William, John, Elizabeth, Thomas, 
Leonard, James, Nathaniel, Priscilla, and Alie. ' With , 
most of them, the others coming soon after, he removed 
to the Miami country in 1800, settling at once upon the 
west side of the Little Miami, upon section thirty-three, 
ill the present Columbia township, a little above the foot 
of the Indian Hill road, where the original grist-mill 
stands, and is still in useful service, having passed out of 
the family only within a few years. Mr. Armstrong had 
been a miller in the old States, and he soon began the 
erection of this mill, in the building and management of 
which he was assisted by his sons, two of whom, John 
and William, afterwards removed to Plainville, where 
they bought another grist-mill of a man named Peasley, 
who had built it shortly before. With the possible e.x- 
ception of Turpin's mill, Mr. Armstrong's was the first 
mill in the Little Miami valley. In a few years the 
elder Armstrong purchased a tract of three to four hun- 
dred acres on Indian Hill, and removed thither to im- 
prove it for a farm, while James and Nathaniel, two of 
his sons, remained to conduct the old or "upper mill." 
Part of the Indian Hill property is still held by a grand- 
son, Thomas M. Armstrong, the principal subject of this 
sketch. On this farm the pioneer Armstrong breathed 
his last, after a very long and active career, about 1845, 
in his ninety-second year. 

Th omas was th e fourthchild and third son of Nathan- 



iel S. ^jTOStEOng-, born in Virginia or Maryland about the 
outbreak of the Revolutionary war, November 23, 1775.'^ 
He was apprenticed to a millwright in Virginia, with 
whom he learned the trade, and shortly after the removal 
of the family to Ohio, the period of his apprenticeship 
being ended, he also went out and assisted his father in 
building and running the mill before mentioned. In 
1805 he and his brother Leonard removed to the oppo- 
site side of the Little Miami, and built a third mill there, 
which came to be known as the "Armstrong middle 
mills," in distinction from the "upper mill" and the 
"lower mill." This is still standing and in use, but not 
by the family since 1863, when Thomas M. Armstrong, 
its owner, sold it. It is just below the Newtown bridge, 
and about half a mile from the upper mill. It was run 
exclusively as a flouring-mill for five or six years, when 
the water-power was also utilized in running machinery 
for a carding- and fulling-mill. In those primitive days 



the raw wool was first brought to the mill by the grower 
and carded, then taken home and spun into thread or 
yarn, then taken to a weaver and made into cloth, and 
finally returned to the mill where it was fulled and 
dressed, losing about one-third in length by the last pro- 
cesses. About 1830-5, in the lifetime of Thomas Arm- 
strong, additional machinery was put in, which enabled 
the manufacturers to take the wool through all the pro- 
cesses necessary to turn out the cloth complete for man- 
ufacture into clothing. In 1835 Thomas bought out 
his brother and conducted the business alone until about 
1850, when he retired from its management with a com- 
fortable property. He made a division of his estate at 
the time he retired, by virtue of which the mill fell to his 
sons who conducted it. Edwin Armstrong, the third son 
and the oldest surviving, being the manager of the 
concern. He was a graduate of the Indiana State uni- 
versity, and also of the Cincinnati Law school; was an 
active pohtician of the Democratic faith, which was the 
belief of his father and brothers; was twice a member of 
the State senate and twice of the house of representa- 
tives, and of the convention that formed the State con- 
stitution of 1852; and was otherwise a prominent citizen. 
John Armstrong, his brother, studied medicine, but had 
practiced only a short time when he sickened and died. 
The father died July 21, 1864, in his eightyjiinth year, 
in the house now occupied by his son, Thomas Milton 
Armstrong. 

About the year 1806 Mr. A x mstrong was married to 
Miss Sarah Broadwell, of an old Anderson family, born 
November 17, 1781, who survived until March 28, i860, 
when she departed this life in her seventy-ninth year, in 
the same dwelling where her venerable husband died 
more than five years afterwards. They had seven chil- 
dren, to wit: Perine, Eliza, Sidney, John Broadwell, 
Edwin Lindley, Thomas Milton and Eliob. Only two, 
the youngest sons, are still living — the latter in Cincin- 
nati and the former upon the paternal estate near the 
"middle mills," on the turnpike between Newtown village 
and Newtown station, on the Little Miami railroad. 

Thomas M. Armstrong was born in a pioneer log- 
cabin near his father's mills. May 4, 181 7. His early 
education was received in the "subscription " and after- 
wards in the free schools of his neighborhood. He 
picked up a good deal of information about the business 
in the mills, but never became a practical miller. He 
remained, as did all surviving sons, with his father, as- 
sisting in the labors of the mills and the farm also owned 
by the father, until about 1850, when the division of 
property occurred, and the home farm fell to Thomas, 
who still resides upon it. He had been a farmer for a 
number of years when, upon the death of his brother 
Edwin, principal manager of the mills, he bought the in- 
terests of the heirs in that concern and conducted it suc- 
cessfully for about ten years, or until 1863, the year 
before that in which his father died, at the same time 
continuing his farm operations, to which he has since de- 
voted his attention. In 1876 he remodelled and greatly 
enlarged the old homestead, which his father had erected 
as a frame dwelling in 1820, to which a brick addition. 




^M^>m^Al'/-/ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



larger than the original building, was early made, and 
finally the additions and reconstruction made by the son, 
which have converted it into the spacious and handsome 
mansion it now is. Mr. Armstrong is a man of inde- 
pendent political views, voting for the most part with the 
Democracy; but is by no means a professional politician 
or office-seeker, and has filled no public office except 
that of school director, which he held sixteen or seven- 
teen years, when he declined the reelection that was 
again offered him. He never belonged to a society of 
any kind except the Patrons of Husbandry, the Newtown 
grange of which is still maintained. His grandparents 
were members of the Methodist church, but all their sons 
accepted the Universalist creed. Mr. T. M. Armstrong, 
of the third generation, has never been united with 



any church. Through all his active life, now verging 
towards three-score and ten, he has enjoyed excellent 
health of mind and body, and still attends to his 
domestic and agricultural affairs with the old-time mental 
and physical vigor. 

Mr. Armstrong was married January 24, 1850, to Ju- 
lia A. Debolt, daughter of Henry Debolt, a farmer living 
near Newtown. By this marriage he had two children — 
Thomas H. and Dora. He lost his wife by death in De- 
cember, 1857, and was again married in September, 
1 86 1, to Miss Sarah J. Thompson, also of Newtown, by 
whom he has two children — Eugene M. and Ivy. All 
the children are living except Thomas, who died after he 
had grown to manhood. 



COLERAIN. 



GEOGRAPHY. 

Colerain is bounded on the west by the Great Miami 
river; on the north by that stream and Butler county; on 
the east by Springfield township; and on the south by 
Green and Miami townships. Its eastern boundary is the 
range line; the range line next to the westward cuts 
across about four and a half miles of the township, until 
it intersects the Great Miami near New Baltimore, be- 
tween sections four and thirty-four. The north line of 
this township, between the river and the northwest cor- 
ner of Springfield township, is much more regular and 
more nearly on a right line east and west than the devi- 
ous boundary of Springfield on the north. It is about 
two-fifths of a mile north of the dividing line between 
Crosby and Harrison townships and Butler county, the 
"jag" occurring at the Great Miami. 

The lands of Colerain lie in three entire ranges — 
those numbered one and two in township one, and range 
number one in township two. It hence results that there 
are in its territory three sections numbered one, being one 
in each corner of the township except the northwest ; and 
two each numbered two, three, four, seven, thirteen, and 
nineteen; besides fractional sections numbered eight, 
nine, ten, and twenty-five, duplicates of entire sections 
similarly numbered. There are thirty-five whole and 
eleven fractional sections in the township. The section 
lines are much more nearly straight in this township than 
in Springfield and Sycamore, but they more remarkably 
diverge in many cases from the true direction. The 
vicious system, or careless want of system of Judge 
Symmes' surveys, is nowhere in the Purchase more glar- 
ingly exhibited than here. Some of the sections, as 
those numbered from twenty to the north line of the 
county, are by the divergence of their lines on the east 
and west approached closely to thrice the dimensions of 
those next them on the west. The township is seven 
sections, or about as many miles, in length from north to 
south, and nearly eight miles in its greatest breadth, from 
the westernmost point of the fractional section nine, near- 
ly opposite the terminus at the river of the south line of 
Crosby township, across to a point in the eastern line of 
Colerain opposite the north part of Mount Pleasant vil- 
lage, in Springfield township. Its breadth at the northern 
boundary is four miles, at the southern seven; its aver- 
age width about six. 

The surface of the township, near the Great Miami, 
which washes its western and northern fronts for about 
twelve miles, partakes in part of the general character of 
the Miami valleys near the rivers. It is broad, flat, and 
fertile, except where the hills impinge, closely upon the 



river bank, as they do for some miles. Back of this belt 
of lower country is the highland, or the ancient plateau, 
which extends upon a general level, to the eastern and 
southern boundaries, near which it overlooks the valleys 
of Mill creek and the West fork. It is deeply cut through, 
in the southernmost part of the township, by the course 
of Taylor's creek, whose headwaters take their rise to- 
ward the southwest corner, in sections thirteen and four- 
teen, and, after uniting their streams in section nineteen, 
dip down over a mile to the southward in Green town- 
ship, near the northwest corner of which the stream 
emerges again in Colerain, and flows in an exceedingly 
tortuous course toward every point of the compass for 
about two miles, until it reaches the Great Miami exactly 
at the southwest corner of Colerain. Another stream of 
modest size, the Blue Rock creek, cuts nearly across the 
township on a general east and west line about three 
miles north of the southern line; another, with numer- 
ous branches, flows through the northern part of the 
township until it makes its exit into Butler county, a lit- 
tle over a mile east of the Great Miami; and several 
other and more petty brooks, tributaries of the Great Mi- 
ami on the west or the West fork of Mill creek on the 
east, aid to diversify the topography and water the fertile 
lands of Colerain. 

The township is pretty well provided with wagon-roads; 
but the great highway through it is the famous Colerain 
pike, which intersects it almost in a diagonal from Mount 
Airy, first beyond the southeast corner of the township, 
to a point upon the river-road in the direction of Venice, 
Butler county, very near the northwest corner. It is 
described in King's Pocket-book of Cincinnati, as "a 
continuation of Central avenue. At the junction of 
Central avenue with Denman street, the site of the old 
Brighton house, it takes a northerly direction, passing 
through Camp Washington by the workhouse and the 
house of refuge, through Cumminsville (by the Wesleyan 
cemetery) and Mount Airy, on to Colerain township, 
from which it received its name. Continuing, it passes 
through Venice and Oxford, in Butler county, where it is 
known as the Cincinnati pike. The road is well macad- 
amized." After leaving Mount Airy at a mile's distance, 
it passes the village of Groesbeck, in Colerain township; 
a little more than two miles further it passes through 
Bevis, and at about three miles' distance the old village 
site of Georgetown. All the villages of the tpwnship, 
except Pleasant Run, a hamlet in the northwest corner, 
are situated upon this fine road. 

Although Colerain is one of the largest townships in 
the county, the peculiarity of its topography and of its 



256 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



situation, with reference to Cincinnati, the inevitable and 
only railway centre in the county, have hitherto pre- 
vented the laying of iron road on its soil. Two railway 
lines have been projected to intersect it, however, one, 
the Cincinnati & Venice railroad, to enter the township 
at the wagon-bridge near Venice, thence southeastward 
and southward with a general parallelism to the Colerain 
pike, until it leaves the township, near St. Jacobs, in 
Green township, and passes nearly due south by Weisen- 
burgh, to a junction with the Cincinnati & Westwood 
narrow-guage, a little south of Cheviot. Its entire 
course through Colerain, if built upon this line, will be a 
little more than seven miles. Another route, known as 
the Liberty, Connersville & Richmond railroad, is 
planned to enter the county in Crosby township, three 
miles west of the Great Miami, which it will cross at New 
Baltimore and run southward and eastward about three 
and one-half miles in Colerain to a junction with the 
Cincinnati & Venice road, near Bevis. The prospects of 
these schemes are not just now very hopeful. Other 
lines have at times been in discussion, and not many 
years are likely to pass before the township is supplied 
with railway facihties. 

ANCIENT WORKS. 

Some of the finest remains of the Mound Builders, 
although not very numerous, are to be found in this town- 
ship. Upon the height known as Bowling Green, near 
the Great Miami river, about a mile above New Balti- 
more, is a well-defined mound, of somewhat extensive 
base, and several feet in height. It was probably used as 
a mound of observation. 

In the forest one mile west of Bevis and about the 
same distance south of Dry Ridge Catholic church, is an 
interesting ancient enclosure. It is an exact circle, of 
about fifty feet in diameter, and its parapets at present 
with an average height of two feet. The site it occupies 
is elevated, overlooking a wide tract of country. Its sym- 
metry has been considerably marred by the running of 
fences and other modern improvements across it, but its 
form is still clearly outlined. 

The principal ancient remain in Colerain township, 
and one of the most interesting in Hamilton county, is 
situated near the singular and abrupt bend of the Great 
Miami, which begins about two miles southwest of the 
county line, on the Colerain side. This bend, which was 
until recently the main channel of the river, is now being 
gradually deserted by it, the waters having made their 
way by a shorter cut across a part of the bend, thus 
forming an island containing sixty to seventy acres, 
belonging to this township. About ninety-five acres 
are enclosed by the famous "Colerain work" — a fortifi- 
cation or sacred enclosure, the parapet of which is still 
pretty well preserved, and in places is eight to ten feet 
high. It is at the angle of the river, below a hill some 
two hundred and eighty feet in height, upon which is a 
mound of observation ten feet high, commanding a broad 
and far-reaching view of the valley and surrounding 
country. It is now fitly occupied in part by a cemetery. 

In the same remarkable neighborhood, not far from 



this old work, stood the not less famous modern fortifi- 
cation known in the history of the Miami country as 

DUNLAP'S STATION. 

The first settler in the tract now covered by Colerain 
township was undoubtedly John Dunlap, an Irishman 
from Colerain, in the north of Ireland. In 1790 he 
made his way up the valley of the Great Miami to this 
notable bend, about seventeen miles from the Cincinnati 
of that day, where he determined to found a colony, and 
laid out a village, which he named from his native place 
in the old country, and which, though it presently became 
extinct, perpetuated its musical name in the designation 
of the township. A few settlers joined him here; and 
they promptly built a fort or station at the spot selected. 
It consisted simply of their little cabins clustered together 
upon a space of about an acre, built to face each other 
and, with a singular want of forethought, their roofs 
so placed as to slope outward, and the eaves so low that 
it is said the dogs were accustomed to jump from the 
stumps without to the top of them, and so get into the 
enclosure.* This was constructed of a stockade of 
rather weak pickets, made of small timber or logs split 
in half and thrust into the ground, above which they 
stood only about eight feet high. Small block-houses 
were built at the corners of the square formed by the 
stockade. Within this dwelt about thirty persons — men, 
women, and children — including only eight or ten capable 
of bearing arms. Upon the erection of the station, how- 
ever, and application duly made at Fort Washington for a 
garrison, Lieutenant Kingsbury was sent with thirteen 
soldiers to strengthen the defenders. When the terrible 
occasion came, too, as we shall presently see, the heroic 
women of the little fort proved capable of rendering in- 
valuable aid toward its salvation from capture by the mer- 
ciless savage foe. 

Dunlap's station is principally memorable as the scene 
of the fiercest and longest sustained Indian attack re- 
corded in the annals of Hamilton county. For several 
days in early January, 1791, the savages had been lurk- 
ing in the vicinity in considerable force. On the eighth 
they made the fatal attack upon Wallace, Sloan, Hunt and 
Cunningham, as is related in our chapter upon "The 
Miamese and the Indians." Sloan who escaped wounded, 
and Wallace who escaped unhurt, took refuge in the 
station, and the next day (Sunday) the latter guided a 
party to the scene of the disaster, where they found the 
body of the unfortunate Cunningham, tomahawked and 
scalped. They buried it on the spot, and returned with- 
out molestation. Hunt made his appearance before the 
station the succeeding day, but as a hapless prisoner in 
the hands of his torturers and murderers. The story of 
the siege is admirably narrated in Volume I. of Mc- 
Bride's Pioneer Biography, receiving many of its touches 
and details, we suspect, from the hand of the accom- 
plished editor of that work, Mr. Robert Clarke, of Cin- 

* One of these cabins is said to be that still standing on the river 
road near the Colerain end of the bridge over which rnns the highway 
to Venice, removed thither from the old site; and bullets are said to 
have been cut from its logs. If so, this is probably the only remaining 
relic of the fortified stations of Hamilton county. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



257 



cinnati. At the risk of some repetition — the facts hav- 
ing been given in brief in the first division of this work 
— we quote the main portions of the narrative here : 

Before sunrise on the morning of the tenth of January, just as the 
women were milking the cows in the fort, the Indians made their appear- 
ance before it, and fired a volley, wounding a soldier named McVicker. 
Every man in the fort was immediately posted to the best advantage 
by the commander, and the fire returned. A parley was then held at 
the request of the Indians, and Abner Hunt, whom they had taken 
prisoner as before mentioned, was brought forward securely bound, 
with his arms pinioned behind him, by an Indian, or. as some say, the 
notorious Simon Girty, the leader of the party, holding him by the 
rope. Mounting him on a stump within speaking distance of the garri- 
son, he was compelled to demand and urge the surrender of the place, 
which, in the hope of saving his own life, he did in the most pressing 
terms, promising that if it were done, life and property would be held 
sacred. Not a single individual in the fort, however, would agree to a 
surrender. Lieutenant Kingsbury took an elevated position wiiere he 
could overlook the pickets, and promptly rejected all their propositions, 
telling them that he had dispatched a messenger to Judge Symmes, 
who would soon be up to their relief, with the whole settlement on the 
Ohio. He failed, however, to impose on them. They replied that it 
was a lie, as they knew Judge Symmes was then in New Jersey, and 
informed him that they had five hundred warriors, and would soon be 
joined by three hundred more, and that, if an immediate surrender was 
not made, they would all be massacred, and the station burned. Lieu- 
tenant Kingsbury replied that he would not surrender if he were sur- 
rounded by ten thousand devils, and immediately leaped from his posi- 
tion into the fort. Tiie Indians fired at him, and a ball struck off the 
white plume he wore in his hat. The prisoner Hunt was cruelly tortured 
and killed within sight of the garrison. 

The station was completely invested by the Indians and the attack 
was most violent. They commenced like men certain of victory and 
for some time the garrison was in great danger. The Indians fired, as 
usual, from behind stumps, trees and logs, and set fire to a quantity of 
brushwood that had been collected by the settlers, and then, rushing in 
with burning brands, attempted to fire the cabins and pickets. The 
vigilance and close firing of the besieged, however, prevented the ac_ 
complishment of this object. One Indian was killed just as he reached 
the buildings. In the night they threw blazing arrows from their bows 
against the stockade and upon the roofs of the buildings, with the inten- 
tion of firing them ; but in this they were also unsuccessful. The garrison 
well knowing that their lives depended upon it, met them at every point. 
The attack was continued without intermission during the whole of the 
day and the succeeding night, and until nine o'clock in the morning of 
the nth, when the Indi.ans, despairing of success, and, perhaps, appre- 
hensive of the arrival of reinforcements from Cincinnati, raised the siege 
and retreated in two parties, one to the right and the other to the left, 
as was afterward discovered by their tracks. 

The whole strength of the garrison was eighteen soldiers and eight 
or ten of the settlers capable of bearmg arms. The entire number in 
the fort, inclndmg women and children, not counting the soldiers, did 
not exceed thirty souls. The Indians were estimated by those in the 
fort at from three to five hundred, led by the infamous renegade, Simon 
Girty, as was ascertained seven years after, on the return of a white 
man, who had been taken prisoner near the station a few days before 
the attack. 

The little garrison, although but a handful compared with the host 
by which they were assailed, displayed great bravery, in some instances 
amounting to rashness. During the incessant fire from both sides they 
frequently, for a moment, exposed their persons above the tops of the 
pickets, mocking the savages and daring them to come on. Women, 
as well as men, used every expedient in their power to provoke and in- 
vite the enemy. They exhibited the caps of the soldiers above the 
pickets as marks to be shot at. According to their own accounts they 
conducted themselves with great folly as well as bravery, though their 
apparent confidence may have induced the Indians to raise the siege 
the sooner. When the garrison was in danger of falling short of bul- 
lets, the women melted down all their pewter plates and spoons to 
keep up the supply. 

The garrison, though in imminent danger, sustained but little injury. 
On the first fire the Indians shot into a building called the mill, where 
the hand-mill was kept for grinding the corn of the neighboring settlers 
and the garrisen. It stood on a line with and near the block-house, and, 
being neither chinked nor daubed, the Indians shot between the logs, 
by which means they killed one man and wounded another. The body 



of Abner Hunt, who had been taken prisoner by the Indians a few days 
previous, was found near the fort, shockingly mangled and stripped 
naked, his head scalped, his brains beaten out, and two war clubs laid 
across his breast. 

ANOTHER STATION, 

founded by John^ampbell, probably during the summer 
or fall of 1793, is said by Mr. Olden, in his Historical 
Sketches and Early Reminiscences, to have been estab- 
lished seven or eight miles southeast of Dunlap's, on the 
east bank of the Great Miami, opposite the present vil- 
lage of Miamitown. Little seems to be known concern- 
ing it. Mr. Olden says : 

The settlers around the station were few in number; no preparations 
for defense were made; and, having been established late in the period 
of Indian hostilities, no depredations were committed in the neighbor- 
liood, consequently no important historical events are attached to it. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Colerain is one of the oldest townships. It is the 
creation of the court of general quarter sessions of the 
peace of 1794, when ils boundaries were defined as fol- 
lows : 

Begiiming at the southwest corner of the fractional township on the 
Big Miami, in the second entire range, thence up the Miami to the 
north line of said fractional township, according to Symmes' plat; 
thence east to the meridian on the west side of the college township; 
thence south to the southern boundary of said fractional township; 
thence west to the place of beginning. 

This extensive boundary brought in a tract of five sec- 
tions breadth in what is now Butler county, additional to 
the present limits of the township in that direction. 

The cattle brand of the township was ordered to be 
the letter G. 

In 1803 the boundaries of Colerain were so defined 
as to include townships one and two, in the first entire 
range, and the western tier in township three, same range, 
and sections eighteen, twelve and six, in township two, 
and section thirty-six in township three, second fractional 
range, and so much of the second entire range as lies 
north of and adjoining the said township of Colerain. 
This definition of boundaries gave the township all its 
present territory, together with the western tier of sec- 
tions in the present Springfield, the three easternmost 
sections in the north tier of Green, and the northwestern- 
most section in Mill Creek. The provision for taking in 
a part of the second entire range gave the township only 
its present short line of sections on the north, as Butler 
county had just been erected, and the remainder of the 
range lies within its borders. The total area of Colerain 
is now twenty-six thousand seven hundred and forty- 
eight acres. 

By the order of 1803 the voters of Colerain were 
directed to meet at the dwelling of John Haryman and 
choose two justices of the peace. 

The following named were the first officers of the 
township (1794): 

John Dunlap, clerk; Samuel Campbell, constable; 
John Shaw, overseer of the poor; Isaac Gibson, Samuel 
Cresswell, John Davis, viewers of enclosures and apprais- 
ers of damages. 

In 1809 Judah Willey was appointed by the governor 
ofThe State a justice of the peace for Colerain township, 
''to continue in office for three years from the third day 



2S8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



of April, instant." The following named citizens of 
Colerain are also known to have served the township as 
justices: 

1819, Isaac Sparks, John Runyan, James Carnahan, 
Joseph Cilley; 1825, William H. Moore, Jonathan Cilley, 
Stewart McGill; 1829, Stewart McGill, Noah Runyan; 
1865, John L. Haukins, George T. Marsh, George W. 
Haisch; 1866, the same, with Martin Barns, jr.; 1867-8, 
same as 1866, except Haukins; 1869-70, Barns, Marsh, 
J. H. Wyckoff; 187 1, Barns, Wyckoff, Thomas P. Mc- 
Henry; 1872-3, McHenry, Wyckoff, John Leibrook; 
1874, Leibrook, Wyckoff, Joseph Jones; 1875-6, Wyck- 
off, Jones, Barns; 1877, W)'ckoff, Barns, WilUam Arnold; 
1878-9, Arnold, Wyckoff, John Hamaker; 18S0, Arnold, 
Wyckoff. 

SETTLEMENTS. 

Among the early settlers in Colerain township, besides 
Dunlap, Campbell, and others already named, were the 
Brown, Halstead, Huston, and other old families, some 
of which will be found noticed in the brief narratives be- 
low. 

In 1796 the Hughes family, the head of which was 
then Ezekiel Hughes, and which was afterwards promi- 
nent among the pioneers of Whitewater township, settled 
upon a tract in the valley of the Blue Rock creek, nearly 
opposite New Baltimore, awaiting the time when the 
Congress lands west of the river should be open to set- 
tlement. With them was Edward Bebb, father of Gov- 
ernor AVilliam Bebb. Some interesting notes of their 
residence here will be found in the history of Whitewater 
township. 

Hon. Nehemiah Wade was born in Cincinnati, August 
18, 1793, and died near Venice, Butler county, July 24, 
1879. He was the son of David E. Wade, an old pioneer 
of Hamilton county, and was married to Miss Wallace, of 
Cincinnati. Four sons and a daughter were the fruit of 
this union. His second wife was Mrs. Jane Dick, daugh- 
ter of Isaac Anderson, and widow of George Dick. To 
them was born one danghter, Sarah, who was the wife of 
Rev. McMillan. Mr. Wade was a teller in one of the 
Cincinnati banks when only seventeen years of age. In 
1818 he was elected justice of the peace of Ross township, 
and continued in office for six years; in 1841 was 
elected by the State legislature an associate judge of the 
court of common pleas for Butler county, and was re- 
■ elected in 1847, serving in that office for twelve years. 

The O.Nford Female college received a donation from 
him of ten thousand dollars. He united with the Pres- 
byterian church of Bethel in 1818, and in 1828, with a 
few others, joined in organizing the Presbyterian church 
of Venice, and was a ruling elder of this churcli until 
his death. 

John Huston was born in Ulster, Ireland, and is the 
great-great-grandfather of the Hustons whose sketches are 
annexed below. He came to America in an early day, 
and served in the battle of Brandywine, under Washing- 
ton, as a captain of a company. He was long lived, and 
possessed a sturdy character, which traits seem to have 
been transmitted to his numerous descendants, as an in- 
heritance. He was buried in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 



vania. Three of his sons, Paul, Samuel and David, emigra- 
ted to Colerain township in 1795, David settling finally in 
Greene county, where he was for twenty-pne years an as- 
sociate judge and sent twice to the State legislature. 
His numerous descendants are in Builer county and 
around Dayton, Ohio. 

Paul Huston was born in Bucks-Caunt^v-Eemisylvania, 
SepteigBeT Ts, 17 ^ 67; J ean (Charters)_Iiuston, his wife, 
was" Borii in Glasgovy^^^Scotlandj December ij.,_j[77i. 
Her parents emigrated to America and settled in Penn- 
sylvania_in_j_27.4i_ Their offspring were William, Mary, 
John, Paul, John, Jennet, Samuel, Martha, Nancy, James 
and Elizabeth, the last named being the mother of Paul H. 
Williamson. Paul was the grandfather of Paul S. and 
his cousin Paul A. J. Huston. Samuel was the grand- 
father of Andrew ai]d James Huston. 

James Huston, son of Paul and father of Paul A. J. 
Huston, was born in 181 1 and died in 1878; was a 
farmer in Colerain township, and, like the Hustons in 
general, was remarkable for his thrift and good worth. 
Paul's mother was Martha Cone, daughter of an old 
pioneer of Crosby township. His father was married 
twice; the second time to Miss Mary Morris, and was 
the father of six children in all, of which Paul A. J. was 
the oldest. P. A. J. Huston owns part of the extensive 
tract of land possessed originally by his father, being in 
the vicinity of Pleasant run. He is a farmer and a 
prominent man in his county, having filled many town- 
ship offices and been a member of the State legislature. 
He was married to Miss Mary Bevis in 1859, and is the 
father of six 'children. He is public spirited, and lives 
an honored citizen of his community. 

Andrew and James Huston are the grandsons of Sam- 
uel Huston. Their father, James Steward, was a dis- 
tiller, and owned an extensive tract of about fifteen hun- 
dred acres of land besides; a part of which Andrew and 
James received as patrimony. They also possess large 
interests in the Hamilton and Cincinnati turnpike, and 
are also large shareholders in the Springdale pike. The 
Hamilton and Cincinnati turnpike is probably one of the 
best managed pikes in the State. In addition to all this 
these brothers have considerable property in the city of 
Cincinnati. 

Paul S. Huston, also of Colerain townsliip, grandson 
of Paul Huston and son of William, was born in 1S23. 
William died in 1848, since which time, until her death, 
Paul's mother lived with him on the old place near 
Pleasant run; his sister Ann Elizabeth also lived with 
him several years. Paul S, Huston was never married. 

Thomas Hunter, of Pleasant run, Colerain township, 
is the only son, and Mrs. Arnold, of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, is the only daughter of Paul Hunter, who is still 
living. Wilhain Hunter, his grandfather, came from 
Pennsylvania to Colerain township in 1800. Thomas 
Hunter was married in 1858 to Miss Gaston, of Mount 
Pleasant, from which union he had two children. He is 
a farmer. 

Charles Stout was born in Hopewell township. New 
Jersey, in 1783. From this State he came directly to 
Ohio, and settled in Colerain township in 1801. His 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



^59 



death occurred in the same region January 14, 1866. 
His business was that of a farmer, and he was a member 
of the Baptist church for about twenly-five years. His 
wife, Mary Duvall, was born March 3, 1790, and died 
January 10, 1859. Of their twelve children, Ann Eliza- 
beth Struble died in 1834, Stephen in 182 1, and Mary 
R. in 1828. Jane Stout resides in Groesbeck, Joseph 
R. in Illinois, Oliver in Indiana, Charlotte Hill in Ham- 
ilton county; and Eleanor Bevis, Axsher Bevis, Benajah, 
Andrew J., and William remain in Colerain. 

Thomasjluhhard, sr., was born in North Caro lina in 
1780. He came from that State to Ohio, and settled in 
Colerain in 1807. His death took place May 25, 1852, 
at the same place. His wife, Elizabeth Hubbard, died 
also at their home in Colerain June 27, 1868. She was 
born in 1790. The twenty-one childrtn are: William 
and Charles, now in Missouri; Laura Bolton, Aurelia 
Carnahan, Maria Kellogg and Margaret Wilkinson, of 
Indiana, Susan TatershalL Sarah Hat and Matilda Kelly, 
of Illinois, and Ann Hubbard and Thomas Hubbard, 
jr., of Colerain. Those who have died, are Thomas 
dying August, 1S15; Samuel, July, 1822; Cynthia, July, 
1834; Wesley, June, 1837; Hannah, April, 1847; Mary, 
August, 1852; Elizabeth, 1869; Eleanor, 1865, and Dal- 
son, July, 1 868. 

The children are scattered, but ten only are living. 
Thomas Hubbard owns part of section seven of his 
township; was married in 1828, but has no children. 
His sister Ann lives with him. 

David K. Johnson, the only son of twelve children of 
Abner Johnson, of New Jersey, came here in 1809. 
Abner Johnson was born in the year 1759, hauled 
government supplies for Washington's army during 
the war, and with the script made in that way pur- 
chased part of Judge Symmes' tract, near Ross, in But- 
ler county, on which farm Uavid K. Johnston still lives. 
Mr. Johnson is now in the eightieth year of his age; has 
been blind eleven years, but otherwise is hale and hearty. 
He has been successful in shipping much produce in his 
line to New Orleans, out of which he has made money. 
He was married in 1831 to Miss Elizabeth Hedges. 

The Johnson family, with but few exceptions, lived to 
the good old age of eighty, and upwards. 

Elias Johnson, nephew of David K Johnson, and 
grandson of Abner, lives on part of the same purchase 
(Judge Symmes), in the vicinity of Ross, Butler county. 
Squire Johnson is known among his neighbors as a man 
of good judgment, of possessing more than ordinary 
abilities, and withal is noted for general thrift and good 
worth. He is a Republican, was a delegate to the gen- 
eral assembly in 1873 for revising the constitution; has 
always taken an active part in the public questions of 
the day. Has been a director of the Colerain turnpike, 
and secretary for the company since 1857. He was born 
December 30, 1816, and was married in August, 1871. 

George Pouder made his first settlement in Ohio, at 
CinctnlTafi, m 1817. He came to this State from Balti- 
more, Maryland, where he was born October 17, 1804. 
In 1870, December 23, he died, at Colerain township. 
The wife, Hannah G., was born in this township in 1S05, 



and died in 187 1. The surviving members of the fam- 
ily are George and Harriet West, both residing in Cole- 
rain township, and Mary. J. Collier,'of Baltimore, Mary- 
land. Five have died : Samuel died in August, 1834; 
Elizabeth Collier, September, 1859; John, May, 1864; 
Margaret, May, 1848, and Mary, March, 1844. 

George Pouder, of Barnesburgh, Colerain township, is 
a native of the county, but has only lived in the village 
during the past three years, in which he owns eighteen 
acres of good land and twenty-seven and a half acres of 
the old homestead near. He had a brother killed in the 
late war, near Dallas, Georgia, and was himself a mem- 
ber of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Ohio national 
guard. .One company of this regiment was composed 
solely of teachers, of which John Hancock, superinten- 
dent of the Cincinnati schools, was a private. 

John Pouder wa s born in Baltimore, Maryla nd, in 
1764, and came to Ohio an _ d settl ed in Cmcinnati in 
1817. He died in CoTerain in 1836. His wife, Elizabeth 
Pouder, born in 1784, died four years before her hus- 
band. The surviving children are Joseph and Harriet, 
now residents of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary, of Craw- 
fordsville, Indiana, and Lemuel, of Colerain. 

Leonard Pouder owns forty acres two miles west of 
Taylor's, Colerain township, and came here in 1S40. 
Andrew, his son, enlisted in the Fiftieth Ohio regiment, 
and was taken prisoner at Franklin, Tennessee, and sent 
to prison at Chahaba, Georgia, where he was closely 
guarded for three months. After being exchanged, in 
company with two thousand one hundred others, he was 
put on the ill-fated Sultana, and when above Memphis, 
about two o'clock in the morning, the boiler burst and 
the boat was blown up. He secured a life-buoy, and 
after remaining on deck as long as possible, cast himself 
into the water, and swam to a sycamore log. He was 
picked up about four hours afterwards and taken to the 
hospital in Memphis, at which place he remained three 
weeks before going home. Only about three hundred of 
his comrades were saved. 

A. H. Cone, of Ross township, Butler_county, was 
born in Hamilton county, but now lives on a part of the 
Yankee purchase of two and a half sections near 
Venice, owned by his father and grandfather. Charles 
Cone was major of mihtia during the Hull engagement. 
His grandson, A. H. Cone, is at present justice of the 
peace of Ross township. 

Giles Richards, the father of George Richards, was 
one of the old pioneers of Colerain township, a man 
of considerable ability, foresight, and sagacity, and one 
who did much towards public improvements, for both 
State. and county. He was the projector of the Colerain 
turnpike, of the river bridge on that road, and also of 
other undertakings. During the war he contributed 
about si.xteen thousand dollars of his own funds in 
various ways for the furtherance of its cause. He 
was born January 6, 1792, in Boston, Massachu- 
setts, was a mechanic, merchant and farmer, and made 
his money during the War of 1812. He then had a 
button factory and made buttons for the army, and sad- 
dlery ornaments of various kinds. He came to Cincin- 



26o 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



nati in 1820, where he soon had a saw-mill, grist-mill 
and woollen factory. In 1830 he purchased a large 
tract of land, of several hundred acres, surrounding 
what was then the thriving town of Colerain. Mr. 
Richards was successful in accumulating a large 
amount of property, and also in securing an enviable 
reputation among his fellows. He died in 1876, having 
lived during the last two years with his son George, who 
was born in 1843, ^"d in 1869 married to Miss Josie 
Johnson. 

In 18 1 8 Isaac Erven made his first settlement in Ohio 
in Cincinnati. He was born in 1807, March 15th, in 
the State of Pennsylvania, and came from that State to 
Ohio. For fifteen years he was school director, and also 
served as ministerial director. His wife, Elizabeth Gos- 
sage, was born in Maryland in 1816, and died in Cole- 
rain township in the year 1879. The children are: 
Isaac Erven, of Illinois; Henry and Giles, of this town- 
ship; Ezra, and Ellen Wolverton, of Oregon; Francis 
M., also of Colerain; and Charlotte Wilson, living near 
Dayton, Ohio. 

William Martin is a descendant of Virginia stock, who 
were early settlers in Colerain township. William's 
grandfather, Samuel S., was a farmer and an undertaker. 
Samuel Martin, his father, lived on the farm William now 
owns. Mr. Martin, although born in 1822, has always 
preferred single blessedness to a married state. 

Williamson Paul, of Colerain township, was born May 
25, 1837. His paternal grandfather was William Wil- 
liamson, whose wife was Anna Vorhees ; they were of 
Teutonic and English origin. His great-grandfather, on 
his father's side, was John Williamson, whose wife was 
Lucretia Tice. John was born fourth of May, 1749; Lu- 
cretia Tice the twenty-sixth of April, 1749. They raised 
a family of ten children : John, William, Jacob, Gar- 
ret, Mary, Henry, Ann, Sarah, David, and Luretia. 
John was married to Hannah Smith, August 29, 177 1. 
They raised a family of ten children, Jacob, Cornelius, 
John, Lucretia, Simeon, Amos, Catharine, David Ann, and 
Henry. David Williamson, Paul's father, was born June 
6, 1808; his mother Elizabeth Huston, was born April 
24, 1 8 14. They were married May 22, 1833. Their 
children were Hannah, Jean, Paul H., Mary E., and Al- 
bert. David WiUiamson came of Revolutionary stock, 
his grandfather, John, having served under Generals 
Greene and Washington, and fought and was taken pris- 
oner during the war. David was an edge tool maker 
and an early pioneer and settler of Colerain township, 
having emigrated to this place in 181 1, and when twenty- 
five years of age married Elizabeth Huston. Paul Wil- 
liamson, their eldest son, was liberally educated and per- 
fected his studies at Farmer's college; for nine months 
following he was a successful teacher, for which he seems 
to have been adapted in manner and method. In May, 
1857, he went to Iowa and found employment in agricul- 
tural pursuits, and in the fall of that year, with three 
friends, travelled by wagon through the greater portion of 
this State, Missouri, and Kansas, and during the follow- 
ing winter taught a flourishing school at Aviston, Illinois. 
In April, 1858, in company with a friend, he started 



overland to California, meeting at Leavenworth an emi- 
grant train, which he accompanied to the same destina- 
tion. Their route was via Santa Fe and the thirty-fifth 
parallel. Lieutenant Beale's route across New Mexico. 
While on this wearisome journey the party was attacked 
on the Colorado river by Indians, and eight of their num- 
ber slain. They lost their wagons and stock, and, passing 
through a gauntlet of hostile Indians, suffered the most 
terrible privations, and were compelled to return east 
a distance of seven hundred miles to Albuquerque, 
at which place Mr. Williamson left the party, taking his 
way to El Paso, Mexico, remaining there two weeks, 
then joining a Mexican wagon train went to San Antonio, 
Texas. In a short time he left this place for Seguin, 
Texas, where, for nine months, he again taught school. 
In the fall of 1859 he made a journey to Columbia, Ar- 
kansas, on horseback, where he again became teacher, 
and filled this position with great success, until the break- 
ing out of the civil war; thence he proceeded to New 
Orleans, again north to St. Louis and to Cincinnati, in 
which vicinity he has since resided. From February, 
1870, until 1874 he acted as deputy clerk of the probate 
court of Hamilton county. In October, 1873, he was 
elected county auditor, which position he filled with 
credit to himself and to his county for one term; was re- 
nominated, but defeated by a yery small majority. He 
was married November i, 1870, to Miss Ada Jayne, 
daughter of a pioneer of Clermont county, and of Ada- 
line Leonard, whose ancestry were of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent, and who came over in the Mayflower. Paul H. is 
a Democrat. His life is one of startling incidents and 
romantic adventure. 

Baxter Vansicle, father of Eliza, came from Maryland 
with his father and SLttled on the present site — about 
one mile west of Safer — in the year 181 2. Mr. Vansicle 
farmed in the summer and fished in the winter, the river 
at that time furnishing plenty of that kind of meat, and 
the market being as good then as now. Mr. Vansicle 
died March 12, 1872. 

Thonias 3IcHenry came with his father to Colerain 
township in the year 181 2, where he has resided since. 
The farm was purchased of a Mr. Richardson, and was 
then about the only settlement made in that vicinity. 
Mr. McHenry is a member of the Presbyterian church. 

Mrs. Eliza Scott resides at the mouth of Du nlap cre ek, 
where James Henderson Scoff, her husband, lived many 
years before his death. He was the proprietor of a saw- 
mill on the Miami river, and engaged chiefly in that 
business. Mrs. Scott was born in Hamilton county, but 
when six years of age her parents moved to Illinois, 
where she remained until twenty-one years of age. She 
was married in 1856, and in 1876 her husband died. 

Peter Pool, deceased husband of Mary Jane Pool, was 
born March 2, 1822 — died August 10, 1864; purchased 
about forty acres near the school-house, district No. 7, 
Colerain township, where he remained many years before 
his death. 

James Poole resides on the Locus farm, the beautiful 
site near Groesbeck's, Colerain township. He was born 
March 29, 1824, in Hamilton county, and has been iden- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



261 



tified in the interests of that portion of the State during 
his life. He was a soldier in the late war, and is an ac- 
tive member of the church. His father, William Poole, 
came from Vermont in 18 16, and died in Springfield, 
Ohio, in 1868. James Poole was married January 3, 
1857, to Emily Cilley, daughter of Bradbury Cilley. 

John Gaiser was born in Germany in 1829. In 1850 
he came to Ohio and first settled in Green township. 
His wife, Wilhelmina Gaiser, was born in 1835, and died 
in Cincinnati in May, 1871. The children living in that 
city are Katie, Eliza, and Lottie. John C., Caroline, 
George W., and William H. are now living in Colerain. 
Mr. Gaiser has been in township office and was a farrier 
at Camp Monroe during the war. 

John Barnes was born in 181 2, in Kentucky, from 
which State he came into Ohio and made settlement. 
His wife, Aremento Barnes, died in Colerain township 
in 1874. The surviving children are Abraham and Mary 
Jane, now of Colerain; Hugh of Harrison; Daniel, of 
Indianapolis, Indiana; Alfred W., of Mill Creek; and 
Catharine, of Miami. Peter Poole, the husband of 
Mary Jane Barnes, died of typhoid fever in the army of 
Virginia in 1864. 

Charles Willey was a native of Massachusetts, and set- 
tled in Colerain township. In 1864 he died in Indiana. 
Tullitha Willey, his wife, born in 1802, is still living in 
Colerain, as also are his two daughters, Sarah and Mary. 
His son Joseph is now a resident of Indiana. 

W. G. Arnold, of Taylor's, a farmer, was born in 1836. 
He bought land here in 1872, since which time he has 
resided in the village. 

Louis R. Strong, of Taylor's was born and raised near 
the village, and owns fifty-three acres at that place. He 
was born on the sixth of August, 1827. 

A. B. Luse, M. D., an experienced physician (old 
school) of over forty years standing, was born in Butler 
county in 1809; came to Mt. Pleasant in 1830, where 
he has practiced his profession ever since with an excep- 
tion of but three years, during which time he pursued 
his profession in Hamilton, and was there during the 
cholera epidemic of 1833-4-5. In 1835 he returned to 
Mt. Pleasant, where he still resides. 

Mrs. Agnes Cilley is the wife of Columbus Cilley, 
eldest son of Bradbury Hedges Cilley. Columbus Cil- 
ley was born November 4, 1839, in Colerain Station, 
Hamilton county, Ohio. After perfecting his studies at 
College Hill he enlisted as wheel-driver First regiment 
Ohio light artillery, December 2, 1861, and served until 
December, 1864. He was in the battles of Gettysburgh, 
Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville, Manassas Gap, and 
other hotly contested engagements. Mr. Cilley was a 
good soldier, was a much respected man, and lived 
on the old homestead after the war and until his death, 
at which time he was a trustee of the Presbyterian church. 
Mrs. Cilley now lives in Venice. 

Henry Gulick, a farmer near Bevis, is one of the most 
prominent fruit growers in the country, and is a promi- 
nent man in other respects. He began life empty handed, 
and has made his fortunes since by his own exertions. 
When two years of age he came with his parents from 



New Jersey to Hamilton county. He was captain of a 
company in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Ohio 
volunteers, during the hundred day service, and has filled 
other positions of prominence. In 1856 he purchased 
the beautiful site near Bevis, his present homestead. 
His son Edward is a natural sculptor, studied the art 
without the assistance of a tutor, and has produced some 
remarkable results, of which may be mentioned "The 
Bachelor's Trial," "The Goddess of War," etc. 

J. P. Waterhouse, M. D., of Bevis, came to Hamilton 
county in 1853 — born in 1825. His father, Joseph, 
came to Indiana in 1844. He was a member of the 
Maine legislature and captain of the militia. Dr. Water- 
house graduated in the Miami Medical college in 1854. 
Practiced his profession in Charleston, Illinois, three 
years, then in Venice, Ohio, two years, and was for six 
years a member of the Methodist Episcopal conference. 
He was a private in the one hundred day service, in the 
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth regiment Ohio national 
guard. 

Mary Jane Davis, granddaughter of Paul Hust on, and 
daughter of Thomas Burns and Jennie Huston, was born 
and raised near Ca rthage, Oh io. Her great-grandfather, 
Archibald Bourns, came from Scotland in 1751, and set- 
tled in Pennsylvania. Her father and grandfather were 
sickle makers; both raised large families, who were devo- 
ted Christians of the Presbyterian faith. Mrs. Davis 
was, for the space of four years, in the missionary work 
at Wapanauca, Indian Territory, teaching the mission 
school of that place. The school was composed of the 
Chickasaw Indians, out of which, during her stay, she 
wrought considerable success. Mrs. Davis is a devoted 
Christian, and took great interest in her work, for which 
she deserves great praise. One year previous to leaving 
this field of labor she was married to Leander Davis, 
March 16, 1855, and for a while lived in Illinois, where 
he died July, 1865, since which time Mrs. Davis has 
lived in Colerain township, on what is known as the sec- 
ond homestead. 

John Gasser, of Barnesburgh, came from Germany in 
1849, and has lived in the county for thirty years; is a 
blacksmith — also a farmer — of that place. He raises 
fruit and vegetables, and markets in Cincinnati. He has 
been married three times. 

A. L. Compton, of Mount Pleasant, lives on the old 
homestead farm, a part of which he owns; he also owns 
an extensive tract of land in Tennessee. Mr. Compton 
is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity of this 
place, and is also secretary 'of the Jersey John Hyde as- 
sociation, of Cincinnati, for the recovery of the estate of 
John Hyde, of New Jersey, believed to be in the Bank 
of England, and amounting, it is said, to sixty or seventy 
millions of dollars. 

J. R. Thompson, of Taylor's, principal of the public 
schools of that place, perfected his studies in the One 
Study university, of Harrison county, Ohio, came to 
Taylor's in 1875, since which time he has been engaged 
in teaching and dealing in real estate. He owns several 
lots and houses in the village. 

M. T. Jones, of Colerain township, lives one mile 



262 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



south of Pleasant run, on the Hamilton pike. He is a 
native of Butler county, where he lived until 181 7, at 
which time he moved to the above-named place. 

COLERAIN VILLAGE. 

The beginnings of this settlement, and the adventures 
of Dunlap's Station thereat, have been narrated. John 
Dunlap was one of Judge Symmes' confidential surveyors; 
and, like most of his class, he easily inclined to land- 
speculation and the founding of towns, and, herein re- 
sembling his distinguished chief, the Miami purchaser, he 
did not hesitate to discount the future liberally, when it 
would serve his purposes. Hence he set his stakes down 
in the bend of the Great Miami, surveyed off a town-site, 
and ofTered lots for sale, before he had any valid title 
whatever to the land upon which they were located. 
He made some sales; cabins were erected; a fortified 
station built, and other improvements made. This, be it 
noted to the enduring honor of the now desolated site 
in the great bend of the Miami, was the first settlement 
of any size in the country back of the skirt of villages 
along the Ohio. But it presently appeared that Dunlap 
would be unable to perfect titles to his colonists; the fear 
of recurring Indian attack probably united with this to 
discourage the little band; Dunlap himself soon left, for 
a time at least ; the settlers gradually abandoned the once 
promising village, and its site returned in due time to its 
primitive wildness and desolation. The purchasers lost 
all they had paid Dunlap, and the value their im- 
provements. The chief memorial of the settlement is in 
the beautiful name given by the founder to it, and trans- 
ferred, probably perpetually, to the township itself 

The Colerain pioneer, according to the list of first 
officers of the township, .given above, was here still in 
1794. He gave the name to the post office of 

DUNLAP. 

This place, more commonly known as "Georgetown," 
is situated only about two miles from the originaJCole- 
rain, or Dunlap's Station, and due east of it, at the junc- 
tion of the Colerain pike with two minor roads, on the 
west side of section eighteen, one and a half miles south 
of the county line. A place of this name is mistaken- 
ly set down on the map prefixed to the later editions (as 
that of 1793) of Filson's Account of the State of Ken- 
tucky, as a village on the other side of the county, on 
the Little Miami, about eight miles above Columbia. 

It was somewhere in the northeast part of this town- 
ship, it will be remembered, and probably not far from 
the subsequent site of Dunlap, that one of these authors, 
John Filson, of the original trio of projectors of Losanti- 
ville or Cincinnati, was probably massacred by the Indi- 
ans. No word or trace of him was ever obtained, after 
his separation from Symmes's exploring party in the early 
fall of 1788. This place was laid off as Georgetown Sep- 
tember 2, 1829. 

BEVIS 

is also on the Colerain turnpike, something less than 
midway of its course across the township from the south- 
east, on the south side of section ten, and half-way across 
it. A post office and a few houses are here, and a ceme- 



tery carefully laid out, with a regularly recorded plat. 
Tiie village was named from Jesse Bevis. a native of 
Pennsylvania and an early settler of the township, first 
upon the farm now owned by Martin Bevis. He built 
the first hotel upon the village site some time in the 
'20's, and kept it for more than forty years, dying in it 
finally in 1868, at the age of eighty-six. It is remarked 
that, although many hundreds of people had been 
sheltered under the roof of this inn during his time, his was 
the first death that had ever occurred there. He held 
for many years the ofSce of township treasurer, and fur- 
nished nearly all the means for building the Bevis (United 
Brethren) church. 

The St. John's Catholic church, which supplies the 
wants of Catholicism here and at Dry Ridge, is minis- 
tered to by the Reverend Father J. Voit. 

Near this place, upon the farm of Martin Bevis, is the 
camp-meeting ground formerly leased by a Cincinnati as- 
sociation of Methodists, but since abandoned in favor of 
the site now used near Loveland, in Clermont county. 
"Camp Colerain," which occupies a little space in the 
war history of Hamilton county during the late rebellion, 
was upon the former ground, where the buildings erected 
for camp-meeting purposes gave shelter to the soldiers. 
It was, however, used but a short time, and was never a 
regular camp of rendezvous or instruction. 

GROESBECK. 

One mile north of the south line of the township, and 
nearly the same distance from the east line, at the north- 
west corner of section one, also on the Colerain pike, is 
the hamlet of Groesbeck, which bears the name of one 
of the most famous Cincinnati families. 

PLEASANT RUN 

is situated upon the little stream whose name it bears, 
and immediately upon the east line of the township, half 
a mile south of the Butler county line. One of the 
early Baptist churches was located in this region, which 
had twenty-five members in 1836. The Reverend Wilson 
Thompson was pastor in 1816, and for some time after. 

At this place the rebel General John Morgan's force 
occupied the Colerain pike, moving eastward, during the 
famous raid of 1863. Two or three of his men were 
captured by citizens here, and one resident, who was mis- 
taken in the dusk of the evening for a rebel, was killed 
by the Federal cavalry who were in the rear of Morgan. 

Taylor's creek 
is a post-office and hamlet in the southwestern part of 
the township, on the Harrison pike, at the sharp bend 
westward of the stream from which it takes its name, one 
and a half miles due east of Miamitown and the Great 
Miami river. 

BARNESBURGH 

is a recent and small village in this township, on the Blue 
Rock turnpike, about four miles from New Baltimore. 
It is a straggling village along the road for a mile or more, 
with a stream running on the east side of it. 

POPULATION. 

By the tenth census, that of 1 880, Colerain township had 
three thousand seven hundred and twenty-six inhabitants. 














Yo'<^'5t-c^^i*>w C/<>^^<^^ 



/ 








j3^^-^-^/ 



'/U-ie-t/c:^ 




V'/^/'- ,^^'' /■'')/ '7^/.--/ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Biographical Sketches. 



JARED CLOUD, 

of Colerain township, was born on St. Patrick's day, the 
seventeenth of March, 1808; is Of Welsh, and Enghsh 
descent on his father's side and of French descent on 
that of his mother. Mason Jones Cloud, his grand- 
father, came from Virginia about the year 1778, and 
settled in Boone county, Kentucky. Unfortunately for 
the fate of Mason, he was required to return to Virginia 
for a sum of money there due him, and after only a three 
days' stay in his new home, in company with two others, 
set out on his perilous trip, and, with his companions, 
was massacred on Licking river by the hostile Indians. 

Mason was the father of eleven children, three sons 
and eight daughters. Of these sons Baylis was the old- 
est, was the father of Jared, \nd was about nmeteen 
years of age, when the family came to Kentucky. He 
was born in 1774 in Virginia; was married in 1803 to 
Miss Elizabeth Tebbs, daughter of an old pioneer of 
Boone county, Kentucky. In 1811 Baylis removed to 
Dearborn county, Indiana, when Jared was but three 
years of age. 

Indiana was then a mere wilderness; bridle-paths led 
here and there instead of our present highways. The 
Indians were sometimes troublesome, while the flocks 
had to be constantly guarded against the ravages of the 
wolf and the bear. 

The principal product of mercantile value then to the 
family was tobacco. This article could be raised and 
packed to Cincinnati — then a mere town — and a profit 
sufficiently large could be realized to keep the family in 
the luxuries of that day. Clothing was manufactured in 
toto; flax and wool were spun and woven, and the more 
tasty articles of dress were manufactured from these. 
The deer furnished the family with moccasins and hunt- 
ing shirts, and sometimes other wearing apparel. When 
Jared was sixteen years of age he commenced life for 
himself, and for twenty-two years after worked for An- 
thony Harkness, an engine-builder, on Front street, be- 
tween Pike and Lawrence, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
first two or three years, while learning the business, Jared 
received nothing, but afterwards a salary was paid, and 
finally, during the last seven years of his stay, he was 
made foreman of the shop, which at that time was the 
largest of the kind in the west. They manufactured 
locomotives [the first one used in the west], steamboat 
engines, and others for sugar-mills, saw-mills, etc. 

Mr. Cloud was married in the year 1840, and in 1S43 
moved his present home to the Bank Lick farm, since 
which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits 
wholly. His farm consists of two hundred and sixty 
acres, and lies partly in Hamilton and partly in Butler 
counties. His wife is now dead, and also one son, who 
was fatally kicked by a horse, dying in a few days there- 
after. He had been in the hundred day service, and 
had just returned home when the accident occurred in 
his father's barnyard. Mr. Cloud is of a long-lived fam- 



ily, has never been sick, and at this late day retains the 
sprightliness of his youth to a remarkable degree. 



BRADBURY CILLEY. 

Joseph Cilley was a member of General Washington's 
staff, and was a colonel of the New Hampshire regiment 
in the war of the Revolution. His son, Jonathan was 
the father of Bradbury, the subject of this sketch. 

Jonathan was born March 18, 1763, came to the wilds 
of Ohio in Colerain, in 1803, having left his native State 
in 1802, but spending the winter in Wheeling, did not 
arrive until 1803. 

Jonathan was in the service with his father as a servant, 
and after coming to Ohio was associate judge for some 
years. 

Of Jonathan's sons, Benjamin Cilley was a farmer in 
AVhitewater township; Joseph, who was the eldest son, 
was a lieutenant in the War of 181 2, was wounded while 
rallying his men; and Bradbury Cilley lived on the old 
homestead near Colerain. 

Bradbury was born in Nottingham, New Hampshire, 
May 16, 1798. When he was four years of age his 
parents, with their family of eight children, emigrated to 
Ohio. Their tedious journey over the mountains was 
made in a four-horse wagon and a two-horse carriage. 
At Wheeling they sent their horses by land, and the 
family came in a boat to Cincinnati, then a village, where 
they wintered. 

In the spring of 1803, they purchased a section of 
land on the Big Miama, at what was then called Dunlap's 
Station, about sixteen miles from Cincinnati. This sta- 
tion was founded in 1790, by John Dunlap, and was the 
first settlement in the interior, back from the Ohio river. 

The Indians gave the settlers so much trouble that 
General Harrison, at Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, 
sent for their protection a detachment of soldiers under 
Lieutenant Kingsbury. In 1791 the fort was attacked 
by about four hundred Indians, but being gallantly de- 
fended the Indians desisted, and after Wayne's treaty, in 
1795, the garrison was dismissed. 

Colerain was laid out by Dunlap, who named it after 
his native place in Ireland. The settlers who bought of 
him lost their claims for want of perfect titles to the land. 

In 1807 Jonathan Cilley died of asthma, and left five 
sons and four daughters, who were taught the rudiments 
of an education by the eldest sister. 

Bradbury went to study mathematics, but soon went 
ahead of his teacher. The most of his education was 
acquired in later years by acute observation and rough 
contact with the world. He early developed a taste for 
trading, and when twenty-one years of age built a flat- 
boat, loaded it with farm produce and floated it down the 
Miami, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, 
where he sold all and came back on horseback, a dis- 
tance of eleven hundred miles. These trips he contin- 
ued every year — sometimes twice a year — for fifteen 
years. If not suited with the New Orleans market he 
would go on to Cuba, where he would be almost certain 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



to find a ready and also a profitable sale for his goods. 

About this time he was captain of a company, and af- 
terwards major of a militia regiment, but was never called 
into active service. 

When a bachelor of thirty-six years he married a neigh- 
bor's daughter, who was twelve years his junior. He 
never held or coveted public office, preferring the retire- 
ment of a farmer's life. He was industrious and enter- 
prising, and gathered around him considerable property. 
He had a strict sense of right and justice, was stern, un- 



yielding, and almost unflinching, and quite unchangea- 
ble in his opinion. 

Bradbury's wife was the daughter of Elias and Eliza- 
beth Gasten Hedges, of Morristown, New Jersey. Of 
their children Mrs. James Poole (Groesbeck) is the eld- 
est; Mrs. Mary Bedmyer and Mrs. Elizabeth Bedinger, 
of Boone county, Kentucky ; Mrs. Harriet Turner, Sa- 
rah J. Morehead, and Agnes Cilley, of Venice, are living. 

The Bedinger families living in Boone county occu- 
pied the land once owned by Daniel Boone. 



COLUMBIA. 



ORGANIZATION. 

Columbia is the oldest born of the townships of Ham- 
ilton county. Upon its soil, as originally constituted, 
was planted the first colony in the Miami Purchase — the 
first white settlement, indeed, anywhere in the Ohio val- 
ley between Limestone or Maysville and the falls of the 
Ohio, otherwise the mouth of Beargrass creek, or Louis- 
ville. From this lodgment of Major Stites and his peo- 
ple near the mouth of the Little Miami, annd his desig- 
nation of the cluster of cabins by the patriotic title then 
(1788) much more in vogue than now, the subsequent 
township of course derived its name. The history of 
that settlement, and to some e.xtent of the gallant men 
who founded it, will be told very fully in the chapter de- 
voted to Spencer township, with which (Columbia, as a 
country village, was last associated, and to whose history 
its own seems properly to belong. 

Columbia township was erected by the court of gen- 
eral quarter sessions of the peace, in 1791, at the same 
time Cincinnati and Miami townships were formed; but 
seems to claim priority by virtue of its cattle brand, which 
was fixed to be the letter A, the others taking respectively 
the letters B and C. The boundaries of this town were 
then assigned as follows: 

"Beginning at the foot of the second meridian east of 
Cincinnati, on the Ohio bank; thence north to the third 
entire (or military) range; thence east to the Little Mi- 
ami; thence down the Miami to Ohio river; thence down 
the Ohio to place of beginning." 

This was a vast township, larger than some counties 
are now. Cincinnati and Miami townships, with it, in- 
cluded the whole of Hamilton county on the Purchase, 
south of the military range. Beyond their north line, in 
the Miami country, there was probably at this time not a 
single white settler, and the extensive boundaries of the 
township were su|)posed to be sufficient to include all 
probable settlement on the east side of the Purchase for 
years to come. It was not many years, however, before 
the call was made for the erection of townships in the 
further tracts of the Purchase now covered by Butler and 
Montgomery counties, as settlement rapidly progresssd in 
them. 

Upon the reconstruction of the Hamilton county town- 
ships in 1803, after the erection of Butler county by the 
first State legislature, the boundaries of Columbia were 
thus changed : 

"Commencing at the southeast corner of Cincinnati 
township, thence north to the northwest corner of sec- 
tion thirty-six in fractional range two, township four; 
thence east to the Little Miami; thence south to the 
Ohio; thence westward to the place of beginning." 



This arrangement gave the township just the entirety 
of its present territory, with the whole of the later 
Spencer township, including so much of the city as is 
now east of "the second meridian east" of the old city 
of Concinnati. The voters were at this time required to 
meet at the house of Samuel Muchmore, upon the pres- 
ent site of Madisonville, and elect three justices of the 
peace. 

The first officers of the township, under appointment 
of the quarter sessions court in 1791, were as follows: 

Ephraim Kibby, clerk; John Gerrard, John Morris, 
constables: Luke Foster, overseer of roads; James Mat- 
thews, overseer of the poor. 

The following memoranda for justices of the peace 
for Columbia township have also been found: 

1819, John Jones, Abner Applegate; 1825, Abner 
Applegate, William Baxter, James Armstrong; 1829, Wil- 
liam Baxter, Batia Evans, Eleazer Baldwin, John T. Jones; 
1865-8, Francis A. Hill, William Tingley, James Julien; 
1859-70, F. A. Hill, Leonidas Bailey, L. A. Hendricks; 
1871, L. A. Hendricks, C. W. Magill, Louis W. Clason; 
1872-3, Clason, Magill, Hill; 1874, same, with E. W. 
Bowman; 1875-7, Clason, Hill, Tingley; 1878, Clason, 
Hill, William Arnold, Charles S. Burns; 1879, Clason, 
Arnold, George Reiter; 1880, Clason, Reiter. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

When Spencer township was formed Columbia was 
cut down to its present limits, and lost the famous old 
village from which it took its noble and high-sounding 
name. The township is now bounded on the west by 
the "second meridian line" aforesaid, to a point about 
a mile and a quarter north of the Ohio, separating it 
from Mill Creek township ; on the north by the old' line 
of 1803, from the northwest corner of section thirty-six 
in the fractional range two, township four, to the Little 
Miami, dividing it from Sycamore and Symmes town- 
ships; on the south by that river, Spencer township, and 
a part of Cincinnati, and on the east by the same stream, 
which separates it from Anderson township and a short 
front of Clermont county. It is nine miles long on its 
north line, which is the greatest length of the township; 
and but four miles and a quarter in its shortest length, at 
the south of the township. It is five miles broad on 
the west, and for more than four miles thence to the 
eastward, and is then of variously reduced width, accord- 
ing to the windings of the Little Miami, until, on its 
eastern border, it is less than two and a half miles wide. 
The Little Miami River, with its ins and outs, has a 
bank of about nine miles in this township. Forty sec- 
tions, twenty-nine whole, and eleven fractional, are in- 
cluded in the present territory of Columbia, making 
263 



264 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



eighteen thousand eight hundred and sixty acres, of which 
two hundred and thirty-nine are covered by the site of 
Madisonville. They are much more regular in their 
boundaries than sections in most other parts of the 
Symmes Purchase — thanks, perhaps, to the superior skill 
or care of Major Stites and his surveyors — and each full 
section comprises exactly or very nearly a square mile. 

The topography of Columbia township, for picturesque 
and varied character, and eligibility for suburban pur- 
poses, is scarcely equaled anywhere else in Hamilton 
county. The valley of the Little Miami stretches broadly 
along its eastern and southeastern districts, with the 
heights beyond Milford and Newtown in the distance, and 
others closer to the course of the stream — in one instance, 
near the northeast corner of Anderson township, coming 
down close to the course of the stream. Across the en- 
tire length of the township, in a general east and west 
direction, spreads another great, deep valley, evidently 
very ancient in its formation, but now with no large 
stream in its bed — probably an old channel through 
which the waters of Mill creek found their way to the 
Little Miami. The township may be said to consist 
pretty nearly of this and tlie Miami valleys. The result 
of the great operations of nature, by which they have 
been channeled, has been to afford a very large number 
and variety of beautiful sites for human habitation. 
Indian Hill and the Norwood Heights, Pleasant Ridge, 
Oakley, Madisonville, Mount Lookout, and indeed, almost 
every square mile of the higher ground in the township, 
are excellently adapted to the purposes of suburban resi- 
dence, as well as for farming. Neighborhood to a great 
city has naturally called attention to these advantages, 
and every one of its numerous villages has more or less 
of the suburban character. 

Apart from the Little Miami, Columbia has no stream 
of size within it or upon its borders. Duck creek, and 
perhaps a dozen other brooks and rivulets, traverse some 
part of the township, most of them toward the Little 
Miami, but two or three, in the northwestern part, mak- 
ing their way to the valley of Mill creek. The Marietta 
& Cincinnati railroad enters the township near Norwood, 
about a mile and three-quarters from the southwest cor- 
ner, traverses about half its breadth on a general east and 
west line to Madisonville, whence the route makes rapid- 
ly northward and northeastward to its emergence from 
the township beyond Madeira station, near the southeast 
corner of Sycamore township. About seven miles of the 
course of this railroad lie in Columbia. The Little Mi- 
ami railroad^has about the same length along or near the 
river in this township, entering at the southeast corner, 
at Red Bank station, and proceeding by the Batavia 
junction, Plainville, and several other points, to its exit 
from the county at the northeastern corner, opposite East 
Milford, and a mile and a half further crossing the river 
and leaving the county altogether. The Cincinnati & 
Eastern narrow-gauge railroad tracks also intersect the 
southern tier of sections; but its arrangements for enter- 
ing Cincinnati from the north and west are not yet con- 
summated, and the road is not much used west of Batavia 
junction, where it connects with the Little Miami rail- 



road. The Cincinnati Northern narrow-gauge, now in 
course of construction, crosses the township from 
south to north, entering from the direction of Walnut 
Hills, and passing through Norwood. Several fine 
turnpikes, as the Cincinnati & Wooster, once the main 
line of communication eastward ; the Madison, the 
Montgomery, and others, with many well-kept, ordi- 
nary wagon-roads, add to the facilities of communi- 
cation with the city and surrounding country. Upon 
some of them, as over the Montgomery pike to Pleasant 
Ridge, lines of omnibuses are regularly run to and from 
Cincinnati. 

ANCIENT REMAINS. 

One of the richest fields for antiquarian research in the 
world, for the extent of it, is presented in this township, 
notably in the eastern and southeastern parts of it. It 
has been industriously and very intelligently worked dur- 
ing the few years last past by the members of the Madi 
sonville Scientific and Literary society; and in this sketch 
we freely use the results of their labors, particularly as 
set forth in Dr. Charles L. Metz's article on the pre-his- 
toric monuments of the Little Miami valley, in the Jour- 
nal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History for Oc- 
tober, 1878, and his chart accompanying the paper. 

I. Dr. Metz and his co-laborers arrange the works in 
groups. Group A is mostly upon the property of Charles 
F. Stites, one mile west of Plainville, between the Woos- 
ter turnpike and the Little Miami railroad and river, upon 
the second bottom or plateau, in section nine. This 
plateau has a general elevation above the river of nearly 
two hundred feet; and above it, at a height varying from 
ten to twenty-five feet, is a narrow ridge, mainly com- 
posed of reddish sand, upon which the most notable 
work of the group is situated. This and the remaining 
works in this locality are thus described by Dr. Metz: 

Commencing at the east end of the ridge, and in a wood known as 
"Stites' grove," we find an earthwoik consisting of a circle, central 
tumulus, and an oval-shaped tumulus impinging on the outer southeast 
edge of the circle. The following extract, from an article entitled 
"The Mound Builders," by Mr. Florien Giauque, published in the Har- 
vest Home Magazine, August, 1876, describes this work as follows: 

"In the grove in the 'picnic woods' owned by Mr. Charles Stites, of 
Columbia, on the top of this ridge, there is a circular enclosure made 
by a ditch and an earthen embankment outside of and immediately ad- 
joining this ditch, and no doubt made of the material which was taken 
from it. From the bottom of this ditch to the top of the embankment, 
the present height is five and one-half feet ; the diameter of the ditch 
from deepest cut on either side is seventy-five feet ; the enclosing em- 
bankment, from crest to crest, is one hundred and five feet ; and the 
diameter of the entire work, from outside to outside, is about one hun- 
dred and forty-five to one htmdred and fifty feet. On the east this em- 
bankment is enlarged into a regular mound, about forty-eight feet in 
diameter and about six feet high above the adjacent ground. At the 
southeast part of the enclosure there is left an entrance-way about ten 
feet wide — that is, there is here neither ditch nor embankment. This 
entrance faces and is about forty feet away from the edge of the ter- 
race or bluff, which is here quite steep, and about one hundred feet 
(estimated) high above the river, which is here quite near the foot of 
the bluff. The edges of the terrace and ridge coincide here." 

The ridge to the east of this work 'slopes gently until it reaches the 
general level of the plateau. On this slope numerous relics are found. 
The above-described work was explored by Mr. Giauque and others, 
and several fine relics were found. The finding of one he describes as 
follows: 

"One of the trenches was begun about the north of the mound, and 
the writer [Mr, Giauque], while working here, hardly a foot below the 
surface of the mound and about seven feet from the centre of it, found 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



265 



a very fine relic. It is a. tube six inches long, a little less than an inch 
in diameter, made of crinoidal limestone, highly polished, though 
somewhat coated and discolpred in' places by the oxide of iron which 
has collected on it during its long burial. The hole extends entirely 
through from end to end, but grows rapidly smaller near one end, being 
about five-eighths of an inch in diameter most of the distance, and 
about three-sixteenths of an inch at the smaller end. This relic is, in 
fact, a cylinder for about four and one-half inches of its length to a 
diamond-shaped perforation." 

I have measured the circumference of some of the larger trees grow- 
ing on this work. An oak has nine and one-half feet, beech eight and 
one-half feet in circumference on the central tumulus, maple six and 
three-tenths feet, an oak six and seven-tenths feet in circumference. 

Northwest of this work, and about two hundred feet distant, at the 
foot of the sand-ridge, and on the general level of the plateau, is a 
mound which has been recently explored. Its diameter east to west is 
forty-five feet, elevation seven feet. An oak tree on its western slope has 
eight and seven-tenths feet, and a beech on its eastern slope five feet of 
a circumference. An interesting account of the exploration of this 
mound, by Mr. Giauque, was published in the Harvest Home IVIaga- 
zine, in the article from which I quoted above. The circumstances of 
exploration are of considerable interest to the archaeologist, and I make 
the following extracts from Mr. Giauque's article; 

"About eleven feet from the outside and two feet above the original 
surface, the shovel, hitherto working pretty freely in clayey sand, struck 
the first big stone. It was a flat limestone, possibly brought from the 
neighboring hill about a half a mile away, as there was none nearer; 
and it was much reddened and softened by fire, the fossil shells m it 
being whitened or more nearly calcined than the other parts. This, 
together with charcoal and ashes, pieces of bone, pieces of bowlder bro- 
ken by fire, were very encouraging indications of a 'find.' Further 
digging showed that the rock struck was the part of a stone arch, rude- 
ly made of undressed limestone. . . 

" Tiiat part of the arch first found was removed, and under it was 
found a skeleton, the tibia (shin-bone) being the first part of it discov- 
ered. The arch was then entirely uncovered, the earth removed 
between it and the skeleton, and the skeleton taken out. 
If the mound had been divided into four parts, by drawing a line 
through its centre from north to south and another similarly from east 
to .west, the arch would have been entirely within the northwest section 
of the mound, and the skeleton which it covered lay with its head 
nearly towards the northeast {N. E. E. ) Perpendicular sections of the 
mound, as dug away that day, showed from the bottom upwards: 

"I. The skeleton resting on or near the original surface, which was 
a sandy clay, qnite compact and hard. 

"2. About a foot of sandy earth, possibly mixed with ashes, but 
no charcoal nor pieces of bowlder or bones, and, especially in places 
where the rock above had relieved it from pressure, quite loose and 
soft. 

' * 3, The arch, hitherto so called for convenience, but perhaps hardly 
entitled to the name. This was made, as has been said, of undressed 
but flat limestone, averaging about twenty to thirty and six to eight 
inches in length and breadth, four inches in thickness, and approxi- 
mately most of them being about a medium between these extremes. 
The arch was about seven feet long and five and a half or six wide, its 
highest part being in a line with and directly over the body, and arch- 
ing downward on either side till its edges on the right and left of the 
skeleton nearly reached the clay on which the skeleton lay. But the 
stones were not set up on edge, so that the structure, while really an 
arch in form, was probably, not self-sustaining. ... It 
contained three layers of stone, one over the other, making about a 
foot in thickness. 

"4. A thin layer of sandy earth, about one inch on the highest 
part, and increasing in thickness toward the sides. 

"5. Charcoal and ashes, the charcoal not plenty nor in large pieces, 
this indicating that the fire had burned out before being covered up 
with earth. This fire was hot enough to color all the top rocks, as 
mentioned of the first one found. 

"6. A layer of sand about fifteen inches thick, with pieces of fire- 
cracked bowlder, burnt hmestone, and pieces of human bones, much 
decayed — or were they partially burned? 

"7. Another layer of charcoal and ashes similar to the one below, 
about three-fourths of an inch thick. 

"8. Clayey sand to the top, so soft as to be shovelled without 
loosening with a pick, and nowhere over two and a half feet thick. 
No ornaments or implements of any kind were found in 
this mound." 



West and to the south of this tumulus, and on the same continuous 
sand-ridge mentioned above, are four or five elevations or tumuli, with 
an average height of three to four feet, being from two to three hun- 
dred feet apart. The ridge is here under cultivation; numbers of relics, ' 
flint chips, and broken bowlders, are ploughed up on this ridge. 

Northwest of these tumuli, and on the general level of the plateau, 
one-fourth of a mile distant, is a mound which has a circumference at 
base of two hundred feet, and an elevation of seven feet. It is as yet 
unexplored, but ciilti\'ated annually. 

Four hundred yards to the northeast of this mound, and at the junc- 
tion of the Wooster and Madison turnpikes, can yet be traced a cir- 
cular work, which has a circumference of six hundred feet; twenty years 
ago, I am told by an old settler, the circle had an elevation at that 
time of three feet, and there was a mound four feet in the centre; at 
present it is almost obliterated. Its northern side in places has an ele- 
vation of eight to twelve inches. On the south and eastern side, the 
work can be traced by the yellow color of the soil. The northeast side 
is occupied by the Madison turnpike. 

Continuing on the southwestward of the small tumuli, and along 
the previously described sand ridge, we come to what is known as the 
'Pottery Field.' Here the ridge slopes gently to the south and 
southeast, with an elevation of from sixty to eighty feet above the 
level of the Little Miami river. This field is a plateau of about four 
acres in extent, sloping back to the higher ground. On this plateau 
fragments of pottery are found in great abundance. Flint chips, arrow 
points, broken bowlders, burnt limestone, and the shells of the fresh- 
water muscle (hiuo), are found all over the surface. Human remains 
have been found in the adjoining ravines and on the slopes; the graves 
were isolated and shallow, and the method of burial was not uniform. 
Bones of various wild animals are also found. 

Two hundred yards no'rth of the Pottery field are several small tum- 
uli. The largest has a circumference at base of about one hundred 
feet, height five and one-half feet; this mound has been dug into, but 
not yet explored. The Pottery Field, and also the tumulus, are situated 
in sections nine, Columbia township, in what is known as Ferris' woods, 
in 'Still Home Hollow.' The largest trees on the Pottery Field meas- 
ure as follows: A walnut, fifteen and one-half feet in circumference; 
an oak, twelve feet in circumference; a maple, nine and one-half feet in 
circumference, and an elm twelve feet in circumference. 5^' 

A quarter of a mile farther west, in section fifteen, on the estate of 
Joseph Ferris, and just southeast of the family homestead, is a circular 
work, with an inside ditch and a central elevation. Its circumference is 
about two hundred feet; diameter from east to west about sixty-five 
feet. This work is almost obliterated. It is distant from the river half 
a mile, and elevated above it about eighty feet. 

2. The group B is situated partly in sections fifteen 
and twenty-one, in this township. The remainder of the 
works belonging to and forming much the larger part of 
the group are in Spencer township, and will be described 
in another chapter. Our scientific authority gives a full 
account of the group, from which we extract at present 
that portion relating to Columbia township : 

One-half mile north of Red Bank station, on the second bottom or 
plateau of Duck creek, immediately southwest of the western end of 
the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad trestle, is a mound eight feet high 
and two hundred feet in circumference at base. It has not been ex- 
plored, but is cultivated annually. Half a mile to the northwest of this 
mound is another, with an elevation of five feet and circumference of 
about one hundi'ed and seventy-five feet. It is on the same level as the 
foregoing one, and on the lands of the Dr. Duncan estate. 

The hill northwest of Red Bank station, and distant about two hun- 
dred yards from it, has an elevation of about two hundred and fifty 
feet. This hill is terraced on its eastern and southern slope ; the ter- 
races are five in number, and are undoubtedly the work of human hands. 
On the top of this hill is a mound. Its present elevation is about four 
feet, and it has not been explored. 

3. Dr. Metz's group C lies altogether in Anderson 
township, and its several works have been described in 
the chapter devoted to that subdivision of the county. 
Group D is also mostly in Anderson, comprising the 
enclosure and mounds in the northeast corner of the 
township, and also interesting works in southwestern Co- 



266 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



lumbia, across the river, which are thus described in the 
doctor's essay: 

No. 6 of this group is a small mound, situated in section twenty-two, 
Columbia township, on an elevated ridge known as Gravelotte, on the 
estate of T, R, Biggs. It is situated in a corner of a large embank- 
ment. Its height is three feet, circumference one hundred and fifty 
feet. 

No. 7 of this group is located in section twent)'-nine, Columbia town- 
ship, one-fourth of a mile west of Camden, just south of the Wooster 
turnpike. It is now only one-third its former size, it being partly re- 
moved in the construction of the Wooster turnpike. Its present di- 
mensions are : Height nine feet, diameter seventy feet. 

In* the southeast corner of section twenty-nine, at the village of Cam- 
den, and three hundred feet east of the south line of Mr Galloway's 
residence, is the corner of an embankment which extends east and south 
to the river. It extends three-fourths of a mile east, until it reaches the 
bank of the river, which is here about forty feet high, the other running 
south until it reaches the edge of the gravel ridge, and then runs east 
to the river. It incloses from eight hundred to one thousand acres of 
ground. This embankment, fifty years ago, was six feet high and 
twelve feet wide. It is now scarcely traceable ; but can be seen in 
spring time and just after plowing, when the peculiar color of the soil 
discloses it. 

At the northwest corner of section twenty-eight, half a mile south of 
the mound No. 7, between the two headwaters of a little stream setting 
into the Miami, is a cluster of seven small mounds. 

4. Some miles froin any one of these groups, upon 
the farm of M. C. Benham, on section thirty, near Pleas- 
ant ridge, is a fine, large mound, eight feet high, by two 
hundred in circumference at the base. 

5. On the same turnpike, the Montgomery, which 
passes near the Benham mound, but a mile and a half to 
the southwest, on Norwood Heights, is the famous 
mound of observation, one of the most notable ancient 
works in the county. It is nine feet high and two hun- 
dred feet in base circumference; and its summit com- 
mands an extensive view of the surrounding country. 
From it signals could be flashed or otherwise communi- 
cated to similar points of observation in the Mill creek 
valley, and thence rapidly far up and down the valleys of 
the Great Miami and the Ohio. Many stone imple- 
ments, as axes, fleshers, gorgets, chissels, flint arrow-heads 
and chippings, and also mica, have been found in the 
neighborhood and through the valley. 

THE EARLY DAY. 

For the following items of township history we are in- 
debted to the interesting work entitled "Surburban 
Homes," prepared and published in 1874, by Professor 
Richard Nelson, now president of Nelson's Business col- 
lege, Cincinnati: 

Though the records of the township have been kept at Madison, we 
have found it difificult to obtain much information regarding the early 
settlement of either town or township. Tlie first record of township 
officers was made April 4, 1803, when Samuel Sheppard was elected 
chairman, and James Murch, clerk, and James McKnight, N. S. Arm- 
strong, John Seeman, and John Elliott, trustees. Two years after- 
ward, the whole number of votes polled in tlie township was thirty-two. 

During the early history of the township, it was customary to board 
the poor at the farm houses, the pauper being sold at auction to the 
lowest bidder. Some of these bids, we noticed, did not exceed one 
dollar per week. It was also the province of the constable to notify 
strangers that were supposed to be in indigent circumstances that the 
township would not be responsible for their support. The following 
we extracted from a record made in 1826 : 

"An order to John Jones, constable, for warning B R 

and family .... to depart the township; also, for warning five 
supervisors to attend to be sworn into oflice." 

Among the annals may also be seen a book containing tlie" records 



of the "ear-marks" for stock. These marks are represented in dia- 
grams, which are accompanied with a key, and in 1791 numbered up to 
one hundred and seventy. The last record stands thus: 

"Moses Osborn, having removed out of the township, his mark is 
transferred to Henry Lockwood; which mark is two slits in the right 
ear." 

The oldest of these private marks for animals, recorded 
as No. I by Judge William Goforth, February 7, 1791, 
was "a penny on the left ear, and a half-penny the 
under side of the same." This is accompanied, as in 
other cases, by a diagram showing the form and position 
of these marks upon the ear. 

A leaf from one of the old justice dockets, bearing 
dates of August 22, 26, and 30, 181 6, shows for what 
petty sums suits were sometimes brought in those days. 
In the case of William Irwin against Singer Smith, judg- 
ment was rendered against the defendant for two dollars. 
In that of Moses Kitchell vs. Christopher Leman, judg- 
ment was given the plaintiff for "the amount that I found 
between them," as the magistrate puts it — which amount 
was seventy-seven and three-fourths cents ! The "bale" 
and a witness in one of these cases was the well known 
Isaac Giffin, who receives further notice under the head 
of Madisonville. He is but recently deceased, and is re- 
membered, among other characteristics, for his inveterate 
habit of ruminating, or chewing his cud, the same as a 
cow. 

The following document is an interesting but rather 
painful reminder of its time, as showing for what trifling 
delinquencies an unlucky debtor could be lodged in 
prison. It is some satisfaction, in this particular case, 
that the endorsement upon this writ shows that the debt 
and costs were paid without recourse to the last resort of 
an infuriated or determined creditor. 

THE STATE OF OHIO, ) 

Hamilton County. J 
To John Jones, Constable of Columbia Township, Greeting: 

Whereas John Armstrong, treasurer, obtained judgment against 
John and Rachel Withem, before me, a justice of the peace of said 
township, for a debt of two dollars eighty-three and one-half cents, 

and dollars cents costs, on the first day of June last. — 

You are therefore commanded to levy the said debt and costs, and costs 
that rnay accrue, of the goods and chattels of the said John and Rachel 
Withem, by distress and sale thereof, returning the overplus, if any, to 
the said John and Rachel Withem, but for want of such property 
whereon to levy, then take the said John and Rachel Withem to the 
jail of the county aforesaid, there to be detained until the said debts 

and costs that may accrue, shall be paid, or otherwise legally 

discharged: And of this writ make legal service and due return. 

Given under my hand and seal, this twenty-second day of April, in 
the year eighteen hundred and seventeen. 

Zach. Briggs, 
Justice of the Peace. 

A justice in those days received four cents for swearing 
a witness, seven for issuing a subpoena, twelve and a half 
for a writ, and the same suin for rendering a judgment, 
except /w confesso, when the fee seems to have been but 
ten cents. Constables realized twenty to thirty cents 
costs in a simple case; but a witness was allowed the ex- 
travagant sum of fifty cents for a day's attendance. 

The following is a partial transcript of the original 
pauper record of Columbia township, kindly made for 
this work by Louis W. Clason, esq., of Madisonville, to 
whom its readers are also indebted for many other favors. 
He has exhibited an interest and public spirit in the mat- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



267 



ter of recording and perpetuating local history, that are 
every way creditable to his intelligence and foresight. 

1801. Tliis book bought from Mr, Nathaniel Reeder, in Cincinnati, 
the second day of Septenibei-, 1801, for the use of the overseeers of the 
Poor, Columbia Township, Hamilton County, North West of the River 
Ohio. The Price, one dollar and twenty-five cents, and this Book to 
be continued and to be delivered over to the ne.xt overseeers, and so on 
from year to year to the overseers for their use of said township. 

This Book bought by Wyleys Pierson and Joseph Reeder, overseeers 
of the Poor for Columbia Township, A. D. , 1801. 

To the Commissioners for the County of Hamilton North West of 
the River Ohio. 

The overseeers for the Township of Columbia and County aforesaid. 

This is to certify that on the fourth day of May, iBoi, we sold 
Thomas McCormick, one of the poor of said Township, for one year, 
for fifty-one dollars and ninety-nine cents, George Galaspe, Sen., being 
the lowest bidder. 

Likewise, on the sixteenth day of May aforesaid, we sold Sarah Frier, 
one of the poor of the township, aforesaid for fifty-nine dollars, until 
the first Monday in May next, the lowest bidder being Susannah Price. 
Sold by us, Joseph Reeder, and Wyleys Pierson, overseeers of the poor 
for the township aforsaid. 

■ 1801. On the third Tuesday of Noyember we held a town meeting to 
vote in Freeholders to audit the accounts of the overseers of the poor 
for the township of Columbia and County of Hamilton, which is to be 
done every year for the same purpose. On that day was voted in Wil- 
liam Logan, Perr)^ Cratchel, and John Mann. 

An account of money expended to maintain Moses Trader, accord- 
ing to an order obtained from two Justices of the Peace for that pur- 
pose 29th December, 1801. 

Paid Noah Strong for two weeks' board, at two dollars per week $4.00 

Paid Noah Strong for three weeks, at $1.50 per week 4.50 

Joseph Reeder allowed him one week r.oo 

9.50 
3 

Balance due 6. 50 

Witness •) 

Joseph Reeder, - We have received in part three dollars to be 

Wyllys Pierson. ) deducted as above. 

The above account for necessaries furnished the poor of Columbia 
Township, allowed by the Court the 2nd March, 1802. at six dollars 
and fifty cents. 

The above three dollars that we rec'd was from Major Benj'n Stites, 
a former overseeer. 

1802. Rec'd of Wylly s Pierso n twenty-five cents, for searching 
record and making of the within account, 5th May, t8oi, for John S. 
Gano, Clerk. 

John Armstrong. 

To the Commissioners of Hamilton County, North West of the 
River, Ohio. 

This is to certify that, on the third day of May, 1802, we sold 
Thomas McCormick, one of the poor of said Township, for one year, 
for the sum of fifty-two dollars, Robert Flack being the lowest bidder. 
Likewise we sold Sara Frier, one of the poor, for one year for seventy- 
five dollars on the same day as the above, the lowest bidder Susannah 
Price. 

Sold by us, Wylleys Pierson and Joseph Reeder, Overseeers of the 
Poor, Columbia Township. 

1802. May the 13th, then settled with the Trustees or auditors, and 
our accounts allowed by them; their names: 

Hamilton County, ( -{o'^m SpamT.'' 

Columbia Township, f i°"l C^^^' 

^ ) Jo.sEPH McCormick. 

Hamilton County. 

Whereas Wylleys Pierson and Joseph Reeder, overseeers of the poor 
for the township of Columbia, both this day made complaint unto us, 
John Armstrong and William Brown, Esqrs., two of the justices of the 
county assigned to keep the peace; and hath reported that Jonathan 
Covington, of said township, is lying sick with a consumption and hath 
not enough to support himself; and these are therefore to require you, 
the said overseeers, to administer relief to the said Covington in such 
manner as the law in such cases directs. In testimony whereof we 
have set our hands and fixed our seals at Columbia the 29th day of 
January, in the year 1803. 

John Armstrong. 
William Brown. 

To the Comm.issioners for the county of Hamilton, Northwest of the 
River Ohio. 



Whereas we obtained an order from John Armstrong and William 
Brown, Esqrs., two of the Justices for said county aforesaid at Colum- 
bia, the 2oth day of January, 1803, to sell one of the poor named 
Jonathan Covington, and we sold him on the eighth day of February, 
1803, according to law, until the first Monday of May next, for twenty- 
three dollars and seventy-five cents, the lowest bidder being Elizabeth 
Ferris. Sold by us, Joseph Reeder and Wylleys Pierson. 

[On page five of the record I find the first entry of 
notice to depart the township. — L. W. C] 

June I4tli, 1806. A Warrant issued warning John Hannah to de- 
part this Township. 

October 14. A Warrant issued warning Mary Highlands to depart 
this township. 

November 17. A Warrant issued warning Jonathan Narree to de- 
part this township. 

[On page forty-nine I find the following entry. — L. W. 

C] 

24th. Raatis Evans brought from Columbia to James Johnson's, 
and died, at one dollar per day. 

The oldest graveyard in the present township of Col- 
umbia is at the foot of West Indian hill, on the premises 
of the Joseph Morton estate. It has not been used for 
more than half a century. Some of the first bodies in- 
terred therein were taken from Columbia village, as several 
members of the Ward family, who were among the first 
settlers in that region. About the same time with them 
came John Harbaugh, who seems to have been an invet- 
erate enemy of the Wards, since he gave directions be- 
fore his death that he should not be buried in the old 
cemetery, where their remains reposed, lest the devil, 
while searching for the body of a Ward, might make a 
mistake and get him ! 

The first church built was probably that put up for the 
Duck Creek Baptist church in 1804. This society was 
a colony from the church in Columbia, and the secession 
created a church quarrel which makes considerable figure 
on the records of the Miami Baptist association. The 
difficulty was amicably settled by a council, however, be- 
fore the next meeting of the association. The two earliest 
pastors were the Rev. William Jones, 1805-14, and Rev. 
John Clark, 1814-16. 

A STATION. 

One of the small fortified stations against the Indians, 
called Nelson's station, is mentioned hereafter in an ac- 
count of Madisonville; but it makes very little figure in 
the annals of the early day, and we suspect was little 
more than an ordinary settlement, with perhaps some ■ 
special preparations for defence. 

NOTES OF SETfLEMENT. 

The McFarland settlement was made in sections twen- 
ty-four and thirt}', near the northwest corner of the town- 
ship, in the spring of 1705, by Colonel John McFarland, 
an emigrant from Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He 
took here a tract of nearly one thousand acres, compris- 
ing the whole of the first-designated section and the east 
half of the second, upon which the village of Pleasant 
Ridge now stands in part. Near this site McFarland 
made his first clearing and put up his cabin, which he 
seems to have fortified somewhat, as it is sometimes re- 
marked as being the last station established in Hamilton 
county. Life there was comparatively uneventful until 
some twelve years after the beginnings, when an incident 



268 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



occurred which is well told in the language of John G. 
Olden, in his Historical Sketches and Early Reminiscen- 
ces: 

In the year 1807, on wliat is now known as Norwood Heights, in the 
immediate neighborhood of Pleasant Ridge, and almost four miles 
south of the present village of Reading, then known as Voorheestown, 
there lived a man named Daniel Wolverton, with a family consisting of 
a wife and three children — Jemima, about six years of age; John, 
nearly four; and an infant but a few months old. They lived in an 
humble cabin on the spot of ground now occujjied by the stately resi- 
dence of iVIr. John W. Siebern, a well-known merchant of Cincinnati. 

It was the afternoon of a pleasant autumn day that the two children, 
Jemima and John, by permission of their mother, went out into the 
woods to gather nuts. This was by no means an unusual occurrence ; 
the children were accustomed to the woods, which at that day sur- 
rounded every cabin in the neighborhood — in fact, the whole country 
was one continued forest, except here and there a spot laid bare by the 
woodman's a,\e. The mother took little heed of her children until near 
the close of the day, when, as twilight set in and they did not return, 
she grew an.xious, and, going into the woods, called loudly for them, 
but, receiving no answer, her mind became filled with forebodings of 
evil. Darkness now came, and the husband, who had been absent 
during the afternoon, having returned, both parents made diligent 
search through the adjacent woods. Again they called the names of 
their little ones, until their voices reached the neighboring cabins and 
alarmed the whole settlement; still no answer came, save the echo of 
their own voices. Soon the neighbors came and joined the parents, 
and the entire night was spent in a fruitless search. The woods 
throughout the settlement resounded with the voices of men and the 
firing of guns, but all to no purpose; morning came, but no tidings of 
the lost ones. 

The entire neighborhood was now alarmed, and a large assembly of 
people met at the cabin of the distressed parents and determined to 
continue the search. That the canvass might be more thorough and 
cover a greater territory, they arranged that each person should go 
alone, or at most in couples. It was agreed also that each party should 
carry, what was then a common article in every cabin in the country, a 
'dinner-horn,' which, it was agreed, should not be used until the chil- 
dren were found, and then the successful party should sound a blast 
that would be responded to by others, and thus the news be conveyed 
to all exploring parties, and reach as a joyous signal the almost dis- 
tracted mother. This also served the purpose of keeping all parties 
upon the search, as all would know that so long as the horns were silent 
the object of their pursuit had not been found. 

Though small bands of Indians passed through the country occa- 
sionally, but little fears were entertained that the children had met with 
violence at their hands, for they were quite friendly. There was the 
greater danger from starvation, or death from fright or grief, or from 
the sting of the deadly serpent. The woods, too, abounded with wild 
animals. The wolf and the bear were regarded as dangerous ; and 
panthers, though not numerous, had been seen in sufficient numbers 
to make thejn a terror to all mothers. With the knowledge that the 
children had been exposed to all these grave dangers for the entire night, 
little hope was left of finding them alive. Still, it was thought that 
whatever their fate, it was better to have it known and put all doubts 
at rest. Even should they have been devoured by wild animals, it was 
confidently hoped that at least a portion of their remains w^ould be 
found within a circuit of a few miles. 

With these preparations and these thoughts in their minds, the 
neighbors went forth again into the forest, some afoot and others on 
horseback, each party taking different directions ; and it would now 
seem that a few hours would crown their efforts with success. But the 
day wore away, and evening came ; some of the hunters returned, 
bringing, however, no word of cheer to the grief-stricken parents. 
The footprints of the children had been seen and followed for some 
distance down a small ravine leading from the settlement into the Mill 
Creek valley ; but soon the tracks turned upon the high ground, after 
which all traces of them were lost, and, what appeared stranger still, 
the children had not been seen by any one, although quite a number 
of cabins must have been near the range of their travels. 

One of the neighbors, named Ralph Auten, had proposed in the out- 
set to put his dog, a fine, noble-looking bloodhound and said to have 
been a very sagacious animal, on the track of the children, but this was 
objected to upon the supposition that should the dog find the children, he 
might attack, or at least frighten them seriously, so the project was aban- 
doned. Notwithstanding the protest of his neighbors, however, Mr. 



Auten, on resuming the search in the evening, took with him his dog. 

A second night was spent in the forest, guns were again discharged 
and fires were kindled, but still the horns hung silent by the side of the 
hunters, and a pall of grief over the cabin of Daniel Wolverton. 

On the approach of morning Auten and his comrade found them- 
selves on the hills east of Reading, near the present site of Mount Notre 
Dame. The dog had been absent for some time, but now returned and 
manifested a strange and unusual anxiety. He turned upon his master 
a sagacious look, and uttering a few whimpering barks, ran again into 
the forest, but soon returned to repeat his former expressions. The 
men followed, and had gone but a few hundred yards when they ob- 
served the dog leap upon the trunk of a fallen tree, and there sit utter- 
ing his plaintive whimperings. On reaching the tree there the men dis- 
covered the children lying huddled together, their legs partly covered 
with leaves. 

The signal blast was promptly given, which was taken up and respon- 
ded to by others, and soon the monotone notes of the dinner horn 
sounded and reverberated through the forest, along the hills and in the 
valley, until the glad tidings reached the home of the distressed parents, 
bringinging to their hearts for a moment a thiill of joy. These mo- 
ments of gladness were brief, however, as a second thought saddened 
their hopes with alternate fears. The children had been found, there 
was little doubt — but, oh! the momentous question, whether alive or 
dead, none could answer. 

The suspense that followed for an hour or mole was intense and pain- 
ful, not only to the father and mother of the little ones, but also to the 
multitude that had assembled to await the return of the successful party, 
and partake of the joy or sympathize in the giief of the parents. Finally 
Auten and his party returned and restored to the arms of the mother 
her babes, alive and, though suffering somewhat from fatigue and the 
effects of hunger, comparatively well. 

When found the children were in a slate of partial stupor, though 
they did not seem to have suffered greatly from hunger. The men gave 
them water and they were somewhat revived, but they still appeared 
timid and nervous, and it was some time before Auten and his comrade 
could gain their confidence ; but on arriving home and receiving the 
proper care and nourishment they soon fully recovered. 

The little girl could give but an imperfect account of their adventure. 
The first night she said they walked until they became very tired, all 
the time expecting to reach home ; at last the little hoy stopped and 
could go no further. They sat down under a tree and both cried until 
they fell asleep. When they awoke it was daylight, and they set out 
again for home. They ate some acorns and nuts and drank at a little 
stream. They again became tired and sat down by the fallen tree 
where they were found. The little boy complained of being\;old and 
she gathered leaves and put around him. At one time she heard people 
calling and saw them pass, but was too weak to answer. After this she 
remembered nothing more. 

Hezekiah_Stites_ii:as born at Scotch Plains, New Jer- 
sey. His first settlemeat-JlLQhio was made in 178S, in 
Columbia township. He is said to have been the first 
actual settler in Hamilton county, was a farmer all his 
life, and his death occurred in Butler county. Hezekiah 
Stites, jr., was at first a trader in merchandise on the 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, going as far south as New 
Orleans. In 1835 he became identified with pork pack- 
ers, and continued in that business until his death in 
i860. He was a man of great business abiUty — securing 
a fine property by' his own exertions — and was, like his 
father, respected by all who knew him. Charles F. Stites, 
his son, was born in 1831. He married C aroline Stite s, 
daughter of Benjamin Stites, of Newark, New Jersey. 
He is now the owner of the old hoinestead, has abundant 
wealth, and is a worthy representative of the old family. 

Sampson McCullough was born in Chaiiibersburgh, 
Virginia, but emigrated from PenrisyLKtnia__to_Ohi£ in 
1795, where he first settled in Sycamore township. He 
came'lo this State as a surveyor, but in later years turned 
his attention to farming. He died in the township where 
he first settled, in 181 9. His wife (Miss Rachel Saye) 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



269 



was born in 1780 and died in 1864. James M. McCul- 
lough, son of the preceding, was born in 181 1. In 1838 
he established the business of seeds merchant, with the 
present firm name of J. M. McCuUough's Sons. 

Abner Mills was among the first who settled in Colum- 
bia township. He was born in New Jersey, and emi- 
grated from there to Ohio. He died in the same 
township where he had first settled. Stephen Mills, his 
son, was born in 1802. His business was always that of 
a farmer. His wife's name was Sarah Smith. Edward 
Mills, son of Stephen, was born in 1837. In 1869 he 
married Harriet Flynn, daughter of Stephen Flynn, and 
the same year -built the fine residence where he now lives. 

Samuel Muchmore was born in Morristown, New Jer- 
sey, from which State he emigrated to Ohio, and settled 
in Columbia township in 1798. He followed the busi- 
ness of boating on the river to New Orleans, and died on 
his last trip to that city. He also did much at farming. 
His wife's name was Sarah Muchmore. His son John 
was the father of Eli L. Muchmore, who is now the only 
representative of the family alive. He lives on a part of 
the old homestead, and is called a worthy scion of the 
old stock. His birth occurred in the year 1823. For 
eight years during and after the war, he was township 
trustee, and has also held the office of district assessor 
and town clerk. 

Joseph Ferris, born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, 
emigrated from that State to Ohio, and se ttled in this 
township in 1799, where he died May 17, 1831. He 
followed farming, milling, and distilling- His wife's name 
was Pris cilla K napp. They have four children, all living 
at the old home — Andrew, C. K., Phoebe, and Joseph. 

Zadock Williams was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1798, and came from that State to Ohio with 
his parents when but two years of age. He has always 
lived in this township — is now eighty-three years old. 
His wife, born in 1802, is also living. They have six 
children living. Mr. Williams, in business a farmer, has 
always been an active and prominent man in the county. 
He has now a large property, and is well known and 
widely respected. 

Samuel Johnson settled in Hamilton county in 1801. 
He was born in Virginia in 1767. His wife's name was 
Rebecca Clark. She was born March 20, 1771. They 
married April 20, 1795, and have had nine children, only 
three of whom are living — Isaiah J., Merrit J., and Patsy 
Crain. Mr. Johnson died in 1847 and his wife in 1849. 
Isaiah Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was born Feb- 
ruary 9, 1812. His wife's name was Catherine Woodruff. 
She was born March 15, 1819. She was the daughter of 
Samuel Woodruff. They have seven children living. He 
has always followed farming, and is a man well known 
and respected. 

Albert Cortelyou first settled at Reading, Hamilton 
county, among the first. He was born in New Jersey in 
1807, and emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, and died 
in Sycamore township in 1863. He was a leading farmer 
and much respected. His wife's name was Margaret 
VanPelt. John Cortelyou was born in 1824, was mar- 
ried in 1 85 1 to Martha Kennedy, daughter of John W. 



Kennedy. In 1866 he bought tlie place known as the 
Wood farm, near Pleasant Ridge — building the fine 
home where he now lives. 

W. H. Moore first settled in Columbia township in 
1811. He- was born in Winchester, Virginia, in 1787, 
and emigrated from that State to Ohio. He died in 
Columbia township in 1879. He was engaged in the 
garden and nursery business. He was in the war of 181 2, 
was on the muster roll as "William Moore," and was 
magistrate for about fifteen years. His wife, Mary 
Moore", was born in New Jersey in 1794, and died in 
1876. There are eight of the eleven children living. T. 
A. Moore was born in 1824, and has always lived in 
Columbia township, and now owns the old homestead. 
He has never married, is well known throughout the 
county and respected. 

Joseph Muchmore, grandfather of Elias G. Muchmore, 
settled in Columbia township in 181 1. His wife's name 
was Rhoda Muchmore. They had a family of eight 
children, only one of whom is living at the present time — 
Mary Heer, of this township. David Muchmore, son of 
the preceding, was the father of Elias G. There are four 
of the family of five children to which he belonged living, 
all in Columbia township. E. G. Muchmore married 
Mehitable Hetzler, daughter of Jacob Hetzler, of Wyom- 
ing county, and has followed the business of farming. 
In 1867 he established his present business, and has 
charge of the M. and C. R. R. station. In 1867 he was 
appointed postmaster, which office he now holds. They 
have seven children living and twenty-six grandchildren. 

Hiram Smith and his father, Abraham Smith, first set- 
tled in Columbia township, in 1815. The latter was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1775, ^^'^ emigrated from Virginia to 
Ohio. He died in Spencer township in 1815. He fol- 
lowed farming and trading on the river as far as New 
Orleans. His wife's name was Elizabeth Muchmore. 
She was born in New Jersey in 1788 and died in 1868. 
Hiram was born in 1810. In 1832 he married Elizabeth 
Babbett, daughter of Samuel Babbett, of Columbia town- 
ship. They have two children living. B. F. Smith was 
born in 1833 in this township. He is a farmer, and is 
hving on the old homestead, well known and greatly 
respected. 

Daniel McGrew, who first settled in Sycamore town- 
ship in 18 1 5, was born in Ireland, and emigrated from 
that country to Ohio. He is now living, at the age of 
sixty-five. Henry McGrew was born in 1842 in Syca- 
more township. He graduated in medical surgery in 
1875. In 1877 he graduated at the Bellevue Hospital 
and Medical College in New York City. In 1875 he 
took charge of the County Infirmary, remaining in charge 
two years. In 1878 he came to Pleasant Ridge, where 
he is still practising. 

A. S. Butterfield's father, John Butterfield, first settled 
in Cincinnati about 1818. He was born in Haverhill, 
Massachusetts, and emigrated from that State to Ohio, 
where he died in the year, 182 2. He was a carpenter by 
trade. His wife's name was Elizabeth Emerson. 

A. S. Butterfield was born in 1822, and married Ann 
M. Hatch in 1838. He established himself in the busi- 



270 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



ness of saddlery on Main street, in 1867, and built the 
residence where he now lives at Madisonville. In 1864 
and 1865 he represented the eighteenth ward in the city 
council of Cincinnati. 

Joseph Suttle first settled in Cincinnati in 1818. He 
was born in England in 1791, and emigrated from Eng- 
land to Ohio. He died in this township October, 1837. 
He was a blacksmith and whitesmith in Cincinnati in his 
earlier days, later he moved to Columbia township, and 
became a farmer. His wife,. Hannah, was born in 1800, 
and is still living, eighty years old. 

George J. Suttle, son of the preceding, married Caro- 
line Nash, daughter of Samuel Nash, of Hamilton 
county, She died in 1858, and Mr. Suttle has never 
married again. He has secured a fine property, and is 
well known and respected by a large circle of friends. 

Mark Langdon came to Hamilton county in 1819. 
He was born in England. His wife, Sarah Graham, was 
also born in England, and died in Hamilton county in 
1846. The surviving members of the family are Joseph, 
Samuel L., Elizabeth Mills and William C. Samuel 
Langdon, son of the above, was born in Mill Creek 
township in 1823. He married Martha J. Lyon, daugh- 
ter of James Lyon. They have four children. 

William Durrell first settled in Mill Creek township in 
1820. He was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1804, and 
emigrated from that State to Ohio. He is still living at 
the age of seventy-seven. His business has been farm- 
ing and teaming. His wife's name was Ann Phillips. 
She was born in 1805, and died in 1876. There are four 
children living. H. C. Durrell was born in 1826, and in 
1852 he married Harriet Wood. For a number of years 
he was in thelumber business in Cincinnati, now he has 
a fine farm, and gives his attention mostly to farming. 

Anthony Brown settled m Columbia township in 1831. 
He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1809, and emi- 
grated from England to Ohio. He has followed the 
business of farming. In 1870 and 187 1 he served as 
township trustee, for about one half the time for the last 
twenty years has been one of the supervisors, also one of 
the school directors for about the same length of time. 

John H. McGowan first settled in Cincinnati in 1838. 
He was born in Aberdeen, emigrated from Michigan to 
Ohio, and died in Cincinnati in 1870. He held offices 
under the territorial government of Michigan. His 
wife's name was Amelia Hayes. She was born in 1804. 
There are five children living. John H. McGowan was 
born in 1830. 

Thomas French first settled in Cincinnati in 1840. 
He was born in England, but emigrated from New York 
to Ohio. He is yet living. In 1840 he commenced the 
dairy business, at the place now known as the "Zoologi- 
cal gardens." His wife, Ann N., was also born in Eng- 
land. They have six children. The business is now 
owned and conducted by his sons in Columbia township. 
It is the largest in the county. They have conducted 
their business in such a way as to secure the confidence 
of all. They have many friends, and are gentlemen in 
every sense of the word. 

Otis Hidden is a native of Caledonia county, Ver- 



mont, born in 182 1. In early manhood he resided in 
the province of Ontario, Canada, whence he removed to 
Cincinnati in 1847. Here he was engaged as book- 
keeper for Henry Marks & Company, R. M. Pomeroy & 
Company, C. Oskamp, and others, until 1841, when he 
engaged in his present business as dealer in upholstery 
goods and cabinet hardware, and specialties in carriage 
trimmings, as a partner with the firm of E. L. Higdon 
& Company. In 1874, the name and style of the firm 
was changed to Hidden & Lounsberry, which it still re- 
tains. He bears a high reputation in all his business and 
social relations. His wife's maiden name was Maria L. 
Neblett. She was born in Prince George county, Vir- 
ginia. 

Thomas Swift first settled in Columbia township in 
1850. He was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1830, 
and emigrated from England to Ohio, where he died in 
Columbia township in i860. He was a blacksmith by 
trade. His wife's maiden name was Ann Simpkinson. 
There are six children living. His son, John Swift, born 
in 1830, was engaged in the boot and shoe business in 
Cincinnati for a number of years. He married Miss 
Williams, daughter of William Williams, of Cincinnati. 
They have two children, Josephine and Rebecca. 

Thomas White first settled in Cincinnati in 1852. He 
was born in Durham county, England, and emigrated 
from there to Ohio. He died in Cincinnati in 1868. 
He established the marble and granite works at No. 255 
Fifth street, Cincinnati. His wife's name was Martha 
English. She was born in 18 12 and died in 1870. There 
are five of the children living, all in Hamilton county. 
Alfred, son of Thomas White, was born in England in 
1835. At the age of seventeen years he came to Ham- 
ilton county. In 1857 he became one of the firm known 
as T. White & Sons, now known as Alfred White. He 
has steadily increased the business, until, at the present 
time, it stands at the head. He is now introducing the 
polishing of granite, a work which was first introduced 
by Mr. White, and for which he deserves great credit. 
Mr. White has a son, twenty-two years old, who he soon 
expects will be a member of the firm, under the old 
name of White & Son. 

Leonard Fowler settled in Columbia township. He 
was born in England in 1818, and emigrated from Eng- 
land to Ohio. His business has been that of a turnpike 
contractor. His wife's name is Eliza. He has now se- 
cured a fine competence, and has held the position of 
township trustee for two years. 

CAMDEN CITY. 

This village is on the Little Miami railroad and Cin- 
cinnati and Wooster turnpike, on the west side of section 
twenty-three, a mile and a half from the north line of the 
township. It was laid out in the year 1857 by William 
Winters. 

GRAVELOTTE. 

This station on the Little Miami railroad, less than a 
mile southwest of Camden, was platted in 1873 by Mr. 
Thomas R. Riggs, upon whose extensive property on 
section twenty-eight it is situated. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



271 



INDIAN HILL. 

This famous locality, which is not a village, although 
covered with a quite numerous population, is an emi- 
nence or ridge one to three miles northeast of Madison- 
ville, and between Camden City and Madeira Station, on 
the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, which passes to the 
west of it. Many fine views are commanded from points 
upon this hill, and some beautiful residences are built 
upon it. Here, it is said, the celebrated Ives Seedhng 
grape took its origin. An extensive experiment was 
made of it upon Indian Hill by Colonel Waring in 1864, 
by which a profit of two thousand dollars per acre was 
realized. The tables were turned the next year, how- 
ever, when there was almost a total failure of the grape 
crop throughout the Miami country. , 

The name of this highland was derived from the sim- 
ple circumstance of the burial of an Indian upon it, as is 
more fully related further on in these pages. 



This is the last station on the Marietta & Cincinnati 
railroad, before it leaves the township in its course north- 
eastward. The village is situated a little south of the 
Sycamore township line, on the dividing line of sections 
six and twelve, just halfway across the township from east 
to west. It was laid out in 187 1 by Messrs. J. L. Hos- 
brook and J. D. Moore. They immediately began 
building and otherwise improving. A post office and 
railway station had previously'existed here, taking their 
name from John Madeira, treasurer of the Marietta & 
Cincinnati railroad, who owned a large tract of land in 
the neighborhood. A Methodist Episcopal church build- 
ing was erected here in 1873 — a neat frame structure, 
thirty by forty feet. There is also a Presbyterian society 
here, meeting once a month. An Odd Fellows' lodge, 
also a lyceum, in due time became established institu- 
tions. The population of the place in 1880 was one 
hundred and ninety-nine. 

One of the first purchasers of land in this part of the 
township was John Jones, who in 1795 secured two or 
three tracts from Judge Symmes. David Black, in 1796, 
bought hereabout three hundred and twenty acres, or a 
half-section, for two hundred and thirteen dollars. Lewis 
Woodruff also bought a large tract, which he leased in 
ten-acre lots for terms of ten years, conditioned that the 
lessee should clear the ground, erect a dwelling, and 
plant an orchard. The wolves and panthers were spe- 
cially troublesome here in the old days, while the deer 
devoured the wheat. Bear-hunts were quite common. 

Other early settlers in this region were Boltzelle, David 
McGaughy, Major Joseph Mann (who did a great deal in 
his day to develop the Madison and Camargo turnpike 
enterprise), Thomas Stearns, sen., 'Squire Clason, Oliver 
Jones, Jacob Heltzler, and the Hosbrooks. Some of 
these receive due notice elsewhere in this chapter. The 
progenitor of the Hosbrooks in this township — grand- 
father of one of the founders of Madeira — was Daniel, 
who in the winter season, when the woods were almost 
impassable through deep snows, went to Columbia for 
salt, missed his way on his return and was frozen to death. 



The following incident is related in Nelson's Suburban 
Homes, from which we derive many of these facts, of 
Hon. Daniel Hosbrook. His son, the younger Hosbrook, 
was several times member of the legislature from Hamil- 
ton county, and at one time sheriff. His early life was 
considerably spent in teaching, and the anecdote relates 
one of his experiences in that profession ; 

An incident in his history as a teacher is worth mentioning. Like 
many of his profession in those days, he was "barred out." Finding 
himself on the wrong side of the door one morning, at the time school 
should have been opened, he suspected mischief, and, after ineffectual 
attempts to gain an entrance, began to parley with the enemy. A 
council was proposed, but indignantly rejected by the occupants of the 
stronghold. Nothing short of an unconditional surrender and an in- 
demnity of "apples and cider" would be accepted by the belligerents 
on the other side. Determined to regain possession, the governor 
issued a manifesto, which resulted in bringing over to his side one of 
the ringleaders, named Haywood, and his ring. Encouraged by this 
success, he nailed down the windows securely, fastened the doors, and 
covered the chimneys. The result will be conjectured. The magnan- 
imous victor stood the treat and cured the boys of a bad custom. 

MADISONVILLE. 

Madisonville, or rather Madison, as it was originally 
called, was laid out upon the north part of school section 
No. 16, in fractional range two, township four, as soon as 
the lands, under the old system of leases, were made 
available. A considerable settlement had already gath- 
ered upon and about the spot; and when, January 27, 
1809, the legislature passed an act providing for the 
disposition of the school sections, the people of this 
locality lost little time in proceeding to act thereon. The 
record of the survey of the town is dated March 30, 
1809. John Jones, esq., William Armstrong, and Felix 
Christman, were chosen trustees for the purpose of plat- 
ting the village and disposing of the lots; and Moses 
Morrison was their clerk. Joseph Reeder, Joseph Clark, 
and Ezekiel Lamard, were appointed to fix the valuation 
of the ground. William Darling was surveyor; Jeremiah 
Brand and Joseph Ward senior chain carriers ; Nathaniel 
Ross senior marker. After the survey the following 
announcement was made : 

NOTICE. 

The conditions on which lots will be let or leased are as follows, viz : 
Lot No. I on the first block of lots will be first offered, and so on in 
rotation, at the appraisement, and the highest bidder shall be the 
lessee. Si.\ per cent, on what they bid will be the sum they pay annu- 
ally, paying the first payment on the first day of April next. There 
will be required of the lessee bond and security for the building of a 
house at least eighteen by twenty feet, of good hewed logs, frame, 
stone, or brick, at least one and a half stories high, with a stone or 
brick chimney and a good shingle roof, within two years from the date 
of his lease. .A.ny person bidding off two lots will be excused by build- 
ing one house of the above description, the four corner lots excepted. 
Any person not complying with the terms of the articles of sale shall 
forfeit and pay to the trustees the sum of five dollars. The lessee will 
pay in proportion the expense of laying out and blazing, etc. 

By order, etc., 24th April, 1S09. 

Moses Morrison, clerk. 

N. B. The trustees will meet at the houes of Willis Pierson, on the 
first day of May next, in order to execute leases. 

The same day of the date of this notice — April 24, 
1809, entries of first sales were made in the minute book 
of the trustees, which has been preserved, as follows : 

Block I. Lot I. William Cooper bought — forfeited $10 

2. Williamand John Armstrong bought 21 

" 3- Ditto 31 

" 4. Thomas Skinner 20 

K. Ditto 18 



272 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Minimum values had been fixed upon these lots by 
the valuers as follows : Lot one, ten dollars; two and 
three, each five dollars; four and five, each three dollars 
and fifty cents. 

The expenses of first sales, etc., to May i, 1809, are 
noted in the minute book as fourteen dollars and seventy- 
five cents. Amount of interest on sale of lots for the 
^rst year, fifteen dollars and thirty-four cents. 
^ The new town was named Madison, in honor of James 
Madison, who had just been inaugurated President of 
the United States. It afterwards, in 1826, became nec- 
essary to change the name to some other designation, 
under the rules of the Post Office Department, which do 
not permit more than one post office of the same name 
in a State ; and the present name was chosen instead. 
The old title is retained, however, in designation of the 
Madison turnpike and otherwise. 

The following is a true copy of memoranda of the 
first election, etc., on record: 

Trustees on business since last dividend, 4th May, 1818: 

Clks amt for making duplicate. 

Joseph Clark — i i i i i i 1 I r for 29 — 1818 $2.00 

W. Armstrong — I I I I i i i I for 16— 1818 2.00 

W. Butler— I III | i for 16—1819 200 

.Agreed to meet on business on the 15th May 1819 at 10 oclk. 

The following extracts from the minutes will also be 
read with interest. The old spelling is retained: 

Dec. 27 Joseph Clark met David McGawghey at his own house, in 
order to attend to some business between .\urthur StC. Miller and Sam- 
uel W. Philps. Lewis Drake also attended and received of said Philps, 
for rent charged on lots held formerly by said Miller the sum of $106.90, 
which satisfies for the same up to the ist of this instant. 

There is si,\ acres of farm No. 9, and one acre of farm No. 8 to be 
charged to W. H. Moore. April nth, 1820, the trustees met at the 
house of James Wood, in order to settle with him as treasurer, and 
made some progress therein, and agreed to meet again on the 14th at 
Madison, to finish said settlement. 14th. The trustees met at Madi- 
son, proceeded with the settlement with Wood, but could not finish it, 
and agreed to meet the ne.\t day at 8 o'clock A. M. 

Wm. Butler furnished half a quire of paper. 

For the following interesting reminiscences of Madison- 
ville matters, we are again indebted to Mr. Nelson's work 
on Suburban Homes: 

Following closely after the record of town officers is the record of 
leases, showmg that the accruing rents were to be applied to school 
purposes. These leases were drawn for ninety-nine years, the first 
being from John Jones, Felix Crossman, and William Armstrong, on 
behalf of the town, to William and John Armstrong. Three years ago 
[in 1871] the last of these leases were canceled and surrendered to the 
State, and deeds e.xchanged; and while we were in the office a question 
arose as to what disposition should be made of a sum of money received 
the same day on account of one of said leases. 

Town lots were laid out on the loth of .4pril, 1809. The first elec- 
tion in the township was held in the old homestead now owned and 
occupied by Eli Muchmore, then the property of his grandfather, Eli 
S. Muchmore. When Mr. Muchmore landed in Cincinnati, he had 
sufficient means to purchase the whole tract upon which it now stands; 
but fearing it would be a sickly place, he chose to purchase a tier of 
sections in adjoining townships. 

Madison was at one time noted for the number of its distilleries, 
which used to attract large gatherings from the surrounding country, 
and be the occasion of much jollity and dissipation. Men would spend 
their time in gaming, and with outdoor manly and unmanly sports, 
until the affair would break up in a general Donnybrook fair. Traces 
of the distilleries seem to have disappeared, which was accounted for 
on the ground that, as soon as transportation for grain and pork was 
opened up, the corn that had been shipped in the compact form of 
whiskey brought higher prices in bulk and in pork. 

Vestiges of the tanning business remain, one of which we noticed on a 
piece of ground recently purchased by Colonel White. 



Madison was also the home of several men who became distinguished 
members ot the body politic. Among them we may mention Dr. Alex- 
ander Duncan, a well-known member of congress, who disappointed 
his democratic friends by stepping over to free soil. One who made 
his mark and his money in the insurance business, when there was 
money in it, was Louis Clason, who was well known in Cincinnati. 
Madison was also the early home of James Whitcomb, who was after- 
ward governor of Indiana. Old citizens tell some amusing stories about 
the youth of this intrepid lawyer and statesman. One of these relates 
to his love for and devotion to piscatory pursuits, which were so strong 
as to render him oblivious to the condition of his toilet. Linen would 
frequently display itself where it was impossible for one so abstracted 
to be conscious of it, and where its obtrusion was sure to excite the 
laughter of bystanders; but that circumstance did not interfere with his 
success as an amateur sportsman and an enterprising vender of fresh 
fish. He made money enough to buy himself books, and enable him 
to attend school; worked hard and studied harder; was a keen lawyer 
and active politician; and 50 literally raised himself from penury to 
the highest office of the State. He afterward became a member of 
the United States senate, where sickness overtook him, and he died. 

Contemporaneous with the history of Madison is that of the history 
of some of the surviving citizens, from one of whom, William Moore, 
we received much valuable information. Mr. Moore is eighty-seven 
years of age, and bids fairly to approximate to the century. He is a lively 
and intelligent conversationist, and retains dates and events with re- 
markable tenacity. When examining the records we found him gener- 
ally accurate, and noticed that he could repeat verbatim the long forms 
and awkward phraseology of the early leases. He came from Virginia 
and made Madison his home in 1811, when there were about twenty 
buildings in the town. At one timehe kept a tavern, at another a coun- 
try store; then he managed successively a brickyard and a nursery. He 
also seems to have made the circuit of all the town and township offices, 
from constable to magistrate. As clerk, the books show that he made 
creditable records ; as a citizen, his record seems quite as clear and cred- 
itable. 

The oldest citizen is Samuel Earhart, who was born January 22, 1784 
Next to him is Esquire Isaac Giffin, born August 24, 1785. Mrs. Hat- 
tie Ward is the same age as Mr. Moore. Mrs. Duncan, Ayres Bram- 
ble, Colonel I. F. Waring, and Timothy Maphet, are all respectively 
about seventy-five years of age. 

During a pleasant interview with Mr. Bramble many interesting facts 
were elicited regarding the early settlements, and some anecdotes, of 
which we can give only a few. Mr. Bramble's father and family, with 
three other families, emigrated from Barnsville, Fayette county, Penn- 
sylvania, in 1806, taking with them in their boat of twelve by twenty- 
four, a horse, a cow, and a "big black dog." The entire wealth of the 
company was represented in one hundred dollars of Spanish silver coin; 
and that was the propeity of Mr. Bramble. They arrived in safety near 
the mouth of the Little Miami, but the broken character of the land 
and the sickly hue of the settlers discouraged Mr. Bramble for the time 
being, so he waited by the river side for a passing keel-boat to take him 
back to his old home. While waiting in a state of uncertainty, a prop- 
osition was made to him to settle near the present site of Madison, 
which he accepted. Houses being scarce, he was obliged to take up 
his residence for the first six months in an unfinished log church, which 
was without doors and windows. That year a heavy snow-storm was 
experienced about the first of October, which compelled him to seek 
more comfortable quarters. It was an early winter, but 1806 was re- 
markable for strange freaks of nature. That year, February the 7th 
proved to be the coldest day ever experienced in this latitude. Old set- 
tlers talk of it as "cold Friday," in contradistinction to ordinary cold 
winter days; and in 1806 was the great eclipse. Mr. Bramble distinctly 
remembers his being present at the raising of the first log house in 
Madison, which took place in 1809, when he was ten years of age. The 
building was afterwards used as a hotel, and was kept by Colonel Wil- 
liam Perry, from Kentucky, an enterprising citizen, who seldom al- 
lowed himself to be sober. The following year, 1810, was remarkable 
for the tide of immigration that set in from the adjoining State, Ken- 
tucky. Thousands of the colored inhabitants, black and brown, aban- 
doned their homes, swam the ri\'er, and landed on the fertile bottoms 
of the Ohio. They came unarmed, without sword or spear, musket or 
ammunition, or other munitions of w ar than those bestowed upon them 
by nature. Immediately on landing they dispersed among the 
woods, prepared themselves log cabins or built more temporary struc- 
tures, and set up housekeeping. Nothing could be more peaceable 
than their intentions. No class of citizens could have been more active, 
industrious, frugal, or cleanly in their habits. But, though as a class 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



273 



they were conceded to be productive, in political economy they were 
ranked as non-producers, and accordingly were doomed to suffer per- 
secution. Then every white man was a Granger. Middlemen had not 
yet found their way out west; sowar was immediately declared against 
the intruders, and every man, woman, and child arrayed themselves 
against these unarmed and inoffensive immigrants. War to the knife, 
bitter, relentless, exterminating war was waged, and speedily raged. 
From the township thewar sentiment extended to the county; from the 
county to the State; until the legislature actually passed a law for the 
extinction of the races, black and brown, indiscriminately. Every 
atrocity was then practiced and encouraged; and scalping commanded 
a high premium. 

In 1811, the payment of faxes in squirrel pelts was legalized, In 
181 1 was also the great earthquake, which rent the foundations of the 
first frame house built in Madison — one erected by Paddy McCollum, a 
man of note at the time. Whether the earthquake had anything to do 
with the act of legislature and subsequent slaughter, our informant 
did not say. 

As might be expected, the schools of that day were not conducted 
with the highest degree of efficiency. Mr, Bramble's teacher was an 
Irishman named John Wallace, who was intoxicated half his time, and 
would play ball with the boys half the balance. In proof of that Mr. 
Bramble said he attended school five winters before he got out of his 
"Abs." 

Mr. Bramble was both a farmer and a trader in his boyhood, and sold 
corn and potatoes at ten cents a bushel in Cincinnati. Then property 
was equally cheap. School section sixteen was under lease to farmers 
and others, and the lease of a tract of forty acres of it was sold in 1810 
for a ploughshare, then for a barrel of whiskey, and afterwards to Mr. 
Bramble foi sixty dollars. 

One of the early incidents of the settlement was the killing of two of 
the citizens bv the Indians — a brother of Captain Giffin; and a father 
and son named Paul were out in search for hogs when discovered by the 
Indians, who gave chase, overtook Giffin and shot him, and afterwards 
shot the elder Paul. Young Paul could have made his escape with little 
trouble, as the station was near; but, anxious to save his father, he 
stopped in shelter of the trees, and with his rifle kept the Indians at bay 
as long as his father's strength held out. The latter finding escape 
hopeless sent his son off, and resigned himself to his fate. 

Another incident of a later date took place east of Madison, when the 
victim was an Indian. West of Madison was a station known as Nel- 
son's, where were horses pasturing. A party of Indians on their way 
toward the hills rode off with some of these, one of which was hoppled. 
Nelson and others of the fort made pursuit, but failed in overtaking any 
except the one on the hoppled horse, whom Nelson shot when near the 
site of the present residence of Esquire Clason. There the Indian was 
buried, and the circumstance turned to account by nammg the place 
Indian hill. Esquire Clason says that many years afterward the grave 
was discovered by accident, and the jawbone secured as a relic in his 
family. Judging from the relic, he says, the Indian must have been 
a giant in proportions. 

One of the few mechanics of the place was Jeremiah Brand, a plow- 
maker, and the best in the county. Brand was an industrious, honest 
workman, and a good citizen; and, even for the times, primitive in his 
habits and his wardrobe. He never wore shoes, and so contrived his 
nether garment tliat a single button sufficed to maintain it in its proper 
position. That button was alike remarkable for its size, brilliancy, and 
conspicuity. In Brand's time a local law was enacted requiring every 
man attending meeting to bring his musket and ammunition, or pay a 
fine of one dollar. This was pretty hard on poor Brand, who was per- 
fectly innocent of the use of firearms. What did he want with a mus- 
ket, when he was as fleet-footed as an Indian? But he went to meetini^ 
— was duly fined in his dollar, and as duly absented himself therefrom 
until the author of the objectionable law remitted his fine. Brand died 
in 1856. 

MADISONVILLE. 

Madisonville, or rather Madison, as it was originally 
called, was laid out upon the north part of school section 
No. 16, in fractional range two, township four, as soon as 
the lands, under the old system of leases, were made 
available. A considerable settlement had already gath- 
ered upon and about the spot; and when, January 27, 
1809, the legislature passed an act providing for the dis- 
position of the school sections, the people of this local- 



ity lost little time in proceeding to act thereon. The 
record of the survey of the town is dated March 30, 
1809. John Jones, esq., William Armstrong, and Felix 
Christman, were chosen trustees for the purpose of plat- 
ting the village and disposing of the lots; and Mose? 
Morrison was their clerk. Joseph Reeder, Joseph Clark, 
and Ezekiel Lamard, were appointed to fix the valuation 
of the ground. William Darling was surveyor; Jeremiah 
Brand and Joseph Ward, senior chain carriers; and Na- 
thaniel Ross, senior marker. 

The plat of Madisonville was not recorded until May 
27, 1829. The village was incorporated under the old 
law, about ten years afterwards — March 16, 1839; and 
under the present State constitution, a certificate of in- 
corporation was filed with the secretary of State, Febru- 
ary II, 1876. 

The growth of the town was naturally slow, in its early 
day, under the circumstances of its inland position and 
the absence of means of rapid transit to the city; and 
it had but two hundred and eighty-five inhabitants, or a 
little more than one-tenth the population of the entire 
township in 1830. In 1841 it received notice in the 
State Gazette as containing four hundred inhabitants, 
with one hundred dwellings, five stores, one brick meet- 
ing-house, a two-story school-house, a brick seminary or 
academy, and a daily mail. Its largest growth has been 
received since the completion of the Marietta & Cin- 
cinnati railroad in 1866, which induced a considerable 
emigration from the city to a place possessing so many 
superior advantages for suburban residence. It is fifteen 
miles from the Madisonville station to the depot of this 
road in Cincinnati. 

The first church organized here was of the Methodist 
Episcopal faith, and the Madison circuit was organized 
at least as long ago as 1820. In that year Elder Henry 
Baker and Rev. William H. Raper were appointed to it; 
in 1821 Elder A. Wiley and William P. Quinn; the next 
year, James Jones and James Murray; the next, J. Stew- 
art and Nehemiah B. Griffith; and the next. Elder John 
F. Wright and Thomas Hewson. Those were days of 
rapid rotation in the Methodist ministry. A new church 
was built by the Madisonville society in 1857, forty by 
sixty feet, with four hundred sittings, and costing ten 
thousand dollars. It was long the only Protestant church 
building in town. A parsonage has since been added, 
worth about five thousand dollars. 

The Catholic church is built upon the addition made 
to the town by its former pastor, the Rev. Father A. 
Walburg, who reserved a lot for it and a parochial 
school, and also bore the major part of the expense of 
its construction — about fourteen thousand dollars. It is 
known as St. Anthony's church, and the congregation is 
now ministered to by the Rev. H. Stoppelman. 

Other and generally prosperous societies in Madison- 
ville are the Literary and Musical association, the Young 
Folks' Benevolent society, for literary and social culture, 
and to provide for the poor; the Free and Accepted 
Masons, and the Odd Fellows, who are strong here, and 
own a property of an estimated value of fifteen to twenty 
thousand dollars. The most notable institution, how- 



274 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



ever, is the Literary and Scientific society, which, as in- 
dicated above, is really doing quite remarkable work in 
the department of archajology. April i, 1879, the work 
upon ancient remains in the ancient cemetery near Lin- 
wood, which had previously been done somewhat irregu- 
larly by individuals, was systematically undertaken by 
this society. The expense of investigation is now shared 
by the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, and the 
collections made are divided between the societies. The 
late Professor E. B. Andrews, who was proficient in 
these matters, expressed the view that the discoveries in 
this cemetery would direct attention to a new line of in- 
vestigation, and that explorations for the remains of 
these prehistoric people would not in the future be con- 
fined to opening mounds. The ofificers of the society 
in 1880 were: H. B. Whetsel, president; S. F. Coving- 
ton, vice-president; E. A. Conkling, treasurer; Charles 
F. Low, secretary; Charles L. Metz, M. D., superintend- 
ent. 

Madisonville was incorporated as a village in the year 
1876. The first ofificers were Louis W. Clason, mayor; 
Calvin Fay, clerk; George J. Settle, marshal; Timothy 
Maphet, W. W. Peabody, Michael Buckel, William 
Settle, James Julien, and Louis Cornwelle, councilmen. 
The place had one thousand two hundred and forty- 
seven inhabitants by the census of 1880. 

MONTAUK. 

This village is eligibly situated at the bridge connect- 
ing the station on the Little Miami railroad nearest to 
Milford, Clermont county, with Milford. It is in the 
northeast corner of fractional section twenty-three, on 
the Little Miami river and railroad, and within half a 
mile of Camden City. It was laid out in 1840, while 
the railroad was in progress, by Messrs. Joseph Long- 
worth, Larz Anderson, R. M. Shoemaker, and L. E. 
Brewster. 

MOUNT LOOKOUT. 

This is a pleasant suburban locality, just at the north- 
west corner of the city, where the Observatory of the 
University of Cincinnati is situated, on the road from 
Walnut Hills, Woodburn, and O'Bryanville to the Red 
Bank station. The Mt. Lookout building association, 
for the improvement and development of this suburb, 
was incorporated June 10, 187 1. It has a fine pleasure- 
park, owned by a private company; and a new Method- 
ist Episcopal church was put up in the vicinity, in the 
fall and early winter of 1880, and dedicated December 
5th of that year, with services by Bishops Wiley and 
Warren. 

NORWOOD. 

This beautiful and noted suburb was formerly known 
in part as Sharpsburgh. It is on the Montgomery turn- 
pike, and the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, in the 
northwest part of section thirty-tour, near the west line 
of the township. Some of the ground near, as that 
upon which the celebrated mound is situated (Norwood 
Heights), is among the. most elevated in the county. 
It was projected in 1870 by some well-known residents 
and Cincinnatians — Colonel P. P. Lane, Judge James 



McCullough, S. H. Parvin, the well-known advertising 
agent, Samuel Bolles, and Moses Buxton. Eighty-two 
acres were laid off in spacious and elegant building 
tracts of one to six acres; and the quarter of an acre 
containing the mound was sacredly reserved, after the 
praiseworthy precedent set to all who appreciate the 
value of all such interesting relics of antiquity, by the 
colonists of Marietta. 

For many years Judge McCullough was accustomed, 
with the annual recurrence of Independence day, to in- 
vite large parties to the free use of his house and beauti- 
ful grounds at Norwood, serving them also a generous 
and gratuitous collation. 

OAKLEY. 

This place, a mile and a half south-southwest of Nor- 
wood, and something less from the northwest corner of 
Cincinnati, being just a mile from the Observatory, be- 
gan to be considered a suburb of considerable impor- 
tance by 1867, soon after the completion of the Marietta 
& Cincinnati railroad. It was not regularly laid out, 
however, until-1870, when Mr. Theodore Drake had the 
place surveyed and platted. It is beautifully situated 
upon the railroad named, upon the margin of the great 
interior valley mentioned in our description of the town- 
ship, and is also conveniently reached by the Madison 
pike, being only five miles from the county court house, 
in the city. Its site was formerly owned by Anthony 
Brown, who sold it to Paul Shuster. Among its flour- 
ishing institutions have been the Literary and Musical 
society, and the Oakley Coterie. By the census of 1880 
the village had two hundred inhabitants. 

PLAINVILLE 

is a popular country village and suburb of Cincinnati, on 
fractional section three, almost due north of Newton, in 
Anderson township, with which it is connected by a sub- 
stantial wagon and foot bridge, an excellent road, and a 
plank sidewalk about a mile long. It is also on the Lit- 
tle Miami river, the railroad along the same, and the 
Cincinnati and Wooster turnpike. It was laid out in 
1853, by Edward P. Cranch, Nelson Cross, and A. R. 
Spofford. By the tenth census it had two hundred peo- 
ple. 

PLEASANT RIDGE. 

This is the northernmost village in the township, except 
Madeira station, from which it is distant, straight across 
the country, about four miles. It is on the south side of 
section thirty, a mile from the northern township line 
and a mile and a half from the western. The Montgom- 
ery pike intersects it about two miles northeast of Nor- 
wood and five miles from Montgomery; and it is also in- 
tersected by the old Columbia and Reading road, thus 
making an important "cross-roads of the village. It be- 
came a post office as early as 1832. The characteris- 
tics of the place, physical and other, are well indicated 
by its name. 

This is an ancient neighborhood for white settlement. 
In 1791 or '92 one of the Columbia pioneers named 
Ferris, father of A. W. Ferrfs, of Montgomery station, 
cut his way through the woods from Columbia to this 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



275 



vicinity, where he encamped in the primeval forest until 
he could build a cabin and block-house. He paid two 
dollars an acre for the land he bought here. Among 
other early settlers was James C. Wood, of New Jersey, 
who planted his stakes at the homestead afterward occu- 
pied by his son. John C, W. R., and W. W. Wood, 
after the death of James C. Wood, made a subdivision 
of the estate. 

Pleasant Ridge was made a place of rendezvous dur- 
ing the Mexican war for the troops enlisted from that 
place, Montgomery, Newton, and other places. Some 
even from Cincinnati joined in the assemblies, parades 
and drills there. 

The church history of this town has some points of 
interest. The Presbyterian society was formed about the 
time of the resignation of Rev. Jaraes Kemper from the 
pastorate of the Cincinnati and Columbia churches, Oct- 
ober 7, 1796, and the division of the Columbia branch 
into the Duck Creek and Round Bottom churches. The 
Pleasant Ridge church was originally the former, and re- 
tained its euphonious designation until 18 18, when the 
name was exchanged for that now borne. The Rev. Mr. 
Kemper, the pioneer preacher in Cincinnati, was the first 
settled pastor here, serving the people faithfully about 
ten years. The Rev. Daniel Hayden then labored with 
this people, and was ordained and installed pastor of this 
and the Hopewell churches November 17, 1810, which 
he served till his death, August 27, 1835. The Rev. Dr. 
J. G. Montfort, in his historical discourse on Presbyteri- 
anism North of the Ohio, says of this minister: 

Mr. Hayden was a plain and modest man, with a distinct utterance 
and great fluency, though his voice lacl<ed melody and sweetness. He 
was a man of eminent ability. Dr. Wilson esteemed him as one of the 
ablest men of the church, and so he was generally regarded. 

His successors were: Rev. Samuel J. Miller, seven 
years; Rev. Edward Wright, ten years; Rev. J. K. Burch 
one year; Rev. Samuel Hair, five years; Rev. Simeon 
Brown (as stated supply), two years; J. P. Vandyke, four 
years; James McKee, four years; and Rev. I.. A. Aldrich. 

At first the society worshipped in a log building, to 
which a frame addition was made. This house was lo- 
cated south of the present site of Pleasant Ridge, and 
upon Duck creek. The presbytery of Transylvania, 
under whose jurisdiction the church was, had forbidden 
it to build nearer than five miles from Cincmnati. Then 
came, in the fullness of time, a substantial brick house, 
thirty-six by fifty, built by Bartholomew Fowler and Wil- 
liam Baxter. This was occu|;ied by the Presbyterians 
and at times by other denominations about forty years, 
or until 1870, when it gave way to the present handsome 
structure, which was dedicated September 12, 1870. The 
venerable General James S amps on, who had been a mem- 



ber of the chuYcTi nearly fifty years, served as master of 
ceremonies on this interesting occasion. The Pleasant 
Ridge church is the oldest now surviving in the Miami 
country, except the First Presbyterian of Cincinnati. 

It may be here remarked that the other fragment of 
the Columbia church, that at Round Bottom, was minis- 
tered to during its earliest years by the Rev. Mr. Kem- 
per, who divided his labors between this and the Duck 



Creek church for some years. In October, 1801, how- 
ever, he seems to have been preaching at Duck Creek 
and Sycamore (afterwards Hopewell), near Montgomery, 
and not at Round Bottom. But little is known of the 
subsequent history of this church, which finally disap- 
pears from the church records in 1849. 

The Baptist people of Pleasant Ridge had originally 
their membership in the old Duck Creek Baptist church, 
the pioneer Protestant church of the Northwest Territory. 
The society here was organized in 1856, and built its 
present meeting-house three years afterwards, at a cost 
of three thousand five hundred dollars. It has the only 
church bell in the village. The Rev. B. F. Harmon, now 
of Mount Washington, ministered to the church here for 
many years. The Methodist Episcopal church was also 
built in 1859, at a cost of three thousand dollars. 

The school-house is of brick, with freestone trim- 
mings; has a vestibule and four large rooms, each twenty- 
five by thirty feet, and a silver-toned bell, whose utter- 
ances are specially admired. The house is built on 
grounds bought in 187 1 of Samuel Langdon, and cost, 
with the grounds, ten thousand dollars. 

The Pleasant Ridge lodge of Free and Accepted Ma- 
sons was chartered October 22, 1856. Mr. Stephen W. 
Reeder was the first W. M., and remained in that office 
for seven years. 

This village had two hundred and fifty-one inhabitants 
by the last census. 

SHARPSBURGH 

was formerly the raine of a pretty large locality, now 
covered in good part by the village of Norwood. A town 
site, bearing the name, was laid out in 1868, on the Cin- 
cinnati and Marietta railroad, by J. W. Baker. 

WEST MILFORD 

is, as its name implies, a part of Milford, but is in Ham- 
ilton county. St. Thomas' Episcopal church is located 
here — Rev. T. I. Melish, rector — with a small chapel on 
the Clermont county side. The Baptist meeting-house is 
also in West Milford, although its members reside most- 
ly on the other side. 

MORE ANTIQUES. 

Since the matter at the outset of this chapter was ar- 
ranged and printed, we have the following curious old 
documents and memoranda to add, by the favor of Mr. 
Clason, who has contributed so handsomely to the his- 
tory of this township. The following relates to the pau- 
perism of the old township: 

At a meeting of the trustees and overseers of the poor at my house 
May 13, 1802, in order to settle and adjust the accounts of the over- 
seers of the poor, ordered to be recorded as follows: We, the trustees, 
having examined the accounts and settled them up to this date, and we 
find due to them twenty-one dollars and fifty cents. 

John Jones, clerk. 

March 7, 1803. — A meeting of the trustees and town clerk and over- 
seers of the poor and supervisors of the highways. The trustees hav- 
ing met as the law directs, and we proceeded as follows: The trustees 
having examined the accounts of the overseers of the poor from a set- 
tlement made May the thirteenth, A. D. 1802, and we find due to them 
twelve dollars. 

Settled this seventh day of March, Anno Domini 1803. 

John Jones, clerk. 



276 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



The following document of April, 1801, prescribes the 
road districts of that day. The mention in them of 
localities, as then known, has special interest: 

District No. 1. — To Jacob Blasdel: You are required to take the dis- 
trict beginning at the township hne of Cincinnati below Columbia, 
then up to Crawfish run and through Columbia by the Tan-yard and 
up Crawfish to the forks. Also through Columbia to William Brown's 
meadow. Also from John Wilson's hill ditches, and then up the Ohio to 
Seamans. By order of trustees. 

District No. 2. — To Benjamin Stites: District beginning at his own 
house on the Ohio and then up the road to William Brown's; then 
through Morristown and so on to Duck creek, and up said creek to the 
Stony ford. Also from said Stites' up the Ohio to Mrs. Mercer's, and 
up the lane to Flinn's ford and through Turkey bottom. By order of 
trustees. 

District No. 3. — To Samuel Muchmores: District beginning at the 
forks of the road above Red Bank, then Bersby's road to Mary Nap- 
per's, and from Ferrises to said Muchmores to the east fork of Duck 
creek. By order of trustees. 

District No. 4. — To John Jones: District beginning at the Stony 
ford on Duck creek; then on towards Walsmiths to Jacob Hetzler's, 
and then from southwest cornet of the school section on the Deerfield 
road and up said road to Bearsleys; thence on said road to the east 
fork of Duck creek. By order of trustees. 

District No. 5. — Samuel McKee's district beginning at the forks of 
Bearsley's road at Gano's old cabin on Duck creek; then on said road 
to the cross road on Deerfield road from Columbia; then up said road 
to where it intersects with the Cincinnati road; then down the said 
road to where it crosses the Columbia road, leading to A. Vohrich's; 
then down said road to the beginning on Duck creek. By order of 
trustees. 

District No. 6. — Philip Jones' district, beginning at Duck creek; 
then toward Columbia to Crawfish run; then turning northwardly 
towards A. Vohris's to Duck creek; then westwardly in Bearsley's road 
to Jonathan Williams'. By order of trustees. 

District No. 7. — To James Baxter, district beginning at Robert 
Moore's; thence eastwardly to Duck creek; then Jonathan Williams' on 
Deerfield road to where it crosses Columbia road ; then along said road 
to Ba.xter's run (this called Baxter's district). By order of the trustees. 

District No. 8. — To Amos White's district, beginning at John Com- 
mon's field north; then south to David Bercount's; then from James 
Grear's to Hagerman's; then the Perara road from the north township 
line to Amos White's; also from said Brecount's to Walles's run; then 
from said run to Ronemus Hayney's on Walsmith's road; then from 
said run on Madriver road to A. Haggerman's; then from said run on 
the Perara road to Amos White's. By order of trustees. 

District No. 9. — To Aaron Sackett's district, beginning at Wallace's 
run; thence to A. Voriche's, taking Columbia road to Baxter's run; 
also from A. Voriche's to John R. A'lills', and then the line between 
Stephen Fhme's and said Mills together with all the road in Columbia 
township between Samuel Bunnel's and Cincinnati, and then from A. 
"Voriche's towards Ziba Stiben's to the township line, and from Thomas 
Higgens to Voriche's. By order of trustees. 

The following is a verbatim copy of the first election 
held in Columbia townsh'p : 

1803 At a meeting of citizens of the township held at the [house 
April 4th. omitted in record] Thomas Frazier's, in Columbia, on 
April 4th, 1803, the following officers were elected, viz; 



Saml. Sheperd, chairman. 
Jas. Moron, clerk. 

Jos. McNight, "] 

N. Sheperd Armstrong, I 
John Seaman, 1 

John Elliot, J 

Wills Pearson 
Rich'd Ayre, 



into 

office 

Trustees, 



Overseers poor 
sworn into office, 



Christian Wa,smith,l^PP™f 

T ^ Tir 11 I sworn into 

John Wallace, J ^(g^^^ 



John Mathews, 
Peter Bell, 
Hezekiah Stites, 



Sworn into 

office 

fence viewers. 



David McKenney 
Daniel Schenk 
Elijah Stites 
Thomas Frazer 
Hezekiah Price 
Abner Mills 
John Wallace 



Richard Tibbs, 
John Mann, 
Walton Evans, 
Andrew Lackey, 
James Whaling, 



AH sworn 
into 
office 

constables. 



David Black, 



Lister, sworn 
into office. 



At the close of a meeting held at 
the house of Thomas Frazier, in 
Columbia township, April 4th, 
1803, it was ordered by vote of the 
inhabitants that thene.xt township 
meeting shall be held at the house 
of Calvin Kitchel. 

By order of the voters. 



. Supervisors elected: 
Adrian Haguman 
Andrew Ferris 
John Lambert 
Usual Ward 
Percy Kitchel 
Daniel Price 
Henry King 
Beniah Ayres 
Henry Genings 
John Seaman 

1803 Grand jurors for the township of Columbia, viz: 
June 6th. Jeremiah Cavalt. 

John Beasley. 

Joseph Reeder. 

Willis Pearson. 

Isaac Ferris. 

Benj'n Stites. 

Petit jurors: 
Chas. Smith. 
Wm. Mason. 
Levi Feriss. 
Jas. McCleland. 
Jacob Allen. 
Jacob Blazdel. 
David Black. 
Sam'l Muchmore. 
Hezekiah Stites. 
Jesse Reeder. 
Ezekil Leonard. 
Usual Ward. 

By order of the trustees, viz: 

John Seaman, 

N. Sheperd Armstrong, 

John Eliott. 

J. Mason, clerk. 

THE TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

By the kindness and patient research of Mr. Clason, 
we are enabled here to present a fuller list of the justices 
of the peace for Columbia than appears upon a former 
page, and to add most of the remainder of the civil list 
of the township: 

Justices from 1S04 to 1881. — James Mason, John Armstrong, John 
Jones, David McGaughey, William Perry, William Armstrong, E. 
Meeks, Enos Hurin, Rice Prichard, Zacheas Biggs, Abner Applegate, 
James Armstrong, John Ferris, .Smith Clason, William Baxter, William 
H. Moore, Thomas B. McCullough, Eliazer Baldwin, John T. Jones, 
Ratio Evans, E. Noble, William Tingley, George W. Homes, Hiram 
Bodine, John Sumners, Oliver Jones, John Jones (not the same as 
above), John B. Price, James Sampson, Isaac N. Davis, Robert Mc- 
Mullens, Samuel Hill, Isaac Giffin, Ben. C. Conklin, Henry Lockwood, 
Amos Hill. George W. Martin, James Giffin, Jeremiah Clark, J. C. 
Ferris, William Highlands, J. M. Tingley, F. A. Hill, James Julien, 
Leo Bailey, L. A. Hendricks, Louis W. Clason, C. S. Burns, Claton 
W. McGill, E. W. Bowman, George Reiter, and James B. Drake. 

Township trustees from 1803 to 1881. Joseph McNight, N. Sheperd 
Armstrong, John Seaman, John Eliot, Cheniah Cavalt, John Jones, 
Peter Smith, John Mann, John Beazly, Samuel Hilditch, Usual 
Ward, John McKee, Joseph Reeder, Calvin Ward, David McGaughey 
John Clark, Joseph Ferris, John Ferris, Lewis Drake, Enos Huron 
William Mclntire, Abram Smith, William Armstrong, Andrew Ferris, 
Richard Morgan, William Perry, James Ward, John Armstrong, 
William H. Moore, Smith Clason, Andrew Baxter, Andrew McMahan 
Lindley Broadwell, John Warren, William Highlands, Oliver Jones, 
John G. Leonard, Samuel Earhart, Seth C. Lindslev, John Jones, 
Thomas Crosly, Ira Broadwell, Eb. Ward, Elijah Reese, Isaac Giffin 
James D. Langdon, James Sampson, Percy Hosbrook, Eri F. 
Jewett, Joseph B. Mann, John S. Wilson, Tyle Chamberlain, Zadoc 
Williams, Ralph Reeder, Thomas B. McCullough, John L. Hosbrook, 
C. S. Ebersole, J. S. Learning, D. S. Nash, H. F. Armstrong, H. 
Bonham, C. G. Armstrong, J. G. Flinn, Louis W. Clason, Thomas 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



277 



Longworth, James Roosa, Thomas Drake, George Hermann, jr., 
C. S. Boon, D. A. Black, Warren Mills, Thomas Clegg, Caleb Dial, 
Michael Leaf, Michael Buckel, Anthony Brown, G. W. Elliott, Andrew 
'Carman, B. M. Stewart, H. C. Durrell, C. A. Howe, H. J. Pierret, 
Fred. Berings, A.J. Nelson, C. H. Scholtman. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS FROM 180I TO 1880. 

John Jones, 1801 & 1802. 

James Mason, 1803. 

David McGaughey, 1804-5-6-7 & 8. 

William Armstrong, 1809. 

William Schillinger, 1810 & 11. 

Samuel Johnson, 1812& 13. 

Moses Morrison, 1814-15-16-17-18-19-20 & 21. 

William H. Moore, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825 & 1826. 

John T. Jones, 1827. 

Oliver Jones, 1828 & 1829. 

Hiram Bodine, 1830. 

William H. Moore, 1831. 

John Jones, 1832, 1833 & 1834. 

Jeremiah Everett, 1835. 

Jacob Flinn, 1836. 

Jeremiah Everett, 1837, 1838 & 1839 & 1840. 

John Jones, 1841, 1842 & 1843. 

Jeffreys A. Black, 1844. 

Francis Hill, 1845. 

Henry Lockwood, 1846 to 1874. 

Louis W. Clason, 1875 to 1880. 

TREASURERS FROM 1804 TO l88l. 

N. Shephar Armstrong, 1804. 

John Armstrong, 1805 to 1811. 

James Baxter, 1811 to 1818. 

Major John Ferris, 1819 & 1820. 

Lewis Drake, 1821. 

William Armstrong, 1822 to 1853, & without loss of one cent. 

B. D. Ashcraft, 1854. 

William Ammerman, 1855 & 1856. 

Milo Black, 1857 to 1861. 

J. Dan Jones, 1862 to 1873. 

Leo Fowler, 1874. 

James Julien, 187510 1881. 

POPULATION. 

Columbia is now a populous township, the last census, 
that of 1880, giving it five thousand three hundred and 
fifty-eight inhabitants against three thousand one hundred 
and eighty-four in 1872. The increase is largely due to 
its suburban character, although it has a considerable 
farming population. 

ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENT NOTES. 

Elias Hedges, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, 
purchased five hundred acres of land in Colerain township, 
of Dr. William Burnet and Daniel Thew, probably dur- 
ing the winter of 1804-5 ! ^"^ soon afterward she, with his 
wife, who, previous to their marriage was Elizabeth Gas- 
ton, a native of the same place, and four small children, 
set out for the west. They travelled in a wagon — and 
after a journey of some seven weeks arrived at Dunlap's 
Station July 4, 1805. This post was located on the tract 
purchased by Mr. Hedges. At the time of his purchase, 
Mr. Hedges was not able to pay for so large a tract, its 
cost being three thousand seven hundred and twenty 
dollars. So he accepted the offer of two neighbors as 
partners, with whom he divided his tract in proportion 
to the money furnished by each, retaining about two hun- 
dred and thirty acres in the middle of the tract for him- 
self. Here, he immediately began to clear the forest and 
improve his land. Mr. Hedges continued his occupa- 
tion with great energy and perseverance until December, 
1813, when he became a victim of the "Cold Plague," 



which scourged a large portion of the west during the 
summer and fall of that year. Elias Hedges was highly 
respected as a good neighbor and man of clear and dis- 
criininating judgment; being frequently selected as 
arbitrator in set: ling, by amicable means, disputes and 
contentions which at times sprang up between his neigh- 
bors. His early death, at about forty years of age was 
lamented by all who knew him. 

Elizabeth Hedges, wife of the preceding, survived her 
husband about eighteen years. They had eight children, 
seven of whom lived to be men and women. Sarah, their 
eldest, was born in 1792, and married Alexander John- 
son early in 1816. He dying in 1822, she afterwards mar- 
ried Stewart McGill, also a native of New Jersey, who is 
still living at the venerable age of ninety-three years. Mrs. 
McGill died in 1854, respected and loved by all who knew 
her. Mary, John G. and Eliza Hedges died young. An- 
thony Ludlow married Hannah A. Johnson in 1824, and 
died in 1831. His widow is still living. Stephen Ogden 
married Sarah White in July, 1832. They are both dead. 
Harriett was married to Bradbury Cilley in 1834, and is 
still living, a widow. Elizabeth was born in 181 3, and 
married David K. Johnson in August, i83r, died some 
years since. Her husband is still living at seventy-nine 
years of age, but during the last fifteen or eighteen years 
has been entirely blind. He is one, of the most highly 
respected old gentlemen in the country. Elias and 
Elizabeth Hedges lie buried at the old Colerain station, 
in probably the oldest burying-place in the Miami val- 
ley, and on the farm which they purchased seventy-six 
years ago. 

Louis W. Clason, mayor of Madisonville, and justice 
of the peace, also clerk of the township, was born on 
Indian Hill, October 11, 1823, upon the farm where he 
lived for fifty years, and now owns. His grandfather. 
Smith Clason, emigrated from Connecticut in 18 18, to 
Columbia township. He was a Revolutionary soldier, 
a companion of Putnam and served under him, and after 
he came west was township trustee and surveyor, and 
also held other offices. His grandfather on his mother's 
side was Dr. Thomas Bayux, of France, surgeon on an 
English shipof-war during the Revolution. He came to 
Connecticut and settled at Greenwich. The house in 
which he lived was built long before the Revolutionary 
war — was made of lime and brick imported from Hol- 
land. It is a large house of fifteen rooms, and is still 
standing. Mr. Clason is a prominent and well-known 
citizen of Columbia township. He has held each of the 
positions of township trustee, township clerk, justice of 
the peace, and mayoralty of the town of Madisonville 
for a number of years, and has never been beaten in 
any of the political races he has run. Both parties re- 
gard him as a safe man, and thus he is kept in office 
constantly. He has been justice of the peace for ten 
years, and has during that time tried nearly one thousand 
cases. 

William L. Perkins, of the firiTi of William Perkins & 
Company, manufacturers of mantels, enamelled grates, 
etc., Nos. 94 and 96 Elm street, Cincinnati, was born in 
the year 1839. His father. Rev. Lemuel B. Perkins, 



278 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



was born in the year 1809, and still lives upon the field 
of his life-long labors in the church, in Trumbull county, 
Ohio. He was self-educated, and an earnest worker in 
the United Brethren church. He was married to Miss 
Phila A. Scovelle, of Philadelphia, by whom he had 
eight children, three of whom are still living. Mr. Wil- 
liam Perkins, after receiving nearly a full classical course 
in college, entered the Forty-sixth Ohio regiment as sec- 
ond leader of the regimental brass band, where he re- 
mained sixteen months. In 1863 he went into a pork- 
merchant business, as book-keeper, and after remaining 
there for three years, was offered a partnership in the 
house, and not asked to advance a dollar for the busi- 
ness. In 1877 he started his mantel and grate store, 
with spacious salesroom and works, on Elm street. Mr. 
Perkins keeps a fine line of goods, his elegant and costly 
Mexican onyx mantels, protection grates, etc., being 
well worth one's inspection. He was married in 1866 to 
Miss Sarah E. Stokes, of Pennsylvania. He has his 
residence in Madisonville. 

A. B. Lunbeck, of Madisonville, is travelling auditor 
for the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad. He was born in 
Chillicothe, Ohio, but his mother and grandmother (Mrs. 
Cutler) live with him at Madisonville. Mr. Lunbeck went 
into the ticket office as sort of an apprentice some twenty 
years ago, and by diligent and faithful application to 
business has worked himself up to the high and responsi- 
ble "position which he has held for ten years. He 
was married to Miss Price in 1872, daughter of Heze- 
kiah D. Price, carpenter and builder of that place. Mr. 
Lunbeck has his office on Fourth street, over the gas 
offices. 

A. B. Ward, of Madisonville, son of Morris Ward, 
who came from New Jersey in 181 1, was born in a log 
hut in this place in the year 1826. His grandfather and 
father came to the county when bridle paths were used 
as great highways. He bought land now adjoining the 
town. Morris Ward died in 1864, at fifty-three years of 
age. He farmed, and at one time took a trip on a flatboat 
to New Orleans, for which services he received one hun- 
dred dollars, but after the trip down was made he found 
that he had either to pay one hundred dollars to get 
back on a steamer (the first trip of the first boat of the 
kind on the river) or walk it. He chose the former con- 
veyance, his comrades the latter, but he reached home 
some seven weeks before them. Mr. Ward, like his 
father, has lived a quiet, retired life, not caring for nor 
meddling with politics. He was married to Miss Pear- 
son, daughter of William Pearson, an old settler of the 
county, in 1848, and lives on a part of the homestead 
farm. He was a soldier in the one hundred day service, 
and was encamped before Petersburgh during his stay in 
the army. 

C. S. Ebersole, deceased, was a resident of Madison- 
ville. The handsome cottage now the residence of Mrs. 
Ebersole, iiee Armstrong, bespeaks a style of luxury to 
the passer by. Mr. Ebersole was one of the old settlers 
of Columbia township. His father. Christian Ebersole, 
was a Maryland farmer, who settled near the mouth of 
the Little Miami in 1802. In 1808 he erected the old 



homestead^now occupied by Thomas Brooks. Mr. C. 
S. Ebersole was born in 1799, settled in Oakley in 1843, 
and in Madisonville in 187 1. He died in 1881. ♦ 

John Beiswarnger, of Madisonville, was born in 1834, 
in Germany. He came to America in 1846. His par- 
ents dying when he was young, John was placed under 
the guardianship of his uncle. In 1855 he went to Kan- 
sas, where he followed his trade at brick-moulding. In 
1872 he came to Madisonville, where he now lives, own- 
er and proprietor of the Madisonville house. He also 
owns other property in this place. 

J. S. Hoffman, of Columbiatownship, is an enterpris- 
ing farmer, living on a good tract of land about one mile 
from Madisonville. Mr. Hoffman was born in Fairfield 
county, Ohio, near Tarlton, in 1822; moved to Cincin- 
nati in 1848, where he was a carpenter for seventeen 
years, coming here in 1865. In i860 he was married to 
Miss Deborah Muchmore, sister of C. S. Muchmore. 
His grandfather was born on the Rhine, in Germany, but 
came over and settled in Virginia,''where Julius, father of 
John, was born. Julius was in the War of 181 2, came 
to Fairfield in 181 2, moving from Kentucky to that 
place. 

Messrs. D. S. and J. A. Hosbrook, were born near 
Madeira, the former in 1844 and the latter in 1850. 
Their grandfather, Daniel Hosbrook, came here from 
New Jersey and was by occupation a surveyor. He was 
the first sheriff of this county. Was elected county sur- 
veyor for two terms, and was several times elected a 
member of the State legislature. His death occurred in 
1868. John L., the father of D. S. and J. A., was born 
in 181 7, on the place adjoining the one upon which he 
now resides. In 1841 he was married to Deborah Fer- 
ris, daughter of Solomon Ferris, one of the earliest set- 
tlers of this county. In 1842 he was elected county sur- 
veyor, which office he held for six years; and was also 
county engineer for several terms. 

D. S. Hosbrook studied at College Hill; was married 
in 1867 to Viola M. Karr, daughter of Harvey Karr, also 
of this county. Served in the capacity of county sur- 
veyor and county engineer from 1873 to 1879. ^^^^ o'^ 
two other occasions a candidate on the Democratic ticket 
for county surveyor. Both of these occasions being "off" 
years for the Democrats he was "left" with the balance 
of the ticket. He is at present extensively engaged on 
private work, and is employed by the corporations of St. 
Bernard and Reading as their engineer. 

J. A. Hosbrook was educated at Delaware, Ohio. 
Was married in 187 1 to Alice A. Fowler, daughter of 
Leonard Fowler, of Hamilton county. In 1872 he re- 
moved to Indianapolis, where he served as assistant 
county engineer'for severaPyears. In 1878 he returned 
to Madeira, to accept a position'as"a special engineer!^ of 
this county, which appointment hasfsince been renewed, 
and which he now holds. He has also the'appointment 
of engineer for the village of Madisonville, and is a mem- 
ber of the Madeira board of education. 

John Weir of Madeira was born in the parish of Ar- 
booth in the year 1822, and was a carpenter. He longed 
for the wilds of America, and, after marrying Miss Eliza- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



279 



beth Stephen of his native town, set sail for America in 
1847. On arriving at his destination he wandered around 
for awhile and finally settled on a good farm near Madeira, 
and is doing well. Mrs. Weir was born in 1826, and is 
the daughter of a manufacturer in Scotland. Mr. Weir 
is erecting a dwelling-house in Madisonville, in which 
place one of his daughters resides; she is married to a 
merchant of that place. 

John D. Moore of Madeira was born in Philadelphia, 
December 7, 1836, and when but two years of age his 
father removed to Cincmnati where he still lives, a resident 
of Walnut Hills. His mother died of cholera in 1849. 
Mr. Moore was in the shoe business for about fifteen 
years, having his store on the corner of Central avenue 
and Sixth street. In 1867 he removed to Madeira, in 
which place he has built about fifteen houses. He is 
at present building a residence in the city of Cincinnati. 
In 1857 he was married to Miss Rachel Mann, daugh- 
ter of Major J. B. Mann an old settler and prominent 
public spirited citizen of Hamilton county. He was not 
only an active man in the affairs of his township but also 
in the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was a 
member. He died in i860, at the age of fifty-six years. 
Mrs. Moore's mother, Mrs. Catharine Mann, died in 
in 1875, seventy-four years of age, at the Mann home- 
stead, where she was born and reared. 

J. H. Locke, principal of the public schools of Pleas- 
ant Ridge, is a native of Miami county, Ohio, and is the 
son of W. W. Locke, who is a graduate of Delaware col- 
lege, Ohio, and superintendent of the public schools in the 
country for a period of twenty years. The younger Locke 
completed his education at New Richmond, Ohio, and 
immediately afterwards came to Hamilton county, where 
he taught in a district near Pleasant Ridge for six years. 
Two years ago he was invited to take charge of the schools 
in this place. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and has had for several years charge of the Sab- 
bath-school as its superintendent. He married Miss 
Davis, of Warren county, Ohio. 

Lewis Kenned y, of the firm of Lewis Kennedy & Co., 
commission merchants and dealers in field seeds and 
grain. No. 36 Vine street, Cincinnati, Ohio, is a de- 
scendant of one of the earliest pioneer settlers of 
Cincinnati, his great-grandfather coming here when there 
were only a very few huts in the place, and before his 
death originating the ferry transit across the river. His 
son David, grandfather of Lewis, ran the boat and also a 
farm he owned at Pleasant Ridge, which was owned by 
John W. Kennedy, Lewis' father. Lewis Kennedy began 
business in Cincinnati in 1859, forming a partnership 
first with J. M. McCuUough, on Fifth and Main, for a 
period often years. He has been doing business on Vine 
street about the same length of time. He was married 
to Miss Delia McCuUough and has his residence in 
Norwood during the summer and in the city during the 
winter seasons. Mr. Kennedy owns considerable prop- 
erty in Cincinnati and elsewhere. 

John„Sa;ift, of Pleasant Ridge, was born in Heage, 
England, June 6, 1830. His grandfather, John Swift, 
owned extensive coal fields in which he employed a large 



force of help. He died at the age of seventy-seven, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1859. His wife. Miss Sarah Harvey, died 
March 22, 1863. Thomas Swift, his son and father to 
John, was born in Heage, England, June 19, 18 10. He 
was a manufacturer of edge tools. He married a Miss 
Ann Simpkinson, and by her had nine children six of 
whom are living, the eldest and youngest dying in in- 
fancy, and Charles, after he had made a brilliant record 
in the army, died in the year 1 8 7 1. He was born in 1837; 
enlisted in the service and became brigade adjutant 
in the Fourteenth army corps. He was first lieutenant, 
then captain, in the Fiftieth Ohio regiment of volunteers. 
He afterwards served on General Cook's staff, and was 
also one time brigade inspector. The family left Eng- 
land in 1850 for America, but before the water was 
crossed the mother died. They landed in New Orleans, 
and from there came to Cincinnati, where John Swift 
clerked in the store of J. & A. Simpkinson, on Lower 
Market street, and afterwards opened on the same street 
in the boot and shoe trade for himself. He went to 
Clermont county to superintend his farm, but after a 
three years' stay he came to Pleasant Ridge (1864) and 
settled down to a retired life. He married Miss Euretta 
F. Williams, of Walnut Hills, in 1859. Her parents 
were old settlers of the city. Her grandfather kept store 
and also manufactured buckskin breeches, the Indians 
supplying the material. Her father owned much valua- 
ble property in the city. 

Saniuel Swift is a brother of John, and is the well 
known wagon-maker of Pleasant Ridge. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Rebecca Ashburn in 1864. He has a good 
trade, and is the only one in the family who is a Demo- 
crat. Mr. John Swift is Master Mason in the Pleasant 
Ridge lodge, and has also filled several of the township 
offices. 

William .E.erris, of Mt. Lookout, a member of the firm 
of S. M. Ferris & Co., Linwood, was born in the year 
1825, on the fifth of October; was married twice. His 
first wife. Miss Thompson, is deceasad. His second 
wife was a Miss Sargent. Mr. Ferris is a member of the 
Baptist church — has himself located in nice quarters in 
an elegant house in Mt. Lookout, and is in easy circum- 
stances. He has a family of four children. 

John M. Ferris, brother of S. M. and William Ferris, 
is also a member of the Ferris Manufacturing company, 
of Linwood, although he has his beautiful residence in 
Mt. Lookout. He has born January 13, 1832; was mar- 
ried to Miss Thompson, sister to his brother's wife, 
and is, as all the Ferrises are, a member of the Baptist 
church. 

Co lonel Zadoc Williams , late of Mt. Lookout, was a 
native of Lafayette county, Pennsylvania. He came to 
this State with his father wjien quite young, in 1800. They 
landed first in Columbia^ he afterwards bought the farm 
upon which the Cincinnati observatory now stands, which 
farm was kept in the family for seventy years before it 
was sold. Mr. Williams was married December 20, 
1821, to Ann__Giffins^ of Red Bank. She was born in 
1802, and is still living. Mr. Williams first saw the light 
of day in 1798, and died February 16, 1881. He was a 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



farmer — sometimes performing the business of a mer- 
chant and shipping on flatboals to New Orleans the 
produce of his own farm and that of others. The days 
in which he lived were noted for its magnificent wants — 
as we view the past at the present time — for we hear of 
his going to Wickersham's floating mill on the river to 
get his 'corn ground; of taking his hogs, hay, etc., to 
New Orleans to find a market; and of doing other things 
only incident to pioneer times. He finally bought the 
heirs out and owned the homestead himself. He reared 
a family of nine children, six of whom are now living. 
His eldest daughter is now in Indiana. One son is a 
-J .--■'physician practising in Indiana. John is a farmer, and 
Thomas J. Williams is a lumber merchant in Cincinnati. 
He was with Sherman through the war; held the posi- 
tion of first lieutenant; was offered a colonelcy of a negro 
regiment but refused it. 

B. C. Armstrong, of Plainville, was born in the village 
in which he lives in the year 1821. He has resided in 
the township with the exception of a few years spent in 
Butler county farming. His father, John A. Armstrong, 
came here in 1800 with five of his brothers from Vir- 
ginia, and bought a large tract of land at this place. 
These brothers, John, the father of N. S. and B. C. ; 
Nathaniel, father of Mrs. Thomas; William, Thomas, 
and Leonard were the builders of the three well known 
mills on the Little Miami river. Of these water powers 
William and John owned the lower one, at Plainville, 
now in possession of Mr. Turpin, who lives in Newtown 
and who married Amanda Armstrong, daughter of John. 
Thomas and Leonard owned the middle mill, and Na- 
thaniel the upper one. 

B. C. Armstrong married a Miss Sarah Norris, of 
Maryland, and by her had six children, four of whom 
are now living — Amanda Turpin, of Newtown; Elizabeth 
Ebersole, of Madisonville; B. C. and N. S., of Plain- 
ville. 

Mr. Ebersole, deceased, owned a farm at the mouth 
of the Little Miami, but in late years, being sorely af- 
flicted with catarrh, retired from business. 

N. S. Armstrong lives in Plainville. He was agent 
for the "Little Miami railroad company for seventeen 
years, and also owned a store, but has lately sold out. 
He married a Miss Morton, of Clermont county. B. C. 
Armstrong married Miss Martha Lyons, of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Jacob Thomas, deceased, was born in 1802 in Ches- 
ter county, Pennsylvania; came to Columbia township in 
1832, and purchased a tract of land near Plainville, 
which he farmed until he departed this life, which oc- 
curred in 1879. He married Miss Naomi Armstrong in 
the year 1833. She was a daughter of Nathaniel Arm- 
strong, who owned the upper mill on the Little Miami 
river. The mill was afterwards run by Jacob Thomas, 
and was one of the three old-fashioned water-wheel 
powers of that kind built by the Armstrong brothers in 
a very early day. 



Biographical Sketches. 



JARED CLOUD, 

of Colerain township, was born on St. Patrick's day, the 
seventeenth of March, 1808; is of Welsh and English 
descent on his father's side and of French descent on 
that of his mother. Mason Jones Cloud, his grand- 
father, came from Virginia about the year 1778, and 
settled in Boone county, Kentucky. Unfortunately for 
the fate of Mason, he was required to return to Virginia 
for a sum of money there due him, and after only a three 
days' stay in his new home, in company with two others, 
set out on his perilous trip, and, with his companions, 
was massacred on Licking river by the hostile Indians. 

Mason was the father of eleven children, three sons 
and eight daughters. Of these sons Baylis was the old- 
est, was the father of Jared, and was about nineteen 
years of age when the family came to Kentucky. He 
was born in 1774 in Virginia; was married in 1803 to 
Miss Elizabeth Tebbs, daughter of an old pioneer of 
Boone county, Kentucky. In 1811 Baylis removed to 
Dearborn county, Indiana, when Jared was but three 
years of age. 

Indiana was then a mere wilderness; bridle-paths led 
here and there instead of our present highways. The 
Indians were sometimes troublesome, while the flocks 
had to be constantly guarded against the ravages of the 
wolf and the bear. 

The principal product of mercantile value then to the 
family was tobacco. This article could be raised and 
packed to Cincinnati — then a mere town — and a profit 
sufficiently large could be realized to keep the family in 
the luxuries of that day. Clothing was manufactured in 
toto; flax and whool were spun and woven, and the more 
tasty articles of dress were manufactured from these. 
The deer furnished the family with moccasons and hunt- 
ing shirts, and sometimes other wearing apparel. When 
Jared was sixteen years of age he conmienced life for 
himselt, and for twenty-two years after worked for An- 
thony Harkness, an engine-builder, on Front street, be- 
tween Pike and Lawrence, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
first two or three years while learning the business Jared 
received nothing, but afterwards a salary was paid, and 
finally, during the last seven years of his stay, he was 
made foreman of the shop, which at that time was the 
largest of the kind in the west. They manufactured 
locomotives (the first one used in the west), steamboat 
engines, and others for sugar-mills, saw-mills, etc. 

Mr. Cloud was married in the year 1840, and in 1843 
moved his present home to the Bank Lick farm, since 
which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits 
wholly. His. farm consists of two hundred and sixty 
acres, and lies partly in Hamilton and partly in Butler 
county. His wife is now dead, and also one son, who 
was fatally kicked by a horse, dying in a few days there- 
after. He had been in the hundred day service, and 
had just returned home when the accident occurred in 
his father's barnyard. Mr. Cloud is of a long-lived fam- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



ily, has never been sick, and at this late day retains the 
sprightliness of his youth to a remarkable degree. 



JOSEPH CILLEY 
was a member of General Washington's staff, and was a 
colonel of a New Hampshire regiment in the war of the 
Revolution. His son, Jonathan, was the father of Brad- 
bury, the subject of this sketch. 

Jonathan was born March i8, 1763, came to the wilds 
of Ohio in Colerain, in 1803, having left his native State 
in 1802, but spending the winter in Wheeling, did not 
arrive until 1803. 

Jonathan was in the service with his father as a 
servant, and after coming to Ohio was associate judge 
for some years. 

Of Jonathan's sons, Benjamin Cilley was a farmer in 
Whitewater township; Joseph, who was the eldest son, 
was a lieutenant in the War of 1812, was wounded while 
rallying his men; and Bradbury Cilley lived on the old 
homestead near Colerain. 

Bradbury was born in Nottingham, New Hampshire, 
May 16, 1798. When he was four years of age his 
parents, with their family of eight children, emigrated to 
Ohio. Their tedious journey over the mountains was 
made in a four-horse wagon and a two-horse carriage. 
At Wheeling they sent their horses by land, and the 
family came in a boat to Cincinnati, then a village, where 
they wintered. 

In the spring of 1803, they purchased a section of 
land on the Big Miami, at what was then called Dunlap's 
Station, about sixteen miles from Cincinnati. This sta- 
tion was founded in 1790, by John Dunlap, and was the 
first settlement in the interior, back from the Ohio river. 

The Indians gave the settlers so much trouble that 
General Harrison, at Fort Washinton, now Cincinnati, 
sent for their protection a detachment of soldiers under 
Lieutenant Kingsbury. In 1791 the fort was attacked 
by about four hundred Indians, but being gallantly de- 
36 



fended the Indians desisted, and after Wayne's treaty, in 
1795, the garrison was dismissed. 

Colerain was laid out by Dunlap, who named it after 
his native place in Ireland. The settlers who bought of 
him lost their claims for want of perfect titles to the land. 

In 1807 Jonathan Cilley died of asthma, and left five 
sons and four daughters, who were taught the rudiments 
of an education by the eldest sister. 

Bradbury went to study mathematics, but soon went 
ahead of his teacher. The most of his education was 
acquired in later years by acute observation and rough 
contact with the world. He early developed a taste for 
trading, and when twenty-one years of age built a flat- 
boat, loaded it with farm produce and floated it down the 
Miami, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, 
where he sold all and came back on horseback, a dis- 
tance of eleven hundred miles. These trips he contin- 
ued every year — sometimes twice a year — for fifteen 
years. If not suited with the New Orleans market he 
would go on to Cuba. 

About this time he was captain of a company, and af- 
terwards major of a militia regiment, but was never called 
into active service. 

When a bachelor of thirty-six years he married a neigh- 
bor's daughter, who was twelve years his junior. He 
never held or coveted public office, preferring the retire- 
ment of a farmer's life. He was industrious and enter- 
prising, and gathered around him considerable property. 
He had a strict sense of right and justice, was stern, un- 
yielding, and almost unflinching, and quite unchangea- 
ble in his opinion. 

Bradbury's wife was the daughter of Elias and Eliza- 
beth Gasten Hedges, of Morristown, New Jersey. Of 
their children Mrs. James Poole (Groesbeck) is the eld- 
est; Mrs. Mary Bedmyer and Mrs. Elizabeth Bedinger, 
of Boone county, Kentucky; Mrs. Harriet Turner, Sa- 
rah J. Morehead, and Agnes Cilley, of Venice, are now 
living. 

The Bedinger families living in Boone county occu- 
pied the land once owned by Daniel Boone. 



CROSBY. 



GEOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY. 

Crosby is bounded on the south by the Great Miami 
and Whitewater townships, on the west by Harrison 
township, on the north by Butler county, and on the east 
by the Great Miami river, which separates it from Cole- 
rain township. Its present lines begin at the point on 
the Great Miami where the parallel between sections 
twenty four and twenty-five intersects the river, thence 
west of the southwest corner of section twenty-two, thence 
north to the Butler county line, thence east to the Great 
Miami, and down that stream along its course to the 
place of beginning. The south line, separating this 
township from Whitewater, is but two and three-fourths 
miles long, its west line four miles, its north line six and 
a half miles. 

Crosby township, as cut down to its present limits by 
the formation of other townships, is the smallest in the 
county, with the exception of its neighbor, Harrison, and 
of Delhi and Spencer. It comprises but fifteen full 
sections and seven fractional sections, the latter being 
those which abut upon the Great Miami river. Its total 
acreage is twelve thousand three hundred and eighty- 
two. The section lines in this township are exceedingly 
irregular, far more so than in any other township of 
Hamilton county west of this stream, a fact thoroughly 
surprising in view of its location altogether upon the 
Congress lands, with which Judge Symmes' blundering 
surveyors and surveying purchasers are supposed to have 
had nothing to do. The second tier of sections from the 
west, for example, has an average breadth scarcely more 
than half as great as that of the sections in the tier next 
on either side of it. Those in the westernmost tier are 
considerably broader from east to west than from north 
to south, but are tolerably perfect parallelograms, while 
those next to the east, the three entire sections in the 
third tier from the west, and the two full sections in each 
of the next succeeding tiers — that is, to say, all the full 
sections in the township, except those of the westernmost 
tier — are trapezoids, by virtue of the divergence or con- 
vergence of their meridian lines. The other lines are 
parallel, and the north line of the county, west of the 
Great Miami, separating Crosby and Harrison town- 
ships from Butler county, is perfectly straight, unlike the 
boundary line resulting from Symmes' surveys between 
the Miamis. It, however, strikes the Great Miami about 
half a mile below the point where the north line of Cole- 
rain intersects that stream. Had the parallel of Colerain 
been continued westward, as the north boundary line of 
the county west of the river, it would have brought into 
Hamilton the village of Venice, now in Butler county. 



and a very valuable strip of land in the Whitewater and 
Miami valleys, now lost to Hamilton and gained by 
Butler. 

The ranges in which Crosby township lies are: Range 
one, township three, comprising within it the three 
western tiers of sections, and so by far the larger part of 
the township; and range two, township two, comprising 
the five full and six fractional sections east of the range 
line. 

The principal waters of Crosby are the Great Miami 
river and the Dry fork of the Whitewater river. The 
former curves in and out in a most remarkable manner on 
the eastern and southern fronts of this township, and con- 
trives to wash about nine linear miles of its territory, in 
making southward across but four miles of latitude. Its 
general course is to the southwestward, though it flows 
toward every point of the compass in passing this town- 
ship, and making its wonderful twists and bends. The 
great bend noted at some length in the history of Colerain 
township, as nearly enclosing the peninsula upon which 
stand the famous ancient work and the site of Dunlap's 
station, projects its nose into Crosby township. The 
river receives, near the northeast corner of this town- 
ship, a small tributary which heads across the line near 
Venice; a mile below New Baltimore it welcomes the 
waters of Paddy's run, which also takes its rise in Butler 
county, but, a little more than midway of its course, 
upon section seven, gets a small affluent which is al- 
together in Hamilton; and just before leaving the town- 
ship has another but petty tributary. 

The Dry fork of Whitewater intersects witli an exceed- 
ingly tortuous course the entire western part of the town- 
ship, entering upon section three, near the northwestern 
corner of the township, passing to the south and eastward 
until near the eastern line of the second tier of townships 
from the west, and thence making its way southwestward 
to its point of exit almost at the southwestern corner of 
Crosby. In its many turnings and windings it must, like 
the Great Miami, measure scarcely less than nine miles 
in length of channel while making the four miles of dis- 
tance across the township. It takes its singular name 
from the disappearance of its waters in the dry season 
before reaching their usual debouchure into the White- 
water west of Hunt's grove, in Whitewater township. 
Two of its larger tributaries — Howard's creek, which rises 
in Butler county and enters the Dry fork at New Haven; 
and Lee's creek which comes from Harrison township, 
joining the Dry fork not far from the town line in section 
twenty-two — take their names from noted old pioneers.- 
Several other streams of moderate size, mostly flowing 




THOMAS ENOCH SATER. 



MRS. THOMAS E. SATER. 



This gentleman was born November 2, 1831, in Crosby township, as 
were all his brothers and sisters. He is the youngest child of William and 
Nancy (Jones) Sater. He married IVlary Ellen Pottinger, of the well- 
known pioneer family, December 19, 1855. She was the daughter of 
James W. and Mary Pottniger, of New Baltimore and then of Harrison 
township. Dearborn county, Indiana. Her day of birth was October 
10, 1837, of death May 25, 1B5B, after a lingering illness with con- 
sumption. By this marriage was born one son — James Pottinger, born 
November 14, 1856; married February 14, 1878, to Miss Libbie 
Crocker, of Middleton, Iowa. They have two children — Arthur C, 
born December 29, 1878, and a daughter, not yet named, born January 
28, 1881. He resides at the old home of his mother in Dearborn 
county, Indiana. A second time Mr. Sater was married, September 
26, i860, to Miss Mary Gwaltney. By her he has children as follows: 
Olive May, born October 26, 1861; Eliza Ann, born February 4, 1865; 
Joseph T., born June 5, 1870. All these are with their parents at 
home. Mr. Sater was educated simply in the district schools of his 
childhood and youth, but has supplemented early deficiencies by much 
reading and observation of the world. His father died when he was 
but sixteen years old; he continued at home, assisting in the manage- 
ment of the farm until the property was divided in 1850, when the 
homestead, with seventy-five acres attached, fell to him, to which he 
has since made substantial additions, owning now one hundred and 
one-half acres. He has remained a quiet farmer at the old home since, 
but has often been called to fill public offices, as township clerk, 
assessor, and the like, and was member of the house during the Sixty- 
first general assembly of Ohio, in 1874-5, being elected on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, to which he has given a lifelong allegiance. Here he was 
assigned to service on the important committees of agriculture and 
retrenchment. In all public and private stations he has borne himself as 
a man of integrity and energy, and bears a high reputation among his 
acquaintances and friends. In connection with his brother, presently 
to be noticed, he has been influential in the counsels of the Democratic 
party and in keeping his township generally true to that faith. He has 
been a Free and Accepted Mason since May, 1852, and has advanced 
to the degree of Knight Templar. In this order he has filled about all 



the offices of the Blue Lodge, and is now a member of Council, Chap- 
ter, and Commandery, of Cincinnati. Mary (Gwaltney) Sater is a 
daughter of the late Dr. Samuel and Sarah Gwaltney, of Crosby, for- 
merly of Anderson township, where the father is believed to have been 
born November 2, 1799. In this township he was married to Sarah 
Wheatley, January 6, 1820. She was born April i, 1794, and died 
October 16, 1871. He died May 25, 1872, also at New Haven. Their 
daughter Mary was born November 4, 1828, in Colerain township. 
Other children of the family were: James, bom April 2, 1821, married 
Sarah Sater February 7, 1843, and resides in Morgan township, Butler 
county: Martha Ann, born December 7, 1822, died January 4, 1861: 
Josiah, born August 26, 1834, married Mary Ann Atherton Septembfer 
12, 1859, and after her death, Mrs. Catharine Mason in 1875 or 1876, 
and resides on a farm adjoining that of his brother-in-law, Mr. Sater; 
Robert J., born August 3, 1826, married Elizabeth Smith September 3, 
1854, and is a physician living in Fayette county, Indiana; Washing- 
ton, born October 21, 1830, died July 19, 1831; Elizabeth, born May 
14, 1832, resides with her brother-in-law, Thomas E. Sater; Rhoda, 
born May 14, 1832, married Oliver W. Clark October 1859, and lives 
near Rockport, Spencer county, Indiana. 

Dr. Gwaltney was in his day, and for many years, a prominent phy- 
sician in Anderson and Colerain townships, in Crosby township from 
1825 to 1844, and Fayette county, Indiana, from 1844 to the fall of 
1849, when he moved back to the village of New Haven, Crosby town- 
ship, where he spent the remainder of his days, being at the time of his 
death by far the oldest physician in this region. It was at his house, in 
July, 1863, during the passage of John Morgan's rebel force through 
New Haven, that Morgan and Colonel Basil Duke held a council in 
regard to their future movements through Hamilton county and the 
State. 

Mary Gwaltney remained with her parents in Colerain and Crosby 
townships until her marriage with Mr. Sater. She was educated in the 
district and village schools. Since her marriage herhistory has been 
almost altogether that of her husband.' She was reared in the Baptist 
faith, to which her parents were attached. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



283 



from the north, swell the waters of the Dry fork before it 
leaves Crosby township. 

So well-watered a tract, considering the general char- 
acter of the Miami valleys, naturally does not abound in 
hill-country. The township is largely taken up by the 
level, fertile belts of alluvial land adjoining the stream; 
but is pleasantly diversified in places by higher spots, in 
hills and ridges, none of which, however, are lofty or 
particularly abrupt. 

Crosby is the only township in Hamilton county, ex- 
cept Colerain, which has not a foot of railway upon its 
soil. The route of the projected Liberty, Connersville, 
and Richmond railroad is, however, surveyed to enter 
this township from Butler county, near the centre of the 
north line of section six, running thence south and east 
about four miles to New Baltimore, a little east of which 
it will cross the Great Miami. There is also a rather 
unsual paucity of wagon-roads in the township, but seem- 
ingly sufficient for the needs of the people. 

The township has at present but three villages — New 
Haven and Whitewater, in the western part, and New 
Baltimore, in the southeast, about five miles from New 
Haven. 

ANCIENT WORKS. 

A number of mounds, and at least one enclosure of 
some importance, exist in this township. The latter is a 
little north of New Baltimore, on the Great Miami, in a 
bend of which it is located, and corresponds to its curves, 
making an imperfect semi-circle. Human remains have 
recently been taken from a mound at this place. 

Two miles and a half southeast of New Haven, on the 
farm of Mr. Daniel Whipple, is an ancient burying- 
ground, now thickly overgrown with underbrush. It is 
said the graves in this are marked by stones. On the 
same range of hills, three miles south of New Haven, on 
J. W. Scott's place, is a superb mound, the finest in this 
region, which has never been excavated. Both of these 
lie not far from the lower or shorter road from New Ha- 
ven and New Baltimore. 

Upon a hill west of John Meyers farm, in this town- 
ship, are two or three mounds, from which portions of 
skeletons have been taken. Similar remains have been 
found in the township, exactly south of New Haven, on 
the range of hills along the Dry fork of Whitewater, where 
seems to be a regular ancient cemetery, in which, it is 
said, the bodies were placed in square spaces, protected 
on all sides by a kind of red limestone. About fifty 
graves have been identified there, with one or two mounds. 
Dr. Bartlett, the veteran practitioner at New Haven, 
declares that the bones found here are not those of the 
red man. 

Southwest of New Haven, half or three-fourths of a 
mile, on the Simonson farm, is another mound, of eight 
to ten feet height. Besides human remains, . there have 
been taken from the ancient works of Crosby township 
well-executed pipes, stone articles of admirable workman- 
ship and finish, pottery in various shapes, and other 
evidences of at least a partial civilization. 

Among the most interesting antiquities in this town- 
is the grave of Adam Poe, the renowned Indian fighter 



arid hero of some of the most remarkable stories of the 
border warfare, particularly of the conflict with the chief 
Big Foot. His remains are interred in the burying- 
ground used by the North family of Shakers, one to two 
miles from New Haven. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

Joab Comstock was probably the pioneer white in 
Crosby township. He immigrated from the vicinity of 
New Haven, Connecticut, in 1801, made a large entry 
of land, embracing several sections, and made his home 
about one mile and a half east of the present village of 
New Haven (Preston post office), with his farm reaching 
the bank of the Great Miami and the road to Venice, 
Butler county. He was the founder, in 1815, of the vil- 
lage of New Haven, in this township. He laid out the 
village of Crosby soon after coming, giving it his moth- . 
er's maiden name, the township subsequently formed also 
taking its name from it. This was the only village of 
much account in the whole valley when the township was 
set off. 

In April, 1801, when the public lands west of the Great 
Miami were first offered for sale at Cincinnati, a notable 
purchase was made in the northwest part of what is now 
this township. Jeremiah Britterfield, an enterprising 
young Massachusetts man who had come to Cincinnati 
shortly before as a prospector, and had assisted Colonel 
Ludlow to run the boundary line between the territory 
of the United States and that of the Indian tribes, as 
prescribed by the Greenville treaty, formed a company 
with Knoles and Alvin Shaw, their father. Esquire Shaw, 
Asa Harvey, and Noah Willey, to make investments in 
the lands. They bought at the first sales two full sec- 
tions and as many large fractional sections, extending 
from near the mouth of Indian creek, in what is now 
Butler county, about three miles down the Great Miami 
into this township and county. The tract comprises 
about two thousand acres, nearly all bottom land, per- 
fectly level, and exceedingly fertile. In order to secure 
it the company bid ten cents per acre above the mini- 
mum price, thus getting for two dollars and a dime an 
acre a tract probably now worth not less than two hundred 
thousand dollars. The six joint owners then divided the 
land, under a survey made by Emanuel Vantrees and 
according to the amounts they had respectively paid, each 
having a front on the river and his piece stretching back 
to the west line of the tract. Mr. Butterfield thus ob- 
tained eight hundred acres, partly in Buttler and partly 
in Hamilton county. . His own residence he fixed at a 
point near where Venice has since been founded. He 
handsomely improved his place, being the first in that 
region to plant an orchard, became an influential and 
wealthy citizen, and died at a good old age June 27, 
1853. His sons Sherebiah, John, and Jeremiah, have 
since lived prosperously on parts of the ancestral estate, 
in Crosby township. The first named was during many 
years a justice of the peace for the township. 

Among other early settlers were the Cones, the Dicks, 
the Wakefields, and other well known families, many of 
whom will be further noticed in this chapter. 



284 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 

of Crosby township were kept by Hartman Vantrees, 
Robert Simmonds, Elijah Thompson, Daniel Bailey, 
C. Atherton, and Patterson Blackburn. The ear-marks 
of stock owners were duly and numerously recorded, as 
the law required in that day. Some of the entries are as 
follows : 

No. I. June 25, 1803. Hartman Vantrees' ear-mark is a crop off 
left ear and a hole in the right ear. His brand is H. V. 
. No. 2. July 14, 1803. Noah Willey's ear-mark is a half crop on the 
under side of the left ear. (Taken up by Israel Buell). 

No. ig. May 10, 1805. Andrew Scott's ear-mark is an under bit and 
an upper bit in the left ear, and a small slit in the right. 

H. Vantrees, 

Township Clerk. 
No. 32, September 5. 1809. Adam Myers' ear-mark is a crop off 
the left ear and a slit on the right. 

RoBEET Simmonds, 

Township Clerk. 
No. 50. August 30, 1814. Clark Bunnell's ear-mark is a crop off 
each ear and an under-bit off both ears, with a slit in the end of the 
left. 

No. 53. January 24. 1815. Joseph Saters ear-mark is a crop and a 
slit and an upper and an under-bit, all on the right ear. His brand 
isj. S. 

No. 54. January 24, 1815: William Sater's ear-mark is a crop off 
the left ear and an under half crop off the right. 

Daniel Bailey, 

Township Clerk. 
No. 70. July 24, 1817. Isaac Frost's ear-mark is a crop off the left 
ear, a slit on the right, and an under-bit out of the left. 

Elijah Thompson, 

Township Clerk. 

Some of the entries come down to a comparatively 
recent day; as witness these: 

No. 104, July 29, 1835. John Carter's ear-inark is an under-bit out 
of each ear. 

No. 105. August 3, 1835. Lathan L. Bartlett's ear-mark is a crop 
off the right ear. Formerly used by Samuel B. Looker. 

No. 107. October 6, 1838. John Baughman's ear-mark is a large 
under-slope off both ears, so made as to take both the point and heel 
of the ear, which mark is sometimes called fo.xing. 

JOAB COMSTOCK, 

Township Clerk. 

Another unique entry, which would hardly find a prec- 
edent nowadays, is the following: 

February 10, 1824. State of Ohio, Hamilton county, to Enoch C. 
Hunter, constable of Crosby township: You are commanded to sum- 
mons Polly Mathews to depart from this township with her family, if 
she has any, in time prescribed by law, and of this writ make due 
return. 

Nathaniel Ceookshank, 

Overseer of the Poor. 
James Scott, 
commissioned a justice of the peace for Crosby township, Hamilton 
county, Ohio. 

John Cavender, 

Township Clerk. 
April I, 1826. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

These documents show that Hartman Vantrees was 
township clerk in 1803-5; Robert Simmonds in 1809; 
Daniel Bailey, 1815; Elijah Thompson, 1817; John Cav- 
ender, 1826; and Joab Comstock, 1838. James Scott, 
it also seems, was a justice of the peace in Crosby in 
1826, and Nathaniel Crookshank then an overseer of the 
poor. We have also notes of the following justices in 
the years designated : 

1819 — Luther Tillotson, Joab Comstock, Isaac Morgan, Samuel 
Halstead, William McCanee. 



1825 — William Wakefield, Jacob Scott. 

1829 — William Wakefield, Henry Lincoln, Oliver Hays, jr., Joseph 
McHenry. 

1865-6 — Christopher Kallenberger, John Carter. 

1867 — ^John Carter, R. J. Gwathney. 

1868-9— The same, with M. V. B. Sater. 

1870-3— John Carter, M. V. B. Sater. 

1874-5 — lohn Carter, Joseph Scull. 

1876— G. W. Milholland, Israel Atherton. 

1877— G. W. Milholland, Israel Atherton, William Siegle. 

1878— G. W. Milholland, William Siegle. 

1879-80 — William Siegle, J. N. Duncan. 

THE CROSBY TOWN-HOUSE 

was put up in 1865, upon a lot granted for that sole pur- 
pose by Samuel Bevis. Mr. M. L. Bevis gives the fol- 
lowing account of its genesis: 

During the last few years of the late Rebellion, there was an organi- 
zation composed of the voters in the township, for the purpose of aid- 
ing persons who were drafted. Each member deposited a certain sum 
of money with the treasurer of the society. Of course the entire aiso- 
ciation was not hkely to be called to the army at the same time, hence 
when a member was drafted a substitute was sent in his place, paid out 
of the treasury of the organization: thus it only cost the unlucky man 
a proportionate share of the expense. When the secession ended there 
remained some twelve hundred dollars in the treasury. The question 
was finally decided that a township house should be built with the re- 
maining funds. 

The building was erected by Mr. James Williamson, 
at a cost of twelve hundred dollars, in the village of 
New Haven. 

AN INCIDENT. 

Perhaps the most remarkable case of lightning stroke 
on record, so far as it relates to effects upon the human 
being and remarkable recovery from terrible injuries 
thereby, occurred in this township about the year 1835, 
upon a farm one and a half to two miles northwest of 
New Haven. Captain James Cummins, who resided 
there, is the principal hero of the story. It was in the 
early spring, upon an afternoon, that a heavy thunder- 
cloud, threatening rain, was observed in the west. As it 
came up in the sky, it spread along the horizon, and 
from the horizon toward the zenith, making repeated and 
powerful lightning discharges during its approach. One 
of these at length descended upon the premises of Cap- 
tain Cummins. The astonishing effects upon the house 
and its occupants, and especially upon the head of the 
family, are thus told in a letter to the Harrison News of 
February 19, 1880, from Burlington, Iowa, by Mr. Joab 
Comstock, jr., who 'H'as at the time a student of medi- 
cine with Dr. James Comstock, at New Haven: 

It struck the chimney of the house, ran down on the west side of it to 
the ridge of the roof, but soon parted, one stream passing down on the 
north side of the roof, zigzagging across the shingles until about mid- 
way, when it took down over the eave and the casing of a window, and 
thence to the ground. The other stream passed in like manner diagon- 
ally across the south side of the roof, but before reaching the eave di- 
vided again, one stream running over the eave and down the casing of 
a front window; the other stream going on further in like manner, ran 
down the casing of the front doOr, then into the ground. Mrs. Cum- 
mins was sitting in the west room, near its middle, rocking the cradle. 
John, the oldest son, was in the cham jer above, lying on the bed read- 
ing. Nancy, the eldest daughter, was doing something before a bed 
that was in the room, where her mother sat. Two younger girls were 
in the other room attending to the work there. The mother was se- 
verely shocked, but not seriously hurt. Nancy was thrown forward 
onto the bed before which she was standing, but not much hurt; John, 
who was up-stairs, was stunned so much, as he told me. that the first 
thing that he remembered he was half way to New Haven for a doctor. 



iftfti 



S.a-'^,^^:^ 




-daay-^^T^'^^-yrf;)^';^ ^ 



RESIDENCE AND MILLS OF GEO, 







ABNITZ, NEW BALTIMORE, OHIO, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



28s 



The two girls in the other room were severely shocked, so that they 
complained for days of severe pains in their limbs. 

IMr. Cummins called Adam, the second son, to help him carry the 
new wagon under the shed. Adam took the end of the tongue, it be- 
ing a stiff tongue, and the father took the a.xle. Adam had passed un- 
der the shed, and Mr. Cummins had reached a position directly under 
the point of the scythe that hung above him, when a stream of lightning, 
which, no doubt, had become detached from the main shaft, was at- 
tracted by the scythe, and by it conducted to its point, dropped on the 
top of the captain's head. It made a small hole in the middle of the 
hat-crown, much like a small bullet-hole; the body and rim of the hat, 
which was of strong felt, were literally torn to pieces. The neighbors 
picked up and counted si.vty-three pieces. The crown of the hat re- 
mained entire, except the hole through the centre. His underclothes 
were badly torn and set on fira. The pants, of nearly new and strong 
casinet, had the backs of the legs torn literally into shreds. His shoes, 
nearly new and of strong cowhide, had the outside quarters literally 
torn out. The stream, after penetrating the hat-crown, struck Mr. 
Cummins just in the crown or curl of hair on the top of his head. It 
spread out into a stream some three inches wide, passing down the 
back bf his head and neck, burning the hair into a crisp, and matting it 
to the scalp so firmly that I presume I was an hour in detaching it from 
the scalp. On the back of the neck the stream divided, one part pass- 
ing on down the spine to the hips, burning a wide strip all the way as 
broad as your hand and setting the clothes on fire. There were two 
or three places burned so deeply that subsequent sloughing took place. 
At the hips the main stream, as I call it, divided, the two streams pas- 
sing down the back of each leg, and off at the heels, as above stated. 
The stream that parted from the main stream on the neck wound 
around the side of the neck to the sternum or breast-bone, passing 
down the sternum to the pit of the stomach; then it divided and wound 
around each side to the hips, and tliere united with the stream already 
described; and thus united, passed off at his heels. 

Captain Cummins was of course very severely injured 
by the tremendous shock and the burns received. It is 
almost beyond belief that one could have such an elec- 
tric discharge pass through, or rather over him, and not 
be instantly struck out of life. He did lose his hearing, 
at once and forever. Mr. Comstock tells the rest of the 
story in these words : 

He recovered slowly, but suffered a great deal from his burns and the 
shock his nervous system had received. I visited him and dressed his 
wounds every morning for two or three weeks. It would take as much 
plaster to cover his burns as would cover the leaf of a common break- 
fast table. He finally recovered his health, and became hearty and 
well, and in 1839 moved with his family to Iowa, and settled at Middle- 
town. He subsequently died of cholera; so that what lightning failed 
to accomplish the cholera did. I have nevei» read or heard of a paral- 
lel case to this, and I do not believe there can be a case to equal it 
found on record. 

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT. 

Ezra Sherman, sr., was born in Cqnn.e-Cticut in the 
yeari76^;__ He served for a short time in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and also took part in Wayne's campaign. 
He was a member of the Methodist church, and for a 
number of years was a minister in that denomination. 
Coming to this State with the Ohio company he settled 
in Washington county, near Waterford. He was one of 
the first settlers who ventured into what was then the 
Northwestern Territory, and remembers seeing the first 
steamboat that sailed down the Ohio river. He married 
Mary Pierce, a native of Connecticut. After a few years 
in Ohio he removed his home to Kentucky, and thence, 
after a stay of six years, to Indiana, where he lost his 
wife in 1822. After her death, the father and three of 
his children joined the society of Shakers, in which they 
remained till death. The family consisted of five chil- 
dren — Anna, who married David E. Whitney, of Hamil- 
ton county; Manley, who married Frances Sterritt, of the 



same; Abel, married Ann McGuire, of Alabama; Ezra, 
who never married, and lives in this township; and Mary 
E., also single, and living in Indiana. 

Ezra Sherman, jr., one of the first trustees of the so- 
ciety of Shakers, was born in Washington county, Ohio, 
in 1805. When seven years old he went with his parents 
to Kentucky to live, and afterwards to Indiana. In 1826 
he joined the society of Shakers. At various times he 
has learned the boot and shoemaker's, the stonemason's 
and the blacksinith's trades. He is a natural mechanic, 
and can do at once almost anything in the manufactur- 
ing line. He understands farming equally well, and has 
given especial attention to bee culture. Owing to the 
rules of the society, he takes no part in political affairs. 
He has voted for President of the United States only 
once, and that was for John Quincy Adams. 

Joab Whipple was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 
20, 181 7. About the year 1839, he removed to this 
county. His wife's maiden name was Jane J. Lutis, 
daughter of Isaac Lutis. They were married January 
12, 1837. Nine children were duly born to them — 
Elizabeth L., Albina, Eunice J., Phoebe L., Isaac L., 
Zachary T., David J., Charles F., and Joab C. Of these, 
only five are now living — Elizabeth, Eunice, Isaac, 
Zachary, and Joab. Elizabeth married Henry Cone, 
and resides in Butler county; Isaac married Miss Inia 
L. Davis, and is a resident of Frankhn county, Kansas; 
Zachary married Miss Letitia A. Davis, and also is in 
Butler county, Ohio; Joab married Miss Elizabeth Wab- 
nitz, and lives in Crosby township. The last-named 
lives on the old home, his sister Eunice living with him. 
He was married March 17, 1880. Mrs. Whipple is 
a member of the church of United Brethern, and is one 
of its most liberal supporters. Joab Whipple, jr., is now 
a leading farmer in Hamilton county. His father died 
July 4, 1859, aged forty-six years. He was a man re- 
spected by all who knew him. 

Charles Cone, one of the pioneers, was born in Con- 
necticut in the year 1772, whence he emigrated with 
his family in the spring of 1800, and was a resident of 
the county up to the time of his death, April 26, 1853. 
He was married to Miss Jane Harvey, who became the 
mother of twelve children : Rufus, Philena, Ann, Charles, 
Asa, James, James S., Thomas H., Grace, Rachel, Wil- 
liam, £ind Martha. All of these but one, William, are 
now alive. He was born in this county January 2, 1810, 
and has been a resident of the county all his life, with 
the exception of about two years. He has been twice 
married; first February 6, 1834, to Miss Mary Atherton, 
daughter of Henry Atherton, of Massachusetts. Three 
children followed: William H., Charles, and George M. 
February 9, 1841, he married Miss Mary Brown, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Brown, of Butler county. To them were 
born two children : Rachel J., and Joseph. All the chil- 
dren have been married and are living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cone are both members of the Presbyterian church, of 
which they are liberal supporters. When the elder Mr. 
Cone came to Ohio the country was all in woods. The 
first thing he did was to build a cabin to shelter his fam- 
ily. At a later day he built an inn on the bank of the 



286 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Great Miami river, and kept a ferry-boat for taking people 
across. The Indians at that time were exceedingly trou- 
blesome. William,' the son, is now living in the same 
yard where the house stood in which he was born, and 
■ has reached the ripe age of seventy. His memory is still 
good, and ^he looks as though he might live many more 
years. 

.William W. McClure, jr., fourth child of William Mc- 
Clure, sr., was born in Franklin county, Indiana, No- 
vember 6, 1830. In 1 86 1 he moved to Hamilton county, 
where he has remained to the present day. February 18, 
i860, he was married to Miss Martha A. Simonson, 
daughter of Barney Simonson, and to them were born six 
children, two of whom, William and Martha, are dead, 
and Elizabeth, Barney, Mary, and James, remain at 
home. Mr. McClure is considered a model farmer and 
one of the most influential citizens of the county. He 
is a consistent Christian, too; has long been a reUable 
member of the Christian church of his vicinity. At the 
present date he is serving his second year as school 
director in the township for district No. 2. 

Andrew Nugent, sr., one of the pioneers, was born in 
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1786. From this 
place he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1812. He 
was married to Miss Mary Hill March 4, 1814. Seven 
children were given them : Christiana, Catharine, James, 
John, Andrew J., William S., and Julia. Of these, all 
are living, with the exception of John. The mother died 
August 2, 1865; the father followed November 14, 1872. 
William was born in Whitewater township, Hamilton 
county, February 23, 1830; came to Crosby township in 
i860, and has been a resident there ever since. He was 
married twice; first to Miss Elizabeth F. Lacy, daughter 
of Thomas Lacy, on the first of March, 1855. Ten 
children were born to them; three are now dead, and the 
mother also died November 12, 1875. His second mar- 
riage was to Mrs. Lydia Breese, daughter of Curtis Dean, 
and the widow of John Breese, on the eighth of March, 
1878. Mrs. Nugent is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
* copal church, and has always been active in its work and 
reliable in its support. Her husband connects himself 
with no organization. He is, however, a good moral 
man in his life, and has always been a worthy and re- 
spectable citizen. Andrew J. Nugent, the fifth child, and 
brother of the preceding, was born in Whitewater town- 
ship on the fifth day of July, 1826. About the year 
1854 he moved to Crosby township, and has been a resi- 
dent here from that date to the present. He was married 
first to Miss Mary Baughman July 23, 1853. Eight 
children were born to them. Mrs. Nugent died on the 
second of October, 1873. He was married, the second 
time, to Miss Mary A. Bacon, of Miami township, August 
2, 1879. One child has been added to his family. Mr. 
Nugent joined the "hundred days'" service during the 
late war of the Rebellion. He is now an enterprising 
farmer and a respected citizen. 

William G. Oyler, second son of George and Sarah 
Oyler, was born in Kent, England, August 22, 181 7. 
In 1828 he came to America. His home was with his 
parents in Crosby township, and he has remained in the 



same location, with the exception of four years' residence 
in Indiana. He was married first to Miss Rebecca 
Phillips, of Butler county, on the fifth of April, 1839. 
Their family consisted of six children. Of these three 
are living — Harriet, Sophia and Sarah. All are married : 
Harriet to Franklin Washburn, and is residing in the 
State of Indiana. Sophia married Alexander Campbell, 
and remains in this county. Sarah married William H. 
Guy, July 25, 1850, and lives in Madison county, Ohio. 
Mr. Oyler married for his second wife. Miss Eliza Van- 
tress, daughter of Isaac Vantress, of Indiana. She had 
nine children; Rebecca, James'A., Alice C, Ada M., 
Elizabeth, Electa J., McClellan, William T., and Lida 
B. Of these seven are hving, Rebecca and Elizabeth 
having died. The seven are all at home, excepting Alice, 
who married Charles L. Purlee on the sixth of October, 
1880, and James, who has made his home in Kansas. 
Mr. Oyler has served as trustee in Crosby township for a 
period of fourteen years, and in every way ranks in his 
neighborhood as a leading citizen, and a genuinely good 
man. 

Samuel Pottinger came with his family to Hamilton 
county in 1815, and continued a resident of that county 
up to the time of his death. He was the father of 
eighteen children. John, the father of our subject, was 
born near Bardstown, Kentucky, April 2, 1797. He was 
married to Sarah Cornick about the year 1821. Eleven 
children were afterward born to them : Susanna, David 
H., Eliza A., James, Mary J., John, Samuel, Thomas, 
Sarah J., Nancy, and Elizabeth E. Of these, seven are 
living and four dead. David H,, the second child, was 
born in this county February 11, 1825, and has remained 
a resident all his life. He was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Atherton, daughter of Amos Atherton, October 10, 1847. 
Five children followed this union: John W., Mary A., 
David F., William, and Sarah E. — all living except 
William. Two are at home, and two are married. John 
married Maria A. Simonson, and they are living in 
Crosby township. Mary married George Kemp, and 
they reside in Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Pot- 
tinger are members of the United Brethren church, and 
are classed among the most prosperous and worthy citi- 
zens of their township and county. 

Hugh Montgomery, the fourth child of Henry Mont- 
gomery, was born in Butler county, Morgan township, in 
the year 1821, February 28th. Hemarried Miss Phoebe 
Brisbin, daughter of Robert Brisbin, January 18, 1849. 
Of this union were born twelve children : Ellen, Aaron, 
Mary, James, Thomas, Sarah, Henry, William and 
Nancy, living; and Mary, Andrew and George, dead. 
Seven of the children are still at home. James married 
Martha Sefton, and is a resident of Crosby township. 
Ellen married Benjamin Hawk, and they reside in the 
same township. Mr. Montgomery has long been one of 
the leading citizens of this county, and served as trustee 
for Crosby township during the term of four years, end- 
ing about 1876. 

Horace Willey, another of the pioneers, was born in 
Hampshire county, Massachusetts, February 13, 1792. 
His father's name was Israel Willey. He came to Ohio 




Daniel VVabnitz was born in Baden, Germany, in 1796. 
He came to America in 1844, and settled in Colerain 
township, upon the farm now owned by Theodore Ferry- 
baugh. He followed the business of farming from pref- 
erence. He was a member of the German Lutheran 
church and in politics a Democrat. His wife was Han- 
nah Roof, of Wurtemburg, Germany. He died in Cole- 
rain township in 1863, his wife died the previous year; 
They are buried in the cemetery at Bevis. Their family 
consisted of six children — Daniel, whose wife was Mary 
Hite, and who still lives in Hamilton county; Charles, 
married to Elizabeth Wike, and living now in Iowa; 
George, who married Frederika Wike, now living in this 
county; Louise, married to Rosini Wike and living in the 
same; Sarah, the wife of David Shearing, of Hamilton 
county; and Elizabeth, now in Baden, Germany. George 
Wabnitz was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1829. 
He came to America with his father and settled in the same 



place. After coming here he learned the miller's trade, 
in which business he is now engaged at New Baltimore, 
in connection with farming. In 1866 he bought the mill 
property, which he now owns, from George Andrews 
Since purchasing he has expended nine thousand dollars 
in repairs, and the mill is now second to none on the 
Miami river. He also owns a steam saw-mill immediately 
adjoining. Beginning business with very little, he has 
now a handsome property. At one time he was trustee 
of Crosby township. In 1879 he became infirmary di- 
rector of the county, which office he still holds. In 1851 
he married Frederika Wike. Their children are Caro- 
line, wife of Andy Lower; Lena, married to Coonrod 
Jacobie; Elizabeth, married to Joel Whipple; George 
Emily, Katie, Rachel, Emma, and one tliat died in in- 
fancy without a name. Mr. Wabnitz is a member of the 
United Brethren church. Concerning politics he is a 
staunch Republicam 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



in 1800, and lived in Colerain township until March, 
1879. He was married to Miss Anne Tate, daughter of 
John Tate, of Pennsylvania. She was born in Lycoming 
county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1792. She came to Ohio 
in June, 1818, and on the seventh of March, 1822, mar- 
ried Horace Willey. They lived together until her death, 
January 7, 1879. There were seven children — Sarah J., 
John, Lewis, Lavinia, Marshall, Rachel, and Andrew J. 
Rachel and Marshall are dead. Since Mrs. Willey's 
death, her husband made his home with his son, John 
Willey, and subsequently with his son-in-law, Jeremiah 
Butterworth, where he died March 3, 1880. John Wil- 
ley, the second son of the preceding, was born in this 
county, March 30, 1824, and has been a resident of the 
same all his life. He was married to Miss Roxy A. 
Buell, daughter of Chnton D. Buell, October 16, 1880. 
Their children are Lottie A., Aurelia E., and Emily. 
The last named has died; the others are still living at 
home. Mrs. Willey is a member of the Presbyterian 
church; her husband has no connection with any church 
organization, but is an industrious and respected citizen. 
He served as trustee for Crosby township between 1870 
and '73. He has also filled the place of treasurer of the 
school board, in the district where he lives, for the last 
nine years. 

Judah Willey, a pioneer of the county, and a native 
of New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamil- 
ton county, where he continued to live at the time of his 
death, August 16, 1854. His wife. Miss Caroline Buell, 
was the daughter of Israel Buell. The children were 
Amanda, Roxy, William, Anne B., Samuel, Israel, and 
Mary. Of these, but three — Roxy, Israel, and Mary — 
are now living. Israel was born in Hamilton county, 
January 14, 1834, and has been a resident here all his 
life. He married Miss Amelia Hedges, daughter of 
. Stephen O. Hedges, April 6, 1859. They have five chil- 
dren: Anna, Stephen, Amos, Dora, and David, all living 
and at home. Mrs. Willey is an excellent member of the 
Presbyterian church. Mr. Willey has never joined a 
church, but among the farmers of Hamilton county he is 
a most exemplary and respected citizen. 

Jeremiah B.utteffeld, one of the early pioneers, was 
born in Massachusetts March 4, 1776, just four months 
before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 
When he was twelve years old his father moved to New 
York, and in i797"he leTt his home to seek his fortune in 
thFwest? He was married to Miss Polly Camp bell in 
the year 1800, came to Cincinnati the same year, and 
was a resident of the county to the time of his death, 
which occurred June 29, 1859. He was the father of 
eight children. Jeremiah, the fourth child, was born in 
Hamilton county March 6, 1811, and has remained there 
ever since. March 14, 1844, he was married to Miss Sarah 
Wijl£.y^ They have had nine children: Anna M., La- 
vinia, Emma, Josephine, Horace W., Lydia, John, Ella, 
and Jennie. Josephine, Horace, Lydia, John, and Jen- 
nie are still living, and three are still at home. Josephine 
married Henry Brown, and lives in Butler county; Hor- 
ace married Miss Wilhelmina Stephens, and remains in 
this county. Mrs. Butterfield is a member of the Pres- 



byterian church, but her husband has never become a 
professing Christian. 

Elijah Whipple was born in Vermont in the year 1781. 
He was married to Miss Elizabeth Comstock, of Hamil- 
ton county, about 1807. They had eleven children — 
Seneca, James, Sarah, Joab, Rebecca, Ruth, Elizabeth, 
Jerry, Daniel, Ennis, and Samuel. But four of this 
number are still living — Seneca, Elizabeth, Daniel, and 
Samuel. Daniel, the ninth child, was born in Butler 
county, December 22, 1821; moved to Hamilton county 
about the year 1845, and has been a resident of the latter 
county ever since, with the exception of two years spent 
in California. On the nineteenth of October, 1848, he 
married Miss Susan Pottinger, daughter of John Pottin- 
ger, who was born in this county in May, 1823. There 
were five children belonging to this family — Sarah, Aus- 
tin, Ella, John, and Joab. Austin only is not living. 
Mr. and Mrs. Whipple are both active members of the 
United Brethren church in their vicinity. The older 
Mr. Whipple died in 1830. His wife died seven years 
after that date. 

Josiah Bartlett was a native of the State of Connecticut, 
but emigrated from New York into Ohio. He settled in 
Crosby township abour the year 1838. In business he 
was a farmer all his life; as to politics he was a 
Whig until the Republican party started, after which 
time he was an active RepubHcan. His religious sym- 
pathies were with the Methodist church, of which he 
was a member. He married Anna Latham, a native of 
Vermont. Six children constitute their farnily, four sons 
and two daughters — Sarah, who married Robert Brown, 
and is now a resident of New York State; Latham S., 
who married Nancy Comstock and afterward Hannah 
Marsh, and is now living in this county; Lucy, who 
married Abner Phelps, and has her home in Indiana; 
William, who married Eliza Andrews and then Matilda 
- Winter, and is a resident of Hamilton county; David 
married first to Eunice Comstock and afterward to 
Phoebe Ellsworth; and Laurentine, who is also married 
and living in Indiana. The fourth child, William H., 
was born in New York in 1806, where he received a 
common school education. In 1823 he came to Ohio 
and settled at first in New Haven. The same year he 
began the study of medicine with Dr. Comstock. He 
continued his studies four years, and then began the prac- 
tice of medicine in company with Dr. Comstock. He 
stayed in New Haven two years, when he went to Miami 
township, and remained nine years in the same profes- 
sion. Then he moved to Cheviot, Green township, 
where he passed another nine years, when he sold his 
practice to Dr. Cruikshank, and from there he returned 
to New Haven, where he still resides. In August, 1880, 
he sold his practice to Dr. Shields. While engaged in 
full duty he had the largest practice of any regular phy- 
sician in the southwest part of Hamilton county. When 
he began business he had very little capital, but he has 
now accumulated a fine fortune. He was an old line 
Whig until the birth of the Republican party, since 
which time he has belonged to that organization. His 
first wife was a native of Ohio. She died in 1835, ^^^.v- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



ing him three children. His second wife was from the 
State of New York. His children, Horace B. and 
Euphemia, are both residents of Hamilton county; 
Amanda married Nathaniel G. French and lives in But- 
ler county. 

John Blackburn, a native of Ireland, emigrated from 
Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1796, and settled at North Bend. 
He worked at farming all his life. His death occurred 
in Butler county in the year 1814. His children are 
Catharine, a resident of this county; John, who was 
killed in Kentucky by the Indians; Agnes and Robert, 
residents of Hamilton county; Margaret, now in Penn- 
sylvania; and McConnel, Bryson, Hamilton, and Patter- 
son, are still belonging to this county. Patterson Black- 
burn was born in Pennsylvania in 1780, and, coming to 
Ohio with his father, first settled at North Bend. He 
learned the trade of a carpenter, and followed it during 
his life. In 18 15 he went to Davis county, Indiana, 
where he stayed fourteen years; then he returned to 
Ohio and settled on the farm now owned by R. H. 
Blackburn, in Crosby township. He held the office of 
clerk in the township for a number of years. In politics 
he was a Democrat. He married Mary Ball, a native of 
Maryland, who died in 1843 at the age of fifty-two. He 
always took great interest in educational matters. Not a 
professed member of any church, still he always gave 
liberally for the support of the gospel. He died in 
Crosby township in 1843 at the age of sixty-two. He 
was the father of four children — Robert H., who married 
Catharine Chrisman; Hannah, who became the wife of 
Oliver March, of Indiana; Mary, who married Joseph 
Kendall, of Indiana; and one that died in infancy. 
Robert H., son of Patterson and Mary Blackburn, was 
born in the year 1813 in Hamilton county. He gained 
a good common school education, and learned the car- 
penter trade with his father. At the age of eighteen, 
giving up his trade, he turned his attention to farming,- 
in which business he is now engaged. Two years he has 
held the office of assessor of Crosby township. He is 
a liberal supporter as well as member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and gave liberally toward the erection 
of the literary institution at College Hill. In 1838 he 
was married to Catharine Chrisman, who bore him six 
children — Sarah and Rebecca J., both residing still in 
Hamiton county; Mary S., who married William W. 
Powell, of Missouri; Hannah A. and Catharine S., both 
of this county at the present date; and Elizabeth, who 
became the wife of Charles Butts, also of this county. 

Daniel Wilkins was born in Pennsylvania, December 
23, 1773- He left his home and came to Hamilton 
county about the year 1792, and was a resident of this 
county at the time of his death, which occurred October 
17, 1841. He was married to the Widow Vantrees May 
23, 1809. The children are Daniel, jr., John, Susannah, 
Michael and Sarah. Three are yet living. Daniel was 
born in Hamilton September 30, 1810. He was married 
to Miss Eliza Shields, daughter of James Shields, of But- 
ler county, March 6, 1834. Nine children have been 
born — James S., Clarinda, Sarah, Elizabeth, Maria, Ann, 
Parthena, John, and George — all living but Maria, who 



died in 1864. James married Miss Emma Miller, and 
now resides in Iowa; Elizabeth married James M. 
Tweedy, and is now living in Georgia; Clarinda married 
John Langridge, and they are in Alabama. The others 
are at their father's home. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins are 
members of the Congregational church in their vicinity. 
Emanuel Butterfield was born in Hamilton county in 
1795, where he lived during his entire life. He was 
married to Miss Hannah Mow, and to them were born 
eight children — Charlotte, Amelia, Permelia, Hannah, 
Isaac, Daniel, Emanuel, and Hartman. Hannah and 
Permelia only are living. The former married Nathaniel 
Butterfield, but lost her husband October 11, 1857. 
Permelia lives with her sister Hannah. Mr. and Mrs. 
Nathaniel Butterfield have had seven children — Cum- 
mins, Jonathan, Quincy, Marshal, Celeste, Florence, Se- 
bastian. The last named alone has died. Two are mar- 
ried. Cummins married Phoebe Demming, and is now 
living in Butler county. Jonathan married Miss Sarah 
Brown, and is also living in Butler. Marshal is a prac- 
ticing physician in Venice, Butler county. The remain- 
ing three children are at home. Mrs. Butterfield still 
lives on the old farm, and manages the business with the 
assistance of her son. She and her daughter Celeste are 
members of the Presbyterian church. 

David Smith was born in Northampton county, Penn- 
sylvania, September 23, 1808. He was of German ex- 
traction, and belonged to a family of nine children. He 
came to this State with his father in 1822, crossing the 
mountains in wagons. They settled on a farm in Butler 
county, near Mill creek. In 1832 the family moved to 
Crosby township, where Mr. Smith lived to the time of 
his death, which occurred September 11, 1879. His 
wife was Miss Susanna Wilkins, and they had born to 
them eight children, who were all present at the time of 
the death of their father. He was a man well and favor- 
ably known throughout the county — honest, generous 
and kind. S. Newton, the youngest child, was born in 
this county January 9, 1853, and was married to Miss 
Frances Bevis, daughter of Jesse Bevis, October 9, 1873. 
Three children have been given them — Olive, Leonard 
W., and one infant child. 

John J. Sater, sr., was born in Crosby township, June 
13, 181 2, and has been a resident of the county all his 
life, excepting about four years, when he lived in Butler 
county. In January, 1832, he was married to Miss 
Nancy Larison, daughter of J. Larison, of Colerain 
township. They had thirteen children, Amos, William 
v., Mary, Jonathan J. L., Martin V. B., Jared, Hannah 
E., Milton, Jasper N., John E., Ira, Anson, and one not 
named. Eight of the thirteen are yet living. Mr. Sater 
died on the fourth of April, 1864. His wife had died 
the year previous. They were both members of the 
Baptist church. Martin, the fifth child, was born in 
Crosby township, November 16, 1843. He was married 
to Mary E. McHenry, daughter of Joseph H. McHenry, 
on November i, 1865. Their children are Mattie, Lovv- 
rie, Pearley M., Nellie, Daisy D., Milton, Clinton, and 
one that died unnamed. Four are living. Mrs. Sater 
belongs to the United Brethren church. Mr. Sater has 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



served as justice of the peace for six years. He has also 
been a trustee for the township for the past five years, 
and is a member of the executive board of the Agricul- 
tural Society of Hamilton county. In the late war he 
was a member of company C, Sixty-ninth Ohio infantry, 
and was honorably discharged. 

CROSBY VILLAGE. 

Next below Butterfield & Company's tract, on the 
west side of the river, a large piece was bought by Joab 
Comstock the same year. In 1803 he laid out a town 
site in what appeared to be an ehgible place near the 
Great Miami, below the famous bend, about two miles 
south of the county line, and gave the new town the 
name of Crosby, for the reason before given. For a 
time settlement was attracted thither, and its fortune was 
decidedly hopeful. A number of cabins and other 
houses were built ; a blacksmith shop and store began 
operations; other shops were opened; and many lots 
were sold. The ground selected proved too low, how- 
ever, for permanent occupation; and the great freshet of 
1805 thoroughly inundated the town site and invaded the 
buildings upon it. After this untoward event the place 
ran down, and was ultimately vacated altogether, not a 
single house remaining to mark the spot. In later times 
the property has been owned by the heirs of Judah 
Willey, son of Noah Willey, of the Butterfield Land com- 
pany. 

Joab Comstock became the chief founder of villages 
in Crosby township. He was one of the original pro- 
prietors of 

NEW HAVEN.* 

This village dates from 1815. It was laid off upon 
twenty acres of a hundred acre tract in the southwest 
corner of section eleven, bought from Robert Benefield 
by the proprietors of the new town — our old friend Joab 
Comstock, sr., and Major Charles Cone, another old 
settler in the township. Joseph Safer, another pioneer 
and father of some of the most prominent citizens of 
the township and county, served as surveyor, Major Cone 
carrying the flag-pole and Mr. Comstock himself notch- 
ing the trees for landmarks. The site was probably de- 
termined, in large part, by its natural advantages, it be- 
ing at the junction of Howard's creek and the Dry Fork 
of Whitewater, with a picturesque distribution of high 
lands in every direction in the near view. It took its 
name from the birthplace of Comstock in the "land of 
steady habits." When, however, it became desirable to 
establish a post office at this point, it was found that 
there was another New Haven in the State, and ac- 
cordingly it became necessary to designate this office by 
another name — that of Preston being selected. 

Main street intersected the town site from east to west. 
Parallel with it was a street on the south, through which 
ran the road from New Baltimore to Harrison; and an- 
other on the north, which was not opened for a long 
time. There was also a West street, on which ran the 
road to the Shakers' town. A small piece of ground to 

*This account has been mainly abridged from tlie entertaining papers 
contributed to the Harrison -News in the fall of 1879, by iVTr. M. L. 
Bevis, of New Haven. 



the north of the plat, and outside of it, was reserved 
for a burying-ground; but there were no other reserva- 
tions. 

The progress of the place was slow. Mr. Bevis says : 

During the ten years following 1815, the proposed village was only 
made larger about once every six months or one year by the addition 
of a cabin, ox-shed, or log barn. 

The first frame building was erected in 1826, eleven 
years after the town was founded. It is still standing on 
Main street, second dwelling west of A. T. Hawk's 
shop, and was recently occupied by the Rev. Mr. Rode- 
baugh. The first log cabin was put up long before, on 
the north side of Main street, near the centre of the 
village plat. Mr. Bevis humorously remarks : 

It would defy the skilled Samuel L. Clemens [Mark Twain] to tell 
what New Haven resembled at that early day. Seven or eight log 
cabins were strewn up and down IVIain street, without sidewalks and 
numbers. The fragrant dog-fennel and jimson-weed grew luxuriantly 
beside the cabin doorstep; Main street and Shaker avenue were soon 
lost among the paw-paw bushes and Spanish needles a few rods from 
Dr. George Little's tavern. 

The first tavern in New Haven was opened by Dr. 
Little. The first storekeeper had his place alongside of 
this — Mr. William Wakefield, whose grandson, Amos 
Wakefield, occupies a store upon nearly the same site. 
David Goshom and Wesley Thompson were the first 
blacksmiths. William McGuire, of whom Thompson 
was a son-in-law, was one of the first school-teachers in 
the place. Mr. William Ellsworth, a widower with two 
daughters, was another professional school-teacher resid- 
ing in town. Thomas Makin, a bachelor, and his two 
maiden sisters, early opened a dry goods store. Dr. 
George Little was the first physician. Others among 
the earliest were Dr. James Comstock, who lived just 
south of the village; Noah Comstock, his brother; Ed- 
mund C. Archibald, wagon-maker; John Shrozer, cabi- 
net-maker and undertaker; Leonard Hathaway, and 
Lathan S. Bartlett, shoemakers; and Lot Day, tanner, 
whose factory was in the southeast corner of the place, 
near Howard's creek. Mr. Bartlett had also an early 
tannery. Among the younger men were Drs. Hiram and 
Thomas Ball, students of medicine with Dr. Comstock. 
This pretty nearly or quite exhausts the list of the earliest 
settlers. 

The date of the first brick house is fixed at 1832 — the 
dwelling now occupied by Mr. G. W. Milholland. It 
was early used as a saloon and residence by Enoch Hay- 
den. Other saloonists of that pioneer time were named 
Welloson, Gibson, and Hyatt. Some of the old grog- 
geries are now used for stables, and one is occupied by 
Dr. J. H. Duncan, as an office. In 1840 a large frame 
building was put up for a hotel, but left uncompleted by 
the owner for lack of means, and in time became much 
dilapidated. It was repaired, however, and is now occu- 
pied in part by the post office. 

The first school-house was built of green, unhewed 
buckeye logs, on Howard's creek, south side of the 
street, at the southeast corner of the town. Elijah 
Thoinpson, father of Thompson the blacksmith, was first 
teacher in it. The second school-house which served 
the village, a plain frame building, was built half a mile 



290 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



north of town, also on Howard's creek and on "Shaker 
avenue." The frame of this academic structure after- 
wards did duty as a stable upon Mr. A. T. Hawks' 
place in the village. The present school building was 
put up in i860, on a slight eminence north of town, by 
Mr. James Williamson, upon property leased from Phebe 
Wakefield and A. McCoy. Its cost, exclusive of furni- 
ture, was one thousand three hundred dollars. A north 
wing, for another school-room, was added four or five 
years afterwards, by Edward Dunnick. 

The post office was established in 1826. The petition 
of citizens for an office named Alexander Preston Cav- 
ender for first postmaster, and when the necessity for a 
name other than that of the village became evident, his 
middle name was chosen. The office was opened in a 
house now the residence of Mr. D. Clinton Buell. The 
mail was received in saddle-bags by horseback post from 
North Bend once a fortnight. John Carter, F. Opper- 
man, and Francis Milholland are in the succession of 
local postmasters, the last named being now in charge of 
the office. The mail is received twice a week, besides 
what is obtained almost daily by visitors to Harrison, five 
miles distant. 

Of late years a literary and dramatic society in New 
Haven added considerably to the interest of living in the 
place. In the year 1874 its receipts from public enter- 
tainments amounted to eighty-five dollars, which were 
given to the church of the United Brethren in Christ, in 
that place. 

Dr. Jason F. Brevoort was oneofthe old practitioners 
in New Haven. He went there a boy of fourteen, with 
his parents, and eight years afterwards began reading 
medicine with Dr. Comstock. He had previously re- 
ceived some academic education at Oxford and at 
Augusta, Kentucky. Although he had no diploma of 
any kind, he practiced successfully here for twenty years, 
then for a time at Harrison, and finally removed to a farm 
near Columbus, Indiana. He was the second physician 
in New Haven. 

Dr. William H. Bentlett came from New York State 
to New Haven, via Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, in 1825. 
He was then in his twentieth year, and at twenty-three 
began practice, after a studentship under Dr. Comstock. 
He has been a practitioner in New Haven for more than 
half a century, save nine years at Miamitown, and as 
many at Cheviot. 

Two of the oldest ladies of the community — Miss 
Mary Cavender, of 18 18, the third year of the village, 
and Mrs. Lavina Wright, of 1825 — are still living in New 
Haven. 

Moses Carpenter was the first superintendent of a 
Sunday-school in New Haven, and Joab Comstock, jr., 
first secretary. 

M. Bevis gives the following picture of the first church 
near the village, and perhaps the first in Crosby township: 

A little hickory house, about fifteen by thirty, with the bark hanging 
loose from the logs, a small low door that swung with a creack, seats 
made of blue-ash trees split once and legs put in the outer side, turning 
the wide, flat surface upward to sit on, a rude table or stand for a pul- 
pit, and the first church in the community was completed. It stood on 
the bank, in the Baptist cemetery, one mile southwest of the village. 



Moses Hornaday, one of the early circuit-preachers in the Miami val- 
ley, led the services. Since the erection of that church, two others 
have been built — one a frame and the other a brick, standing there 
now. 

The church building now occupied by the Methodist 
Episcopal society was erected in 1830, although not in 
its present shape, it having since been greatly improved. 
Mr. Bevis says that "the old building, as it was forty- 
nine years ago, would be a queer specimen of architec- 
ture compared with its present appearance. With doors 
on both the east and west side, portable seats of the old 
district school-house kind, stoves of mammoth propor- 
tions, minus shutters and curtains, without bell or belfry, 
it was certainly a unique structure." 

The building was dedicated in January, 1831, and a 
Sunday-school organized therein immediately after. An- 
other, a union school, had been kept in Mr. Comstock's 
barn, but was now transferred to Sater's school-house. 
Both schools were afterwards united on the union foun- 
dation, Mr. Robert H. Blackburn being the first super- 
intendent of the united schools. He was born March 
12, 18 1 3, in an old frame house still standing on Mr. 
John Hyatt's farm. 

The United Brethren church in New Haven or-iginated 
with Rev. William Sturr, a young minister of that denom- 
ination, one of the oldest settlers in that township, and 
John Myers. A subscription was made for a house of 
worship, in April and May, 1850, signed liberally by Mr. 
Myers, Amos Atherton (who gave one hundred dollars), 
and others, and the house was put up in due time by Mr. 
John Shroyer. "At first," says Mr. Bevis, "the United 
Brethern church resembled our common country barns, 
square and upright, without the ornaments which add so 
much toward its beauty to-day." In 1866 a belfry and 
bell were added; and in 1874 the whole building was 
remodelled, new carpet put down, and an organ purchased. 

In the spring of 1877 the Union Sunday-school was 
divided, the Methodist people taking their own from it. 
Since 1873 the Sunday-school concert has been an inter- 
esting feature of the summer Sabbath afternoons. 

New Haven had a population of one hundred and 
twenty-eight in 1830, which had grown to one hundred 
and forty-one in 1850, and one hundred and sixty-one in 
1870, each time leading any other village in the township 
in proportion. 

Some interesting mounds, quite certainly ancient 
works, are found on the hills south of New Haven. 

WHITEWATER. 

This village, more commonly known as the Shakers' 
town, or Shakers' Society, is situated on the Dry fork of 
the Whitewater, on the dividing line between sections two 
and three, about half a mile south of the county line, 
something more than a mile from the west township line, 
and a mile and a half north of New Haven. It had its ori- 
gin about the year 182-, with the United Society of Be- 
lievers, commonly called Shakers. Mr. Ezra Sherman, 
a trustee of the society then and now, obliges us and 
the readers of this work with the following particulars : 

"In 1823 there was a Methodist revival in the neigh- 
borhood, after which the society was visited by a delega- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



291 



tion of Shakers from Union village, near Lebanon, Ohio,> 
who opened their testimony of Christ's second coming 
without sin unto salvation. It was joyfully received, and 
many of the people united with the same. In 1824 they 
purchased forty acres of land, for which they paid two 
hundred dollars, and commenced to live in joint interest, 
having all things in common, as was the case of the Pen- 
tecostal church of Christ's first coming. 

"The society is situated on the Dry fork of the White- 
water, one mile from the village of New Haven, and six 
miles northeast of Harrison. It commenced its history 
by purchasing forty acres of land and building at first 
some log cabins. About eighteen in number were the 
brethren and sisters at that time. In 1825 they were re- 
plenished to about forty men, women and children, by a 
company of New Lights, as they were called — a religious 
body of people who received the same testimony and had 
removed from the Derby plains in northern Ohio — form- 
ing one body. So from time to time, as they had money 
saved by their joint labor, and as opportunity offered, 
they bought lands, built brick and good frame houses, 
and increased in numbers to the present time, now own- 
ing about twelve hundred acres, assessed at about sixty 
dollars per acre. 

"The testimony of the society has always been against 
wars and fighting; against learning the art of war. There 
were some trials in the matter of militia musters, which 
members not attending, they were fined and their prop- 
erty sold to pay for the same. 

"In 1846 there came from Cincinnati and other places, 
about seventy men, women and children, commonly 
known as Miilerites or Second Adventists. Hearing and 
believing, they became members. Many having deceased, 
some remain to the present time. The present leading 
members of the society are, as elders, Stephen W. Ball, 
Henry B. Bear, Charles Feaday; as elderesses, Amanda 
Reubust, Nancy McKee, E. Gass, Julia Ann Bear, Edith 
Dennis. Our numbers at the present time are about 
fifty members." 

The first trustees of the society were Ezra Sherman 
and Ebenezer Rice; the present trustees are Mr. Sher- 
man and Henry B. Bear. The first elders were Calvin 
Morrell and Jacob Holloway. The elderesses were 
Mary Beadle and Phebe Seeley. The original deacon- 
esses were Sarepta Hinman and Ann Hall; the present 
deaconess is Eliza McGuire. 

Formerly this society engaged somewhat in manufac- 
turing and in the raising of garden seeds, but of late 
years they have devoted their attention and labors exclu- 
sively to farming. In September, 1857, the colony was 
visited by a travelling correspondent of The Cincinnatus, 
an agricultural magazine published at College Hill, who 
included the following notice of tlie Shaker settlement in 
his next contribution to that periodical: 

While in the neighborhood of Harrison, I visited the celebrated 
Shaker farm in Crosby township, which consists of about fourteen 
hundred acres. It is a fine specimen of scientific agriculture and horti- 
culture. Peculiar religious tenets aside, the society gives ample evidence 
of true knowledge in farming and gardening. Their community con- 
sists of three families, in all two hundred persons, including the chil- 
dren placed to their care. Their chief business is the raising of fine 



stock, seeds, and brooms. They have about fifty acres appropriated to 
garden seeds, yielding a profit of three thousand dollars per year. They 
have also seventy-five milch cows, one imported Durham bull, and 
twenty calves. Of the last there were si.x specimens taken to our State 
fair. E.xtreme cleanliness is everywhere manifest. The barn and 
stables are arranged with remarkable taste and convenience. They 
have the Osage orange and quickset hedges grown and growing to per- 
fection, and on either side the main road the additional ornament of 
fine black locust trees the entire length of their farm, the whole of which 
is assessed at seventy-five thousand dollars. 

The following story of this community is related in 
Judge Carter's Reminiscences of the Old Court House: 

It is well known that a large family of the pure and innocent Shakers 
have a long time existed out at the Whitewater village, in the northwest 
portion of Hamilton county, even for a period of over fifty years. 
When they first settled there, being regarded by orthodox people as 
children of the devil, and by others as religious lunatics, it was the en- 
deavor of all the neighborhood in Whitewater, Crosby, and Miami 
townships, to get rid of them and their peaceful settlement; and all 
manner of stories were circulated about their devilish ways all over the 
country, and sometimes a mob of farmers was talked of, to drive them 
clear out of the county and country. At last some vindictive scoun- 
drels in the neighborhood got two little Shaker boys, who were anxious 
to run away from the strict and restraining care of the Shakers, to make 
up a horrid and outrageous charge against the whole Shaker commu- 
nity of Whitewater. 

The men of the Shaker colony, fifteen or twenty in num- 
ber, were consequently brought to Cincinnati and con- 
fined in the county jail. Intense feeling was aroused 
against them by their enemies and accusers, and there 
was imminent danger that they would be taken from the 
jail and lynched. By the efforts of leading citizens, how- 
ever, the mob was stayed from violence. The Shakers, 
placing their simple trust in the Lord, offered no defence, 
either in the magistrate's court at New Haven, or when 
brought before the court of common pleas; but a medi- 
cal exarnination of the boys, made by order of the 
judges, demonstrated that no such outrage as had been 
alleged could have been committed upon them, and 
the patient non-resistants were accordingly and promptly 
freed. Judge Carter adds: 

And so it was, the innocent Shakers were honorably discharged, and 
amidst applause and huzzas, went from the court house to their peaceful 
homes; and the city, and the county and the country, were relieved from 
the foul consequences of one of the most wicked conspiracies against 
innocent and harmless ijien, because of their religion, that ever was 
known. But the matter, wicked as it was, redounded to the great 
credit of the Shakers of Whitewater village. Pronounced, by the 
court in full bench, entirely innocent, and honorably discharged on the 
testimony of the expert surgeons, they were ever after, from sympathy 
and fellow-feeling, taken into the good graces and warm friendship of 
the neighborhood, and have lived in peace with all mankind and hope 
of bliss beyond the grave, ever since their fortunate and deserved es- 
cape from conspiracy. They have never since been molested by any- 
body, from anywhere. 

In 1870 the village or settlement contained one hun- 
dred and twenty-three inhabitants. It has no post office, 
the inhabitants generally relying upon New Haven (or 
Preston) for their postal facilities. 

NEW BALTIMORE. 

This place is situated on the Great Miami, in the 
southeastern part of the township, two and a half miles 
south of the county line, and about five miles south of 
east from New Haven. Its town-plat was recorded 
in the Hamilion county land records March 8, 18 19, by 
Samuel Pottinger. It is celebrated in local history as one 
of the places where John Morgan's forces crossed the 



292 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



river, in the rebel raid of July, 1863, across Hamilton 
county and southern Ohio. In 1830 it had eighty-nine 
inhabitants, in 1850 one hundred and four, in 1870 nine- 
six. 

POPULATION OF THE TOWN.SHIP. 

By the census of 1880 Crosby township had one thou- 
sand two hundred and fourteen inhabitants — an increase 
of one hundred and seventeen since the last census was 
taken. 



Biographical Sketches. 



THE SATER FAMILY 
is of an old Maryland descent. Henry Sater came from 
England in 1709 and settled for a time at Jamestown, 
Virginia, and finally at Chestnut Ridge, near Baltimore, 
Maryland. His wife's maiden name was Dorcas Gossage. 
They were parents of Joseph Sater, who was born De- 
cember 25, 1753, the youngest child of the .family, soon 
after which his father died. He emigrated from Balti- 
more county, near the city of that name, in 181 r, to the 
Miami country. His wife's maiden name was Hannah 
Levering, born January 16, 1764, and died April 9, 1854, 
aged ninety years, two months and twenty-four days. She 
was of French and German descent, daughter of Colonel 
Levering, one of the prominent heroes of the Revolution. 
They brought the surviving members of their family with 
them — three sons and three daughters. They landed at 
Cincinnati, and pushed their way across the country to 
the fertile Congress lands beyond the Great Miami, where 
he first settled among friends near Harrison, and then, in 
1812, he farmed a place at Round Bottom, in the Little 
Miami valley. - In i8i3he bought a tract of about three 
hundred acres from Captain Jacob White, occupied by 
his son, Providence White, at ten dollars per acte, having 
declined to purchase in the Mill Creek valley, where Cum- 
minsville now stands, on the ground tliat it was too high. 
The original Sater tract is now in part the property of John 
and Jacob Schwing, adjoining the farm of Thomas E. 
Sater, and in part is owned by the Shaker society. Here 
Joseph Sater made his pioneer improvements, and re- 
mained until his death, which occurred October 27, 1833, 
at the age of seventy-nine years, two months and two 
days. Among his children was Thomas Sater, fifth son, 
who is the only survivor of the family in his generation. 
He resides near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in his eighty-first 
year. The second son was William Sater, who was born 
September 17, 1793, in Maryland, occupied a portion of 
the home place in Crosby township, after his father's 
death, built the brick mansion in which his son 
Thomas now lives, in 1831 and died there January 30, 
1849. His wife was Miss Nancy Jones, of Welsh and 
Scotch stock, daughter of a pioneer from Maryland, John 
Jones, who was born March 4, 1754, and immigrated to 
the valley of the Whitewater in 1809, died in July, 1820. 



Her natal day was August 3, 1790. She was married to 
Mr. Sater in September, 1813, and died September 3, 
1871. Their children were: 

John Jones, born June 10, 1814; married Nancy Lar- 
rison February 19, 1834; died April 3, 1864. Had thir- 
teen children — eleven sons and two daughters. 

Plannah, born July 16, 1816, died in infancy. 

Eliza Ann, born January 8, 18 18; married to William 
B. Hill in June, 1843; resides in Springfield township, 
two and one half miles north of Mount Pleasant. They 
have two sons and three daughters. 

Sarah, born December 19, 1819; married James Gwalt- 
ney, February 7, 1843; resides in Butler county, Morgan 
township; has nine children — three sons and six daugh- 
ters. 

William, born September 2, 1822; married in the spring 
of 1844, Sarah Jane Skillman; had two sons and two 
daughters; resided in Butler county, near his sister, and 
died April 4, 1852. 

Joseph, who is noticed at length below. 

Oliver, born June 20, 1829; married Maria Foster, 
March 30, 1852; had five children^all sons — two living; 
occupied the cabin built by his grandfather at the old 
home until about 1858, when he built a larger house on 
the same premises, and died there November 7, i860. 

Thomas E., who is noticed in a biography elsewhere. 



JOSEPH SATER. 
Joseph Sater was born at the old home in Crosby town- 
ship, November 20, 1824; spent his earlier years in the 
pursuits of the farm, and attending the district schools 
until the winter of 1844-5, when he was a student at 
Gary's academy, at College hill. Returning to the farm, 
he was married, as noted below, in 1849, to Miss Eliza 
A. Hedges, of Colerain township, and occupied his pres- 
ent place, adjoining his brother Thomas' farm, about one 
and one-half miles northeast of New Haven, where he 
has since resided, engaged in the peaceful pursuits of the 
successful farmer. In 1857 he was elected township trus- 
tee, and served three terms, and is now serving his twenty- 
fifth year as a member of the school board. In 1859, and 
in 1870, hewas chosen real estate assessor for the township; 
in i860 he was elected township treasurer, and served 
about eleven years, when lie was elected county commis- 
sioner and declined to serve longer. In 1863 and 1867 
he was nominated for the legislature on the Democratic 
ticket, the first nomination being unanimous, and the 
second practically so, and was defeated with his ticket — 
his party being then greatly in the minority. He was 
chosen twice to the commissionership, in 187 1 and again 
in 1874, both times on minority tickets, being nominated 
by the Democrats the first time, and running indepen- 
dently the second time, but taken up by the Republicans. 
He was first elected when the majority of the Republican 
ticket was more than seventeen hundred, and Mr. Sater's 
majority was two thousand seven hundred and ninety- 
nine, a vote ahead of his ticket of more than four thou- 
sand five hundred. At the second election he ran as an 




ngi-bhARBitdV 



y/y6 



/a,-Oiyo: 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



293 



independent candidate, when he defeated the regular 
Democratic nominee by about six hundred, the Repub- 
lican ticket being also defeated by four thousand seven 
hundred votes — a gain for him of about five thousand 
three hundred. He was a very active, energetic, and 
fearless member of the board. As a result of some of 
the inquiries and agitations started by him while in this 
office the law for the board of control was procured from 
the State legislature. He would recognize no legislation 
by the board which was transacted in beer saloons or any- 
where else than in the rightful place of meetirig, and at 
last succeeded in breaking up the practice of signing bills 
or records that were not regularly before the board in its 
own room in the court house. Repeatedly he filed his 
protest againts the payment of illegal claims, and gener- 
ally succeeded in checking or preventing payments. 
Several resolutions were introduced by him, and carried, 
to lop off superfluous officials, and otherwise economize 
the expenditure of the pubUc funds. The signal impres- 
sion produced by his service during the first term, upon 
the tax-payers and voters of the county, is shown by the 
triumphant success of his second canvass for the same 
office, made in opposition to a regular nominee. At the 
close of his second term, November 30, 1877, after serv- 
ing six years and one month, a complimentary dinner was 
tendered at the St. Nicholas in Cincinnati, to "Honest 
Joe Sater," as his friends were wont to call him. It was 
attended by many county officers and other prominent 
personages, and presided over by Governor-elect R. M. 
Bishop, who said, in his introductory remarks: 

I feel highly complimented in bei.ig called on to preside on the pres- 
ent occasion, which is intended by the friends of Mr. Sater as a com- 
pliment to a man who has filled a position for the past six years, not 
only with credit to himself, but with credit to the county which he has 
had the honor to represent. 

Upon the same occasion, Thomas B. Paxton, county 
solicitor, expressed the opinion "that Mr. Sater had 
saved this county one hundred thousand dollars per year, 
to the great disgust of certain small contractors." Many 
complimentary remarks were also made by Governor 
Thomas L. Young, and others, in letters conveying re- 
grets. B. F. Brannan, for example, in a letter, said he 
had "for the 'period of three years occasion to closely 
watch the manner in which Mr. Sater performed the du- 
ties of his office. In all that time there could not be 
discovered the slightest divergence from the strict and 
just path of duty. His course was invariably marked 
by an austere devotion to the economic interests of Ham- 
ilton county, and his record was found true and clean — 
a record that will stand on the pages of the history of 
Hamilton county bright and shining as 'the old silver 
dollar of the fathers' fresh from the mint, stamped with 
the figure of that noble bird which is the emblem of the 
Republic, symbolizing a character that at life's end will 
soar to the skies and beyond to receive the just reward 
due to the faithful public servant." Murat Halstead, esq., 
editor of the Commercial^ said in excusing his absence, 
"I would with sincerity join in the recognition proposed 
of the faithful and valuable public service of Mr. Joseph 
Sater, whose name is identified in this community with 
vigilance and integrity in the discharge of the duties of 



a position of responsibility." Judge M. F. Force (letter) 
said, "Mr. Sater has well earned the compliment by his 
valuable public service." Richard Smith said, "I have 
no doubt that Mr. Sater feels much better to-night to go 
out of that very responsible office which he has very 
faithfully filled, with the reputation which he has, than 
with a half-million of dollars stolen. Money will perish. 
His reputation for honesty will never perish. It will live 
when the grass shall grow green over his grave." I. J. 
Miller said, he "had not only been an honest officer, but 
a capable one. He had shown himself better acquainted 
with the laws governing his office than any member of 
the bar of Hamilton county." Judge Longworth said, "It 
was better to have written on Mr. Sater's record, as it was 
now written, than on the tomb, the tribute to his honesty 
and capability." 

Mr. Sater was, by the joint action of the judges of the 
common pleas and superior courts of Hamilton county, 
in April, 1 881, appointed one of three jury commissioners 
to select a list of six thousand names from which the juries 
for said courts will be drawn. Mr. Sater has also settled a 
large number of estates with a fidelity and accuracy that 
have justified the confidence reposed in him by widows 
and orphans. He has not thought it necessary to belong 
to any religious or secret order, but has always liberally 
contributed to the support of different religious organiza- 
tions. 

Eliza A. (Hedges) was second daughter of Anthony 
Ludlow and Hannah A. (Johnson) Hedges, or Colerain 
township. The Hedges and Johnson families of the next 
previous generation came together from New Jersey 
(Hedges in 1805, Johnson in 1809), at a very early day, 
and settled in Colerain, near the site of the famous 
ancient work at Dunlap's Station, which is now in posses- 
sion of the Johnson descendants. Hannah A. Johnson 
was born January 12, 1805, and is still living on the old 
place, as Mrs. Marsh, she having been a second time 
married. Mr. Hedges died in September, 183 1. Upon 
this farm was born Eliza Ann, January 11, 1826. Her 
formal education was received solely in the public schools, 
and she remained at home with her parents until her 
marriage to Mr. Sater, March 29, 1849. Since that time 
she has shared the toils and struggles, the joys and sor- 
rows of her husband, with little personal , history apart 
from his. They have had four children, of whom one 
survives. The record is as follows: 

Hannah Jane, born March 30, 1850; died July 28th, 
of the same year. 

William, born January 5, 1852; died April i, 1856. 

George Ludlow, born August 20, 1853; died Decem- 
ber 22, 1853. 

May Eliza, born December 30, 1856; married July 29, 
1874, to John Dowry Wakefield, of the old pioneer fam- 
ily of that name in Crosby township; resides with her 
husband at her father's home. They have two children. 

Mr. Sater is not only the most prominent man of his' 
township, but one of the leading and substantial citizens 
of the county. He enjoys the esteem and respect of all 
the better elements to be found in both political parties 
of the present day. His integrity, honesty, and wise 



294 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



counsels have secured for him a reputation which few 
men are permitted to enjoy. His home is one of the 
finest in the township. 



Hospitable, generous, respected by all, he is a living ex- 
ample of what honesty and fair-dealing will earn for a man 
who possesses all these qualities, as does honest Jo Sater. 



DELHI. 



SOUTH BEND TOWNSHIP. 

The original organization, including the territory now 
covered by Delhi township, was the now long extinct 
South Bend township, planted by the court of general 
quarter sessions of the peace between Cincinnati and Mi- 
ami townships. It was erected in 1795, among the ear- 
liest in the county, and was named from the settlement 
already made under the auspices of Judge Symmes, at 
the southernmost point on the river in the Miami Pur- 
chase, which in turn took its name from the great bend 
in the Ohio, within which it had been settled. The 
boundaries of the new township were defined about as fol- 
lows : 

Beginning at the second meridian west of Mill creek; 
thence down the Ohio six miles and over; thence north 
on a meridian to the Big Miami; thence up that stream 
to the southwest corner of Colerain township; thence 
east to the meridian first named; thence south to the 
place of beginning. 

These boundaries included nearly or quite the whole 
of the present territory of Delhi, and so much of the tract 
covered by Green township as did not belong to Colerain, 
as defined in a previous chapter; 

The first township officers for South Bend were nom- 
inated by the court as follows: 

Clerk— William Powell. 

Constable — James Thatcher. 

Overseers of the Poor — William Powell, Robert 
Gowdy. 

Supervisor of Highways — Usual Bates. 

Viewers of Enclosures and Appraisers of Damages — 
David Edgar, James Gowdy, Edward Cowan. 

The letter C was assigned to the cattle brand for 
South Bend township. 

DELHI TOWNSHIP. 

This township, as now constituted (erected between 
1810 and 1815), is the smallest in the county, except 
Spencer on the opposite side of Cincinnati. It has but 
eight thousand seven hundred and eighty-six acres, or less 
than fourteen square miles, is bounded on the east by the 
city; on the south and west by theOhio river, which divides 
it from Kentucky; and on the north by the entire breadth 
of Green township, nearly one mile of Miami, and about 
as much of the city on the other side. Its lines begin at 



the mouth of Bold Face creek, on the Ohio, almost 
a mile above the "second meridian line" mentioned 
among the boundaries of South Bend township; and run 
thence down the river to a point about a mile below the 
mouth of Muddy creek, where the old south line of Mill 
Creek and north Hne of Cincinnati townships (in part 
now Liberty street, Cincinnati) and present south line of 
Green township, extended westward, intersects the Ohio, 
thence eastward to the second meridian line aforesaid; 
thence south to the second parallel, the south line of sec- 
tions five and thirty-five; and eastward again to the place of 
beginning. The breadth of the township on its north 
line is seven miles, very nearly; on its first section line 
next south, six miles; upon the next, which extends east 
of the general line of the township, four miles and two- 
thirds; with a very short southernmost parallel deeper in 
the bend. The greatest breadth of the township is a 
little more than three miles; whence it dwindles, by the 
flow of the river to both sides of the township to a point 
at each end. The average width is only about two miles. 
It has eleven full sections and eight fractional sections, 
lying in fractional range one, township two; and the 
duplicate section six, at the northwest corner of the town- 
ship, in fractional range one, of township one. 

The surface of Delhi presents as great a variety of topog- 
raphy as any other part of the county, of equal extent. 
A comparatively level strip, of uniform width for but 
short distances, but nowhere extending far inland, 
except up the valleys, borders the river, and in places, as 
near Sedamsville, being quite narrow, with lofty, steep 
hills almost abutting upon the river. West from the city 
the general character of the country is highland, until 
the river is approached some miles further to the west; 
but intersected, cut down and variegated by an un- 
common number of small streams for so small a tract. 
Among the valleys thus created are those of Bold Face 
creek, the Rapid run, Muddy creek, and at least a dozen 
minor brooks, all of which find their way to the Ohio, 
either directly or through creeks to which they are 
tributary. 

The Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago 
railway follows the river through the entire south and 
west parts of this township; and, on lines generally paral- 
lel with it the whole way, are the tracks of the older 
Ohio & Mississippi railroad. Along these are scattered 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



29s 



numerous suburban villages, for some of which both 
railroads have stations, making fifteen or twenty in all. 
Back on the highlands is Warsaw, a village which gives 
the name to the Warsaw turnpike, connecting it with the 
city. There are also the Industry and Delhi, the Rapid 
run, and other turnpike roads intersecting the township. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The following named gentlemen are among those who 
have served Delhi as justices of the peace: 1819, Peter 
Williams; 1825-9, Ichabod Palmerton; 1829, George 
D. Cullum; 1865, H. E. Hopkins, William L. Williams; 
1866, William L. Williams, Cornelius Myers; 1867-74, 
Cornelius Myers, Richard Paul; 1875-80, Richard 
Paul, Henry Rauck, jr. 

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT 

within the limits of what is now Delhi township, was 
made in 1789, very soon after Columbia, Losantiville, 
and North Bend were colonized. Judge Symmes took 
his party to the place last named, now in Miami town- 
ship, in February of that year; and early seems to have 
meditated the founding of another colony on the river 
within his Purchase, which should take the name of 
South Bend, as a companion to his own home place. 
North Bend. The new town, or city to be, was laid off 
some time in the spring succeeding Symmes' arrival, as 
appears by the following letter ot his to his associate 
Dayton, bearing date that month, and giving a good ac- 
count of the genesis of South Bend: 

North Bend being so well improved by the buildings already erected 
and making, and fresh applications every few days being made to me 
for house lots, I was induced to lay off another village, about seven 
miles up the Ohio from North Bend, being one mile in front on the 
river. The ground was \iery eligible for the purpose, and I would have 
continaed farther up and down the river, but was confined between tlie 
two reserved sections. This village I call South Bend, from its being 
contiguous to the most southerly point of land in the Purchase. 

The place had already, when Symmes wrote, several 
cabins almost finished, and others begun; "and I make 
no doubt," adds the judge, "that the whole of the dona- 
tion lots will soon be occupied, if we remain in safety." 

The pioneer settler at the site of South Bend was 
Timothy Symmes, the only full brother of Judge 
Symmes. He was also a prominent citizen in New Jer- 
sey, a judge in one of the courts of Sussex county, and 
followed his brother to the western country soon after 
the Purchase was settled. He did not live, however, to 
see more than the beginnings of the mighty developinent 
of the Miami tract, but died February 20, 1797, aged 
fifty-three. He was the father of Captain John Cleves 
Symmes, the famous author of the theory of a hollow 
and inhabitable earth, open for several degrees about the 
poles, who was residing at South Bend when his uncle, 
the judge, obtained his first appointment in the army; 
also of Daniel Symmes, who became a distinguished cit- 
zen of Cincinnati, serving in many public capacities, as 
is elsewhere detailed in this work; of Celadon Symmes, 
who spent nearly all his adult life on a farm three miles 
south of Hamilton, where he gave the name to Symmes' 
Corners, a hamlet and post office on the Cincinnati turn- 
pike; and of Peyton Short Symmes, the youngest of his 
sons, save one, and in some respects the most distin- 



guished of all. He is noticed at some length in our 
chapter on the Bar of Cincinnati. Mary, the eldest 
daughter of Mr. Symmes, became wife of Hugh Moore, 
a prominent Cincinnatian, and died in 1834, the same 
year her only sister, Julianna, wife of Jeremiah Reeder, 
departed this life. 

It was an extensive town which Judge Symmes had 
laid out, for a beginning; and the judge appears to have 
entertained extensive expectations for it. He thought it 
might become the metropolis of the Miami Purchase, or 
at least the seat of justice for the county about to be or- 
ganized. In another letter to Dayton, written June 14, 
1789, he says: 

It is e.xpected that on the arrival of Governor St. Clair, this purchase 
will be organized into a county ; it is therefore of some moment which 
town shall be made the county town. Losantiville, at present, bids the 
fairest ; it is a most excellent site for a large town, and is at present 
the most central of any of the inhabited towns ; but if South Bend 
might be finished and occupied, that would be e.xactly in the centre, 
and probably would take the lead of the present villages until the city 
can be made somewhat considerable. This is really a matter of im- 
portance to the proprietors, but can only be achieved by their exertions 
and encouragement. The lands back of South Bend are not very 
much broken after you ascend the first hill, and will afford rich sup- 
plies for a county town. A few troops stationed at South Bend will 
effect the settlement of the new village in a very short time. 

According to a paragraph in a letter of Judge William 
Goforth, of Columbia, this place had eighteen or twenty 
families in September, 1791. A garrison of twenty sol- 
diers was then stationed there. Among the settlers here 
was a brother of the Miami purchaser, Judge Timothy 
Symmes, who spent his latter years and died here. He 
is best known as the father of Captain John Cleves 
Symmes, author of the famous theory of concentric 
spheres and a hollow globe opening near the poles. 
Young Symmes was residing here when an appointment 
was obtained for him in the army through the influence 
of "a friend at court," his distinguished uncle at North 
Bend. 

South Bend, as is well known, did not hold its own in 
the contest for supremacy, or even rise to the dignity of 
an incorporated village. Its population fell off, its clus- 
ter of dwellings was gradually abandoned, and they 
destroyed or floated away in times of high water; and its 
very site has become almost traditional. The traveller, 
however, going to the boats of Anderson's Ferry, which 
has been established at nearly the southernmost point of 
the bend for many years, passes directly over a part of the 
site of South Bend. The last stroke was given but very 
recently to the ancient town, for which such high hopes 
were cherished, in the final changing of the name of the 
post office kept at the adjacent railway station from 
South Bend to "Trautman's." But for a sign or two in 
the neighborhood still bearing the old designation, it 
would speedily pass into utter oblivion. Thus passes 
away the glory of human hopes, plans, and purposes. 

ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENTS. 

Richard Paul, justice of the peace of Delhi township, 
is of English descent; his grandfather, Henry Paul, be- 
ing from liOndon, England, an architect and an early 
setder in this county; he died in 1820. His father, Rich- 
ard D. Paul, born in London, 1807, was married to Ann 



296 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



P. Mulford, of Cincinnati. She resided at 519 East 
Fifth street. The couple moved to the Delhi Hills, 
where Richard Paul was born in 1833, and where he has 
lived ever since. 

Richard Paul was a machinist for two years — at Hol- 
bord's, Cincinnati. In 1854 came to his farm; in 1858 
was married to Sarah Tirabenerman, formerly of New 
Jersey. He built the new house in 1865, and at that 
time was elected justice of the peace, which office he has 
held ever since (1881). He was also township trustee 
during the war, and probably did as much as any man in 
his precinct to clear it from drafts. He is an active, but 
peaceable, citizen of society. In his official position he 
dockets but few cases, and generally succeeds in effect- 
ing a compromise with the parties concerned. 

W. L. Williams, of Delhi township, lives on section 
ten; owns a nice residence and a good farm; was born 
here June i, 1810, his father being the old pioneer mail 
route agent for the Government from 1807 until 1820, 
and purchasing large tracts of lands here a few years after 
his coming to the county. Mr. Williams carried on the 
dairy business for a number of years quite extensively 
and very successfully. He was married to Miss Apple- 
gate, of Colorado. Of his family two children are dead. 
He is known as a prominent citizen in his township. 

Sebastian Rentz, jr., of Delhi township, born in Cin- 
cinnati (1840), but from 1841 up to the [Tresent time has 
been a farmer. His father came from Germany in 1825; 
kept a bakery in Cincinnati until the family removed to 
the farm near 'Warsaw in Delhi township. He married 
Miss ZoUer, of Cincinnati, in 1828. She was from Ba- 
den, coming here in 18 17. 

Mr. Rentz obtained a common school education in 
the city of Cincinnati ; married in 1867, to Miss Louisa 
Barmann, of Anderson Ferry. He is nicely situated on 
a good farm of over one hundred acres. 

Mrs. L. Wittenstatter nee Kuperferle, came with her 
husband, now dead, from Germany about the year 1832. 
Her husband was for a period of thirty years a printer, 
being employed mostly during that time on one of the 
German papers of Cincinnati. He died about the year 
1874. Mrs. L. Wittenstatter owns the Green House in 
Delhi township, near the Warsaw pike. She has eight 
children, five of whom are married. 

George Mclntyre, deceased, was born in Dumbarton- 
shire, Scotland, in 181 5. When thirteen years of age 
his father died, and in the year 1828 he sailed for Amer- 
ica, and after remaining five years in New York came to 
Cincinnati, where he travelled for the house of Robert 
McGregor. In 1834 he purchased one hundred and 
forty acres, comprising what is now the greater part of 
Home City. He was married twice, his first wife being 
Emily C. Moore, by whom he had nine children; his 
second wife was Miss Elizabeth Mclntyre, and the fruits 
of this marriage were six children, all of whom are now 
dead. Three children by his first wife are dead, and of 
the six remaining four are living on the homestead place 
in Home City, /. e., three sons — George M., Peter E., 
and Edwin D. Mclntyre, and one daughter, Mrs. Martha 
A. Cook. The maternal grandmother of these children 



was Adelia Moore, who had seven children: Sarah Ann 
Silvers, Louisie Hicks, Ophelia Shannon, John Moore, 
Emily C. Mclntyre, Henrietta O'Neil, and Finley Moore. 
Of these three only are living : Sarah Ann Silvers, Lou- 
isie Hicks, and Ophelia Shannon. George T. Mclntyre 
was married February 26, 1845, and died June 9, 1880. 
His wife, Emily C. Moore, died April 22, 1865. Of their 
children, Mrs. Martha A. Cook, the eldest child, was 
born April 28, 1848, and married in January, 1866, to 
Milton H. Cook, who was born October 14, 1845. They 
have two children: Jesse E. and George T. Mclntyre 
Cook. Mr. Cook, the father, has been train despatcher 
on the Cincinnati & Indianapolis, and St. Louis & Chi- 
cago railroads, for seventeen years. 

George M. Mclntyre was married April 6, 1874, and 
is the father of three children, all girls. He is a farmer! 
Mrs. Anna B. Hicks was married August 19, 1873, 
she .has had two children — now dead. Her husband is 
a carpenter, hving at the preseiit time in Cincinnati, but 
purposes moving to Home City shortly. 

Jacob Story, of Riverside, was born in Germany, 
October 21, 18 18. His father, with a family of seven 
children, came over, arriving in Cincinnati December, 
1831, and in 1838 moved to Delhi, where he died in the 
seventy-seventh year of his age, tenth of August, 1869. 
The mother died in Fatherland. Jacob Story was mar- 
ried in 184! to Miss Saloma Hatmaker, whose parents 
came from Baden and settled in Indiana in 181 7, but 
removed to Cincinnati in 1826, where they followed the 
business of vegetable gardening (twenty-first ward.) The 
father died in the year 1846, and the mother in 1857. 
Mr. Story bought the land he now owns in Cullom Station, 
the bottom in 1854 and the hillside in 1859, on which he 
has his vegetable garden, and out of which he has made 
a good living. He is the father of eight children and 
ten grandchildren. The oldest son is dead. The family 
are members of the Presbyterian church. 

Thomas Wyatt, of Fern Bank, moved to this place in 
1843, '''•sn owned by Judge Matteson, now by Mr. Short. 
His father, AVilliam Wyatt, came from England in 1832, 
but died in 1833. The family came west, settling in 
Indiana in 1839, where they hved until their removal to 
Fern Bank. In 1855, Mr. Wyatt married Miss Jane 
Vanblarieum, of Delhi. His mother, Hannah Drew, 
the year died in i860. She was then living with her son 
Thomas. 

John Kahny, vegetable gardener of Trautman Sta- 
tion, came here in 1845. His father, Anthony Kahny, 
born in 1785, came to Cincinnati in 181 7, where he lived 
for twenty-eight years, working for a season at Harkness' 
foundry, but gardening most of that time. His first gar- 
den extended from Sycamore to Broadway, and from 
Seventh to Ninth streets. In 1833 he moved to the cor- 
ner of Wood and Fifth streets, and put up buildings on 
lots owned. He not only had a garden there, but also 
at Sixth and Seventh streets, west of Stone street. In 
1844 he moved to Delhi, where he continued his former 
business until 1866, when he died. The mother died in 
1875. John Kahny was married in one year after com- 
ing here, his wife, Anna Dahner, being a Prussian. He 



JAMES P. WILLIAMS. 



James P. Williams, of Delhi township, was born January 29, 1804, 
on the south branch of the Potomat, Hampshire county, Virginia. 
His grandfather, Richard Williams'; was a resident of this place at the 
time of the French and Indian wars, and a few days before Braddock's 
defeat nineteen Indians beset the house, killed his father, his mother, 
and one of his brothers; his wife being in the yard milking escaped; 
but he and his Httle daughter, eighteen months old, were made pris- 
oners. They were taken to Fort Pitt, where the child was taken from 
him. From Fort Pitt, on the day of Braddock's defeat, he was taken 
to Detroit, and after some days escaped, taking with him a French- 
man's gun and ammunition, and pushed forward, first by curve lines, 
then in a more straight direction. 
Before this he had feasted on wild 
berries and horse flesh; but the 
trying ordeal was yet to come. He 
was pursued by the Indians and 
again captured. He had waded 
through a deep stream, the water 
went over his head and wet his 
powder, and for three days he 
went on until, being pressed by 
hunger, he stopped to dry his 
powder, when he found it all dis- 
solved. He went on, dug sarsa- 
parilla for sustenance; at one 
time found a fish which a bird 
had dropped, and ate that; once 
a fawn, which he roasted, picked 
the bones and marrow, and care- 
fully preserved the meat for future 
use. After this, for three suc- 
ceeding days, he found a squir- 
rel; he afterwards caught and ate 
a polecat; at another time he saw 
a hawk fly up and going to the 
spot found a wild turkey; some- 
times for two and three days he 
would get nothing, and his flesh 
and strength would desert him; 
rivers and streams he crossed by 
wading, and on rafts made of 
logs, but fortune did not favor 
him long at a time. He would be captured by the Indians, taken back, 
hands pinioned, closely guarded, and again would escape, but appar- 
ently only to be recaptured. He was finally captured, taken to Fort 
Pitt, and doomed to be shot, but to this some one objected, fearing his 
spirit would haunt them. He feigned derangement, but understood 
everything ihey said. He was closely guarded, as before, but while 
the guards were asleep he shook off his shackles and made his escape. 
He finally arrived home safe. The last time he was captured the In- 
dians made him a cook, and by his cleverness won their confidence. 
He remained with this tribe a long while, and had plenty to eat. They 
went to war and left him with the squaws, when he made his escape. 
He died September 3, 1786, in Virginia, aged si.xty-five years. His 




wife, Susannah, died the twenty-third of February, 1785, aged fifty-five 
years. They were Methodists. Bishop Asbury often preached at his 
house. 

Peter Williams, father of James Peter, was born in Virginia, and 
married there Miss Ann Dugan, who was of Irish descent, but re- 
moved his family to the Scioto valley in 1807. At that time General 
Meigs was Postmaster General, with whom a Mr. Granger, a great 
friend of Mr. Williams, had influence, and secured for him an 'appoint- 
ment under the Government of establishing mail routes in the west. 
He began operations in Cincinnati as a centre, posted pack-horses all 
over the country, and employed carriers for the different routes. 
The mail was packed down one 
side of the river from Cincinnati 
to Louisville and up the other 
side once every two weeks; like- 
wise at regular intervals from 
Cincinnati to Chillicothe, Ohio, 
Maysville, Kentucky, and other 
points. In 1820, when John Mc- 
Lean was postmaster, stage 
routes were established, but Mr. 
Williams was financially succes- 
ful, and with the money made a 
large purchase of one thousand 
two hundred or one thousand four 
hundred acres in Delhi township, 
purchasing section eleven and 
other lands reserved, not of the 
Symmes tract. He was born in 
1770, and died February 23, 1837. 
Ann Williams, his wife, died 
July 13, 1828. She was born 
October 8, 1776. 

They reared a large family, 
James Peter Williams being the 
third child. He was born and 
reared on the home farm, section 
eleven, Delhi township; attended 
to his father's business, which, ow- 
ing to its magnitude, made his a 
responsible position. On the farm 
alone were about fifteen men to 
look after, to be paid off, and in addition the mail agents to be looked 
after and every three months their claims to be adjusted. The horses 
on these routes were posted about forty miles apart, but the work was 
profitable as well as onerous. On March 19, 1829, he married Harriet 
Mayhew, of Massachusetts, whose father was a school teacher in 
Martha's Vineyard, and after their marriage the parents lived with 
them until their death. Mr. Williams has reared a large family, and 
been an active business man all his life, the business consisting in 
managing his estates. He never performed manual labor outside of 
making extensive surveys of roads, farms, filling out deeds, etc. He 
was an adept surveyor, and frequently employed to adjust questions of 
surveying. He shipped produce, hay, corn and pork to New Orleans. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



297 



has been for twenty-three years ministerial treasurer of 
the township. 

George Thompson, of West Seventh street, Cincinnati, 
was born in England in the year 1827, and when eleven 
years of age, of his own accord, came to America, where, 
with only half a crown, he began perambulating among 
the cities of Boston, Providence, New York, Albany, and 
other places, hunting work, enduring hardships, priva- 
tions, and in all leading a life full of romantic incidents 
and adventures. When nineteen years of age he came 
to Cincinnati (1846); in 1862 went to Europe, and soon 
after his visit to that country went to the array, remain- 
ing until 1866, where he supplied the troops with meats.. 
From 1846 until 1862 he was a butcher in Cincinnati. 
In 1866 he went into the fertilizing manufacturing busi- 
ness, and took the first contract let by the city for remov- 
ing the animal and vegetable decays from its precincts. 
The office of the Cincinnati Fertilizing Manufactur- 
ing company, is now located at 847 and 849 West 
Sixth street. His son, E. A. Thompson, is one of 
this firm, and W. R., another son, is of the firm of 
George E. Currie & Co., Delhi. The Cincinnati com- 
pany are properly scavengers of the dead refuse of the 
city, which is taken to the company in Delhi, who manu- 
facture from the hog product, from bone and meat super- 
phosphate of lime, from the hard bone, bone meal, and 
from the soft bone, bone flour. The factory grounds are 
extensive, covering fifteen acres. The father was mar- 
ried in 1849 to Miss Jane Foster. William R. was born 
in 1850; in 1874 began business, and in 1875 was mar- 
ried to Miss Florence L. Mehner. E. A. Thompson 
was born in 1854. He was married to Miss McCrane, 
of Cincinnati. E. A. Thompson and his brother live in 
Riverside. 

Henry Trautman, of Trautman, Delhi township, came 
from Germany with his father, George Henry Trautman, 
when only ten years of age. His father left the Father- 
land in 1845, came to Cincinnati in 1846, and died the 
fourteenth of July, 1878. The mother died in 1874. 
They lived near Trautman station and were vegetable 
gardeners. 

Henry Trautman was married May 7, 1861. His 
parents lived with him during their latter days, leaving 
the garden and vineyard in his charge. He now owns a 
valuable piece of ground, twenty-two acres in all, which 
is under a high state of cultivation and yields an abun- 
dance of produce, which he markets off in Cincinnati. 

Claus Drucker, of Home City, deceased, came from 
Hanover, Germany, in the year 1842; married Eliza- 
beth Laudenbach, of Oldenberg, in 1845; came to Cin- 
cinnati in 1846; was a sugar refiner, at first having his 
office where the Miami depot is now, but afterwards kept 
a shoe store on Fulton street and employed a number of 
young men to work for him. In 185 1 he purchased from 
the Cincinnati Building association some lots in Delhi, 
and came here in 1852, where he carried on a store until 
he died. May r3, 1878. The mother died in 1873. Mr. 
Drucker was a prominent man of his township, took an 
active part in all public improvements, and during the 
war contributed much in many ways towards furthering 



the Union cause. The store is now owned by his son, 
John Drucker, and his son-in-law, Mr. Barmann. Of the 
children, Kate Drucker was born October r3, 1837. 
She is the eldest of those living, and was married to Jo- 
seph Barmann, son of Lawrence Barmann, an old settler 
of Anderson Ferry, in 1879. Anna Drucker married 
Herman Hegebusch, fresco painter of Home City, July 
29, 1876; she died January 29, 1877. Frederick Drucker 
was born December, 1852 ; was married October 30, 1877, 
to Miss Sophia Maurer, of North Bend. Her parents 
were old settlers of Miami township. John Drucker was 
married May 18, 1880, to Miss Clara Barmann, of An- 
derson Ferry. Messrs Drucker and Barmann are doing 
a lively business in Home City. 

James Mackinzie, M. D., of Delhi, was born March 
14, 1816, in Columbiana county, Ohio. His father, 
James Mackinzie, a draughtsman was born September 
21, 1771, in Edinburgh, Scotland; came to America in 
1810; served in the War of 181 2; came to Ohio in 18 13, 
where he died at the advanced age of one hundred 
years, February 21, 1871. He was a temperance advo- 
cate, being the first farmer in the country to establish 
evening meals and harvest a crop without whiskey. His 
wife, Ellen Burrows, was from the county Down, and of 
Scotch parentage; she died September 18, 1868, at her 
son's residence in Delhi. When James Mackinzie was 
sixteen years of age he learned a trade, at nineteen years 
of age he became a partner in a dry goods store, and 
obtained his education by attending night-school, spend- 
ing one year at Du Qusne college, Pittsburgh, also read 
medicine while in business, and afterwards completed his 
course in the Cincinnati Medical college, and practiced 
his profession before the war in Columbiana county. In 
1849 went to California and built the fourth house that 
was erected in San Francisco. After Fort Sumter was 
fired on, he reported to President Lincoln and General 
Scott, entering the service as a private soldier, was after- 
wards in the commissary department, was promoted to 
the rank of major and served in the medical department 
before the war closed, since which time he has lived and 
practiced his profession in Delhi. In 1854, the eleventh 
of May, the doctor married Marion W. Washington, 
whose father was Samuel W., great nephew of General 
Washington's brother, Lawrence Washington. Her father 
was legatee of General Washington's estate. Mrs. Mac- 
kinzie has in her possession a buckle of General Wash- 
ington that has b^en handed down from one family to 
another till the present time. The family history of the 
Washingtons need not here be sketched, as it is familiar 
to our readers. Daniel Washington, her father, was born 
February 14, 1787, near Charlestown, Virginia. He 
married Catharine Washington, a relative, and died 
March, 1867. His wife died at the age of seventy-four 
years. 

Peter Cross, of Delhi, is a native of Prussia. His 
father, John Cross, was a wagonmaker. Peter Cross 
was born in 1827, left Prussia in 1851, landing in New 
Orleans, at which place he remained one year, but in 
1852 removed to Delhi. In 1853 he was married; is a 
bricklayer and lives in easy circumstances. 



298 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Valentine Gind, of Delhi, came from Germany when 
ten years of age — January, 1854. His father landed in 
New Orleans, coming from there to Delhi, where he has 
lived since, being a stonemason by trade. His father, 
Sebastian Gind, was a wagonmaker. His mother, 
Theresa Younker, was from Baden; she died before the 
father and his children sailed for the New World. Val- 
entine Gind owns a small farm adjoining Delhi. 

Peter Shiffel, basket-maker, came to Delhi town in 
1862 ; formerly lived in Cincinnati, where he was married 
in 1857. His father, Phillip Shiffel, was a basket-maker 
and carpet-weaver on Long Island; he died in 1849. In 
1855 Peter Shiffel came to Cincinnati. He does not 
own any property. 

Charles Gerth, proprietor of the Eleven Mile house 
(saloon), is of Teutonic origin; came to the United 
States, and settled in Delhi in 1863, where he has been 
ever since. He was formerly a shoemaker, but left this 
trade and was section foreman on the Ohio & Mississippi 
road for ten years previous to his present proprietorship. 
Mr. Gerth has been married twice, and has two children 
dead. 

Shipley W. Davis, son of Zadock and Elizabeth Davis, 
— 7iee Bassett — of Massachusetts, was born at Edgartown, 
Martha's Vineyard, in the year 181 6. His parents 
had thirteen children, of which he was the seventh. His 
mother, at the age of ninety-three, June 13, 1873, de- 
parted this hfe; his father died in June, 181 9. In 184 1 
he married Harriet Cullour, of North Bend. One son, 
W. L. Davis, M. D., was hospital Stewart in Sherman's 
raid to the sea, and is now a practicing physician (Old 
School). Henry W. Davis, another son, has been teach- 
ing in Myers' school district fourteen years. Edward 
Davis, .a third son, is a physician at Dent, Ohio. Mr. 
Davis' farm is in Delhi township, and over a mile from 
the city hmits. 

Peter MacFarlan, of Delhi, came from Dumbarken- 
shire, Scotland, to America, in 1840. After coming to 
this country he purchased a farm in Green township 
which he sold in 1872, and removed to Home City 
where he still lives. In 1850 he married Miss Jean 
Erode, daughter of Peter Erode and Katharine McKin- 
lay Spouses of Kirkhouse Row. She was born Janu- 
ary 2, 1805, and baptized the same month, fifth day. 
Feter McFarlan, son of Peter McFarlan and Katharine 
Bain Spouses of Estertown — name of farm — was born 
December 29, 1800, and baptized January i, 1801. 
The aged couple have had but one daughter, who is now 
the wife of Adam Tullock. The parents were married 
in Scotland in May, 1830. 

Adam Tullock, of Home City, was born in Scotland in 
the year 1815, in Dumferline, where Robert Bruce was 
hurried. His parents, John Tullock and Mary Robert- 
son, came to America in 1840, and both died soon after. 
They were married in 1799, had seven children, of which 
Adam Tullock was the youngest. He was married to 
Hellen Miller, of Scotland, in 1837. She died in 1847. 
One son by this marriage lives in Home City. He has 
one daughter living in Colorado and one in Louisville, 
Kentucky. In 1851 he was married to his second wife. 



Catharine MacFarlan, and came to Home City in 1872, 
where he still lives. 

William J. Applegate, grocer and postmaster of Delhi, 
came here in 1872 from Green township, where he was 
born and reared. His father, Israel Applegate, came to 
this township when quite young from Pennsylvania; lived 
fifty-five years on the farm he bought, and died in 1870 
in the eighty-first year of his age. His mother, Mary 
Jane Colsher, also of Pennsylvania, died October, 1880, 
in the eighty-third year of her age. William J. Apple- 
gate, born August 17, 1839, was reared a farmer, but 
began business on a small scale in a grocery in 1872, 
and at the same time kept the post office of the village 
which helped to increase his patronage. Id the year 
1878 he built a large three-story brick house, the first 
results of his successful business. He was married 
October 15, 1864, to Miss Katie Myers, of Delhi, daugh- 
ter of an old settler of the county. Mr. Applegate is one 
of the trustees of the township at this time. 

Annie B. Calloway, of Delhi, is of English parentage, 
and is the wife of Thomas B. Calloway, of that place. 
Her great-grandfather, Thomas Bowles, of Cranbrook, 
Kent, England, married Sarah Boorman. Their daugh- 
ter, Sarah, married the well known Robert Colgate, father 
of the noted soap manufacturers of New York. They 
came to that city in 1800. Thomas Bowles, her grand- 
father, married Anna Shirley. They had eight children, 
and he died June 3, 1800. His youngest son, Robert 
Bowles, father of Annie B. Calloway, was born at Eldo- 
rado, Kent, England, June i, 1792; married' Mercy 
Boots, of the same place, November 30, 1816; came to 
America in 1822, and located on a farm near Harrison, 
Hamilton county, Ohio, and was the first English settler 
in Crosby township. January 24, 1837, his wife died, 
and he married Mrs. Anna Clough, of London, England, 
daughter of Samuel Pegg. By the first wife he had one 
son, Robert, now living in Indiana; and by the second 
wife two sons, Samuel and John, and one daughter, An- 
nie. Thomas B. Calloway married Annie A. Bowles, 
January 31, 1866. His grandfather, Jesse Calloway, and 
wife came from Delaware in 1818, and located in Dear- 
born county, Indiana. They had four sons and one 
daughter. William, the father, was born January 26, 
181 2; married his second wife, Mary Charlotte Bonham, 
October 18, 1841. He is still living. The Bond family 
are traceable to the emigration of William Penn. One 
Samuel Bond was born November 19, 1722; his son, 
Joseph, born April 11, 1750, married Eleanor WiUiarins; 
and their son, Samuel, born November 19, 1777, in Ches- 
ter county, Pennsylvania, moved west May 10, 1810, land- 
ed at the mouth of Farmers' creek, near Lawrenceburgh, 
Indiana. In 1812 he moved to Whitewater, near Eliza- 
bethtown; died June 12, 1837. They had seven chil- 
dren, all dead except Eleanor, who was born in Virginia 
in 1808. The third child, Jane, was the only one of the 
family who married. She was born April 8, 1818; mar- 
ried William Calloway September 7, 1837; died Febru- 
ary 12, 1844, leaving one child, Thomas B. Calloway. 

R. B. Price, of Home City, son of Rees Price (see 
biographical sketch), is the well known bee-keeper of 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



299 



that place. Mr. Price was reared in the city of Cincin- 
nati, but soon after his marriage (January 15, 1857) to 
Louise Seiter, of that place, he moved on his farm where 
he has since resided. In 1877 he built his new house, 
which he now occupies. Mr. Price has devoted much 
time and attention to the culture of bees. He has now 
over one hundred colonies under his care. Mrs. Price 
was born in Cincinnati, corner of Elm and Eighth 
streets, where her mother, Mrs. Seiter, still resides. Her 
brothers, William, George, Joseph, and Lewis Seiter, are 
prominent and well known business men in the city. 

W. H. Smith, of Delhi township, was born in Peters- 
burgh, New York, March 22, 1814. When fifteen years 
of age he left home, and for ten years following drove a 
stage coach over the mountains, afterwards coming west, 
where he continued the business up to 1863. He was 
agent for some time for the Western Stage company, that 
had lines running from Cincinnati to various points. 
The line running from Cincinnati to Hamilton and Day- 
ton, and afterwards to Indianapolis, was owned by Smith, 
out of which he was successful in making money. 
In 1863 he removed to his farm, where he has since 
lived. He was elected president of the Delhi and In- 
dustry Turnpike company in 1868, and has held the 
office ever since. In 1854 he was married to Harriet 
Alter. She died March 25, 1881. Her parents came 
to Cincinnati in 181 2. Her father was one of the 
wealthy men of the city in his day. 

James H. Silvers, of Delhi, wholesale leaf tobacco 
dealer; 49 and 51 Front street, Cincinnati, was born at 
North Bend, 1833. His paternal grandfather. Judge 
James Silvers, of Pennsylvania, was an early settler of 
the county, having come here with Judge Symmes, and 
was an associate judge of the court three consecutive 
terms of seven years each. He died near the expiration 
of the third term. Thomas J. Silvers, his son, and 
father of James H., in 1831, married Miss Sarah A. 
Moore, the daughter of Samuel and Adelia Moore, nee 
West, of Pennsylvania, and old pioneers of Anderson 
Ferry. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch 
on his mother's side was in the War of 181 2. He lived 
to be sixty-six years of age. The mother of James H. 
Silvers still lives. She was born in 18 14. Her mother 
was born in Paris, Kentucky, and lived to be sixty years 
of age. 

Mr. James H. Silvers came to Delhi in 1873; Feb- 
ruary 13, 1878 was married in Nashville, Tennessee, to 
Miss Jennie Hillis, formerly of Indianapohs, Indiana. 
He is the well known tobacco dealer on Front street, 
Cincinnati. His residence is in a beautiful situation, 
near Delhi, commanding a most delightful view of the 
Ohio river and the surrounding scenery. 

The family of Thomas J. and Sarah A. Silvers con- 
sisted of James H. Silvers, Mrs. Anna A. Dodd, and 
Mrs. Ophelia Massy. 

RIVERSIDE AND OTHER VILLAGES. 

Riverside is the first suburb encountered upon enter- 
ing the township from the direction of the city, and im- 
mediately adjoins Sedamsvile, the outermost district of 



Cincinnati on the southwest. Five hundred and nine 
of its acres lie in Delhi township, and one hundred and 
twenty-four were taken from the old township of Storrs — 
eight hundred and thirty-three acres in all. For the fol- 
lowing account of it, with interesting historical notes, the 
readers of this work are indebted to Mr. A. L. Reeder, 
postmaster at the Riverside office, who has kindly made 
a contribution of it to this chapter: 

The village of Riverside, made up of parts of Delhi and Storrs town- 
ships, lies immediately adjoining the western limit of the city of Cincin- 
nati, and extends westwardly along the bank of the Ohio river to An- 
derson's Ferry, a distance of about three miles, and had a population 
of twelve hundred and sixty-eight by the last census, with two hundred 
and forty-seven voters at the November election of 1880. 

The pioneers of early times were Colonel Cornelius R. Sedam, on 
the east, then Jeremiah Reeder, William S. Hatch, Enoch Anderson, 
Squire CuUom, and JVIr. Sands, on the ministerial section at Anderson's 
Ferry. All these old settlers passed away years ago. Their lands and 
homesteads have gone into other hands, and but few of their descend- 
ants are left in the village to note the wonderful changes that have been 
wrought by modern civilization and scientific research. Not one of 
those old settlers could have had the remotest conception of the thun- 
dering noise and lightning speed of the passing locomotive and attend- 
ant train of cars, or of the multiplied lines of telegraph wires now in 
front of their doors, silently conveying with the speed of thought, to 
and fro, from the uttermost parts of the earth, knowledge and intelli- 
gence of all current events, or of the brilliant electric light, illuminating, 
with a dazzling intensity, only excelled by the midday beams of the 
summer sun, the mysterious telephone, by which we talk with friends 
miles away, or say to our grocer in the city "Hello! Send me down a 
box of matches, and be quick about it." 

The writer of this, one of those descendants, and not a very old man 
either, remembers well that when a lad, he had to go early in 
the morning to a neighbor's house, half a mile off, to borrow a shovel 
of live coals to start the fire on the ancestral hearth, that had died out 
during the night for want of careful covering up: and this was not a 
rare occurrence either, for nobody had a match to lend in those days. 

The village of Riverside is appropriately named, lying as it does in 
the valley of the Ohio river, and extending up the romantic slopes of 
the beautiful hillside, dotted here and there with handsome residences, 
peering out from glossy bowers of coolest shade, musical with birds, 
with enchanting views of the far-reaching river and the picturesque and 
undulating hills of Kentucky. The geographical position of the vil- 
lage, and the facilities it affords for travel to and from the adjacent city, 
make it peculiarly adapted for the suburban residence of persons en- 
gaged in business there. The Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & 
Chicago, and the Ohio & Mississippi railroads run frequent accommo- 
dation trains; and in addition there is a street car line from the city 
post office to about the centre of the village, running every fifteen 
minutes, and at very low fare. 

The public buildings and manufacturing establishments are quite 
creditable. Two large and handsome school-houses, recently erected, 
give evidence that the cause of education is prominent in the minds of 
the citizens. The one church is Episcopal, a blue limestone structure 
of quaint, old English style. It has quite a fair attendance, considering 
that many citizens of other denominations attend chtirches in the city, 
which they can so readily do on what is called the church train. A 
large, plain, two-story brick building, called Reeder's Hall, stands 
nearly opposite the church. It has in the second story a fair-sized pub- 
lic hall, capable of seating two hundred and fifty people, and is occa- 
sionally used for concerts, lectures, amateur dramatic entertainments, 
balls, etc. The lower story is divided up into different apartments, 
used as council-chamber, store and post office. The new rolling mill at 
"CuUom's Ripple," recently gone into successful operation, is a very 
extensive and complete establishment of the kind, and will, no doubt, 
add to and accelerate the prosperity of the village in a marked degree. 
The large distillery of Goff, Fleischman & Company has been in oper- 
ation for several years, and is a model in all its appointments and 
manner of conducting its business. A leading feature of this establish- 
ment is the manufacture of "compressed yeast, "in a building separate 
and specially adapted for the purpose, and gives employment to a large 
number of girls and boys in cutting up into cakes, wrapping in tinfoil 
and packing into boxes for shipment to the Northern, Southeastern and 
Western cities. 

Immediately west of the distillery is a very large and imposing edifice. 



300 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



recently erected by the Cincinnati Cooperage company, on tJie site of 
tlie old factory lately destroyed by fire. The new building is perhaps 
the most complete and extensive concern in the United States, and is 
fitted up with a vast amount of costly wood-working machinery, giving 
employment to several hundred men in the manufacture of all kinds of 
barrels, kegs, etc. The building is lighted by the Brush electric hght, 
enabling the company to run at night as well as by day, when necessary. 

The certificate of incorporation of Riverside village 
was filed with the Secretary of State, August 20, 1867. 
The mayor for the first year was Peter Zinn, an old resi- 
dent here and in Cincinnati, prominently connected with 
the rolling mill at Cullom's station, who died in the vil- 
lage in the'early winter of 1880-1. In 1869, 1870 and 
1871 the mayor was George A. Peter; 1872-4, Allen A. 
Reeder. 

Within the limits of this corporation the railroads have 
a number of stations — as Riverside, the first beyond Se- 
damsville; Mineola, a plat laid out in 1873 by the River- 
side Land association; Southside, a station on the In- 
dianapolis railroad between the two; West Riverside, or 
Cullom's,''where the rolling-mill is situated; and just be- 
yond Riverside, on the west, is the Anderson's Ferry 
station. Further west and northwest are Gilead; South 
Bend or Trautman's station, where Thompson & Com- 
pany's extensive fertilizing establishment is located; 
Rapid Run; Industry, a village laid out in 1847 by 
Messrs. James and Samuel Goudin; Delhi, Home City, 
Riverdale, and other small stations, which are much used 
by surburban residents transacting business in the city. 

At Industry is located a Catholic church, in charge of 
Rev. Father H. Kessing. 

Nearly opposite this place is the village of Taylorsville, 
on the Kentucky side of the Ohio. 

At Home City, almost immediately adjoining Delhi, 
is a remarkably large mound, undoubtedly a genuine 
relic of the Mound Builders. Its regularity has been 
somewhat impaired by the blowing over of a tree that 
formerly stood upon it, making a large hole upon one 
side.- Its base is oval — about two hundred by one hun- 
dred feet in its principal diameters — and its height nearly 
forty feet. It is now in the field of Mr. R. B. Price, a 
little way northeast of the railroad, but was once the 
property of Major Daniel Gano, the veteran clerk of 
Hamilton county, whose farm covered most of what is 
now Home City. It is said that the major had a mile- 
track laid out around this ancient work, upon which he 
was wont to exercise, train, and speed his numerous and 
famous horses. He once entertained the old hero of 
Lundy's Lane, General Winfield Scott, at dinner, and 
afterwards mounted the general on one of his finest 
horses, the well-remembered "Wyandot," which moved 
as if it knew and took pride in his rider, and invited his 
guest to take his station upon or near the mound, and 
view the evolutions of the horses about the tracks, which 
the general did to much satisfaction. The farm here 
was one of three country estates then owned by Major 
Gano, the others being at Carthage (this one now occu- 
pied as the county infirmary premises) and on Brush 
creek, in Champaign county. He was noted while here 
for his fine horses, among which were Wyandot, Arab, 
Conqueror, Comet, and others. 



Home City was laid out in 1849 by Stephen Maxon 
and David Reddington, and was incorporated on the 
twenty-fifth of July, 1879. 

Delphi was platted by Peter Zinn in 1866. It has a 
large population, numbering over two thousand. Here 
are a number of notable Catholic institutions; as the 
church of Our Lady of Victories, in charge of the Rev. 
Father F. Schumacher; the parochial school attached to 
the same, with about seventy pupils ; the principal novi- 
tiate of the Sisters of Charity; and the Boys' Protectory 
(formerly the residence of the Hon. George W. Skaats, 
of Cincinnati), in charge of the Brotherhood of St. Fran- 
cis, with about two hundred boys for inmates. The last 
is described as "a home for the education and mainten- 
ance of orphan and other destitute boys between the ages 
of five and seventeen years, who are taught the rudiments 
of an education and a useful trade. 

A little over two miles north of the Southside station, 
and about half a mile west of the city limits, near the 
north line of the township, is the little village of Warsaw, 
on the turnpike which bears its name. A mile west of 
it, also upon the turnpike, and intersected by the head- 
waters of Rapid run, is an extensive cemetery, used by 
the inhabitants of the township. 

Two miles from Warsaw, on the same much-travelled 
road, is the German village of Petersborough, with a popu- 
lation of perhaps a hundred. 

Moscow is an old village of Delhi, now extinct. The 
glass-works of Messrs. Pugh & Teater, of Cincinnati, the 
first in this part of the Ohio valley, were located here be- 
fore 1826. 

POPULATION. 

Delhi township shows a satisfactory increase in the 
number of its inhabitants, as the comparative figures in 
the census-table, in a previous part of this book exhibit. 
In 1830, for example, the township had 1,527 people; in 
1870, 2,620; in 1880, 4,738. 

MOUNT ST. VINCENT ACADEMY CEDAR GROVE. 

Mt. St. Vincent academy. Cedar Grove, situated to 
the northwest of Cincinnati, and distant nearly two miles 
directly west from Price's Inclined Plane, is an old es- 
tablished boarding-school for girls and young ladies. 
The school is under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, 
who are a branch of the original order founded in the 
beginning of this century at Emmettsburgh, Maryland, 
and who still follow the rules and retain the costume and 
venerable traditions of their foundress. The buildings 
are delightfully situated on an elevation remarkable for 
beauty and variety of scenery, and commanding a charm- 
ing view of the surrounding country. The grounds, 
which are greatly undulating and tastefully laid out, in- 
clude some fifty-four acres, in the centre of which, on a 
rising plateau, stands the main building of the academy, 
a brick structure, four stories high, erected in the year 
1858. To the west, is the chapel, built in 1875, and ad- 
joining this, the Sisters' convent, an old building, which, 
previous to the year 1857, had been the residence of 
Mr. Alderson. This venerable mansion has acquired a 
degree of literary celebrity, owing to its having been the 




MOUNT ST, VINCENT ACADEMY, (CEDAR GROVE,) CINCINNATI, OHIO, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



301 



home of "Our Cousins in Ohio," who are described in a 
story bearing that title, written by Mary Howett and 
pubhshed in England. The homestead, including thirty- 
three acres of land, was purchased by the Sisters March 
3, 1857. From Mr. Alderson it had received the desig- 
nation of "The Cedars," which the Sisters, on coming 
into possession of the place, changed into Cedar Grove. 
The academy, built in the following year, was called Mt. 
St. Vincent, but Cedar Grove is still the more familiar 
name, dear to the hearts of hundreds who have been 
educated within its walls and still lovingly cherish its 
memories. 

The sisters having charge of the academy aim at giv- 
ing young ladies a thorough education in all branches of 
useful and polite learning, with which they endeavor to 
combine the sympathetic care, the assiduous watchful- 
ness, the comforts and the genial influences of home-life, 
so essential to the proper training of girls,- and so greatly 
valued by parents and guardians. 

While all branches necessary to the complete educa- 
tion of a young lady are taught (including vocal and in- 
strumental music, Latin and the modern language, math- 
ematics and the physical sciences), special attention is 
given to the study of English, and written compositions 
on subjects adapted to the capacities and acquirements 
of each pupil, are required throughout the entire course 
of studies. A long experience in the classroom has 
convinced the Sisters that ease and accuracy in the use 
of a language, can be gained in no way so rapidly and 
so satisfactorily as by assiduous practice in composition, 
under the guidance of efficient teachers. The drill is 
supplemented by the study of the most approved text- 
books on grammar, rhetoric, and the history of English 
literature, and by the analysis of selections from English 
classics. To still further facilitate this study and render 
it attractive, the Sisters have collected a library of above 
four thousand volumes, selected with great care by com- 
petent persons, and embracing all the more valuable 
works of the language, to which the pupils have free 
access, and in the use of which they are encouraged and 
directed by their teachers. 

There is also in the academy a philosophical and chem- 
ical apparatus of the most approved pattern and work- 



manship, sufficiently complete to illustrate all the impor- 
tant principles of these sciences, in the'study of both of 
which theoretical teaching is accompanied by experiment. 
A rich collection of globes, maps, and charts, and a cab- 
inet containing the most important minerals and geologi- 
cal formations, carefully classified and labelled for refer- 
ence together with Indian relics and specimens illustrating 
the religion, arts, and domestic economy of foreign coun- 
tries and ancient peoples, are a possession highly valued 
by the Sisters and of great advantage to the pupils in the 
prosecution of their studies. 

Screened from the public gaze by groves of cedar, lo- 
cust, and maple trees, the school enjoys a seclusion and 
privacy eminently favorable to study, while the pictur- 
esque lawns and extensive play-grounds offer every facili- 
ty for healthy recreation and pleasant exercise. At 
convenient intervals on the play-ground, and shaded by 
the clustering vines, are summer-houses, cozy arbors, and 
secluded nooks, where the pupils gather of summer eve- 
nings to enjoy the fresh breezes of the western hills and 
the glories of the setting sun, or whither the more stu- 
dious retire form noise and distraction, to be alone with 
their books 

To the east of the academy, and entirely hidden from 
it by the dense foliage, stands a small frame building now 
called "Seton cottage" but formerly the homestead of 
Mr. Hotchkiss. Seton cottage, together with ten acres 
of ground, now laid out in orchards of pear, apple, and 
cherry trees, a garden and a deer park, was purchased by 
the Sisters in the year 1868. To the west of the convent 
are the barn, poultry yard, pastures, laundry, bakery, etc. 

Previous to 1869 the Mother house and Novitiate of 
the community were at Cedar Grove; but in the au- 
tumn of that year both were transferred to the Biggs' 
homestead, in Delhi township, now known as St. Joseph's 
Mother house. Novitiate and Training school. Here 
novices enjoy every facility for the acquisition of knowl- 
edge and receive full and thorough instruction in all 
the branches necessary to fit them to become efficient 
and competent teachers in parochial schools, above thirty 
of which the Sisters have at present under their direction 
in different States of the Union. 



GREEN. 



DESCRIPTION. 

Green is the most regular and symmetrical township 
in the county. It is a perfe'ct square — an even surveyed 
township of thirty-six sections, six miles on a side, such 
as is common in the newer western and northern States, 
but not in the older settled regions, and of which no other 
instance is presented in Hamilton county. It lies alto- 
gether in fractional range two, township two, and is pre- 
cisely included between the range and township lines, 
which separate it from Cincinnati and Mill Creek town- 
ship on the east, Delhi on the south, Miami on the west, 
and Colerain on the north. Its section lines are run 
with remarkable correctness, considering that it lies 
wholly within the Miami Purchase, and might have shared 
in the troubles caused by the carelessness of the earliest 
surveyors. Save for some eccentricity in the second 
meridian east of the township line, the sections are mostly 
exact square miles, a fact which can be stated, probably, 
of no other tract of equal size within the Purchase. 
Still, its total acreage amounts to but twenty-two thousand 
seven hundred and fourteen — about an even half-section 
short of what it should be were all the sections full. 

It shares another peculiarity with but three other town- 
ships in the county — Springfield, Sycamore and Mill 
Creek — in that its soil is not washed by any stream that 
can be dignified with the name of river. Neither the 
Ohio nor the Little Miami, the Great Miami or the 
Whitewater touch its borders. Its northwest corner ap- 
proaches within less than a mile of the Great Miami, at 
the mouth of Taylor's creek, and the southwest corner is 
about the same distance from the Ohio, at a point between 
Riverdale and Fern Bank stations. 

The township is, however, abundantly watered in the 
southwest corner by the headwater of Lick run; along 
the southern tiers of townships and in the southwest by 
Cow run and its main stream. Muddy creek, the upper 
tributaries of which rise in the central sections of the 
township; in the west and northwest by Taylor's creek, 
and the south fork of Taylor's creek, with their numerous 
tributaries, some of which extend more than halfway 
across the northern part of the township and some dis- 
tance into Colerain township; and along the eastern 
slopes by several petty streams which send their waters 
to Mill creek. 

By far the larger part of Green township, being in the 
interior and somewhat remote from any large stream, is 
elevated to the general level of the Hamilton county an- 
cient plateau. That part, the northwestern, which ap- 
proaches the Great Miami, is low and very fertile, and 
otherwise shares the characteristics of the Miami valley. 



Toward the opposite corner of the township, on the 
south, as the Ohio is neared, in the valley of Muddy 
creek, as at some other points in the township, the hills 
become abrupt, and command many fine views. The 
numerous valleys created by the water-courses render the 
scenery exceedingly picturesque; and many attractive 
building sites have been occupied in the Lick run and 
other valleys. Much of the territory of Green is deemed 
specially suited for suburban residence. Over three 
and a half sections in the southeastern part of the town- 
ship, mostly near the line of the narrow-guage railroad, 
has been laid off for the suburb of Westwood; and the 
eastern half of sections five and six, in the northeastern 
corner, has been appropriated by the suburb of Mount 
Airy, the remainder of which lies in Mill Creek township. 
There is an unusual number of villages in the township 
— as Cheviot, Dent, Bridgetown, Weisenburgh, St. Ja- 
cob's, Sheartown, Covedale, Five Corners, Dry Ridge, 
and others. 

Some of the most interesting and attractive drives in 
the county are through this township, upon the Cleves 
and Harrison turnpike, the Colerain pike, a mile of 
whose course lies through the northeastern corner, and 
other important roads, some of which lie, as in the newer 
States settled upon Congress lands, on the section lines. 
The Cincinnati & Westwood narrow-gauge railway lies 
mostly in Green township, and is at present the only iron 
road within its limits. Starting at Ernst Station, on the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, in the city, it 
comes up the valley of Lick run, from which it soon di- 
verges to reach the higher ground, across which it runs 
for more than three miles in a general northwesterly di- 
rection, stopping for the present at Robb's, near Bridge- 
town. The projected Cincinnati & Venice railway, if 
built upon the surveyed line, will enter the township 
from the north at St. Jacob's, proceed nearly due south 
four miles, and intersect this road just south of Cheviot. 

THE EARLY HISTORY 

of this township is somewhat peculiar. It was originally 
the tract reserved by Judge Symmes for himself as the 
nearest entire township to the peninsula between the 
Great Miami and the Ohio rivers. He withheld it from 
sale for a number of years, but seems to have made, 
March 12, 1788, a contract with Dr. EUas Bondinot, of 
New Jersey, one of his partners, for the transfer of half 
of it to him. Symmes afterwards resisted the perform- 
ance of the contract, having in view the apportionment 
of this as the college township in the Purchase; but he 
was unable to secure the acceptance of it, and specific 
performance of the contract with Bondinot was decreed 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



3°3 



by the United States court for the District of Pennsyl- 
vania, at the May term, 1802, compelling him to execute 
and deliver a deed in fee simple for an undivided moiety 
of the township. The pendency of this litigation some 
years before had formed one of the reasons for the re- 
fusal of the various authorities to whom it was offered to 
accept it as a college township. It was, indeed, accord- 
ing to the judge's own statement, in one of his letters 
making the offer, agreed to change the arrangement by 
which he reserved it for himself, and parcel it out among 
twenty-four proprietors, among whom Bondinot was 
prominent, upon each paying one-twenty-fourth of the 
purchase money to Congress — an arrangement which 
does not seem to have been ultimately carried out. But, 
says the judge, "for this cause [the township] lay unre- 
served and unsurveyed until the passage of the act of the 
fifth of May, 1792, giving one entire township for the 
use of an academy." It was at that date the only one 
which had not been broken by sales; and perhaps to this 
fact, and the lateness of its survey, it owes the beautiful 
regularity of its territorial lines, surpassing that of any 
other part of the Purchase, although not here entirely 
perfect in places. It is, as is well known, the only even 
square, thirty-six section township (municipality) in the 
Purchase. 

The contract with Bondinot may be seen by the curi- 
ous in a copy engrossed in the records of Hamilton 
county. Book B, pp. 107-9. 

The following is the extract from Judge Symmes' pam- 
phlet. Terms of Sale and Settlement of Miami Lands, 
published in Trenton in 1788, in which he makes the 
reservation of this and other townships in this part of the 
county : 

The subscriber hopes that the respectable public will not think it un- 
reasonable in him, when he informs them that the only privilege which 
he reserves for himself, as a small reward for his trouble in this busi- 
ness, is the exclusive right of electing or locating that entire township 
which will be lowest down in the pomt of land formed by the Ohio 
and Great Miami rivers, and those three fractional parts of townships 
which may lie north, west, and south, between such entire township and 
the waters of the Ohio and Great Miami. This point of land the sub- 
scriber intends paying for himself, and thereon to lay out a handsome 
town plat, with eligible streets, etc., etc. 

THE "college TOVi^NSHIP." 

An impression quite general prevails, even among well- 
informed local historians, that Green was the "College 
township" in the Miami Purchase; and we have been 
misled by the common statement in our history of the 
Purchase, in the first division of this work. But it could 
not have been at any time the College township. That, 
as originally set apart by Symmes, and so marked on his 
map of the Purchase, to be given in perpetuity for the 
purposes of an academy or coUe.ge, was that complete 
township, in the words of his Terms of Sale and Settle- 
ment, "as nearly opposite the mouth of the Licking river 
as an entire township may be found eligible in point of 
soil and situation." We have been unable to identify this 
township. It could hardly have been the old Mill Creek 
township, since that was not entire, being cut by the 
Ohio river at the southeastern corner. It was obviously, 
however, somewhere in this tier of townships, since the 
original boundaries of Colerain township, defined in 1794, 



prescribed its eastern limit as the meridian on the west- 
ern line of the College township, which is the western 
boundary of Mill Creek, Springfield, and the tier of town- 
ships to which they belong. 

Green, however, was the College township in the inten- 
tion of Judge Symmes, for he made very strenuous efforts 
to have it accepted as such by the Territorial, State, or 
Federal authorities. As a matter of fact, there never was 
a College township in the Purchase. The following ex- 
tract from Judge Burnet's Notes on the Settlement of the 
Northwestern Territory will make this clear: 

As the facts relating to the College township, mentioned in the origi- 
nal proposition of Judge Symmes to Congress, are not generally 
known or understood, it may be proper here to state them concisely. 

The ordinance under which the early sales of the public domain were 
made did not authorize a grant of college lands to purchasers of a less 
quantity than two millions of acres. The original proposition of Mr. 
Symmes, being for tliat quantity, would have entitled him to the benefit 
of the grant, had it been carried into effect. It was therefore stated in 
his pamphlet containing the terms of sale and settlement, that a College 
township had been given, and located as nearly opposite the mouth of 
Licking river, as an entire township could be found, ehgible in point 
of soil and situation. The selection of that township was made in 
good faith on one of the best tracts in the Purchase, and was marked 
on his map as the College township. It was situated opposite the 
mouth of Licking, and was reserved from sale for the purpose intended 
until it was ascertained that the agents appointed to close the contract 
with the Government, under the powers given in the letter of attorney, 
had relinquished one-half of the quantity proposed to be purchased by 
Mr. Symmes; and, as a matter of course, had relinquished also his 
claim to a College township. After that relinquishment, he erased the 
entry made on that township on his map, as he had a right to do, and 
offered it for sale. As it was one of the best in the Purchase, it was soon 
entirely disposed of. The matter remained in that situation till 1792, 
when the judge applied to Congress, as is stated above, to change the 
boundaries of his Purchase, and grant him a patent for as much land 
as he was then able to pay for. When the bill for that purpose was 
before Congress, General Dayton, the agent of Mr. Symmes, and 
then a very influential member of the House, introduced a section 
authorizing the President to convey to Mr. Symmes and his associates 
one entire township, in trust, for the purpose of establishing an acad- 
emy and other schools of learning, conformably to the ordinance of 
Congress of second of October, 1787, to be located, with the approba- 
tion of the governor for the time being, of the territory northwest of 
the river Ohio, within the term of five years, as nearly as may be, in 
the centre of the tract of land granted by the patent. 

The fact was that, under that ordinance, the riglit to tlie township 
had been lost, by relinquishing half the quantity of his proposed pur- 
chase; yet from some cause, either from a want of correct information 
or a disposition to be generous, the provision was retained and became 
a part of the law. At that time there was not an entire township in the 
Purchase undisposed of; portions of each and all of them had been 
sold by Mr. Symmes, after his right to college lands had been lost, and 
before the laws of 1792 had renewed the claim. It was not, therefore, 
in his power to make the appropriation required. 

The matter remained in that situation till the first territorial legisla- 
ture was elected in 1799. Mr. Symmes, then feeling the embarrassment 
of his situation, and aware that the subject would be taken up by that 
body, made a written proposition to the governor of the territory, offer- 
ing the second township of the second fractional range [Green township] 
for the purpose of a college. The governor, on examination, found 
that Mr. Symmes had sold an undivided moiety of that township for a 
valuable consideration, in 1788, four years before the right to a College 
township existed; that the purchaser had filed a bill in the circuit court 
of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, to obtain a specific 
performance of his contract; and that the judge had also sold small 
portions of the same township to other persons, who then held written 
contracts for the same in the form of deeds. As a matter of course, 
the township was rejected by the governor. 

Soon after that occurrence, the subject was brought before the territo- 
rial legislature at the instance of Mr. Symmes, who repeated the offer 
to them. They also refused to receive it, for the same reasons which 
had been assigned by the governor, as appeared from the journal of 
that body. A similar refusal, for the same reasons, was subsequently 



304 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



made by the State legislature, to whom it was again offered by the 
judge. Not satisfied with these repeated refusals, in 1802-3 he offered 
the same township to Congress for the same purpose. His proposition 
was referred to a committee of that body, who, after hearing his own 
exparte statement.of the facts relating to the township, were fully satis- 
fied that it could not be held for the purpose /oi which it was offered ; 
and, therefore, they refused to receive it. 

It was affirmed in the written communication of Judge Symmes to 
Congress, very correctly, the Miami Purchase did not obtain a right 
to college lands till the law of 1792 was passed; that, prior to that time, 
he had sold large portions of every township in the Purchase, as he had 
a right to do; that the township he then offered had not been reserved 
for a college, but to be sold and disposed of, for his own personal bene- 
fit; and that he had sold large portions of it as early as 1788, but that 
those sales, in his opinion, were void. 

Some persons had the charity to believe that, when he first proposed 
that township for the use of a college, it was his intention to purchase 
out the claimants, which he probably might have done, at the time 
the law passed making the grant, on fair and reasonable terms; but he 
omitted to do so till that arrangement became impracticable, and until 
his embarrassements rendered it impossible for him to make any re- 
muneration to Congress or the people of the Miami Purchase. 

The remainder of Judge Burnet's account of the Col- 
lege township has no relation to the subject of this chap- 
ter. It merely outlines the legislation and appointinent 
of commissioners, whereby a selection of thirty-six sec- 
tions, or the equivalent of a township, was made for the 
foundation of a university, but necessarily outside of the 
Miami Purchase, on the Congress lands west of the Great 
Miami; the establishment of Miami university at first 
at Lebanon, Warren county, in the Symmes Purchase, 
as directed by State law; and its final establishment un- 
der another law, with the endowment of lands aforesaid, 
outside the limits of the Purchase, upon such of the 
college lands as lay where now is Oxford, Butler county, 
and where a mere shadow of the university is still main- 
tained. 

THE FORMATION 

of Green township is not clearly settled, as to date and 
circumstances. It is held, however, to have been set off 
in 1809, with its regular boundaries as now, correspond- 
ing with those of the surveyed township. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The justices of the peace, during some of the years 
of the history of Green township, were as follows: Wil- 
liam Benson, William J. Carson, 181 9, Mahlon Brown, 
Adam Moore, John Martin, 1829; James Eppley, John 
Gaines, Thomas Wills, 1865-6; John Eppley, Thomas 
Wills, E. L. Agin, 1867-9; James Eppley, Thomas Wills, 
William M. Robb, 1870; James Eppley, William M. 
Robb, John Ritt, 187 1-2; James Eppley, Thomas Wills, 
L. D. Hern, 1873-8; James Eppley, Thomas Wills, J. 
W. Dunn, 1879; Thomas Wills, J. W. Dunn, O. J. 
Wood, 1880. 

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT. 

William D. Gojbrth lives about one and a half miles 
south of Cheviot, in Green township, with an only 
daughter. The 'wife, now dead, was Miss Sallie Gordon, 
whose ancestry is traceable to Lord George Gord on, 'o f 
Scotland. She died April 4, 1878. Mr. Goforth is de- 
scended from distinguished stock. His grandfather, 
Judge William Goforth, born April i, 1731, was appointed 
a meinber of the State legislature and was judge of the 
Northwestersn Territory, then comprising the district of 



Ohio. He came to Ohio in 1788, and died in 1805. 
His own father. Dr. William Goforth, was surgeon of the 
army in the War of 1812, and was also a member of the 
legislature of Louisiana, where he went in 1803, and 
came back to Ohio in 18 16. His oldest son served in 
the capacity of lieutenanl, and William D., then a lad of 
fifteen years, witnessed the engagement between the 
forces of Generals Jackson and Packenham at New Or- 
leans. He also served under Scott in the Mexican war, 
as ensign, and planted the colors on the Mexican capitol. 
During the late war he carried the' colors of the Fifth 
Ohio cavalry when they made the attack on the Louisi- 
ana Tigers at Shiloh. He was offered the pay and rank 
of a major, both of which he refused. He was crippled 
at Shiloh by his horse throwing him against a tree. His 
own son was in forty-seven engagements. 

Rev. Samuel J. Browne was born at Honiton, Eng- 
land, in 1786, and emigrated to this country in 1796 
with his father. Rev. John W. Browne, who settled first 
at Chilicothe, Ohio, and afterward, in 1798, at Cincin- 
nati, and a few years later was drowned in the Little 
Miami river while returning from one of his appoint- 
ments to preach in that neighborhood. His son, Samuel 
J. Browne, learned the printing business with Nathaniel 
Willis, and in 1804 started the Liberty Hall newspaper, 
afterwards the Cincinnati Gazette, and in 1824 the Cin- 
cinnati Empoi'ium, afterwards the first daily paper of 
large size printed in Cincinnati. Through his instigation 
and pecuniary aid his son, J. W. S. Browne, and his son- 
in-law, L. S. Curtiss, originated and placed on a paying 
basis the Cincinnati Daily Commercial. He early per- 
ceived the growing tendencies of his adopted city, and 
was among the first to show his faith by frequent invest- 
ments in real estate in the city and its suburbs. In 1830 
he purchased the late Browne homestead, consisting of 
twenty-five acres on the north side of the Miami canal, 
opposite Baymiller street, and erected thereon a fine 
residence which he occupied until his death. 

Mr. Browne was twice married. His first wife, a most 
estimable and handsome English lady, was wooed and 
won while Mr. Browne was on a visit to his brother in 
England, and by whom he had seven children, three of 
whom still survive. His second wife was a daughter of 
the late Dr. E. A. Atlee, a lady of sweet disposition and 
most amiable character, by whom he had five children, 
of whom three are still living. Mr. Browne pursued a 
most active life, retaining both mental and physical vigor 
to within a short period of his death, which occurred in 
September, 1872, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. 

Samuel W. Carson of Cheviot, mail agent of the Great 
Eastern railroad from Cincinnati to Chicago, is the oldest 
member of his father's family, and was born January i, 
1816. In 1850 he went to California, being gone five 
years, and returning via Panama railroad, coming across 
the isthmus on the first train over that line. During the 
war he was provost marshal and afterwards for two years 
was revenue collector. In 1856 he was assigned a posi- 
tion in the mail service on the Great Eastern railroad 
from Cincinnati to Chicago, which position he still re- 
tains. Mr. Carson is a descendant from a remarkable 



E. D. CROOKSHANK, M. D. 



E. D. Crookshank, M. D., of Cheviot, and a ^\'ell known citizen and 
physician of the county, was of Scotch descent and born in New York 
city April 28, 1807. His father, Nathaniel C, was born in Scotland 
September 27, 1772; was a physician; a man fond of letters and sci- 
entific researches, making the subject of natural history a specialty. 
He gave the subject of geology particular attention, and prepared 
manuscripts that should be put into book form. The inconveniences of 
the printing business in his day precluded the luxury of making many 
books, otherwise we would have something probably more tangible 
relating to the man. He also became proficient in mathematics, and 
after his coming to Hamilton county we hear of his making scientific 
surveys. He also surveyed the ground for the Cincinnati, Brookville 
and Harrison pike. 

About the year 1800 he left Scotland and settled in New York city, 
where he married a Miss IVIary Dickerson, of Ulster county, Pennsy- 
vania. The fruits of this union were 
seven children: Jane Wiley, whose 
husband, now deceased, was an old 
resident of the county; Fidelia, now 
dead; William Cullum, a soldier in the 
Me.\ican war, but now dead also; Na- 
thaniel, a lawyer in Sullivan, Illinois; 
Erasmus D. , subject of this sketch; 
Martha (dead), and Juliette, wife of 
Dr. Williams, of College Hill— both 
dead. Jane, Juliette, and Erasmus 
D. were born in New York, Erasmus 
being about four years of age when 
his father removed to Cincinnati, com- 
ing to Pittsburgh in wagons and from 
there to the city in flat-boats. The 
family did not remain long in Cincin- 
nati, but again removed, going to a 
farm twenty-two miles from Harrison, 
where they lived five years, and in 1817 
moved into the town where Dr. Crook- 
shank spent most of his early life. He 
attended the schools of Millville and 
graduated in the high school course 
under David D. Monfort, after which 
he took a course of medicine under 
tl)e instruction of his father, and was 
examined and authorized to practice 
his profession by the board of medical 
examiners of Cincinnati — a method 

then in vogue, but abolished during the latter days of the society 
and just before the advent of the Ohio Medical college of Cincinnati. 

About this time— April 4, 1833— he was married to Miss Mary Lin- 
coln, daughter of Rev. Henry Lincoln, of Harrison, Ohio, and moved 
to Dorr Town, where, after a period of about five years in pursuit of his 
practice, he removed to Fairfield, Franklin county, Indiana, and there 
continued his profession also. This was about the time of the exciting 
political contest of 1840, and in which it was not strange to find a man 
like that of our subject— of strong will— of determined purpose— and 
marked traits of character, longing for a tilt in the affairs of our gov- 
ernment with those who sought the downfall of the party favoring his 
convictions. The opportunity for developing the strength of the man 
resulted in his election to the legislature of that State by the Democratic 
party, which was in 1844. There was an e.xciting' contest for United 
States Senator. It was .the session of 1844-5. The candidates before 




the Democratic caucus which had the majority were James H. Lane — 
afterwards of Kansas notoriety— and the Hon. Jesse D. Bright, now 
both deceased. The caucus was so evenly divided that Dr. Crook- 
shank had the casting vote, which he gave to Mr. Bright who was a 
senator for eighteen years afterwards. In view of the course pursued 
by Lane subsequently. Dr. Crookshank always congratulated himself 
on his choice. 

In 1849, shortly afterwards, he removed to Green township, Hamil- 
ton county, Ohio, and settled near Cheviot and again pursued his 
practice of medicine; but in 1859 the Democratic party in the county 
convention nominated him for the then lucrative office of county 
treasurer, supposed to be worth twenty-five thousand or thirty thousand 
dollars a year, and elected him over able and strong competitors. The 
county had been Republican the year before, having elected Henry 
Kessler sheriff by some twelve hundred majority. Nevertheless Dr. 
Crookshank was chosen treasurer by 
an equally large majority, and ser\'ed 
with great credit. His personal integ- 
rity was high and he carried it into his 
official relations. He was the soul of 
honor; he was brave and chivalrous, 
and sensitive to the highest degree to 
any point that affected a moral dere- 
lection of duty. He was ever true to 
principle, He was a Democrat in ad- 
versity as well as in prosperity, and 
always stood staunchly by its organi- 
zation. He was an unselfish and most 
liberal man, and charitable to the 
needy in his professional relations. 
He kept up with the progress of the 
age; was known to and most highly 
respected by the Democrats of this 
generation, as well as those who had 
preceded it. He was more than a 
physician; he was a highly cultivated 
and accomplished man of the world. 
His death, which occurred March 5, 
1876, was undoubtedly hastened by a 
mishap on the cars while on his way 
to lUinois in 1865, since which time 
until his death his rugged nature and 
elastic step gave way to something less 
firm and buoyant. His practice in his 
profession was large, lucrative, and 
laborious. His death occurred just one year previous to that of his es- 
timable wife. The fruits of this marriage were three daughters— now 
living: Mary, Florence, and Adelaide; and four other children now 
dead— Genevieve, Katie, Henry Lincoln, and Lurtone. The first named 
was the oldest, and who is now the wife of George B. Tait, formeriy 
commission merchant, 196 West Sixth street, Cincinnati. He is at 
present a resident of the homestead property in Cheviot. Florence, 
is the wife of Mr. C. E. Laws, a wool merchant, who resides at Rich- 
mond, Indiana. Adelaide, the youngest, married George B. Mayer. 
They reside near Cheviot on part of the homestead. 

The history of Dr. Crookshank is one worthy of chronicling. He' 
was a well known and highly esteemed citizen in his day, and came 
of the earliest pioneer ancestry, making his life border on the earliest 
period of western history. Himself and father were also distinguished 
physicians of the county. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



3°5 



family of old settlers and otherwise noted people, who 
came from the east about 1804 and settled near Cheviot. 
They were the first pioneers, and consequently were the 
first to erect school-houses, churches, establish roads, 
and otherwise improve the country. Mr. Carson lives 
comfortably in a nice homestead in Cheviot. 

Washington Markland is of Chestnut farm. Green 
township, on which place he has lived during a life of 
seventy-one years, excepting four years he resided in 
Piqua, Ohio, to educate his children. His father, 
Thomas Markland, and mother, Anna Maria, were born 
in Maryland; moved to Boone county, Kentucky, in 
180 1 ; removed to the Chestnut farm (section thirty-two, 
Green township), in 1805, having then a family of seven 
children, viz: Elizabeth, Jonathan, Benjamin, John, 
William, Leah, and Noah; Martha, Washington, James, 
and Charles, were born on this farm; all are now dead 
biit Noah, Washington, and Charles. 

His hiother, Anna Maria Summers, was of Welsh de- 
scent; his father was of English origin; he died in the 
year 1825, May/ i8th, leaving Washington in charge of 
the family. His mother died in the year 1830. 

Thomas Markland, whose father was a companion of 
Daniel Boone, Kent and Cornelius Washburne, the lat- 
ter the grandfather of Hon. Washburne, of Illinois,' lived 
near the family after they came to Ohio; was intensely 
bitter towards the Indians and a great friend to Washing- 
ton, teaching him old battle songs when he was but four 
or five years of age. 

Washington Markland was married to Miss Mary 
Hammond, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvariia, De- 
cember^ 24, 1829. Her father was a minister of the gos- 
pel in the Methodist Episcopal church. She lived a 
Christian life, dying triumphant in the faith, July 20, 
1878. She was the mother of eight children, three of 
whom are now dead. He is now conscious of his end 
approaching, and is waiting in joy the time when he may 
have the privilege of crossing over to meet his beloved 
wife and others, who have gone before. He was born 
October 25, i8«9. The family records were destroyed 
by a dog, -and much valuable history of the foreparents 
is lost. Of his children two sons were in the late war. 
Albert was under General Butler on the Potomac, and 
Samuel who was in the cavalry service under General 
Kilpatrick, was taken prisoner, and for two nights and a 
day before Lee's surrender was confined in Libby prison. 

Mr. Markland has several relics of old times he highly 
prizes, viz: An Indian tomahawk of 1812; an iron kettle, 
ninety-nine years old; a grubbing hoe, seventy years old, 
and several parts of General Harrison's carriage. He 
still resides on the farm of his birthplace. 

William Murphy was born in New Jersey in 1800. 
From this State he was carried to Ohio, and began his 
life two years later in Springfield township. His death 
occurred in 1872, in Delhi township. The wife, Mary 
Ann Murphy, was born September 7, 1803, and died in 
1863. The children, George and Margaret, are now re- 
sidents of Green township, and Theodore, Christopher 
*and Robert are living in Delhi township. 

George Hay is a farmer, residing near Bridgetown, 



Green township, and is also director and secretary of the 
Cleves Turnpike company. He was born on the twenty- 
third of August, 1837, received a good common school 
education, and has been honored by the people of his 
township in various positions of trust, having served 
three terms as township trustee, and been a member of 
the board of education; he is also a director and vice- 
president of the Harvest Home association. His father, 
Washington Hay, came from Baltimore about the year 
1806, and purchased a farm near Bridgetown, a part of 
which George Hay now owns. 

Catharine Thurston was the wife of Joshua Thurston, 
deceased, and daughter of Henry Applegate, an old 
settler of Green township, who died in the year 1877, 
about eighty-six years of age. Her father, Mr. Apple- 
gate, was born in New Jersey, July i, 1791, came here 
in 1 81 2, and remained on Dry Ridge the remainder of 
his days, dying March 12, 1877; was a bricklayer and 
plasterer on Long Island, but, longing for the west, 
travelled on foot and by stage coach to Pittsburgh, where 
he purchased a skiff and from there came on to Cincin- 
nati, in which vicinity he lived for sixty years. He was 
the father of twelve children, of which Catharine was the 
second. Her husband, Joshua Thurston was a minute 
man during the war; he died in St. Louis, in 1865, since 
which time Mrs. Thurston has resided on the old home- 
stead place. 

Joseph Epley was a native of Pennsylvania, and emi- 
grated from that State to Ohio, and settled in this town- 
ship, on sections ten and eleven. He died here in 1835. 
His wife, Sarah Eply, lived till the year 1876. James 
Eply, the oldest son, resides in Green township; the sec- 
^ond child, Joseph, is a resident of Kansas; and the 
youngest, Ann Barries, is in Colrain township. James 
has held the office of justice of peace for twenty-six years, 
he was also township trustee for two terms. 

Emily Wood, wife of Emerson Wood, deceased, lives 
near Dent. Her husband was two years of age when his 
father settled in Green township, one mile northeast from 
the village, on one hundred acres of good land. They 
were married in 1832; in 1875 he died. The fruits of 
their marriage were four children^three sons and one 
daughter. The daughter and two sons are teachers; 
one son is now taking a course in the Normal school at 
Lebanon, Ohio. One son is married. 

William H. Markland is the third son living of the old 
pioneer Jonathan Markland, who "settled on the Cleves 
road, near Dry Ri3ge, in the year 1815. Here they be- 
gan life, a family of thirteen children on a farm of ninety- 
five acres. Jonathan was born in Virginia in the year 
1791, from which State he came. William H. began 
business in Bridgetown, where he remained two and one- 
half years — this was in 1850 — then moved to Iowa, but 
returned again m the year 1853, to Dry Ridge, where he 
has remained ever since, in charge of a store. He also 
owns land on Cleves pike; was married in the year 1850. 

Isaac'' W. Stathem, of the firm of Isaac and David 
Stathem, grocers in Cheviot, succeeded their father in this 
business, opening out on a somewhat more extensive scale, 
in the year 1865. His father, David E. Statiiem, came 



3o6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



to Green township in 1817, and was a teacher for a 
number of years, during which time the public school 
system not being in vogue, a general interest was awak- 
ened in the cause of education by a private school he 
conducted with great success, having for his patronage 
many of the first citizens of Green township. He kept 
grocery afterwards for a period of about thirty years, be- 
ginning in 1824. He died in 1853. He came from New 
Jersey, and is, probably, of English origin; was born 
May 12, 1792. His sons were soldiers in the late war. 

David E. Stathem first settled in Green township in 
1817. He was born in 1792, in Cumberland county. 
New Jersey, from which State he emigrated to Ohio. 
His death occurred in 1867, at Cheviot. In 1817 he 
was a school teacher, when the country was a wilderness. 
A list of the patrons of his school and the number of 
pupils sent by each may be of interest in this connection. 
Providence Ludlamor, i; John Bacon, 4; Robert Dare, 
I ; James Smith, 2 ; Samuel Anderson, i ; Louis Thor- 
nell, 3; James Turner, 2; Thomas Brown, 2; John Craig, 
3; John Miller, 3; Roswell Fenton, 2; Ephraim Stathem, 
I ; Benjamin Benn, 2 ; David Congar, 2 ; Achsah Car- 
son, 2 ; John Congar, i ; Mathias Johnson, 4 ; Mary 
Cain, I ; Thomas Marshal, 3 ; Nathaniel Ryan, 2 ; Noah 
Smith, 2; Jonathan R. Tucker, i ; William Gain, 2; Elisha 
Fay, 6; Hugh Goudy, i; Abner Scudder, 2; John Red- 
ish, 4, John Jones, i; Francis Holt, i; Elijah Brown 2; 
George Smith, i. For twenty-one years he was township 
treasurer, when he resigned. Christian name of his wife 
was Dorcas Hildreth. Names of surviving members of 
the family are: Isaac W., Jacob H., and David T., all 
of Cheviot; and Phoebe, who died in 187 1. 

James Veazey resides on part of section seven. Green 
township, near VVestwood, where he moved in 1870. - His 
father came from Delaware to Ohio, settling in Clermont 
county in 1812. In 1824 he purchased a farm in Spring 
Grove; he died in 1876, in the eighty-eighth year of his 
age. James was born in 18 18, bought his present home- 
stead in 1852, and was married to Miss Williams, daugh- 
ter of an old settler, in 1870. He is a farmer. 

S. S. Jackson was born in Philadeljjhia in 1803. He 
came to Ohio from New York city, and made his first 
settlement in Green township, in the year 1826. His 
wife, Elizabeth Jackson, was born- in 1807. Of his seven 
children, only two are still living: Mary Jackson and 
Julia Herrick, both in Green township. John was 
wounded at Vicksburgh and died, Isaac and Lewis 
were drowned. The remaining two that are not alive 
are Elizabeth and Debby. Mr. Jackson has in his pos- 
session a journal of his grandfather, Mr. William Jack- 
son, dated August 26, 1768, at Philadelphia; also, a 
weather record kept by his father, Isaac H. Jackson, 
three times each day, for the years between 1813 and 
1842. 

F. H. Ofhlmann, of the law firm of Oehlmann & Lun- 
dy, room 24 Temple Bar, northwest corner of Court and 
Main streets, Cincinnati, Ohio, was born January 13, 
1848, on Race street, Cincinnati. His father came to 
this county when but fourteen years of age (1833), and 
died October 3, 1875, at the age of fifty-eight years; his 



mother is still living. F. H. Oehlmann received a good 
common school education in the public schools of Cincin- 
nati, perfecting his course in the Woodard high school at 
the age of seventeen years. Following his course in 
school, he obtained employment as clerk in the record- 
er's office, court house, where he remained for a period 
of eight years, when he went into the practice of law, 
and is to-day the senior member of the firm of Oehl- 
mann & Lundy. He, with his parents, removed from 
Cincinnati to Westwood in the spring of 1865, where he 
still resides. He was elected as assessor of Green town- 
ship when he was but twenty-one years of age, defeating 
a worthy and popular citizen in the election. He was 
elected member of the council of the village of West- 
wood, in which capacity he served until the spring of 
1878, when he was elected mayor of said village, and was 
reelected in 1880, and is at present the presiding ofhcer 
of that village. He married Miss Augusta Patzold in 
1871, from which union he has been blessed with several 
children. 

Joseph Siefert was born December 11, 1810, at Baden, 
Germany. Coming directly from that country to Ohio, 
he settled in Cincinnati in 1834. For eight years he was 
a member of the city council, twelve years director of the 
Longview Lunatic asylum, and two terms, or twelve years, 
president of the Cincinnati Relief union, of which soci- 
ety he was a member for twenty-one years. -He paid the 
relief fund to the soldiers' widows during thirteen years, 
for five years was appointed by the governor, and the re 
mainder of the time held the place through the council. 
His wife, Elizabeth Siefert, was born in Europe Novem- 
ber I, 1813, and died December 7, 1875. Of ^^^ seven 
children, Charles only remains a resident of this township. 
Elizabeth Huy resides in Richmond, Indiana, and Ellen 
Drum, Rosa Hegle, Mary, Josephine, and Frank Joseph, 
are in Cincinnati. 

D. R. Herrick was born in 1S43, ^^ Summit county, 
Ohio. He became a resident of Green township in 1876. 
His family consists of his wife — Mrs. Julia Herrick — and 
his two children, Sidney and Edna. 

Dr. G. H. Musekamp was born in Prussia in 1802. 
He arrived in Cincinnati in 1837, after a protracted jour- 
ney of forty-two weeks, by sea, land, canal, and river. 
His death occurred in 1874, at his home in Green town- 
ship. He was one of the earliest German physicians 
of Cincinnati, practiced principally minor surgery. At 
his death he was one of the oldest German physicians in 
Hamilton county. He left Cincinnati and moved into 
Green township in 1850. Mrs. Musekamp (Charlotte 
Guttemuller) was born in 1803, and died in 1845. Their 
family consists of Louisa, now living in Goshen, Cler- 
mont county, and Elizabeth, Sophia, and Dr. George H. 
W., all three of Green township. 

Enoch Jacobs was born at Marlborough, Vermont, in 
1809. He emigrated from New York to Ohio in 1843, 
and settled in Cincinnati. His wife. Electa Jacobs, was 
born in 1812. Their children are Electa and E. George, 
both living at Mount Airy. Mr. Jacobs was, at one time, 
appointed consul to Montevideo, South America, and 
acted as minister, in the absence of this officer, for one 



SIDNEY S. JACKSON. 



Sidney S. Jackson, a horticulturist of Green town- 
ship, was born in the year 1803 in the city of 
Philadelphia. His father, Isaac H. Jackson, was a 
native of that city, and was bred to the mercantile 
profession. In 1804 he removed to New York, 
where he established himself in that business and 
continued in the same until the breaking out of the 
last war with Great Britain, when he sold out and 
quit the business altogether. In 1813 he removed 
his family to the State of Ohio, pijrchased three 
quarter sections in Green township,and after settling 
upon them remained there until his death, which 
occurred in the seventy-ninth year of his age, Octo- 
ber 20, 1849. 

Although Mr. Jackson was unacquainted with 
the business of farming he 
soon gained sufficient knowl- 
edge of it to support his 
family very nicely by that 
kind of employment, and, 
notwithstanding much of his 
time was taken up with com- 
mercial transactions of life, 
there were few men of his 
day who found time to read 
so extensively as he had 
done ; very fewjnen read so 
much to so good advantage, 
he becoming simply by his 
fondness for reading a walk- 
ing history of the transac- 
tions of his . country and of 
matters pertaining to his 
government ever since he 
arrived at the age of matu- 
rity. He was also des- 
ignated by his fellows as a 
leader in the affairs of his 
county, having held among 
other offices that of com- 
missioner of Hamilton dis- 
trict. Mr. Sidney S. Jack- 
son received some education 
in Long Island before com- 
ing west,but it was limited, 
as he was but ten years 
old when he left for Ohio, which was but 
a barren wild region for great schools or col- 
leges ; nor had he ample opportunities for receiving 
much of the log cabin instruction then in vogue, 
but was compelled to be content with what he could 
obtain from contact with the world and by reading 
good books and papers. 

He remained with his father until the age of 
maturity and in the year 1826 married Miss Eliza- 
beth Hutchinson, whose father, John Hutchinson, 
was an early settler of Whitewater near Harrison; 
he came to Cincinnati about 1807, and to this place 
one year before she was born ; she is now in the 
seventy-fourth year of her age. In 1830 Mr. Jack- 
son began the nursery business, and his green-house 
established then is now one of the oldest" in the 




United States. He deals extensively in rare 
exotic plants, and is a widely and well known 
horticulturist of the great west. He was one of the 
founders of the Horticultural society of Cincinnati, 
and has been identified with it many years. His 
farm consists of about eighty acres of which his 
nursery comprises thirty plat of this acres, and 
contains three green-houses. He has also one 
of the best amateur workshops in the country; 
formerly he was divided in his inclinations for fol- 
lowing the floral business with that of the mechan- 
ical ; being of an ingenious turn of mind he was 
capable of handling tools in many kinds of man- 
ufacture, and has his shop well supplied with 
them. Mr. Jackson has now but two children 
living — having lost three 
sons, two of whom, John H. 
and Isaac H., born July 22, 
1836, were twins, and were 
much alike, the family al- 
ways found difficulty in 
distinguishing them apart. 
They were much in each 
other's company, dressed 
alike, and took pride in their 
similarity of resemblance; 
their loss to the family 
was keenly felt. John H, 
was shot during the desper- 
ate attack his regiment, the 
Eighty-third Ohio volun- 
teers, made at Vicksburgh, 
and from the effects of 
which he died. He had 
received a flesh wound at 
Arkansas Post, and could 
have received a furlough to 
come home, but preferred to 
remain, and soon after en- 
gaged in the siege of Vicks- 
burgh. He was sent to the 
Cincinnati hospital, but died 
a few days after reaching 
that place. The Cincinnati 
Horticultural society, Peter 
Gibson in the chair, upon 
receiving news of this sad occurrence, passed 
resolutions very eulogistic of his character, both 
as a citizen and as a member of that body. 

Isaac, the other twin, and his brother Lewis, the 
youngest of the family, were drowned in the Big 
Miami, while bathing. They were in company 
with a number of their companions on a gala ex- 
cursion, but the brothers going too near a whirlpool 
were drawn in and under one after the other and 
were lost before help could reach them, and thus 
lost their lives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson lately celebrated their 
golden wedding. Rev. Mr. Challen, the pastor who 
officiated at the former nuptials fifty years before, 
was present to sanctify the occasion and assist in 
bringing remembrance of the former times. 




MRS. SIDNEY S. JACKSON. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



307 



and a half years. He was also a member of the Walnut 
Hill school board, and laid the corner stone ffi the first 
school building built under the free school law. When 
the late war broke out he entered the army with four 
sons, two of whom were killed, one at Chancellorsville, 
the other murdered. He was in the first battle of the 
west at Vienna, and served, at one time, as a member of 
the staff. Colonel Kemple and himself had the honor 
of receiving twelve shots from the artillery, they being 
the only mark. 

William Taylor was born in Schuylkill count y, Penn- 
sylvania, in i792j fro'^ which State he emigrated to Ohio, 
and settled in Delhi. In 1875 he died, in Green town- 
ship. His wife, Nancy J. Taylor, is still living, as are 
also his four children, William E., David J., Robert, and 
Joshua P. 

George Frondorf was born in Germany, came from 
that country to Ohio, and made settlement in Green 
township in the year 1840. Here he died at the age of 
seventy-three. F. Frondorf came with his father, and 
has lived in this township since 1840. He is the owner 
of the largest single tract of land lying in the township — 
two hundred and forty-three acres. In 1847 ^^ ^^s jjiar- 
ried to Mary Frondorf, who is still living. His daughter, 
Mary, and son, George, both reside here, and Caroline is 
at St. Mary's convent, Cincinnati. 

Charles Ries was born in Germany in 1826, and emi- 
grated to Ohio and settled in Cincinnati in the year 1853, 
In 1877 he removed to Green township. While in his 
native land he belonged to the army. His wife, Eva 
Ries, was born in 1830, and is still alive. His children, 
Charles Ries, jr., William, and Lizzie, remain also in the 
same township. 

Willia m Muller ca me to Cincinnati in 1 844 . He was 
born in Germany, and on emigrating to America came to 
Ohio at once. In 1874 he died in Green township, where 
his last home was located. His wife was Catharine Mul- 
ler. The children are William, Frank, Louis, Rosina, 
Mary, and Adam. William is still living in Green town- 
ship; Frank and Lewis near Taylor's creek; Rosina at the 
Four Mile house; Mary, near the New Baltimore pike; 
and Adam, near Lick run. 

Isaac Townsend, formerly the well known dairyman 
near Cheviot, came from Springborough, Warren county, 
where he was born in the year 1829; lived for a while in 
Clinton county, Ohio, where he kept a grocery. In 
i860 he started his dairy, and at first began the business 
on a small scale, but afterwards increased it to larger di- 
mensions. In 1880 he sold out his interest in the busi- 
ness to his brother, since which time he has been a 
farmer. He lives near Cheviot, and is nicely situated on 
what is known as the Rose Hill farm. Mr. Townsend 
began life a poor boy, and was bound out until sixteen 
years of age, but by industry and perseverance has been 
successful in securing for himself finally a good home- 
stead. He is a Quaker. 

Thomas J. Bradford, of Dent, Green township, lives 
on the homestead owned by his father, John Bradford, 
who came from Ireland. M. T. J. Bradford, in the year 
1876, married Miss Lydia Hart. 



George W. Davis, is of the firm of Townsend & Davis, 
proprietors of an extensive dairy one mile south of 
Cheviot. 

Thomas Morgan was born in North Wales in 18 14; 
came to the United States in 1839, and since the year 
1840 has been proprietor of a large lumber-yard on the 
corner of Twelfth and Plum streets, Cincinnati. The 
business has been to him a very profitable one, out of 
which he has made a fortune. Soon after coming to 
Cincinnati he was married to Miss Lucinda P. Terry, a 
native of Virginia, and is the father of two children — a 
Bon and a daughter. The son, John W. Morgan, was in 
the service, first as a Heutenant and finally as quarter- 
master Mr. Morgan owns a beautiful property in West- 
wood. 

Joseph M. Rearden, of Cheviot, formerly county com- 
missioner of Hamilton county, is of Irish descent, his 
father, Thomas R., having come from Ireland in 1812, 
leaving Limerick and coming by the way of England, 
where he stayed a while; landed in Philadelphia, where 
Joseph was born, in 1837, on the nineteenth of March. 
In 1852, Thomas removed to Green township, one mile 
west of Dent. Mr. Rearden completed his studies about 
the year 1851, in St. Xavier's college, Cincinnati, and then 
went south, making application to General Walker to enter 
the fillibuster service, but was not received on account 
of his age. From 1852 until 1875 he followed the bus- 
iness of farming, since which time his county has called 
him to various offices of trust. After the war, begin- 
ning in 1865, he served three terms as trustee of the 
township, was also deputy treasurer, member of the board 
of education, and in October, 1875, was elected county 
commissioner, serving until 1877, and receiving a county 
majority of 1,713, and a township majority of 146. He 
was married to Mary E. Miller in 1857. 

Charley B. Lewis, proprietor of a bakery and lunch 
room at 194, West Sixth street, came from Portsmouth, 
Ohio, to Cincinnati in the year 1861. His father, Thomas 
C. Lewis, now living, owned the rolling-mills of that 
place, the only one west of Pittsburgh, in which mills 
Charley learned the business of machinest. The prop- 
erty is now owned by his brother-in-law, George Baylis, 
who is probably one of the wealthiest men in the State. 
Mr. Lewis was for three years after coming to Cincin- 
nati a driver of a bakery wagon, for which he received 
one dollar per day. From this he was promoted to a 
clerkship, and in 1866 he bought out the entire business, 
since which time he has run it himself He also owns 
the building at 206. 

Rev. Gottleib Brandstetter, pastor of the First German 
Evangelical Protestant church of Green township, was 
born in Rhein Baiern, Bavaria, in 1830. He belongs to 
a family of ministers. Gottlieb came alone to America 
and took a course in theology, completing his studies in 
1856, after which he engaged in the ministerial work at 
Peppertown, near Evansville, Indiana, and other places. 
He came here May i, 1876, and has since had charge of 
the congregation and Sabbath-school, acting as its superin- 
tendent. He also gives instruction three days in each week 
to the children of his congregation, who are taking a course 



3o8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



preparatory to confirmationT The church building, a 
fine brick structure, was erected in the year 1871, in 
which, service and Sabbath-school have been held ever 
since. A graveyard of some four acres lies just back 
of the building. He was married July 24, 1857, to Miss 
Catharine Wittkamper, of Cincinnati. This union has 
been blessed with five children — four sons and one 
daughter. One son, Henry, born in 1859, died in 1880, 
and was a most promising young man. He possessed 
a natural genius for drawing, taking up the art and com- 
pleting the course almost without the aid of instruction. 
He, however, spent one year in Cooper Institute, New 
York. He was engraver for Stillman & Co., Front and 
Vine streets, Cincinnati, Ohio. He has left some beau- 
tiful sketchings, of which a "Scene on the Ohio," 
"Church Yard Scene," "Lick Run Church," show a 
master hand in the work. He was also of great assist- 
ance to his father in his church work — being a musician 
and of great use in Sabbath-school service. As the 
pride of the Bransdtetter home, he was much missed in 
that circle. Rev. Brandstetter is exercising a great in- 
fluence for good among his people of Cheviot, of which 
his people are proud. 

Elizabeth Bates, wife of Joshua Bates, railroad con- 
tractor, resides in Mount Airy, Green township. Mr. 
Bates removed to his present elegant homestead in 1859. 
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. John Bates (son) was a soldier in the cavalry 
service under Kilpatrick, during the late war. 

Enoch Jacobs was born in the town of Marlborough, 
State of Vermont, June 30, 1809, and was married to 
Electa Whitney, of said town, June 22, -1831. His 
father, Nathan Jacobs, was born in Connecticut in 1762, 
and emigrated to Vermont in 1799. He was a soldier 
in the War of the Revolution. He married Sarah, the 
daughter of Captain John Clark, of revolutionary fame, 
about the year 1784. SlTe was a native of Old Hadley, 
Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch emigrated to 
Brooklyn, New York, in 1827, where he engaged in me- 
chanical pursuits till 1843, when he removed with his 
family to Cincinnati. Between that time and the break- 
ing out of the civil war in 1 861, he was engaged in the 
manufacture of iron work, being junior partner in the 
firm of Vallean & Jacobs. The people of the south be- 
ing their largest customers, financial ruin followed. 
His oldest son, Enoch George, enlisted in the Second 
Ohio volunteer infantry, three months' service, and was 
in the battle of Bull Run. He afterwards enlisted in the 
Twelfth Kentucky volunteer infantry, Federal regiment, 
where he was commissioned first lieutenant, and was in 
the battle at Mill Spring and the siege of Knoxville. He 
reenlisted as a veteran and served till the army reached 
Jonesborough, when his health failed, and he resigned 
his commission. 

His second son, Henry C, enlisted in the Fifth Ohio 
volunteer infantry, and served till his death. 

His third son, Nathan, enlisted in the Twelfth Ken- 
tucky volunteer infantry, and was commissioned first 
lieutenant in company I of Third regiment. He was a 
brave and gallant young ofificer. While temporarily ab- 



sent from his regiment he was waylaid and murdered by 
a bushwhacker, near Somerset, Kentucky, about the 
twentieth of February, 1863. 

The elder Jacobs was for a time with the First and 
Second Ohio infantry regiments, comprising Schenck's 
^brigade, and took part in the battle at Vienna, where oc- 
curred the first bloodshed in the war south of the Poto- 
mac. He afterwards identified himself with the Twelfth 
Kentucky, commanded by Colonel W. A. Hoskins, and 
recruited men for it, in which two of his sons hold com- 
missions. He took part in the battle of Mill Spring, 
and wrote the first published account of that battle. It 
appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial, and was copied 
by papers all over the country, and in Europe. 

A month later he took part in the battle at Fort Don- 
elson, having obtained a position on the staff of Colonel 
Bausenwein, commanding the brigade on the left of the 
right wing under General McClernand, and with a detail 
of twelve men Mr. Jacobs accepted the surrender of two 
rebel batteries. About a month later while on his way 
to join the Twelfth Kentucky en route from Nashville to 
Pittsburgh Landing, a railroad accident occurred at Green 
rivef bridge, Kentucky, in which he permanently lost the 
use of his right arm. In 1863 he was elected justice of 
the peace in Mill Creek township, and served till he 
removed with what was left of his family to Waynesville, 
Warren county, in 1865. He resided at Walnut Hills 
from 1847 till 1865, and took a leading part in organiz- 
ing in that place the first free school in the State under 
the school law of 1849 ^^^ its amendment in 1850. He 
served nine years as trustee and secretary of the board 
with the late Dr. Allen of Lane seminary as president. 
In the winter of 1870-71 he accompanied the Govern- 
ment commission, on the United States steamer Tennes- 
see, to Santo Domingo as the special correspondent of 
the Cincinnati Commercial. He travelled extensively 
over the island, and no correspondent went where 
he did not. The following winter, 1871-72, he returned 
to Santo Domingo, in the interests of the Cincinnati 
Commercial and New York Tribu9ie. During that winter 
he gathered much testimony as to the alleged com- 
plicity of high officials in a scheme of speculation in 
connectionwith a proposition of our Government to pur- 
chase the island. This has been hitherto withheld from 
the public. 

In January, 1873, he was appointed United States 
Consul to Montevideo, in the republic of Uruguay, South 
America. The United States Minister, Mr. Stevens, 
being absent, the work of the legislation devolved upon 
him in addition to the duties of the consulate. As the 
country was cursed with constant revolutions, it required 
all his energies in extending protection to American citi- 
zens; but the work was faithfully done. In 1874 he 
came home for his family (wife and daughter) by way of 
Europe, and with them returned by the same route to 
his post of duty. His health failing he resigned his com- 
mission and came home by way of Europe in June, 1876. 
In October or that year he removed to Mount Airy, and 
finished his official life with six months' service as mayor 
of that village. 




>tS;'- V '-rr^-x^^. 



'fi^^i^e'C 0*£^$?^«^^j;0 



d-a^i-ai 



G. H. W. MUSEKAMP, M. D. 



G. H. W. Musekamp, a practicing physician of 
Cheviot, was born November 17, 1840. His father, 
George Henry Musekamp, was also a member of 
the medical fraternity, being a native of Prussia. 
He was born June 27, 1802, and is indebted to that 
country for a good literary and medical education ; 
also for a good, amiable, loving Christian wife and 
mother, formerly Miss 
Johanna Goettenmul- 
ler. A few years after 
marriage the family 
set sail for America 
and landed with three 
daughters, one being 
born on the sea, in the 
city of Baltimore. 
This was in the year 
1837; but they soon 
left that city, and in a 
wagon made the tedi- 
ous journey over the 
AUeghanies, and in 
the winter of that year 
arrived in Cincinnati. 
They located first on 
Abigail street, one 
door east of Main, at 
which place the sub- 
ject of our sketch was 
bdrn. They next 
moved to Race street, between Fourteenth and Fif- 
teenth streets, before which latter removal, however, 
the wife and mother died. She was born June 11, 
1804, and died February 14, 1845. In 1849 the 
family removed to Green township, where Dr. Muse- 
kamp spent the remainder of his days in the ardu- 
ous pursuit of his profession. His death occurred 
August 31, 1874, leaving a familj^ of four children. 



Dr. G. H. W. Musekamp received a good, liberal 
education in the private, the free schools, and in the 
high schools of Cincinnati, after which he taught for 
one year, 1856-57, in Clermont county, in Goshen, 
near Charleston. He then pursued a thorough med- 
ical course of instruction under his father, and Dr. 
George C. Blackman, of Cincinnati, and graduated 
in the Ohio Medical 
college in the year 
1 86 1 , receiving the de- 
gree of M.D. In 1 861 
he was married to Miss 
Maria H. Elizabeth 
Hilge of Cincinnati, 
and what is singular in 
the history of this 
couple they were both 
born in the same 
house, and immediate- 
ly afterwards the doc- 
tor settled in Cheviot, 
where he has practiced 
his profession ever 
since, it now being 
about twenty years, 
during which time he 
has been successful in 
building up a large and 
extensive practice. He 
is of an agreeable dis- 
position, noted for his cordiality and warmth of feel- 
ing, and this added to his efficiency in his profession 
has made him a host of warm friends. In politics he 
has been a warm supporter of the Union cause as ad- 
vocated by the Republican party. He takes a lively 
interest in public matters and despite his heavy prac- 
tice has been elected to and filled several offices, hav- 
ing filled that of township treasurer several times. 




HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



309 



BRIDGETOWN. 

This is a village a little over a mile west of Cheviot, 
just half way across the township from east to west, and 
two miles and a half from the south line. It is on the 
Cleves turnpike, half a mile west of the junction of the 
Harrison pike, and the Cincinnati & Westwood narrow- 
guage railroad comes up to the Cleves road about mid- 
way between the village and the junction of the turn- 
pikes. St. Aloysius' (Catholic) church is located here, 
with its parochial school of about fifty pupils, and a con- 
fraternity of the same name, all under the pastoral care 
of the Rev. Father Bernard Mutting. 

CEDAR GROVE 

is a locality in the extreme southwest part of the town- 
ship, about the headwarters of Lick run, and extending 
into the city upon the Warsaw turnpike. The Young 
Ladies' academy of St. Vincent de Paul, conducted by 
the Sisters of Charity, is in this grove, but within the 
city, at a place called "The Cedars," where a sister of 
Mary Hewitt, the famous English authoress formerly 
resided and wrote the charming letter, afterwards em- 
bodied in a little work entitled Our Cous'ins in Ohio. 

CHEVIOT. 

This is an old place, founded by an early settler 
named John Craig in 18 18, and was incorporated March 
2 1 St, of that year. It is pleasantly situated upon the 
hills west of the Mill Creek valley, on the Harrison 
turnpike, a mile and a half west of the township line. 
It had seventy-one inhabitants in 1830, and three hun- 
dred and twenty-five fifty years afterwards. 

In his later years the Hon. Samuel Lewis, the famous 
philanthropist and educator, long of Cincinnati, resided 
near Cheviot, upon a farm he owned there. He con- 
tinued his labors for humanity almost to the end of life, 
often preaching in the neighboring churches. He died 
upon his place here, after a long career of usefulness, 
July 28, 1854. 

At Cheviot, on the Fourth of July, 1832, there was a 
noteworthy celebration. Fenton's Cheviot infantry and 
Palmerton's Delhi infantry made a brave parade, escort- 
ing the orator of the day. General William Henry Har- 
rison, to the Presbyterian church, where the exercises 
took place. Mr. Enoch Carson was reader of the dec- 
laration, and the Rev. Messrs. Williamson and Biddle 
were the chaplains of the day. Messrs. Price and Car- 
penter served as committeemen. The dinner was at 
Rush's hotel, where the popular old time song, "The 
Death of Warren," was given amid much applause. 

At the celebration of 1841, at the same place. Judge 
Moore was president. Rev. George Cott, chaplain, W. J. 
Carson, reader, and Dr. J. D. Talbott, orator. The day 
seems to have gone off gallantly and pleasantly enough. 

COVEDALE 

is a small place on the township line, one mile west of the 
southeast corner, half a mile northwest of Warsaw, and 
on the road connecting that place with the Five Corners. 

DENT 

is a village on the south fork of Taylor's creek and the 
Harrison turnpike, two miles and a half northwest of 



Cheviot, and two miles from the northern and western 
township lines, respectively. It has about two hundred 
inhabitants. Here lives the Hon. Charles Reemelin, 
formerly member of Congress, who is noticed at consid- 
erable length in the chapter on the German element in 
Cincinnati, in the second division of this work. 

DRY RIDGE 

is a hamlet of probably fifty inhabitants, on the Cleves 
turnpike, a mile west of Bridgetown, at the junction of 
that highway with the road down the south fork of Tay- 
lor's creek. The Ebenezer church and a school-house 
are situated at this point. 

FIVE CORNERS. 

This locality, with a little scatter of houses, is at the 
junction of three country roads, on the dividing line of 
sections eight and fourteen, a mile and a half south of 
Cheviot, and the same distance northwest of Covedale. 

MOUNT AIRY 

includes a tract of more than three square miles, lying 
mostly in Mill Creek township, in the chapter devoted to 
whose history it wDl be more particularly noticed. Five 
hundred and seventy-nine of its acres are in this town- 
ship. 

ST. Jacob's, 
in the extreme north of the township, a mile and two- 
thirds west of the northeast corner-, and a mile from the 
Colerain pike, on the projected Cincinnati & Venice rail- 
road, has a population of about one hundred, and a 
flourishing Catholic church and school. 
sheartown. 
This is a village near the extreme northwest corner of 
the township, with fifty to seventy-five inhabitants, a 
church, and a school. It is on the Harrison turnpike 
and the main stream of Taylor's creek. 

WEISENBURGH. 

WeisenburgK is a small place inhabited chiefly by Ger- 
mans, one mile south of St. Jacob's, and two miles and 
a half north of Cheviot, on the surveyed route of the 
Cincinnati & Venice railroad. 

WESTWOOD. 

This considerable suburb covers, with residences and 
grounds, more or less thickly, nearly four sections, being 
the whole of sections two, three and eight, the eastern 
half of section nine, and part of section fourteen, being 
in all two thousand three hundred and twenty-five acres. 
Along the east line of section two, it immediately adjoins 
the city in its northwest part. The Cincinnati & West- 
wood narrow guage railway runs for about two miles 
through the southern part of the suburb. 

The village was incorporated in 1868. Among its 
earlier mayors were John Gaines, 1869-70; F. H. Oehl- 
mann, 1871; Thomas Wills, 1872-4. It had seven hun- 
dred and fifty-two inhabitants in 1880. 

THE HARVEST HOME. 

A few enterprising residents of Green township started 
the first Harvest Home organization in the county, which 
still maintains its annual meetings with great interest and 
success. On the Fourth of July, i860, a little group of 



3IO 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



citizens, comprizing Messrs. R. H. Fenton, W. L. Carson 
and N. Gregory, happening to meet in one of the central 
groves of the township, the suggestion of a regular Har- 
vest Home was started by Mr. Fenton, and cordially ac- 
ceded to by the others. Several townships had previously 
made spasmodic experiments in this direction, but had 
all proved failures after a short run. The foundations of 
the new Harvest Home were more strongly laid. Judge 
Robert Moore was secured as president, and dratted the 
original constitution of the Home. Mr. Samuel W. Car- 
son, now vice-president, was also the first to fill this 
office. Mr. Joseph B. Boyd was secretary; Nehemiah 
Gregory, treasurer; S. W. Carson, R. H. Fenton, James 
Wise, Samuel Benn and James Veasey were directors. 
A very hopeful organization was thus effected. The 
next thing was to obtain memberships, at fifty cents apiece, 
and to this the principal officers of the Home addressed 
themselves. It was uphill business for a time, but finally 
good results were reached, especially by Mr. Fenton, who 
had obtained a large number of memberships in the city. 
The first gathering to celebrate the "Harvest Home" was 
held the next year, August i6, 1861, in Carson's grove, 
half a mile north of Cheviot, where most or all of the 
annual reunions have been held. The Home has since 
never failed of its annual celebration, and has never ex- 
perienced a wet or unfavorable day at the appointed 
time. The last meeting was in Carson's grove, August 
25, 1880, when at least ten thousand people were present 
(it is said that there are never less than ten thousand at 
the meetings), and a number of excellent and interesting 
speeches were made. An exhibition of grain, vegetables, 
fruit, flowers, garden products, bread, butter and other 
articles grown or made in the township, is nowadays held 
in connection with the Home, with premiums as at the 
annual fairs, and the managers think of adding a series 
of prizes for stock, poultry, improvement in farming im- 
plements and other exhibits. The reunions are always 
accompanied with a bountiful banquet, dancing upon a 
platform erected for that purpose and owned by the so- 
ciety, and other amusements. Liquor is never sold at 
the celebrations, so far as is known. Mr. E. C. Reemelin 
is now president of the home. No political or sectarian 
matters are allowed in any way to enter into its oper- 
ations. 

HISTORICAL NOTES. 

Green township has just twice and a half the number 
of inhabitants it had a half century ago. The census of 
1830 developed a population of one thousand nine hun- 
dred and eighty-five in the township; that of 1870 showed 
four thousand three hundred and fifty-six; of 1880, six 
thousand six hundred and eighty-nine. 

At one time, in the early day, nearly the whole tract 
now covered by Green township was sold at sheriff''s sale 
for seventy-five dollars. After the original proprietorship 
of Bendinot & Sims, it was owned mainly by Generals 
Harrison and Findlay, and Judge Burnet, of Cincinnati, 
for whom it was sold out in parcels by the father of Col- 
onel E. T. Carson, now chief of pohce in that city. 



Biographical Sketches. 



THOMAS WILLS, ESQ. 

This venerable gentleman, one of the best known 
citizens of the village of Cheviot in this township, 
is of Irish lineage on both sides of his family. His 
paternal grandfather, James Wills, immigrated from 
Ireland to the new world about the year 1780, with a 
brother, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania for a time, but 
shortly afterwards removed to the present Fleming county, 
Kentucky, upon or near the site of Flemingsburgh. He 
was among the earliest pioneers to this part of the "dark 
and bloody ground," and was driven from his improve- 
ments by the marauding savages as many as three times, 
once being obliged to remain away for the period of two 
years. When preparing for flight, Mr. Wills was com- 
pelled to bring all his farming utensils in which there was 
iron, to prevent their falling into the hands of the Indians. 
He had many troubles with the redskins, and for a long 
period could hardly consider his life secure at any mo- 
ment. James Wills is believed to have been a native of 
county Down, Ireland, so also was the maternal grand- 
father, George Dowler. He came to this country in 1790, 
and likewise located in eastern Pennsylvania, where he 
died some years afterwards. His son, George Dowler, 
jr., was a man of marked ability, and became a promi- 
nent minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. When 
his family removed westward, he was kept behind in 
Wheeling, through his mother's fear of the Indians, and 
grew to manhood in that place. After the death of the 
elder Dowler, his widow married James Grimes, of east- 
ern Pennsylvania. They removed to Hagerstown, in the 
same State, and remained there until 1795, when they 
came to Newtown, in Anderson township, Hamilton 
county, Ohio, being among the very first settlers of this 
region. Here Mr. Grimes spent the remainder of his 
days, in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, and died 
about four years after his immigration. 

Samuel, son of James, and father of Thomas Wills, 
was born at the pioneer home near Flemingsburgh, Ken- 
tucky. He learned the trade of a stone-mason, and 
became proficient in all branches of the business. About 
1808 he went to Newtown, in search of work, and there 
met Miss Mary, daughter of James Grimes and Mrs. 
Dowler Grimes, aforesaid, whom he married the next 
year. He died in 1822, when Thomas was but seven 
years old. About two years afterwards Mrs. Wills was 
united in marriage to William Hatfield, a shoemaker at 
Newtown. Thomas was the third son of the previous 
union. Upon the remarriage of his mother, he lived 
with his grandmother three years, and then returned 
home, where he learned the trade of shoemaking with 
his stepfather, and followed it in the paternal shop until 
the age of seventeen, when he left Newtown. In 1839 
he removed to Cheviot, in Green township. Nine years 
after he was married to Miss Eliza Richardson, by whom 
he has had seven children, of whom three are still living. 
He continued the boot and shoe business and remained 




THOMAS WILLS. 




FRANK FRONDORF. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



3" 



at it as long as he was able to work. He was soon called, 
however, to the performance of public duties, in which 
he was more or less engaged all the rest of his life. 
When he settled in Cheviot that region was almost 
entirely isolated, and material for official service was 
rather scarce; he was hence, in a manner, forced into 
prominent positions which he would not voluntarily- have 
asked or accepted. For twenty-nine years he was a jus- 
tice of the peace in this township, retaining remarkable 
popularity, and commanding general approval by the 
integrity and impartiality of his decisions. For thirty- 
one years, the entire period of a generation of the human 
race, he was postmaster at Cheviot. In 1865 he was 
chosen by his fellow citizens to a yet more responsible 
position, as director of the county infirmary, and was 
thrice reelected, serving in all, three terms in that posi- 
tion, with entire acceptance to his associates of the 
board and to his constituents. He then declined further 
service, on account of increasing infirmities and disabili- 
ties; and has since declined to assume official duties. 
He died Sunday, February 27, 1881, in the sixty-sixth 
year of his age, leaving abundance of proof that the 
sunset of his life was as glorious and peaceful as had 
been the purity of his relations toward his -fellow men. 



FRANK FRONDORF. 

Frank Frondorf, an enterprising farmer,, lives about 
two miles from Cheviot, Green township, on the Cleves 
turnpike. His farm consists of over two hundred acres 
of choice lands, which he has secured for a homestead, 
having bought the same in parts at different times as op- 
portunity and business prosperity would permit. 

His father, George Frank Frondorf, his wife Catharine, 
Elizabeth, their daughter, and four sons, Phillip, Frank, 
Christopher, and Henry — the youngest who died soon 
after their arrival — left Hesse Darmstadt in the year 
1840, and after landing in New York made their way to 
the State of Iowa, where the father and part of the 
family remained. 

Frank Frondorf came back to Ohio after a short stay 
of three months, and began life working for himself, re- 
maining thereafter in Hamilton county. He was born 
the tenth of March, 18 19; was about twenty-one years 
of age when he first began working for R. H. Fenton, 
who kept the tavern at the Seven Mile house. After a 
stay here of three years he worked about five years at 
the Buckeye house for Reid & Anderson, who were pro- 
prietors. During the second year of his stay at the last 
named place he became acquainted with Miss Mary 
Elizabeth Kcelling, from Melle Hanover, who came to 
this country alone in the year 1842, arriving first in New 
Orleans, from there coming to Cincinnati, where she 
married Mr. Frondorf in the year 1846. She was born 
December 26, 1818. The young couple, after working two 
or three years longer in the hotel, added their pennies 
together and bought eighty acres of the present home- 
stead, to which they added, at different times, from 
thirty to fifty acres, until finally the farm increased to 



two hundred and forty acres, the amount of which he 
owns at present. He also worked two years at the Mill 
Creek house. This was previous to going to the Buckeye 
hotel, and making in all several years service as a hired 
hand, by which he saved earnings sufficient to start him 
as a farmer. 

After Mr. Frondorf moved to his farm the young 
couple began a system of labor and economy that laid 
the basis of their future wealth. They not only worked 
and economized, being sparing of their earnings, but 
they added improvements, from time to time, to their 
little home until now their beautiful place somewhat re- 
sembles a miniature town. They not only have an ele- 
gant mansion (the second one, the first burned down) 
for the rest and repose of themselves, but by a singular 
foresight, common only to the most industrious and 
thriving classes of society, have looked as closely after 
the wants and necessities of their stock and domestic 
brutes as to themselves. 

Phillip, the oldest brother, joins farms with Frank. He 
came to America in 1837. 

George Frank Frondorf, the father, lived in Iowa until 
1856. His wife died in 1843. He was a shoemaker, 
and also owned a fine farm, but seemed never contented 
in America, and died in the seventy-third year of his 
age in the year 1856. The last two years of his life 
were spent with his son Frank in Ohio. 

Mr. Frondorf has also been a useful member of so- 
ciety in various ways. He was the founder and chief 
supporter of the Catholic church in Cheviot, being not 
only the prime mover but a munificent giver until the 
church building was erected and the church established, 
having furnished the brick for the building himself. He 
is the father of three children. The son has charge of 
the farm entire, Mr. Frondorf having retired from busi- 
ness altogether. One daughter is a member of the 
Sisters of Charity; the other remains at home. 



DANIEL ISGRIG. 

Daniel Isgrig, of Dent, Green township, is one of the 
oldest residents of the county, having been born June 
30, 1796, in Baltimore county, Maryland, and most of 
the time since which period has resided in the immedi- 
ate vicinity of his present home. His father is of Eng- 
lish and his mother of German descent. His father, 
Daniel, was born in Maryland, March 2, 1775, and died 
in Ripley county, Indiana, July 17, 1854. His mother, 
Rachel Barns, was the eldest daughter of John Barns; 
was born in Virginia, March 22, 1760. She died in Rip- 
ley county, Indiana, August 16, r8s4. The parents were 
both buried near Moor's hill, in the above named county, 
where the father died in the eightieth year of his age. His 
widow was the mother of seventeen children, one hundred 
and twenty-three grandchildren, and one hundred and 
ten great-grandchildren, and before she died could say to 
her daughter, "Arise, daughter, and go to your daughter, 
for you daughter's daughter hath a daughter." 

William, the great-grandfather, came from England 



312 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



about the year 1725. He had two sons, Michael and 
Daniel, the last named betng the grandfather of our sub- 
ject. Mr. Isgrig's father being born in the time of the 
Revolution gave him some opportunity of witnessing the 
consequences of the war. The Tories were troublesome, 
having burned his father's barn, and committing other 
depredations that caused fear and alarm to the family. 
After the war his father moved to the Alleghany mountains, 
eight miles above Fort Cumberland, and remained there 
until 1789, when the family removed to Maysville, Ken- 
tucky, going down the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers 
in a boat. The usual hardships of a pioneer life with 
the Indians as well as in many other respects, were ex- 
perienced by the family, and as usual many tales of ad- 
venture and heroism could here be told. Suffice it to 
say Mr. Isgrig's father was a bold and daring man, capa- 
ble of enduring what would have overthrown most men, 
and withal was a strict man in his family, observing the 
Christian duties of a father and husband himself In 
1806 the family removed to Green township, Hamilton 
county, Ohio, where Daniel Isgrig, the subject of this 
sketch was married, in the year 1817, to Miss Elizabeth 
McMahcn. 

In 1 83 1 he bought the present homestead, consisting 
of seventy-three acres, living for a time at Mt. Healthy, 
but at the above named time moved to the present 
homestead two miles north of Dent, on the Pleasant 



ridge. From here he moved to Taylor's creek, where he 
lived nine years, but returned in 1880. 

In 1841 he was married the second time, his second 
wife's name being Mary Underwood, and from which 
union he was blessed with three children : Viola, the 
daughter of this wife, now Mrs. Marks has her abode 
with her father; Robert, a son, was nine months in the 
war of the Rebellion, and a regular nine years after the 
war. His third wife, Miss Seal, is still living; from this 
union he is the father of one child,' and of eighteen 
children in all. 

Mr. Isgrig is of a hardy, robust nature, has seldom ex- 
perienced sickness during his long, eventful life, and has 
been a character of some position and influence during 
his time. His education was necessarily limited, having 
mastered the rudiments of an education more by sheer 
contact with the problems of life than from instruction 
— nor in this do we find him unsuccessful. For thirty 
years and over he was the principal surveyor of his 
county, and during that period, but few roads or farm.s, 
and tracts of lands of his township have escaped from 
his glazing axe. He was also, many years, administrator, 
serving for different parties at different times. He was 
also for a number of years notary public, township trustee, 
etc., so that in summing up his life, we find him to have 
been a very useful and prominent citizen of his county. 



HARRISON. 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION. 

This township had its origin in the manifest need of a 
new municipality for the convenience of the increasing 
population in the northwestern part of the county, which 
in 1853 caused the erection by the county commissioners 
of Harrison from Crosby and Whitewater townships. It 
is the northernmost township of the county. Its 
boundary lines are wholly artificial, and begin on the 
dry fork of Whitewater, at the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion thirty-three, in range one, township three; thence 
westward three miles to the county and State line; thence 
north six miles to the Butler county line; thence east 
three miles to the northeast corner of section four; thence 
south to the place of beginning. Dearborn county, In- 
diana, lies next to the westward; Butler county on the 
north; four miles of Crosby and two miles of White- 
water townships on the east; and Whitewater township 
on the south. 

Harrison lies altogether upon Congress land, in the 
west half of the third township, range one. It thus con- 
tains eighteen sections of land, which cover a little more 



territory than so many exactly full sections, by reason of 
some divergence of meridian lines in the easternmost 
tier, making some of them a little broader than should 
be. The central and western tiers are beautifully regular 
squares, appropriately exact. The acres of the township 
number eleven thousand one hundred and forty-seven. 

Harrison township lies chiefly in the valleys of the 
Whitewater and Dry fork of the Whitewater, giving its 
surface a generally flat and fertile character. The former 
stream enters from Indiana upon section nineteen, half a 
mile south of Harrison village, and flows in a tortuous 
course of about three miles through four western and 
southern sections of the township to its point of exit 
nearly half way across the southern township line. The 
Dry fork skirts the southern half of the eastern line, with 
several ins and outs, and an exceedingly winding course, 
leaving the township finally almost exactly at the south- 
east corner. Lee's creek, with two other tributaries flow- 
ing into the Dry fork in Crosby township, partly or wholly 
intersect the northeastern part of Harrison; and some of 
the headwaters of Whitewater river, flowing to the west of 



RICHARD CALVIN. 



Richard Calvin was born at the old family homestead 
in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February i, t8o6. His 
father, Joshua, was of German extraction, and held the 
office of captain at Marker's -Hook, below Philadelphia, 
in the War of 1812. All his grandparents were born and 
grew up to young manhood and early womanhood at or 
near Kingwood, 
Hunterdon county. 
New Jersey. All 
were farmers, except 
his grandfather on 
liis father's side, who 
was a miller, but who 
devoted most of his 
time to agricultural 
pursuits. They all 
took an active part in 
the Revolution and 
reflected much credit 
on their names. His 
mother's father was 
for many years justice 
of the peace. His 
grandfather Calvin 
had six children, and 
his grandfather Up- 
dike ten children. 
Mr. Calvin's father 
and mother were the 
oldest out of each 
family. His father 
died at seventy-seven 
years, and his mother 
at eighty-five years, 
Bucks county, Penn- 
sylvania, being the 
seat of their death. Susan Ann was his mother's given 
name. Richard Calvin had four brothers and six sisters 
— -Jonathan, Katie, Grace, Clara See, Fannie, Rebecca, 
Samuel, Luther, Susan, William. Nearly all the family 
are dead, while those remaining are scattered throughout 
the land. Richard was born at Erwinna, a noted post 




office near Doylestown, the county seat. At the close of 
the War of 1812, his father bought a farm on the Dela- 
ware, Settled, raised a large family, and though not 
wealthy, was a powerful factor in all enterprises of private 
and public importance. He served two terms in the leg- 
islature about 1822. It was at the old homestead that 

Richard received his 
education. As was 
the fashion then, he 
attended school dur- 
ing the w^inter months 
only. Mathematics 
was his favorite study, 
and from his natural 
talents more than 
anything else, was en- 
abled in after years 
to compute and draft 
for public contracts. 
At twenty-two years 
of age he left home, 
went between Bristol 
and Easton and 
there, in partnership 
with Isaac Otis, en- 
gaged in building a 
canal from Bristol to 
i\ * Easton. This was 
'V his first public con- 
tract. He next em- 
ployed himself in 
erecting a dam on the 
Schuylkill and build- 
ing a railroad from 
Port Clinton to 
Mockway. Here he 
became acquainted with Miss Martha Hann, an English 
girl, a resident of Pottsville. They were married at Read- 
ing, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and settled at the same place 
for a time. Anna, his first child, was born at Reading in 
1832. He next contracted for building an inclined 
plane railway, very heavy work, over Broad mountain, 



MRS. RICHARD CALVIN. 



which was the first inclined railway in Pennsylvania. He 
next migrated to Michigan, because of non-employment 
in Pennsylvania. Porter was governor then, and on him 
Calvin called and was treated kindly. This was the sec- 
ond year after the Black Hawk war. Here he bought 
six or seven hundred acres of land, paid for it in cash, 
and began farming on the 
St. Joseph river. Indians 
and all manner of wild 
animals were in profusion ^ 
and here, too, overtook 
them death and ill health, 
losing two of their house- 
hold. On account of these 
disasters the farm was sold, 
and from Michigan they 
changed to Logansporti 
Indiana. While here he 
contracted in building locks 
and bridges. In 1 837 he lo- 
cated in Indianapolis, and 
again took contracts for 
bridges and canals. Then 
he changed to Putnam 
county, took morecontracts, 
and here, too, his second 
daughter, Bettie, was born, 
1840. In 1 84 1 the State 
became bankrupt, and then 
a change was made to Har- 
rison, Ohio, turning his at- 
tention to agriculture. In 
1844 his daughter Mattie 
was born. Again, in 1845, 
at the earnest solicitation of 
the Whitewater Canal com- 
pany, he engaged in building and improving dams on 
the river, between Brookville and Lawrenceburgh. 

Mrs. Calvin was born in England, and came to the 
United State? when a child, and grew to womanhood at 
Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Her parents 
■were prominent miners, and brought men from England 




to carry on mining in the Eastern States. Her brothers 
were active in the cause of freedom, and early gave their 
time and means to their chosen land. One of them is 
now a government collector at Detroit, Michigan. They 
are large, strong, powerful men. She is one out of a 
family of twelve children — the third in line. Only three 
of her children live: Anna, 
wife of Charles Hilts, who 
has four daughters and one 
son ; Bettie, wife of George 
C. Huston, who has two 
daughters and one son; 
and Mattie (wife of Thomas 
Taylor, son of ex-mayor 
of Cincinnati, Mark P. 
Taylor) whose husband is 
deputy sheriff of the 
county. 

In politics and educa- 
tion Richard Calvin is fa- 
vorably known. In i86.'5 
the Republican party 
elected him sheriff by a 
majority of five thousand. 
By nature he is adapted 
to accumulate property; 
by nature he is honest and 
benevolent; by nature he 
is admirable and worthy of 
esteem. Mr. Calvin re- 
tired from business on ac- 
count of failing eyesight; 
and though feeble, he may 
yet see many more years 
of happiness. His life 
has been a successful one, 
and amidst all his trials and tribulations, has been above 
reproach. Exposure and hardship often bring to light 
admirable qualities in men, and in Mr. Calvin's case 
they certainly produced this result. No one can lay to 
his action an uncharitable deed. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



313 



Harrison village, have their source in the northwestern 
part of the township. The southern half of the town- 
ship is mostly low, belonging to the bottom-land of the 
streams; the northern half is rnore elevated, and broken 
into ridges by the wear of water-courses, and very likely 
other agencies, through the milleniums of geology. 

The Whitewater Valley railroad, keeping pretty close 
to the river whence it takes its name, enters, like that, 
the township below Harrison village, and runs for about 
four miles to a point half a mile east of the viver and a 
little more than a mile from the southeast corner of the 
township, where it departs into Whitewater township. 
The Whitewater canal formerly had its course in part 
through this township, nearly on the same line as the 
railroad, and also terminating, so far as Hamilton county 
is concerned, near Harrison village. Its history is re- 
corded in a chapter of part I of this book. The Harri- 
son turnpike also comes in from the direction of Miami- 
town, near the southeast corner of section twenty-eight, 
and runs thence in a nearly straight and due northwest 
course across the township to the village of Harrison. 

ANCIENT REMAINS. 

The limited tract of Harrison township does not abound 
in ancient remains, but still possesses some of interest, 
as the mounds on Bonnell's hill, in' the eastern part of the 
township, which are understood to be among the burial- 
places of the long-gone race in the valleys of the White- 
water and the Great Miami. 

EARLY RELIGION. 

About 1803 a regular Baptist church, attached to the 
Miami Baptist association, was organized in what is now 
the northern part of Harrison township, and took the 
name of Dry Fork of Whitewater church, a singular name 
for a church of immersionists, truly. In 1836 this society 
went off with the anti-mission Baptist churches, and is 
said to have lost its identity altogether in 1853. At 
this time the majority of the association, in membership 
and vastly so in number of churches, including this one, 
joined the anti-mission standard. 

THE MORGAN RAID. 

The great event in the brief history of this, the young- 
est township of Hamilton county, was the John Morgan 
raid, which occurred ten years after the creation of the 
township, or in July, 1863. The invading force crossed 
it on the main roads, but entered it on but one — that 
through Harrison village. The advent of Morgan and 
his horde at that place was a thorough surprise. It was 
known by the people that he was somewhere to the west- 
ward in Indiana; but his direction of march was un- 
known, and there was no special reason to expect him at 
Harrison. Morgan's forces were, indeed, considerably 
scattered in southeastern Indiana, on the twelfth of July, 
and it was exceedingly difficult to divine the leader's in- 
tentions; but on that day and the forepart of the next 
they moved rapidly by converging roads upon Harrison, 
at which one point they struck Ohio. About one o'clock 
in the afternoon of the thirteenth the advance of the 
rebel command was seen streaming down the hillsides 
on the west side of the valley, and the alarm was at once 



given in the streets of Harrison. Citizens hastened at 
once to secrete valuables and run off their horses; but 
in a very few moments the enemy was swarming all over 
the town. The raiders generally behaved pretty well, 
however, offering few insults to the people, and maltreat- 
ing no women or other person. They secured what horses 
they could, and thronged the stores, taking whatever they 
fancied. The eccentric character of the stealing, as de- 
scribed by Colonel Duke in our chapter on the Morgan 
raid through Ohio, was manifest here. One gentleman 
who kept a drug and notion store was despoiled of noth- 
ing but soap and perfumery. He had a large stock of 
albums, which were popular then, and expected to see 
them go rapidly; but not one^was taken. Similar inci- 
dents are related of other shops in the village ; and from 
one and another a large amount of goods in the aggregate 
was taken. But there was no robbery from house to 
house, or from the person; and after a very few hours 
stay, having refreshed themselves and their horses, and 
gained all desired information, the head of the column 
began to file out of the village in the direction of Cincin- 
nati, on the Harrison turnpike. Reaching the junction 
of the New Haven road a third of a mile out, part of the 
force took to that thoroughfare, and proceeded eastward 
through Crosby township, crossing the Great Miami at 
New Baltimore. The remainder kept down the Harrison 
pike, through Whitewater township, crossing the river at 
Miamitown. Their passage on both roads was attended 
by no special incident, and was of course entirely unop- 
posed. That same night found the invading force 
abreast of Cincinnati, and the next day out of the county, 
after a tremendous midsummer march of thirty hours. 
But the thrilling story has been related elsewhere, and 
need not be further dwelt upon here. 

THE OLD SOLDIERS. 

For the following list of veteran volunteers from Har- 
rison township, in the late war, credit is due to the hand- 
some double number of the Harrison N'ews, published 
Christmas day, 1879: 

B ruce Kee n, ]ac kson Williams, and AlexaiidEr_ffiiks, of company 
C, Fifth Ohio cavalry, all reenlisted February 15, 1864, and mustered 
in March 16, 1864. 

Christopher Doerman, same company and regiment, reenlisted March 
31, 1864, mustered in April 25, 1864. 

Arthur Hill, same command, reenlisted March 29, 1864, mustered in 
April 25th, same year. 

Will R. Hartpence, company C, Fifty-first Indiana infantry, reenlist- 
ed January i, 1864, mustered in February 12, 1864. 

William T. Campbell, George -W. Pierce, Francis M. Shook, Joseph 
Davis, William Gold, William Orr, and David H. Lawrence, Fifty- 
second Indiana infantry, enlisted and mustered in February 27, 1864. 

Frank Crets and Isaac Jackson, Seventeenth Indiana battery, reen- 
listed and mustered in January i, 1864. 

Patrick Haggerty. 

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT. 

John Ashby was born in the territory of Indiana, in 
18 10, June 2nd. Fourteen years after that date he went 
to Cincinnati, Ohio. When he came to Ohio he learned 
the tanner's and currier's trade, but abandoned it after- 
ward, and, coming to Harrison, entered into partnership 
with his brother, Hamilton, for the purpose of trading in 
dry goods. In 1843 he was appointed postmaster of 



314 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Harrison, which position he kept for seven years. In 
1851 he was engaged by William & Samuel Ferris to su- 
perintend their store, where he remained four years. One 
term he served as mayor of Harrison, and at several dif- 
ferent times he has been elected to the office of justice 
of the peace, which office he is holding at the present 
time. He has always been a Democrat in politics. His 
first wife, Elizabeth Tooker, was born in 1818, married 
in 1836, and died in 1854. She had five children: Mar- 
tin V. B., Olin H. P., George M. D. (married to Clara 
Zeumer), Alice, and Ida. His second wife was Phoebe 
C. Zeumer, who died in August of 1879, at the age of 
fifty-eight. 

Warren Tibbs, born in Prince William county, Vir- 
ginia, in 1 791, emigrated'from North Carolina to Ohio 
in 1807, when he located his home in Harrison. During 
his early life he was a farmer, but afterward followed the 
hotel business at the place now owned by Dr. Thomas. 
At one time, while a river trader between New Orleans 
and Harrison, he was obliged to sell his boat and walk 
back with no protection excepting his rifle. He was 
twice chosen to represent Dearborn county, Indiana, in 
the State legislature. At different times he held the of- 
fices of postmaster, justice of the peace, and township 
trustee. In the Indian war he had a part under General 
Harrison. In politics he has always been a Democrat. 

He married Elizabeth, a native of Kentucky, in 1815, 
who was born in 1794. Her death occurred at Williams- 
port, Indiana, in 1875. Her husband died at the same 
place in 1872. They had ten children: Alvin G., whose 
wife was Maria Snyder, of Harrison; Francis M., married 
to Tillie McNelba, and living in Louisiana; Moses, mar- 
ried and living in Nevada; Loria A., married to James 
Cloud, and now in Indiana; Louisa, the wife first of Si- 
mon Smythe and afterward of James Torrence, now a 
resident of Indiana; Loretta, living in the same State; 
Lydia, the wife of Doctor Miller, of Indiana; Martha A., 
married to Isaac Roseberry, and Elizabeth, to Henry 
Johnson, both living in Indiana; and one child that died 
in infancy before it had been named. 

Alvin G. Tibbs was born in Indiana, in the year 18 16. 
For three years he attended school at Oxford, Ohio, 
afterward dividing his time between farming and teach- 
ing school. In Indiana he held the office of justice of 
peace, and was twice elected to the legislature of that 
State from Dearborn county. He married Maria Snyder 
of Pennsylvania in 1838. He was a member of the 
Christian church; in politics was always a Democrat. 
He died in 1856, his wife surviving him. They have had 
seven children — Theodore, who died while an infant; 
Fannie, now living in Indiana; Warren, married to Ellma 
Laymen and residing in the same State; George B., of 
Indiana, also, married to Maria Gunkle; John H., whose 
wife is Sarah A. Keen, now of Hamilton county; Arthur 
G., now of Lawrenceburgh, Indiana; and James W., mar- 
ried to Emma Hillman of the same State. 

John F., son of Alvin G. Tibbs, was born in Harrison, 
in 1845, where he gained a common school education to 
which he added three years at Oyler's college. In 1859 
he learned the miller's trade which he followed for a 



time but finally gave it up and engaged as clerk with W. 
W. Davidson & Co. In 1870 he began the business of 
"Men's Furnishing Goods" which he still follows under 
the firm name of Tibbs Brothers, the only store of the 
kind in Harrison. He is a member of the Christian 
church; served one terra on the board of education of 
Harrison. He married Sarah A. Keen, a native of Indi- 
ana, in 1868. They have four children, John, Bertha, 
James, and Arthur. 

William F. Converse was born in Randolph, Orange 
county, Vermont, June 10, 181 2. Attending the Orange 
County academy, he took the regular course of study. 
When sixteen years old he went to Rochester to live, 
where he served an apprenticeship to the gunsmith's 
trade. In 1836 he came to Hamilton county, and at 
first settled in Cincinnati. There he entered the employ 
of Abel Cox in the manufacture of guns, on Elm street. 
After remaining there three years he came to Harrison 
and opened an establishment for the manufacture of guns. 
After a short time, owing to ill health, he sold his inter- 
est to Henry Minor. He left his trade and followed 
school teaching for three years; he then engaged as book- 
keeper and cashier for William Hasson, of Harrison. In 
1849 he invented the simultaneous screw cutting machine { 
that came into general use in a short time. In 1861 
invented the elastic wire bed bottom, an article generally 
used throughout the United States. In 1846 he was_:' 
elected representative from Hamilton county on the 
Democratic ticket, and afterward reelected. In 1853 he 
was elected to the State senate, and two years later re- 
elected. In 1863 he was elected on the Union ticket 
county commissioner. At one time he also held the 
office of trustee of Harrison township, and was elected 
the first mayor of Harrison, He is a member of the 
Christian church; in politics an independent, always vot- 
ing for whom he nray think the best man. He married 
Margaret J. Snyder, of Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1847. 
They have eight children: Augusta and Francis, of 
Hamilton county; Oliver, married to Cora Ball and now 
in Stark county; William, married to Rebecca West and 
residing also in Stark county; Frederick, living in Har- 
rison; Annie, living in Harrison county; and Edith and 
Bertha, both of Harrison. He served as president of 
the school board of Harrison for many years, was always 
interested in educational matters, and was the first to 
organize the present school system in Harrison, writing 
and putting up the first notice to call a meeting over 
thirty years ago. He was the prime mover, too, in the 
organization of a cemetery board, and has been president 
of the Glenhaven cemetery for the past twenty-five years. 

George Arnold was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in the year 1784, but emigrated from New Jersey to 
Ohio, and settled in Elizabethtown, Whitewater township. 
In 1828 he moved into Indiana, where he remained thirty 
years. While there, he was representative from Dear- 
born county two successive terms. He was also elected 
county commissioner for the same county. Later in his 
life he returned to Ohio, where he remained till his death, 
which occurred in 1866, at Lawrenceburgh, Indiana. 
He was killed by a fall from his carriage. He married 



MR. STEPHEN BURK 



is the second son, and third child, of Ulick and 
Rachel (Jones) Burk, of Baltimore county, Mary- 
land, both of them born and raised there. They 
had nine children, besides Stephen si.x daughters 
and three sons — John, Nancy, Elisha, Mary, Sarah 
(died in infancy), Elizabeth, Rachel, Susan, and 
Ulick. John, Stephen, and Elisha, the three old- 
est children, and Mary, 
now Mrs. George Swales, 
a widow, residing four to 
five miles southwest of 
Harrison, in Indiana, 
and Rachel (Mrs. Joshua 
Lemon, widow of a 
farmer now deceased, of 
Fayette county, Indi- 
ana), are still living. 
The parents removed in 
1809 from Maryland to 
the tract about one mile 
south of Harrison, on 
the State line, now own- 
ed by their son Stephen, 
where Mrs. Burk's father 
had already settled. 
Here they lived the rest 
of their lives, and both 
of them died here in a 
good old age — the father in his eighty-fifth year, 
January 16, 1864; and the mother in her eighty- 
third or eighty-fourth year, dying February 22, 
1866. 

Stephen Burk was two years old when his par- 
ents came to the Miami country, having been born 
September 24, 1807, at the old home in Baltimore 




county, Maryland. He is somewhat remotely of 
Irish stock, on the father's side. He was educated 
to the limited extent attainable in the schools of 
that day and neighborhood, and has acquitted 
himself through a long life as a man of intelligence 
and character. He remained a bachelor at the old 
home south of Harrison, devoting himself to the 
care of his parents and 
the labors of the farm' 
except one year, when 
he took a partnership 
in a country store at 
Alquina, Fayette coun- 
ty, Indiana — until both 
his father and mother 
had gone to their long 
home. He staid some 
years longer upon the 
paternal estate, during 
which he was married, 
June 16, 1875, to Miss 
Martha Eliza Pruden, 
of Harrison village. In 
the February following 
he removed to the 
pleasant, elegant resi- 
dence now occupied by 
him on the Cincinnati 
turnpike, one mile southeast of Harrison, where he 
is spending a tranquil old age, in quite tolerable 
health for his years, and with the remembrance of 
a life well spent to cheer him. 

He has been no office-seeker, and on one occa- 
sion, when nominated for a local office, he elec- 
tioneered vigorously against his own candidacy, 



MRS. STEPHEN BURK. 



and succeeded in defeating himself. He has been 
a hfe-long Democrat, however, and ahvays goes to 
the poUs to deposit his vote. His first vote was 
cast for General Andrew Jackson for the Presi- 
dency of the United States. He never has been 
•connected with any of the religious or secret 
societies, but has been satisfied to live a self- 
contained and independ- 
ent life. 

Mrs. Burk is the fifth 
child and third daugh- 
ter of James and Sarah 
( Swales ) Pruden, of 
Dearborn county, Indi- 
ana. She was born in 
that county, but in Har- 
rison village, on the In- 
diana side, on the eigh- 
teenth of April, 1 84 1. 
She remained at home 
during her girlhood and 
youth, receiving her ed- 
ucation in the village 
schools, and for two 
terms in the Ohio Fe- 
male College, at College 
Hill. For about twelve 
years, beginning with the year 1859, she taught in 
country suburbs, either on the public or subscrip- 
tion foundation ; and her popularity in this work is 
attested by the fact that her teaching was confined 
to three districts in the neighborhood of her old 
home, in one or the other of which she was ever sure 
■of an engagement, and could always get a sub- 




scription school when the public money was ex- 
hausted. She is a lady of unusual culture and 
refinement, and remembers with pleasure her days 
of pedagogic life. 

In 1 87 1 she embarked in business in Harrison 
village, in a millinery and ladies' notion store, in 
which she remained about four years, until shortly 
before her marriage with 
Mr. Burk. 

They have two chil- 
dren — Stephen James, 
who was born June 20, 
1876, and Martha Es- 
tella, who was born 
November 20, 1879. 
She is a member of the 
Presbyterian church in 
Harrison, and has lived 
in the faith of that de- 
nomination since her 
childhood. It has been 
the faith of her father 
and his ancestors for 
several generations, and 
of most of her rela- 
tives. 

Her mother is Eng- 
lish-born, coming with her parents to Dearborn 
county, Indiana, in June, in the year 1831, and is 
of the Church of England, or Episcopal faith 
Both of her parents are still living. 

Her father is of English and Irish stock, and 
came to this part of the country with his parents 
in 1 8 16. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



315 



Mary Eads, of Kentucky, who died in 1856. She had 
eight children. He then married a lady of Harrison, 
who had one child. For many years he was an elder in 
the Presbyterian church. He always took deep interest 
in all public improvements, and contributed liberally for 
the support of the church. He was also a leader among 
the Free Masons, having joined the order at an early 
day. The children are: James, married to Mary Kishler, 
and living in Hamilton county ; Samuel, married to 
Elizabeth Hand, and now in the State of Illinois; Mary 
J., the wife of James L. Andrew, and now in Indiana; 
George W., married to Hannah B. Herrin, and in 
Hamilton county; Clinton C, married, and living in 
Kansas; Richard C, married to Laura Walker, of Indi- 
ana; William M., married to Louisa Hughs, and now in 
the same State as the preceding ; Eveline, the wife of 
Mr. Brunson, and now of the same State; and Martha J., 
now living with the second Mrs. Arnold in Pennsylvania. 

George W. Arnold was born in Elizabethtown, Ohio, 
in 1823, where he began the business of farming and 
stock raising, in which he is now engaged. When seven 
years of age, he' went with his father to Indiana, where 
he remained till 1855. As a Democrat, he held the 
office of township trustee several years. In 1855 he re- 
turned to Ohio, and settled on the farm, where he now 
lives. Since coming to this State, he has held the offices 
of trustee and school director. In 1844 he was married 
to Hannah B. Herrin, of Ohio. They have had eight 
children: Joanna, Emma, John H., Mary, George W., 
married to Helen, and living in Hamilton county; 
Charles A., married to Kittie Caloway, and also now in 
Hamilton 'county ; Purley and Katie. 

Andrew M. Wakefield was born in Hamilton county, 
January 11, 1819, and died November 10, 1873. He 
always followed the business of farming, at the same 
time served several times as trustee of Crosby township. 
Early in life he was a Presbyterian, but later became a 
Methodist. In politics he was a Democrat. He married 
Phcebe Alberton, a native of Ohio, and of Welsh de- 
scent. 

W. F. Wakefield was born in 1844, in Crosby township, 
where he received a common school education. He re- 
mained on his father's farm till twenty-one years of age, 
when he attended school at Farmer's college at College 
Hill. From there he went to Mr. Nelson's Commercial 
college at Cincinnati, where he remained but a short 
time, accepting a place as bookkeeper in the wholesale 
house of D. B. Dunlevy & Co. This position was fol- 
lowed by that of soliciting agent for a grain commission 
house, when, after two years of service he spent some 
time in travelling through the Indian territory. Return- 
ing to Harrison, he married Emma Shoobridge, and has 
held at different times the offices of corporation clerk of 
Harrison, and assessor. Since his marriage he has been 
twice in the employ of Mr. G. W. Keen, in the grocery 
business with John Small, in the saw-mill business for 
himself, and at present, is bookkeeper for James Camp- 
bell. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and 
a Democ^rat in politics. He has two children. 

Roh^ 'Cary was born in Lynn, New Hampshire, Jan- 



uary 24, 1787, and moved with his father to the North- 
west Territory in 1802, and settled in Cincinnati, but 
eventually moved to College Hill. A soldier in the war 
of 181 2, he was with General Hull at the surrender of 
Detroit. His death took place November 13, 1866. 
He was a quiet, upright man, respected by all who knew 
him. In 18 13, he was married to Eliza Jessup, of Ham- 
ilton county, Ohio, who died July 30, 1835. They had 
nine children : Rowena, married to Isaac B. Carrihan; 
Susan, married to Alexander Swift; Rhoda, Alice, Asa, 
whose wife was Leah A. Woodruff, of Hamilton county; 
Phoebe; Warren, whose wives were Martha A. Tremper 
and Emma Tremper, of Hamilton county; Lucy; and 
Elmira, married to Alexander Swift. 

Wa_rreti_Qary was born in Hamilton county, October 
16, 1826, where he received a common school education 
and also took a course of study at College Hill. He is 
a farmer, in which business he has been engaged nearly 
all his life. In politics he is a Republican; in religious 
belief a Universalist. His three children are Robert, 
Alexander S., and Clarence W. 

Robert C ary was born in Hamilton county, in 1850, 
where he received a common school education and also 
a two years' course at College Hill. He married Eliza 
Wilson, of the same county, in 1874. They have two 
children, Elmira and Martha. He is a farmer in busi- 
ness, in politics a Republican. 

Matthew Brown, a native of Ireland, was born in the 
year 1753, but emigrated to Ohio from South Carolina, 
and settled, in 1803, on the farm now owned by John 
Baughman, in Harrisori. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, a Democrat in politics. His wife was Jane Jones, 
a native of South Carolina. She had eight children: 
Nancy, married to Samuel Harlen, and living in Indiana; 
David, married to Susan Gladwell, and also in Indiana; 
Katie, the wife of George Harlen, and living in Iowa; 
Robert, married to Katie Cotton, also in Indiana; Sam- 
uel, married to Betsey Atherton, and living in Indiana; 
Sarah, tlie wife of Thomas Goulding, of Indiana; Betsey, 
married to Isaac Ferris and residing in Hamilton county; 
and John, married to Sarah Herm, of the same county. 

John Brown was born in South Carolina, in 1803, and 
came to Ohio with his parents. He has been a farmer 
all his life, and for many years was a member of the 
Harrison school board. In politics he is a Democrat. 
He married Sarah Herin, of New Jersey, in 1824. Aug- 
ust 30, 1874, he died at the age of 187 1. He was the 
father of seven children : Jane, now the wife of James 
Charelton, of Butler county, Ohio; John, married to 
SaraiuEHiis and living in Indiana; Martha and Rebecca, 
both living in Hamilton county; Sarah, wife of Jehu 
John, and now living in Illinois; Hannah, married to 
John Vanausdall, and now in Hamilton county; and 
Jefferson, remaining in the same place. 

George G. Oyler was born in England, in 1815, came 
to the United States with his father in 1828, and first 
settled in Hamilton county on the farm now owned by 
Thomas Bowles. After serving an apprenticeship with 
Mr. D: A. Davidson, he followed the painter's trade for 
thirty-five years, but at present devotes himself entirely 



3i6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



to his farm. A Democrat, he has held the office of trustee 
in the township. He ranks high, too, as a Mason. He 
married Elizabeth Gerrard, of Ohio, in 1838. She had 
one child, Sarah, who died while an infant. The mother 
also died in 1876. He then married Honor J. Minor. 

Frederick Biddinger, senior, was a native of Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1804, and came 
to Ohio with his father and settled in Butler county. 
After a year they moved to this county, and in 18 10 he 
began on the farm which he now occupies. At present 
he is in possession of a fine competency. A Democrat 
in politics, he held the office of trustee of Harrison town- 
ship one year; has always taken a deep interest in public 
improvements, and was instrumental in the laying out of 
the Biddinger pike, running from Harrison to Oxford. 
He is a member of the English Lutheran church; has 
held the office of trustee in the church for many years, 
and has always been deeply interested in the subject of 
education of youth. He married Sarah Black, of Ohio, 
who died in 1873. The children are John W., married 
to Margaret Otto, and now living in Butler county, Ohio; 
George A., married to Catharine Simonson, and now in 
this county; Emeline, wife of John Livingston, now in 
the same county; Jacob, married to Sarah Stephens, also 
living in this county; Angeline, now the wife of William 
Hutchinson, and residing in Missouri; Catharine, in this 
county; Melinda, Mrs. Thomas Thomas of the same 
county; Martha, the wife of Martis Holowell, and now 
residing in Indiana; Wesley M., married to Fanny Mc- 
Intyre, and now in Illinois; and Lewis F., of this county. 

Asa R. Mittler, born in Dearborn county, Indiana, 
in 181 7, is a farmer of Hamilton county, where he settled 
in 1848. The first few years he was a resident of Har- 
rison township, and while there he dealt in stock. In 
1852 he organized a company and went over the plains 
to California where he was engaged for a year in mining 
and keeping hotel, and returned to Ohio by way of Panama. 
At the end of two years he purchased a farm in White- 
water township, on which he lived until 1870, when he 
moved to the place on which is now his home. While 
in Whitewater township he held the office of township 
trustee and treasurer for a number of years, and has filled 
the same office in the township where he now resides. 
He has always been a Democrat. February 22, 1855, 
he was married to Euphemia Rittenhouse, of Ohio. 
The children are Alice, Ellen (now the wife of George 
Arnold), Charles, George, and Mabel. 

John Jones, born in Baltimore county, Maryland, first 
settled in Harrison township in 1809. He was both a 
farmer and miller. In religious faith he was a Baptist, 
but never united with a church. His wife was Sarah 
Harriman. Their children are Betsy, Sarah, Rachel, 
Temperance, Ruth, Nancy, Rebecca, Stephen and 
Ellen. 

Benjamin Simonson, the oldest member of the family 
of Aaron and Margaret Simonson, was born in this 
county m 1827. In 1864 he entered into partnership 
with George and John Punny, for the manufacture of 
bedsteads, in which business he continued four years, 
when he disposed of his interest and returned to his 



farm. He is a member of the Sand Hill grange, in 
which he has twice held the place of overseer, and was 
also an officer -in the Ancient Order of Red Men. In 
politics he classes himself with the Democratic party. 
In 1848 he married Maria Johnson, of Indiana. Their 
nine children are Margaret E., now Mrs. Harry Sleet; 
Nicholas J., Pricilla, Helen M., Mary E., Zaruma, Ben- 
jamin F., Maria A., and Charles G. 

George Hopping was born in AVhitewater township in 
1826, where he received an ordinary education, and be- 
gan the business of farming. He is a strong Republi- 
can, and always has shown much interest in education. 
In 1850 he was married to Rebecca Ireland, a citizen of 
Indiana. He has six children — William, Frank, Charles, 
Laura, Hattie, and Lillie. 

Robert Marvin was born September 12, 1770, in 
Lvnne, Connec ticut. He was left an orphan when tlifEe 
years old. When a young man he engaged in teaching. 
About the year 1800 he moved to Morristown, New 
Jersey, and soon after was married to the widow of 
Moses Ross. Her maiden name was Phoebe Ford. About 
the year 1805 he emigrated to Harrison, Hamilton 
county, Ohio. The journey westward as far as Wheeling 
was made in a covered wagon, drawn by horses and 
oxen. The rest of the trip was effected m a flatboat 
down the Ohio river to Cincinnati. He settled on land 
obtained by his predecessor from the Government at four 
dollars per acre, and entered the adjoining quarter section 
from the Government. He and his wife were members 
of the Presbyterian church. He was an Abolitionist of 
the old style, and so noted for his zeal that he was 
threatened with expulsion from the church! He died 
in January, 1842, in his seventy-second year. His wife 
survived him about ten years, expiring in the eighty- 
third year of her age. 

Samuel R. Marvin was born in Dover, Morris county. 
New Jersey, June 5, 1804. He came to this State with 
his parents, and first settled on the farm now owned by 
Mrs. Narcissa Snow, in Harrison .township. At one 
time he attended the Miami university at Oxford. He 
devoted twenty years to teaching school. He received 
the rudiments of a good English education from his 
scholarly father, but by reason of weak eyes was never 
able to pursue a regular course of study. He was a great 
reader, a close observer of human nature, and, in his day, 
succeeded well as a teacher, in which profession he spent 
the best part of his life. In 1842 he married Julia A. 
Place, who was born in New York in 1808. After his 
marriage he became a farmer, which business he followed 
the remainder of his life. He filled the office of town- 
ship clerk for Harrison township, and was also a mem- 
ber of the school board, in the same township, for several 
years. Early in his life he was a believer in Universalism, 
but he afterward adopted the Swedenborgian faith. In 
politics he was an Old Line Whig, a strong Abolitionist, 
and, after the forming of the Republican party he be- 
came a Republican. A highly educated and truly good 
man, he was highly respected by the many w:th whom 
he was acquainted. He died at his home near Harrison, 
June 29, 1863. His wife survives him. '' c "'as the 



/ 



ts^^-^-sw 





-* 







>V,. '^^^^^.mM. ^'mk^^^ki^^^pj^^^^^^^^ 



RESIDENCE OF M, S, BONNEL, H/ 




ta. 



V3,t %..^',-*K}2S- 




fi^^^-?. 



fc€#^--?tftW:fV ' 










^^^^m^itgt^:-' '^ .-<-^r- 




RISO.N TP„ HAMILTON CO,, OHIO, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



317 



father of three children, Gustavus L., who died in in- 
fancy; Jerome P., now married to Martha A. Stokes, and 
MeUssa A., now the wife of Henry N. Congden. 

Jerome P. Marvin was born in this county in 1846. 
He taught school after having obtained an ordinary edu- . 
cation, after which time he spent a year at Wabash col- 
lege, Indiana, and studied medicine at the Eclectic Medi- 
cal institute, of Cincinnati, five years, where he graduated 
in June, 1866. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Thirty-seventh Ohio regiment of infantry, where he 
served three months. The practice of medicine was 
begun in Cincinnati in the fall of 1866, in partnership 
with Dr. Scudder, which partnership continued six years. 
During that time he was demonstrator of anatomy in the 
Eclectic institute of Cincinnati for three years. In 1872 
he began medical practice in Sidney, Ohio. After a year 
he gave up the place and came to Harrison, buying the 
interest of C. G. Thomas in the drug business, in which 
he is at present engaged. He held the office of town- 
ship treasurer of Harrison township one year, was a 
member of the school board three years, and gave mate- 
rial aid in establishing the present graded system in the 
schools. In politics he is a Republican, and as a mem- 
ber of Snow Lodge No. 193 has had the place of mas- 
ter during three years. He was married to Martha 
Stokes, a native of Ohio, April 16, 1868, and is the father 
of two children, Mabel and Maude. 

William Dair, born in Harrison, Ohio, August 20, 
1848, married Jeannette Bonham September 21, 1870. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dair have three children, two daughters 
and one son. In the way of descent he is the son of 
James Dair, who was one of the successful men of the 
county, and to whom excellent business tact and fore- 
sight have been transmitted. He is a graduate of Bart- 
lett's Commercial college, of Cincinnati. In the matter 
of positions he has filled — and filled successfully, too — 
the township treasurer's and councilman's office, has been 
engaged in causes which advance the practical interests 
of a community, and deals in facts and results. He, with 
his brother Charles, is among the wealthy men of Harri- 
son township, and year by year add by honorable means 
to their gains. They are distillers. 

Lewis M. Dair was born in New Jersey, Greenwich 
county, in 1798. He was a ship carpenter by trade, and 
came to Ohio in 1844 and settled in Harrison. While 
there he worked at the carpenter's trade. In politics he 
was a Democrat. His wife, Hannah Mulford, was a na- 
tive of New Jersey. She died in Harrison in 1854. Her 
husband survived her fourteen years. They had eleven 
children — Benjamin, married to Julia A. Beard, and now 
living in Indiana; James, whose first wife was Charlotte 
Briggs, and whose present wife is Louisa Brakenridge; 
Mary J.; Elizabeth, the wife of Owen Williams; Amanda, 
the wife of Asa Curry, now of Indiana; Hannah, at 
present Mrs. Richard Bowles; Lewis, married to Eliza- 
beth Perrine; Jonathan M., married to Mary J. Camp- 
bell, now living in Kentucky; Lucy A., Mrs. George Leg- 
get, at present a resident of Indiana; Edward, now mar- 
ried to Angeline Phillips and also in Indiana; and Emily, 
the wife of Theodore B. McCafferty. 



James Dair, the second son, was born in 1822, in the 
State of New Jersey, where he learned the miller's trade, 
in which business he continued until he came to Ohio, 
in 1842. He settled in Harrison township, and in com- 
pany with Joseph T. Cloud built the distillery now owned 
by the Dair Brothers. In politics he was a Republican. 
He married Charlotte Briggs, a native of Indiana, who 
died in 1864. Their children were — Charles, now mar- 
ried to Addie Rittenhouse; two daughters named Sallie; 
Katie, the wife of Theodore Rockafeller, and now a res- 
ident of Indiana; Charlotte, married to Purlu Scott; Ida, 
now Mrs. Charles Wren, of Butler county, Ohio; Anna, 
and one that died in infancy. 

Is aac L. Frost was born in Harrison township, at Lee's 
creek, and worked on his father's farm till he was of age, 
when he began mercantile business in Venice, Butler 
county. In 1854 he bought Mr. A. M. Wakefield's stock 
of goods in New Haven, and continued business there 
until 1863, when he died. He was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and was a Democrat in pol- 
itics. He was married to Miss Nancy Huchinson, who 
still survives him. They had nine children — Elsie A., 
now married to Aaron Shaw; Amos H., whose wife is 
Sarah J. Hank; Sarepta, the wife of William Pharas; 
Harriet E.; John S.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jasper N. Shaw; 
Nancy J.; Isaac S.; and Theodocia. 

Amos Hutchinson Frost was born December 18, 1840, 
three miles northeast of Harrison, on Lee's creek, in 
Harrison township. November 12, 1867, he married 
Sarah Jane Hawk, daughter of William Haw'k, of Cros- 
by, who bore him three children, one son living. Early 
in life the family moved to Venice, in Butler county, and 
resided for twelve years; from there they came to New 
Haven in the year 1854, and finally Amos left in 187 1 and 
settled in Harrison village, since which time he has been 
engaged in the drug business. In all matters of public 
concern he has been favorably known. He is secretary 
of Harrison Loan and Business association, is a member 
of the school board, and treasurer and trustee of the 
First Presbyterian church, of which he is a member. 

Dr. Milton L. Thomas was born in Warren county, 
Ohio, in 1821. When eleven years old he went with his 
parents to Jefferson county, Indiana. At the age of 
twenty-one he commenced the study of medicine with 
Dr. J. H. D. Rogers, at Madison, Indiana, and continued 
the same during three years. After attending the Medi- 
cal institute of Louisville, Kentucky, he began the prac- 
tice of medicine in Morgan county, Indiana. In 1849 
he moved to New Haven, this county, where he was in 
practice five years, during which time he attended a 
course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical institute in 
Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1850. 
Four years later he opened an office in Harrison, where 
he is at the present time. He is an earnest member of 
the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee. He is 
also superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In politics 
he walks with the RepubHcan party. In 1844 he was 
married to Harriet W. Chase, who was born in Ohio. 
She became the mother of two children, ahd died July 
17, 1852. He then married Susan J. Rybolt, of Indiana. 



3i8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



They now have a family of four children: Charles S., 
now married to Margaret Little; Eda A.; Elminea, now 
Mrs. James S. Bittler; and RoUa, married to Sallie B. 
Cook, of Indiana. Rolla was born in Harrison in iS^T- 
In 1877 he graduated at Ashbury university, at Green- 
castle, Indiana, where he studied medicine. 

Charles G. Thomas was born in the year 1845, in Jef- 
ferson county, Indiana, whence he came to Harrison 
with his parents. In addition to a common school edu- 
cation he attended the Miami university at Oxford. For 
the last eighteen years he has been in the drug business. 
In politics he is a Republican. In 1869 he was married 
to Maggie A. Little, of Ohio. They have two children, 
Harrietta and Eda L. 

Joseph C. Meyer was born 1824 in Hanover, Germany, 
where he learned the jeweler's trade. He came to Amer- 
ica in 1849, ^nd fi'st settled in Cincinnati, where he re- 
mained about four years. While there he worked as a 
journeyman in the jewelry business. In 1854 he came 
to Harrison, and entered the employ of Thomas Dorr, 
where he remained three years, when he began business 
on his own account, which he still continues. During 
two terms he filled the position of councilman for Harri- 
son, is a member of the Catholic church, and in politics 
ia a Democrat. In i860 he married Anna M. Gardiner 
a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Liz- 
zie and Joseph. 

Rev. Charles West was born in 1792, in Hunterdon 
county, New Jersey, from which State he moved to Ohio, 
and settled in Colerain township in 1819. His death 
occurred in August, 1878, in Butler county, Ohio. By 
trade he was a tanner and curries, but after coming to 
Ohio was engaged in farming. In 181 7 he united with 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and took an active part 
in its work. In 1850 he built a church with his own 
funds — the West Union church, at Greusbeck, in Colerain 
township — and was pastor of the church until his death 
He was an active, earnest Christian, respected by all. In 
18 1 7 he married Rebecca Sparks, of Baltimore, Maryland. 
She died at the age of sixty-eight years, in Butler county. 
The had nine children : Manning, now married to Aman- 
da Stout, and residing in Iowa; Stockston, now of Illi- 
nois, whose wives were Catharine Bevis and Mary Apple- 
gate; Pieson, whose wife is Mary Gosling; Allison Syl- 
vester, Pitman ; Augustus E., married to Annie H. John- 
son; Miranda, now Mrs. Samuel Wilson of Indiana; and 
Charles, married to Harriet Ponder. 

Dr. Augustus E. West was born in 1824, in this county. 
After obtaining a common school education he attended 
school at College Hill, and at twenty-one years of age 
began the study of medicine with Dr. Bartlett at Chev- 
iot. After four years he graduated at Starling Medical 
college in Columbus, Ohio, and the next year began the 
practice of medicine at Farmersville, Montgomery county, 
Ohio, but soon after moved to Miaraitown, where he prac- 
ticed fourteen years. He then went to Illinois, purchased 
a farm and followed farming about a year, when he re- 
turned to Ohio and settled in Harrison. In 1865 he 
opened an office and began prabtice there and is still en- 
gaged in the same employment. He is a most successsful 



physician of the regular school. At various times he has 
held various public offices of trust and responsibility. 
He is a member of Snow lodge. Free and Accepted Ma- 
sons, also of Harrison lodge, Knights of Honor, and is 
a Democrat in politics. In 1849 he was married to 
Miss Annie Tomlinson, of New Jersey. His eight 
children are: John A., now of Montgomery county, 
this State; Helen M., Mrs. Charles Ferris; Rebecca, 
wife of William Converse, and Frank, Francis, Annie C, 
Manning, and Eddie. 

Rev. Gerberd Egger, the Catholic priest of Harrison, 
Ohio, was born in Switzerland, educated at Thubingen 
university, Wurtemberg, and came to the United States 
November, 1866. He began his ministry at Dry Ridge, 
this cou-nty, where he preached for six years and four 
months, coming to Harrison in February, 1873. His 
first station was without the ordinary improvements which 
belong to places of this kind — no parsonage, no school- 
house, in debt for the church proper, and, in fact, even 
the commonest grades of enterprise. He lifted a heavy 
church debt to a very great extent, increasing the value 
of church property from three thousand dollars to seven 
thousand dollars. 

Since being at his present location he has won the ad- 
miration of those even outside of his congregation by his 
business tact and discipline. The old school-house and 
church at Harrison, which stood in a dilapidated state in 
1873, now are handsome structures of brick. The 
church proper, with a congregation of four hundred or 
five hundred souls, was built in 1876; the priest's house, 
in 1873; and the school-house in 1877. Church prop- 
erty has advanced from one thousand eight hundred 
dollars to ten thousand dollars, and healthiness in all 
departments pervades. No surer sign of advancement 
in religious matters can be seen than that the minister is 
liked, the debt being liquidated, and everybody satisfied. 

-HARRISON VILLAGE.' 

This was the first town to be laid out in Hamilton 
■county west of the Great Miami, except the early extinct 
Crosby, on the banks of that stream. Its recorded plat 
is dated December 8, 18 13, and it was laid out that year 
by Jonas Crane, at the southwest corner of section eigh- 
teen and the northwest of section nineteen, just half way 
across the present township of Harrison, on its extreme 
west line. A small part of it extends into Indiana. The 
village is described in the State Gazetteer of Ohio, in 
182 1, as on the Whitewater river, twenty-four miles north- 
west of Cincinnati, laid off on the State line, with the 
main north and south street on that line, and half the 
village on each side. The post office, we believe, has 
always been kept on the Ohio side, but the railway station 
is a little way beyond the line, in Hoosierdom. 

Twenty years later, in the State Gazetteer of 1841, 
Harrison is noted as containing about three hundred in- 
habitants, with three churches, four stores, two taverns, 
two groceries, two physicians, three clergymen, one 
apothecary's shop, sixteen mechanics' shops, one flouring 
mill, one carding machine, and one hundred dwellings. 
One-third of the inhabitants then resided on the Indiana 



JOSEPH H. HAYES. 



Joseph H. Hayes was born April 8, 1824, in Whitewater township, 
one mile below Elizabethtown, on the Great Miami. ■ His grandfather, 
Job, was probably of German descent, and died three months before 
his son Job, the father of Joseph H., was born. His death was caused 
by sickness contracted while coming down the Ohio from Pittsburgh. 
His grandmother, Bulah Tussey, was born in Philadelphia, and came 
to South Bend in 1791. She was of Yankee origin. 

Joseph Hayes, his 
mother's father, came 
from Chester county, 
Pennsylvania, to Switzer- 
land county, Indiana, and 
remained as a farmer and 
machinist until 1836 or 
1837, and then moved to 
Bartholomew county, 
same State, and died near 
1840. His grandmother 
Hayes was of Swiss de- 
scent. 

On his father's side his 
ancestors were large, 
strong, active men. With 
his mother's people quite 
the same was common. 

His father. Job, settled 
below Elizabethtown for 
a few years ; took a lease 
on real estate, made 
money, and soon moved 
across the Big IVIiami to a 
more favorable site. Here 
he bought one hundred 
and ninety acres of land, 
mostly on the hill, but 
made in several pur- 
chases. In iVIiami town- 
ship he remained seven 
years. In 1846 he moved- 
to Iowa, and died at sev- 
enty-eight years of age. 

Job Hayes, jr., married 
his cousin June 28, 1816, 
at Middletown, Ohio. His 
wife died in 1873, being 
seventy-eight years of age. 

Joseph H. remained 
with his parents until 
twenty-one years of age, 
all the while accumulating 
money outside of the pa- 
rental roof, his par- 
ents providing him with common necessities — clothes, boots and food 
By his active work, at the age of twenty-one, he had accumulated 
three hundred dollars, his mother acting as banker. The first year after 
becoming of age he worked for his father during the summer season, 
earning in all sixty-five dollars. In the summer of 1846 he engaged 
with his cousin, Stephen B. Hayes, to work for ten dollars and fifty 
cents per month, five months. In 1847 he visited Iowa, prospected a 
good deal, and returned in the fall to collect the three hundred dollars, 
which had been loaned, and returned to the State of his fatlier. But 




the money was hard to collect. His notes he did not care to discount, 
and, by persuasion of his cousin Stephen, leased land for three years, 
and carried on a sort of co-partnership. At the expiration of this time 
he rented land of his cousin, Charles G. Guard, and worked four years. 
September 23, 1852, he married Sarah J. IVIyer, Colonel William H. 
H. Taylor, son-in-law of General Harrison, performing the ceremony. 
Mrs. Hayes was of Kentucky extraction; born in Indiana April 5, 1834. 

By this marriage seven 
children were born — six 
sons and one daughter, 
Alice, Wilson and 
Charies being dead; Job 
W. , Enos, Isaac D., 
and Joseph G. are liv- 
ing, none of whom are 
married. Mr. Hayes is 
one out of eleven chil- 
dren — six sons and five 
daughters, five of the 
family being dead. Mrs. 
Hayes is one out of a 
family of five, three 
brothers and two sisters. 
Since marrying, agricul- 
ture has rewarded him 
with handsome gains. 
At twenty-eight fifteen 
hundred dollars had 
been accumulated, and 
the first year after he 
cleared seven hundred 
dollars. In the spring of 
1855, the second month, 
he purchased fifty acres 
for three thousand dol- 
ars, paying two thou- 
sand cash and discount- 
ing the remaining debt 
before it became due. 
When thirty he owned 
a farm of fifty acres, had 
moved on it, and was 
busily engaged in the 
choice of his life. In 
1869 he bought seventy- 
eight acres of Stephen 
W. Garrison, paying 
seven thousand two hun- 
dred dollars. February, 
t88o, he added again, 
and now owns two hun- 
dred and seventy acres of 
good tillable land Mr Hayes is iem-\rkable as a flat-boat man, mak- 
ing five round trips from Lawrenceburgh to New Orleans. 

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, the former for twenty-three years, the latter for the 
same length of time. 

Educationally, both belong to that class of people who develop by 
contact with the world, by labor and industry. Great and generous 
deeds hang in clusters about them, friends respect and admire their 
many virtues, and many aspire to reach so envied a character. 




MR. M. S. BONNELL. 



MRS. M. S. BONNELL. 



Marcus Seneca Bonnell, a prosperous farmer, occupying a beautiful 
residence on the dividing line between Harrison and Crosby townships, 
five miles northeast from Harrison and two miles northwest from New 
Haven, is a grandson of Aaron Bonnell, who came to the Miami coun- 
try in 1805, with his brothers Benjamin and Paul, and his married sis- 
ters, Rhoda and Abigail — a strong delegation for one family at one 
time. They were all children of Benjamin and Rachel Bonnell, who 
"^ame from England and settled in New Jersey, where their family was 
reared. The father was drowned in the East river, near New York, 
with ten others, November 10, 1798, on a boat crossing from the city to 
Brooklyn, upon which a number of casks of rum rolled to one side 
and overturned the frail vessel, with the terrible results above noted. 
He was then seventy-five years old. His wife survived him until 1812, 
when she departed this Ufe, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Aaron, 
the seventh child and fifth son, w'as born March 4, 1759, it is believed 
in Essex county, New Jersey. He was a brother-in-law to Judge Oth- 
niel Looker, the distinguished pioneer who settled near Harrison in 
t8oi : they having married twin sisters — ^Judge Looker Pamelia, and 
Mr. Bonnell Rachel Clark, They had six children — two daughteis and 
four sons, of whom the father of the subject of our sketch was one — 
Clark Bonnell, born November 18, 1790, in New Jersey. His father, 
Aaron, was the only one of the Bonnell colony who settled in Hairison 
(formerly Crosby) township, the others stopping in the neighborhood of 
Carthage, and taking farms there. Aaron entered the northwest quar- 
ter of section eighteen, due north of the subsequent site of Harrison 
village, in the valley of the Whitewater, improved the place, and re- 
mained there until his death. During his lifetime he drew a pension as 
an artificer for the Government during the war of the Revolution. His 
wife also died upon the old place near Harrison. Some time before the 
death of his parents, Clark Bonnell, who had learned, in part, the trade 
of a shoemaker in New York State, before the removal of the family to 
the west, was married to Miss Elsey Wykoff, of a family residing near 
Harrison, on the Indiana side, and removed to the village, where he 
pursued his trade for many years, and then removed to a country 
neighborhood in Ross township, Butler county, five miles from Hamil- 
ton, where he continued to follow his business. Remaining here about 
five years, he removed to New London, Butler county, where he lost 
his wife by death. She was born February 7, 1794, and died in Septem- 
ber, 1835. Her husband died in Cincinnati in 1864, in the seventy- 
fourth year of his age. Their children numbered nine, of whom Mar- 
cus Seneca was the third, and the oldest son. He was born upon the 
old place near Harrison, in a cabin where his father was then residing, 
November 8, 1816. He had some schooling in the poor "subscription 
schools" of that day, which he attended for brief periods, as the press- 
ing labors of the farm and workshop would allow, and in due time 
learned his father's trade, beginning to help in a small way when he was 
but nine years of age. He did not take kindly to the business, as it 
was too confining, and he was strongly predisposed to farm life; so he 



did litde at shoemaking after he was fifteen years of age. For about 
eight years he served as a farm hand at various places in Hamilton and 
Butler counties, by the month or year, and for the next two years 
worked Judge Anderson's farm in Butler county, "on shares." 'Then 
for two years he similarly farmed the old place near Harrison, which 
had become the possession of his grandmother. He also managed it a 
similar terra for the purchasers of the farm after her death — Messrs. 
George Arnold and Peter Riffner. The latter was father of Martha R., 
who became the wife of Mr. Bonnell December 8, 1S42. He was now 
residing on a rented farm on the other side of the Whitewater, in the 
edge of Indiana, where he remained a year and removed to the Frost 
farm, on Lee's creek, in the north part of the township. This he oc- 
cupied, on five-year leases, for the period of fifteen years, and so suc- 
cessfully that he was enabled to purchase the one-hundred-and-forty- 
acre tract upon which he now lives, in 1856, two years before his last 
lease expired. To this he removed at the expiration of his lease, and 
here he has since resided, adding one hundred and fourteen acres to his 
original purchase, and making a farm of such high excellence and repu- 
tadon that the award of the premium offered in 1880. by the Hamilton 
County Agricultural society, for "the best farm of forty or more acres, 
in the general plan of buildings, fields, fences, and 
the skill shown in drainage and general cultivation of the several kinds 
of crops, in care of stock, implements, and tools, etc. ," was made to 
Mr. Bonnell, after careful inspection of his place by a committee of the 
society. He has, among other improvements, as many as twenty-two 
and one-fourth miles of under-draining. In i860 he built the fine resi- 
dence in which he now lives, and which appears to advantage in our 
illustration of his premises. He has devoted himself to his business, 
taking little interest in politics and holding no public offices. He has 
been for many years a member of the lodge of Odd Fellows of Harrison. 

Mrs. Martha Riley Bonnell was the third daughter of Peter and 
Elizabeth Riffner, and was born February 11, 1815, at the old home 
near Harrison village. She is still surviving, in a hale and happy age. 
Their children have been: 

Elizabeth Isabel, born September 23, 1843; married John S. Bowles, 
of Harrison township, December 22, 1866, a farmer, who went to 
South America in 1874 and is believed to be dead. She now resides 
with her parents. 

Clark Marion, born March 18, 1845; married Sarah Butts September 
II, 1872: died January 21, 1880. 

Peter Riffner, born April 20, 1847, died May 22, 1874. 

William Riffner, born March 30, 1849; married Miss Jennie Cook 
December 5, 1870; lives in Henry county, Indiana, a carpenter. 

Stephen Easton, born June 21, 1851; died May 6, 1875. 

Elsey Ahce, born May 5, 1853; married William Butts, a farmer ot 
Crosby township, February 29, 1872; died March 26, 1873. 

Emma Angeline, born March 21, 1855; died September 10, 1855. 





"ip^^. 



MR. JAMES CAMPBELL. 

James Campbell, inventor of the Campbell Improved corn and seed 
drill, and sole manufacturer of the same at his Pioneer Drill works'in 
Harrison village, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 
1817. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, on his father's side descended 
from the famous Clan Campbell, and on his mother's side a Harper. 
His maternal grand-parents were Alexander and Nancy (Adams) 
Harper. The Harpers came from Ireland to America in 1794, bringing 
six children — William, Alexander, James, Mary, Margaret, and Sid- 
ney. Margaret was born in Donegal, Ireland, October 31, 1787, and 
was married in 1806 to Andrew Campbell, of Scotch blood, but a na- 
tive of Londonderry, born July 18, 1774, who had come to this country 
in 1801. His mother was a Stewart, and he had three sisters, also a 
brother, John, who was a soldier in the Scotch Grevs in the battle of 
Waterloo, and was killed there. The children of Margaret and An- 
drew Campbell were John, Mary, William, Alexandria, James, Martha, 
George, Charles, Andrew Jackson, and one who died in infancy — all 
born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Alexander came to the west in 
1836, and settled in Harrison as a wagon-maker. His brothers Wil- 
liam and James followed him thither two years later. They were both 
blacksmiths, and opened a shop for the prosecution of their business. 
They were inventive and enterprising, and manufactured a number of 
implements then new in the country, as cultivators and double-shovel 
plows. Before that corn had been cultivated in that region simply with 
harrows, single-shovel plows, and three-hoe flukes. They also introduced 
a patent spring for wagons, which took the place of the wooden affairs 
used on the "Dearborn wagons." In 1841 or 1842 Alexander made 
two corn drills, which failed to do the work, and in 1849 the broth- 
ers bought the right of the " Dickey drill" and began manufacturing 
them. It had a roller which ran over the corn after it was dropped, 
and if the ground was wet it packed the earth on the corn, making a 
crust and preventing the corn from growing. In 1859 they invented a 
corn drill, placing the drive-wheel in front and covering the corn with 
shears. It failed, however, in the dropping and driving arrangements. 

Up to this time James assisted his brother, but the latter becoming 
discouraged, James then took it into his own hands, aud invented two 
other drills, which also failed. In 1863 he invented one on the princi- 
ciple according to which he is now manufacturing, which is in general 
use throughout the south and west. In 1877 he added"'some improve- 
ments for dropping cotton as well as corn and other small seeds, and 
also made it a fertilizing drill. He adopts for his nnplement the name 
"Pioneer drill," because it was the first successful one of the kind, and 
is still in advance of all others. Over seventy-five thousand are now in 
use in different parts of America and Europe. One of his nephews, 
James A. Campbell, was formerly associated with him in business, but 
recently retired, and Mr. Campbell conducts it alone. He has been 



MRS. MARIA CAMPBELL. 



successful from the time of his humble beginnings in HaiTison, reaping 
the rewards of industry, intelligence, and enterprise, and has added 
largely to his facilities for manufacturing. His blacksmith-shop occu- 
pies one building, the machine-shop another, and still another is used 
for the putting together and shipping of the drills. His manufactory, 
at the corner of Sycamore and Walnut streets, is just opposite the spot 
where he began business in the village in 1839. Several times, how- 
ever, he has suffered reverses, being once entirely burnt out. the last 
day of August, 1867. Since then bis business has steadily increased, 
and he has now the largest manufactory of any kind in Harrison, on 
the Ohio side. For some years he was a Free and Accepted Mason, 
but has not for some time given much attention to the order. With 
nearly all his family, he is a member of the Christian or Disciple church. 
He is a Republican in political faith, having been opposed to slavery ex- 
tension ever since the Cass, Van Buren, and Taylor campaign, when 
he voted for the Kinderhook statesman on the Free Soil ticket, and 
voted steadily with that party until Republicanism was organized. 

Mrs. IVTaria (Matsenbaugh) Campbell is of Pennsylvania German 
stock, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Matsenbaugh. Her father, as 
well as Andrew Campbell, of her husband's family, was a volunteer of 
the War of 1812. Her parents moved from Pennsylvania to New Lis- 
bon, Columbiana county, at an early day, and thence to Harrison 
shortly before her marriage. Her father, born August 9, 1794, in Vir- 
ginia, died here December 24, 1850 ; her mother, born in Maryland 
March i, 1799, also died here July r4, i868. Maria remained at home 
with her parents until her marriage with Mr. Campbell, June 17, 1849, 
since which time her history has been identified with that of her hus- 
band. She is likewise a member of the Christian church in Harrison, 
and faithfully discharges her various duties as wife and mother, and in 
all other relations of life. 

Their children have been : 

Sarah Louisa, born May i, 1850 ; died twenty-two d_ays thereafter. 

Angle, born October 29, 1851 ; residing with her parents. 

Hattie Belle, born March 7, 1853 ; married July 26, 1874, to George 
F. Orr; residing in Harrison, Mr. Orr being an assistant of his father-in- 
law. 

Benjamin Franklin, born October 21, 1855; died December 5, 1859, 
of membranous croup. 

Ella Dora, born February 24, 1859; book-keeper in her father's office. 

Albert Martin, born August 30, i860; at home, head machinist in his 
father's establishment. 

Harry Ogden, born November 4, 1864; also an assistant in his 
father's manufactory. 

Elmore Edward, born September 29, 1867; at home, a "-id in the 
schools. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



319 



side. "The line of the Whitewater canal passes through 
the town, and is now in progress." 

The village has had a quite satisfactory growth, con- 
sidering that it has no special advantages of position. In 
1830 it had but one hundred and seventy-three inhabi- 
tants. In 1850, under the stimulus of the Whitewater 
canal and the general growth of the country, its popula- 
tion had advanced to nine hundred and forty; in i860, 
to one thousand three hundred and forty-three; and in 
1870, to one thousand four hundred and seventeen, of 
course all in Hamilton county. Last year (1880) the 
census found one thousand five hundred and fifty in- 
habitants within its limits, on the Ohio side. 

Mr. William F. Converse was the first mayor of the 
village. Among other mayors have been Benjamin 
Bookwalter, 1866-8; and A. E. West, 1873-4. 

In the years 1856-7 a large brick edifice was put up near 
Harrison for the purposes of a private academy, called the 



institute. The expense of its erection and equipment was 
borne mainly by Mr. George Oyler, whose son, G. W. 
Oyler, then a recent graduate of the Farmers' college, at 
College Hill, was its first principal, and has since become 
a well-known teacher in the county. 

The St. John's Catholic church, ministered to by the 
Rev. Father C. Eggers, is located here. 

In 1872 the Jackson Building and Loan association, 
for operations at Harrison, was organized, its certificate 
of incorporation being filed with the secretary of State, 
June 4th of that year. 

The pottery operated here was started so long ago as 
1829. 

THE CENSUS. 

The census in 1870 gave Harrison township two thou- 
sand one hundred and seventy-five people; in 1880, two 
thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. 



MIAMI. 



ORGANIZATION. 

The original Miami township was one of the creations 
of the court of general quarter sessions of the peace in 
1791, at the same time as Cincinnati and Columbia town- 
ships were erected. Its boundaries were then defined as 
beginning at a point on the Ohio, at the first meridian 
east of the mouth of Rapid run, thence due north to the 
Great Miami, thence down that stream to the Ohio, 
thence up the Ohio to the place of beginning. These 
included not only the entire tract now occupied by the 
township but also the eastern part of Delhi, a strip of 
Green two sections wide, and about one-third of Colerain 
township. In some of the old documents the limits of 
Miami are more simply stated as "beginning at the 
southwest corner of Cincinnati township, thence down 
the Ohio tp the mouth of the Miami, thence up the 
Miami to the west boundary of Cincinnati township, 
thence south to the beginning." 

In the general -rearrangement of 1803, compelled or 
suggested by the creation of several new counties from 
the still extensive Hamilton, the boundaries of Miami 
were cut down considerably from the northward, while 
they were extended one range of sections to the east- 
ward. The were now described as "commencing at the 
mouth of the Great Miami, thence north on the State 
line to the Miami, thence up that stream to the north 
boundary of fractional range two, thence east nearly four 
miles to the northeast corner of section twenty-four in 
fractional range two, town two, thence south to the Ohio, 
thence westward to the place of beginning." These con- 
fines gave the township no further reach to the northward 



than it now has, but extended the present north line three 
miles to the eastward, and gave Miami a strip of as many 
sections' breadth from what is now Green township and 
about half of the present Delhi, the east line of the town- 
ship intersecting the Ohio about a mile below Anderson's 
Ferry, or near Gilead Station. 

By the time the change of 1803 was made it had been 
discovered, as may be ascertained by a careful reading of 
the definition of boundaries, that some part of the course 
of the Great Miami, near its mouth, lay wholly in the 
State of Indiana; so that a narrow strip of territory lay 
to the east of it, between its channel and the State line, 
which did not belong to Miami township or to Hamilton 
county. This river is famous for its changes of course; 
and several of its ancient beds may be plainly traced fur- 
ther up the valley, besides many indications of slighter 
modifications of channel. It is probable that across the 
tract lying within a mile of the stream, between Guard's 
Island and the mouth of the Great Miami, its waters 
have advanced and receded many times. Quite recent 
maps of the State and county exhibit a belt of territory 
here that still belongs to Indiana; but, since the surveys 
upon which these are based were made, the river has 
again so encroached upon its eastern banks that it is be.- 
lieved all its shore in that direction is in Hamilton county 
and the State of Ohio, except perhaps a small tract near 
the Ohio & Mississippi railway bridge. 

GEOGRAPHY. ' 

The extreme western boundary of Miami township at 
present, therefore, may be stated with almost literal exacts 
ness as the Great Miami river, separating the township 



32° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



from Dearborn county, Indiana. The remaining entire 
boundary on the west — and on the north, too, is also the 
Great Miami river, dividing Miami from Whitewater 
township. Next east of the township, along its entire 
border in this direction, is Green township; and on the 
south are the Ohio river, separating it from Kentucky, 
and a mile's breadth of the northwest part of Delhi town- 
ship. 

The township lies in fractional ranges one and two, 
town one of each. It has but nine full sections, all of 
them in range two, and none in the peninsula below 
North Bend and Cleves; but has twenty-two fractional 
sections, and thus secures a very respectable amount of 
territory. Its acres count up fourteen thousand and fifty- 
seven. Its extreme length is on the eastern border and 
for about three-fourths of a mile in the interior — just six 
sections, this strip being included between the .same par- 
allels which bound Green township on the north and 
south. The shortest length is between the point of the 
elbow of the Great Miami, at the south end of Cleves, 
and the Ohio river about two-thirds of a mile. The 
greatest breadth is on a line crossing the township east 
and west from the northernmost point in the great bend 
of the Ohio, from which North Bend is named, not quite 
six miles; the shortest is on the extreme north line, be- 
tween the Great Miami and the northeast corner of the 
township — three-quarters of a mile. From the east line 
of the township to the meridian drawn from the south- 
west corner that is, the State line, the distance is over 
seven miles, and from the southwest corner — the extreme 
end of the peninsula — to the northeast corner is just ten 
miles. Miami is thus seen to be a very singularly shaped 
township, deeply indented on the south side by the Ohio 
river, and on the north and west in several places by the 
windings of the Great Miami. 

Within Miami township the Ohio receives from the 
northward th? waters of Muddy creek and the west fork 
of Muddy, the latter of which lies altogether in the south- 
eastern part of this township; also Indian creek, which 
enters the river at North Bend station, and several minor 
streams. Along the northwestern borders of the town- 
ship flows the South fork of Taylor's creek, leaving the 
township at the northwest corner, just opposite to which, 
at the northwest corner, the main stream of Taylor's 
creek, flowing down from Colerain township, discharges 
its waters. A mile due north of Cleves Jordan creek 
debouches also into the Great Miami, after flowing nearly 
three-fourths of the way across the township. One or 
two petty and probably unnamed brooks are also affluents 
of this river on the Miami side. Beside this river, above 
Cleves, the valley is wide and low, yielding great crops 
of corn in favorable seasons; below Cleves Ritenhouse 
Hill, Fort Hill, and the general ridge between the two 
rivers close down pretty closely upon the banks of the 
streams, until their junction is neared, when the country 
again becomes low and flat, and subject in part to fre- 
quent overflow. The highlands continue along the Ohio 
to the southeast boundaries of the township; but have 
ample room at the foot for the tracks of the railroads, a 
fine wagon road, and the sites of several villages and rail- 



way stations. They afford many picturesque views up 
and down the river, and across to the Kentucky shore; 
and some of the finest suburban residences in the county, 
as that of Dr. Warder near North Bend, have conse- 
quently been located upon these heights. The general 
character of the hill country of Hamilton county is main- 
tained to the northward and westward until the valley of 
the Great Miami is reached — much broken and diversi- 
fied, however, by the numerous streams that cut through 
and down the hills. Across them, from the direction of 
Cincinnati, comes in the Cleves turnpike, having the vil- 
lage of that name on the west for its terminus. There is 
a singular scarcity of north and south roads in the town- 
ship, but a sufficiency of highways, with a general direc- 
tion of east and west. The Ohio & Mississippi, and the 
Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago railroads 
run parallel to each other and to the bank of the Ohio in 
this township until just past North Bend station, where 
the track of the latter diverges rapidly to the northward, 
passes under the ridge between North Bend and Cleves 
by a tunnel, and leaves the township, going westward, by 
a bridge over the Great Miami, half a mile northwest of 
Cleves. The Ohio & Mississippi continues its course 
along the Ohio beyond North Bend about five miles, to 
a point about half a mile above the mouth of the Great 
Miami, when it passes into Indiana. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, ETC. 

The first officers of the Miami township, named by 
appointment of the court at the time of its erection, were 
in part as follows: Lynde Elliott, clerk; Darius C. 
Orcutt, overseer of roads; Henry Brazier, overseer of 
the poor. The cattle brand for the township was fixed 
by the court as the letter D. 

By the order of 1 803 the voters of Miami were to meet 
at the house' of Joseph Coleby, and there vote for two 
justices of the peace. 

On the twenty-fourth of April, 1809, the governor of 
the State commissioned Garah Markland and Stephen 
Wood as justices of the peace for the township of Miami, 
each to serve during a term of three years. 

We have also the following memoranda of justices 
elected by the people in later years: 18 ig, John Pal- 
mer, Daniel Bailey; 1825, William Harrell, James 
Martin; 1829, John Scott Harrison, J. L. Watson, Isaac 
Morgan; 1865, John D. Matson, A. R. Lind; 1866, A. 
R. Lind, James Carlin; 1867-9, James Carlin, James 
Herron; 1870-2, James Carlin, William B. Welsh, 
1873-4, James Carlin, James Herron, William Ayr; 
1875, Carlin and Ayr; 1876-8, William J essup, A. R. 
Lind; 1879-80, Carlin and Lind. 

ANTIQUITIES. 

The famous ancient work which gives the name to 
Fort Hill, near the Great Miami river, is an irregular 
enclosure surrounding about fifteen acres. It is between 
the brows of precipitous ascents two hundred- and sixty 
feet high on the Miami side and two hundred feet high 
towards the Ohio, which is about a mile distant; and is 
in a position well calculated for outlook and defence. 
The wall is now about three feet high, is composed of 



CHRISTOPHER FLINCHPAUGH. 



Christopher Flinchpaugh, born April 26, 1799 in Wurtemburg, Eu- 
rope. Jacob, his father, was a common farmer ; Agnes Phyle. his mother 
was of common stoclc. Both his parents died when Christopher was 
a young man of fifteen summers, he coming to America in 1817, land- 
ing in Philadelphia. Out of a family of three brothers and two sisters, 
all of whom are dead, he was the youngest. One of the great associa- 
tions and memorable events of his life, is the vivid recollection of Na- 
poleon's campaign in 1816. The great disaster which followed his re- 
treat, the Cossacks, the Russians, the Prussians, the French — left food 
scarce, and distress followed which beggars description. 

Christopher, who was a passenger, worked his way in a sail vessel 
which was three months and two weeks m crossing. At the .end of the 
journey, he worked one year and six months to repay the expense. 
However, the agreement to school Christopher nine months, furnish 
him with two suits of clothes from head to foot, and forty dollars in 
mpney, was not kept and 
our young German failed 
to receive his reward. 
From near Harrisburgh 
he came to Miami town- 
ship in the fall of 1819, 
and remained ever since. 

Previous to his mar- 
riage in the spring of 182 1 
to Elizabeth Columbia, 
he worked at stilling in 
Miamitown for one year 
and six months for Ma- 
jor Henrie. His wife was 
born December 20, 1801, 
was of Welsh extraction, 
and whose father was a 
Revolutionary soldier. By 
this marriage five sons 
and seven daughters were 
born : Jacob, Henrietta, 
Susanna, William, Mary, 
Caleb, Chris, Simon, Char- 
lotte, Christina, Hannah, 
Elizabeth. Out of this 
family only six hve. From 
thfs ' family thirty-nine 
grandchildren and eight 
great-grandchildren have 
been born. Young Chris- 
topher was brought up in 
the Lutheran faith ; was 
baptized in infancy, and 
confirmed when fourteen 
years of age, but of prac- 
tical religion he knew 
nothing. Educationally, 
he had eight years of 
schooling, but being of a 
careless disposition, failed 
to receive any benefit. 
Marvelous as it may seem 
the first year or two he 
preached he was unable 
to read English. Dur- 
ing his employment in the 
distillery at Miami, he re- 
ceived the first impres- 
sions of sin, while work- 
ing a copper still. But 
the first convictions of 
sin hung overhead^and in 
one year and six months 
after he was converted. 
But previous to this time 
a few months, he joined 
the United Brethren 
church, under the influ- 
ence of Rosalia Fageley, a pious woman in whose house the n eeting 
■was held. He passed from a rough, blasphemous character to a min- 
ister of the gospel. Being of a determined nature, full of good impulses, 
he grasped the hand of all alike — the wicked and good — and im- 
plored them to turn to Christ. His conversion was in a cornfield while 
plowing corn, and from thence, the Sunday following, by agreement 
with the still-house hands, he preached his first sermon in Chamberstown, 
in Miami. Great results followed, and from thence he preached to many 
distinguished men. Among his audience at different times were Gener- 
al Harrison, Governor Bebb, Daniel Howell, the first male child in 
Miami township, and many others who long since have passed to their 
reward. Soon after beginning to preach in 1824, he was licensed by the 
United Brethren church, and travelled throughout the country, preach- 
ing in barns and log dwelling houses. 

Soon after, when poverty and hardship were gathering in great 




clouds over head, and when the devil tempted him to cease preaching, 
he came from Venice, where he preached in a cooper-shop in the 
morning, and in the evening at a school-house, to his home a distance 
of twelve miles. He had had his breakfast and went without dinner 
and supper. Coming home about 9 or 10 o'clock, and -reflecting on 
his hard trials, and tempted to retire from the ministry, their came a 
voice — a song of angels from Heaven singing, " How happy are they," 
exhorting him to continue. In all his he memorable life, neither has 
seen or heard so much melody, so great a choir, and so much of God's 
power to save. The matter of recompense was very small and dis- 
tance in circuit very great. One circuit was four hundred miles in 
length, and consisted of thirty-two appointments. 

Sometime in 1841 or 1842, a call was made to go to Germany. For 
six months he debated and prayed over the question, and at one time 
was tempted to drive God's spirit away by drink, but finally, on account 

of lack of funds, did not 
leave America. He re- 
grets now his failure to 
accept the call, but God 
forgives him. Once while 
visiting a layman — which 
is a dream — he was in- 
vited by the member to 
go out and see his sheep. 
After going out, the 
sheep proved to be long 
wooly dogs which were 
sheared for sheep, illus- 
trating a paradox in re- 
ligion. 

At difterent periods he 
travelled from Pittsburgh 
to the north of Ports- 
mouth Evansville. The 
presiding elder's office 
was held and common 
preaching done every- 
where. Both German 
and English pulpits were 
fillled, and both Enghsh 
and German converts 
baptized and taken into 
the church. 

One unacquainted with 
pioneer life; the travel- 
ling through swamp and 
bog ; through forest and 
stream , and all their dif- 
ferent parts, knows noth- 
ing of early ministerial 
preaching. 

The following are per- 
sons and where they 
were baptized : one hun- 
dred children, twenty 
persons in Ohio river, 
twenty persons in Mill 
creek, sixty persons in 
Taylor's creek, ten per- 
sons in Muddy creek .fifty 
persons in Big Miami, 
river, ten persons in Lo- 
gan creek, seventy per- 
sons in Johnson's fork, 
fifty persons in Dry fork, 
five persons in Indian 
creek, forty persons in 
Elk creek, fifty persons 
in Little and Big Twin, 
fifty persons in Browii s 
run, twenty persons in 
Beaver creek, and ten 
persons in East Little 

In the matter of deaths it is believed that over three thousand fu- 
neral sermons have been preached and marriage ceremonies performed' 

Now, in old age, after a. life full of great trial, and one ladened with 
the choicest fruits, he, though not wealthy, but left in good circum- 
stances, is left without a helpmeet. About him, all up and down 
the country, are hosts of friends. Many are in Heaven and many 
more are homeward bound. To him God has been gracious ; life with 
him has been a success. God, he fully believes, called him to preach. 
Every one to his notion is selected by his Master to go forth and meet 
sin. 

The forest has faded before his ax as well as immorality. May 
God continue to bless him in the future as in the past. The present 
is short, but the future will find him in the best calling in our 
land. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



321 



stone and earth, and has a narrow gateway at the north- 
east corner, near a rocky tract on the hillside. There are 
prominent salients or bastions at both the northeast and 
southeast corners. A ditch upon the inside follows the 
wall throughout. A spring within would keep a besieged 
force well supplied with water, and a channel of another 
stream also intersects the wall, which might be damned 
in case of rainfall. The tableland within the fort is ten 
to twenty feet above the wall, the earth in which was 
scooped from the brow of the hill, while the stone was 
also collected from the locality. The former farm of 
Geneial Harrison approached near the fort by its west 
line; and the residence of his son, the Hon. J. Scott 
Harrison, was directly south of the work. The former 
in his discourse on the Aborigines of the Valley of the 
Ohio, delivered before the Historical Society of Ohio in 
1838, printed in its transactions and also separately, 
thus uses this ancient work by way of illustration in an 
argument for the high antiquity of the Mound Builders' 
remains: 

The sites of the ancient works on the Ohio present precisely the same 
appearance as the circumjacent forest. You find on them all the 
beautiful variety of trees which skives such universal richness to our 
forests. This is particularly the case on the fifteen acres included 
within the walls of the work at the mouth of the Great Miami, and the 
relative proportions of different kinds of timber are about the same. 
The first growth, on the same kind of land, once cleared and then 
abandoned to nature, on the contrary is more homogeneous after 
stinted to one or two, or at most three kinds of timber. 

Other remarks of the general concerning this work in 
the same address are as follows: 

The engineers who directed the executing of the Miami work, ap- 
pear to have known the importance of flank defences. And if their 
bastions are not as perfect as to form, as those which are in use in 
modern engineering, their position, as well as that of the long lines 
of curtains, are precisely as they should be. 

I have another conjecture as to this Miami fortress. If the people 
of whom we have been speaking were really the Aztecs, the direct 
course of their journey to Me.xico, and the facilities which that mode 
of retreat would afford, seem to point out a descent of the Ohio as the 
line of that retreat. This position (the lowest which they appear 
to have fortified on the Ohio), strong by nature and improved by the 
expenditures of great labor, directed by no inconsiderable degree of 
skill, would be the last hold they would occupy and the scene of their 
last efforts to retain possession of the country they had so long inhab" 
ited. The interest which every one feels who visits this beautiful and 
interesting spot, would be greatly heightened if he could persuade him- 
self of the reasonableness of my deductions, from the facts I have 
stated. That this elevated ridge, from which are now to be seen 
flourishing little villages and plains of unrivalled fertility, possessed by 
a people in the full enjoyment of peace and liberty, and all that peace 
and liberty can give — whose nations, like those of Spata, have never 
seen the smoke of an enemy's fire — once presented a scene of war, 
and war in its most horrid form, where blood is the object and the de- 
ficiencies of the field are made up by the slaughter of innocence and 
imbecility. That it was here a feeble band was collected, remnant of 
mighty battles fought in vain, to make a last effort for the country of 
their birth, the ashes of their ancestors and the altars of their gods; 
that the crisis was met with fortitude and sustained with valor, need 
not to be doubted. The ancestors of Quitlavaca and Gautimozin, and 
their devoted followers could not be cowards. 

FORT FINNEY. 

This work, the first erection for human habitation 
made by white men upon the territory afterwards covered 
by the Miami purchase, except only the transient block- 
houses erected by the war parties of Kentuckians upon 
the site of Cincinnati, stood upon the soil of Miami 
township, in the point of the peninsula. It was upon 



the west bank of a small creek, about three-quarters of a 
mile above the mouth of the Little Miami, and near the 
mouth of the creek, not far from what is now the south- 
east corner of the former farm of the late John Scott 
Harrison. The site is still pointed out by residents of 
that neighborhood, and a writer in i866 said that some 
remais of the fort were then still to be seen, though they 
have now wholly disappeared. 

We have elsewhere, in the chapter Before Losantiville, 
in the second division of this work, told the story of 
Fort Finney, down to and including the settlement and 
signature of a treaty with the Indians, February 2, 1786. 
It remains only to give its subsequent brief history. This 
we are happily enabled to do by the aid of the journal of 
Major Denny, which has been published in one of the 
valuable volumes issued by the Pennsylvania Historical 
society. It begins October 22, 1785, before the work 
was built, and a little before the movement of troops to 
that quarter began. From this clear and intelligent ac- 
count we learn that General Butler and his fellow com- 
missioners left the fort soon after the treaty was conclu- 
ded, going away on the eighth of February, 1786, in 
three large boats, with their messengers and attendants, 
all apparently well tired of the place, where their life 
and duties had been by no means pleasant. Their voy- 
age was up the Ohio on their return to civilization. The 
soldiers remained, however, with Major Finney, Captain 
Zeigler (afterwards Major Zeigler, commandant at Fort 
Washington), Lieutenant Denny, and other well known 
officers in command. St. Patrick's Day was duly cele- 
brated by the bold Irish boys of the garrison, with all 
hands taking part in such festivities as included the dis- 
posal of festive liquids, and also in the observance of the 
Fourth of July, which followed in due course of time. 
Lieutenant Denny does not say just when the fort was 
evacuated, but the treaty of the Indians of the Miami 
and Maumee valleys was supposed to obviate the neces- 
sity for a military post here, and, all remaining quiet in 
this region, the commanding officer was presently directed 
to evacuate the place, which he did some time before 
January, 1789, taking his force to the Indiana side of the 
Ohio opposite Louisville, where a small work was also 
erected, and likewise called Fort Finney. We have no 
record that the work was occupied again by a military 
force, although General Harmar, 'in a letter of January 
22, 1789, just before Symmes reached North Bend, said 
it was "not improbable that two companies would be 
ordered to be stationed at the mouth of the Great Mi- 
ami, not only as a better cover for Kentucky, but also to 
afford protection to Judge Symmes in his intended settle- 
ment there." But it was doubtless standing when Judge 
Symmes came upon the premises, since the locality about 
the mouth of the Great Miami is commonly referred to 
by him as the Old Fort, and doubtless took its name 
from Fort Finney, not from the ancient work on the hills 
overlooking the Great Miami. 

THE INDIAN PERIOD. 

The following narrative was related by the Hon. J. 
Scott Harrison, son of President Harrison, in an address 



322 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



to the Whitewater and Miami Valley Pioneer association, 
at Cleves, September 8, 1866: 

A party of men residing at tlie Point (moutli of Big Miami), were 
returning from a small mill near North Bend, and with one exception, 
stopped at the old log house lately occupied by Andrew McDonald, 
where a tavern was then kept; and as this was before the days of tem- 
perance societies, it is a very fair inference that they stopped to take a 
drink. One rnan (Demoss), more temperate, perhaps, than his fellows, 
continued on his way up the hill — the trace to the Point then running 
over the hill, near the old graveyard, and on the bluff of the ridge. 
The revelers had hardly time to accomplish the object of their stop be- 
fore the report of a rifle was heard on the hill. The party at the tav- 
ern, supposing it was only an intimation from their more sober com- 
panion to cease theii revels and continue their way home, rushed out of 
the house with a wild whoop, mounted their horses, and rode up the 
hill. But what must have been the horror of the party, on arriving at 
the crown of the hill, to find their companion dead and weltering in 
his blood! The undischarged rifle of Demoss, and the missing meal- 
bag, too plainly explained the manner and cause of his death. Pur- 
suit was immediately given, in a northwesterly direction, and the meal, 
but not the Indian, found. The Indian, in order to save his own life, 
had dropped that which had evidently incited him to commit the 
murder. 

This tale of Indian murder has always had a peculiar personal inter- 
est to me. My mother, then unmarried and living with her father. 
Judge Symmes, at North Bend, had been on a riding excursion (horse- 
back, of course), to the Point, the very afternoon of this murder, and 
has often told me that the horses of their party were still at the door 
after their return, when the fatal shot that killed Demoss was plainly 
heard. My mother was always under the impression that the Indian 
saw her party pass, but that bread, rather than blood, was the object of 
the murderer. 

THE PIONEEK settlement 

in Miami township, and the third in the Miami purchase, 
was made, as all careful readers of this work well know 
by this time, by Judge John Cleves Symmes — not at the 
mouth of the Great Miami, as he intended, and as Gen- 
eral Harmar and others expected, but at North Bend. 
Who Judge Symmes was, in his family origin and early 
career, and what were his preliminary movements before 
reaching the Purchase with his colony, are narrated in 
Chapter IV of the first part of this book. Major 
Denny who had returned to the garrison at Fort Harmar, 
thus wrote in his journal August 27, 1788, of the appear- 
ance of Judge Symmes and party at the post, during the 
movement westward. The gallant young officer's atten- 
tion seems to have been specially and worthily attracted 
by the principal young lady of the party, the daughter 
of the proprietor: 

Judge Symmes, with several boats and families, arrived on their way 
to his new purchase at the Miami. Has a daughter (Polly) along. 
They lodge with the general and Mrs. Harmar. Stayed three days, and 
departed. If not greatly mistaken. Miss Symmes will make a fine 
woman. An amiable disposition and cultured mind, about to be buried 
in the wilderness. 

This "Polly" is the daughter who afterwards became 
the wife of Peyton Short, the millionarie son-in-law of 
Judge Symmes. General Harrison's wife was Annie 
Symmes, also daughter of the judge. 

Arriving at Liinestone Point, later Maysville, Syirimes 
found himself detained there during a tedious fall and 
early winter by the delay of the authorities in concluding 
with the Indians the treaty of Muskingum, and so pro- 
viding reasonable security for settlers in the wilderness 
further down the river. Major Stites, however, got off 
about the middle of November with his party for the 
mouth of the Little Miami, and Colonel Patterson, the 



twenty-fourth of the next month, for the famed and 
coveted spot "opposite the mouth of the Licking," but 
the chief proprietor of the Purchase was still detained. 
December 12th, Captain Kearsey and forty-five troops 
came down the river from Fort Harmar, and reported to 
him as an escort. They were for the time being of no 
service, but rather an annoyance, since they brought but 
limited supplies, and the judge had to subsist them. In 
Novernber he had ordered a few surveyors down the Ohio, 
to traverse the two Miami valleys as high uo as they could 
get. Some of these formed the advance guard of Sym- 
mes's immigration to the Great Miami country. The 
judge intended to remain at Limestone until spring, 
having taken, as he said, "a total house of my own," but 
he doubtless became restless at the success of Stites and 
Patterson in founding their settlements while he delayed, 
and was also assured by repeated messages from Stites 
of the friendly disposition of the Indians and their eager 
desire to see him. There was some danger that his red 
brethren would go off in anger and disgust at the refusal 
or neglect of Symmes to meet them; and so, during the 
latter part of January, 1789, he collected with difficulty 
a siTiall commissariat of flour and salt, placed on boats 
his family and furniture, with other members of the 
colony and such of Kearsey's soldiers as had not been 
sent to Stites, and embarked from Limestone January 
29th. The season was inclement. A few weeks before 
this time, about the last of December, a sergeant and 
twelve men of the command had been dispatched for 
the Old Fort with a party of settlers. The weather 
changed soon after they left Limestone, becoming very 
cold, and filling the river with ice, so that there was 
danger they would be frozen up in the stream. They 
reached Columbia, however, and there paused, expecting 
soon to go on to their destination. But while here, the 
floating ice forced their boats from the shore, stove in, 
and carried away the side of one bearing live stock, part 
of which was drowned, and the rest saved with difficulty. 
Most of the provisions on hand for the settlers and sol- 
diers was also lost. This broke up the intended emigra- 
tion to the Old Fort, the party remaining at Columbia, or 
returning to Limestone when the weather and river per- 
mitted. 

When Symmes started, January 2gth, it was at a time 
of the greatest freshet in the Ohio that had been known 
since Kentucky was settled — the greatest, indeed, be- 
tween 1773 and the tremendous flood of 1832. When 
his flotilla reached Columbia he found the little settle- 
ment under water except one house, which was on the 
higher ground. The soldiers had been driven by the 
water to the garret of the block-house, and thence to the 
boats. Floating rapidly with the swollen stream to Lo- 
santiville, he found it "had suffered nothing from the 
freshet," as he afterwards wrote. He doubtless stopped 
and spent some hours, very likely a night, at each of 
these places; although speeded by the flood and not in- 
terrupted by ice, as the Losantiville voyagers were, he 
occupied about the same time in the journey that they 
did, nainely, four days. Leaving the last outpost of civ- 
ilization on the Upper Ohio in the morning, he landed. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



323 



on the second of February, 1789, at 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon, as he minutely records, on the site of North 
Bend. It was his intention, as before stated, to take his 
people and garrison down to the Old Fort; but the high 
water determined him not to proceed thither until he 
had more definitely ascertained whether or not that was 
an eligible site for a town under such circumstances. 
The flood was an advantage to the North Bend locality, 
since from his boat, elevated by it, the judge could see, 
as he described it, "that the river hills appeared to fall 
away in such a manner that no considerable rise appeared 
between the Ohio and the Great Miami," so that his pro- 
ject of a city between the streams had here good hope 
of realization. The freshet also enabled him to deter- 
mine the probable exemption of a colony here from in- 
jury to their homes by high water. It is said, too, that 
he decided to stop here, six miles short of his purposed 
destination, in order to be more conveniently situated 
with reference to his surveyors in the purchase. 

The first dwelling occupied by Judge Symmes and 
family in their new home, is described by Mr. F. W. 
Miller, author of Cincinnati's Beginnings. It is prob- 
ably typical of all others that sheltered the party the 
first few days: 

As soon as he had debarked he formed there an encampment, erect- 
ing a kmd of shelter then usually adopted in this region for such pur- 
pose, consisting of two forked sapplings set in the ground for uprights, 
with a crop pole resting in the forks of these as a support for [boat] 
boards leaning from the ground to form the sides, one end of the struc- 
ture being closed up, and the other left open for an entance and fire- 
place. In that he remained for about si.\ weeks before being able to 
provide himself with anything more like a house. 

Judge Symmes found his fears of the tract about the 
mouth of the Great Miami amply justified. On the next 
day after landing he sent two of the most intelligent 
members of his party to the junction of the rivers to in- 
spect the grounds, and upon their return they reported 
that so much of the neck of land there as was above 
water was considerably broken with hills and by a small 
stream of water, so as to forbid the laying out of a city 
between the two large waters, The following day 
Symmes himself went down with Captain Kearsey, and 
made a thorough survey of the region about the old 
fort. By this tirne the river had fallen about fifteen feet, 
leaving great cakes of ice six inches in thickness clinging 
to the trees, making in some cases canopies of eight to 
ten feet in diameter. The ice also served him a good 
purpose in his survey, as showing to what points upon 
the banks and bottom lands the water had reached. He 
found "the fine large bottom of land down in the point" 
covered with water to the depth of many feet, and after 
making full inspection of the premises he wrote to his 
partner that "I am obliged to own that I was exceeding- 
ly disappointed in the plat .which we had intended for a 
city." He prepared and sent them a map of the penin- 
sula during the flood, which demonstrated the proposed 
site to be "altogether ineligible." 

He writes further: "This (the founding of a city at 
the point) I pronounce very impracticable, unless you 
raise her, like Venice, out of the water, or get on the 
hills west of the township line." He found, indeed, only 



room enough for one street between the hill and the 
overflowed land, and this scarcely half a mile in length. 
"A small village," he concludes, "is all that I can flatter 
myself with at the point, if we allow more of a lot than 
barely enough to set a house on." He thought, however, 
that they might do well to lay out a plat of fifty or sixty 
lots there, which was never done, we believe. He was 
enthusiastic in his description of this part of the penin- 
sula for the excellence of its soil and the imminence of 
its growth of wild grass. He estimated the tract at about 
three thousand acres, of which one thousand were first- 
rate meadow-land; another third was capable of. tillage, 
and level enough for plowing; and the remaining third 
was heavily timbered with richer growths. He suggested 
to the company that the whole should be reserved as a 
common manor for the proprietors, under liberal regula- 
tions for others that might settle in the reserved town- 
ship. "I have not seen," he says, "fifty acres together, 
of the most broken of this township, on which an indus- 
trious man could not get a comfortable living." 

The result was a determination to lay out a village 
where the party had first landed. He accordingly platted 
the village of North Bend, and South Bend some time 
after. He kept looking about, however, for a suitable 
site for a city, and seems to have found two, "both eligi- 
ble," one about two miles east of North Bend, on the 
Ohio, a little above the mouth of Muddy creek; the 
other the same distance north of the bend, in that 
sweeping curve of the Great Miami about ten miles from 
its mouth, within which are situated the major part of 
sections twenty-three and twenty-four, in the northwest 
ern part of this township. At neither of these points, 
however, could a city be laid off upon the desired plan 
of a regular square. "On both," said Symmes, "a town 
must, if built, be thrown into an oblong of six blocks or 
squares by four. . . . It is a question of 

no little moment and difficulty to determine which of 
these spots is preferable in point of local situation." But 
in the same letter, of May 18, i'789, to one of the co- 
proprietors, the judge argues elaborately and stoutly in 
favor of the latter site, as, being on the Great Miami, it 
would not be necessary for the inhabitants of that region, 
going to the proposed city by water, to double around 
the point at the old fort to reach it, as they would if the 
city were on the Ohio. He was anxious to have the site 
of the city determined and get it laid off; as meanwhile 
he was embarrassed in laying out the lands in that part 
of the purchase by the uncertainty as to the location of 
the Miami metropolis. He writes: "As it is uncertain 
where the city will be built, and whether the point may 
be reserved for the purpose of a manor or not, I shall be 
cautious how I set apart particular lots of land until these 
matters are settled by the proprietors." The end was, as 
we shall presently see more fully, that the great "city of 
Miami" to be was laid out where he first landed, from the 
Ohio river at North Bend nearly to the Great Miami at 
the present village of Cleves. 

Captain Kearsey had received orders, probably from 
General Harmar, simply to accompany the emigrants to 
their destination, wherever that might prove to be, and 



324 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



then occupy Fort Finney. The great flood prevented 
him from executing the latter part of the order at first, 
but when the stage of water permitted a landing at that 
point and occupation there, he was anxious to have 
Symmes and his people accompany his troops to the old 
Fort, and was much displeased that the judge did not 
comply with his desire. He did nothing toward build- 
ing block-houses for the protection of the settlement; 
and about five weeks after the landing, or the eighth of 
March, finding the provisions growing short, he aban- 
doned Symmes with the greater part of the detachment, 
leaving him but the rediculous force of four men for the 
nominal defence of the place. He did not stop at Fort 
Finney either, but continued on to the falls of the Ohio, 
whence he did not return to North Bend. Major Wyl- 
lys was commanding at the falls, and in response to 
Symmes' repeated and very earnest appeals, he, after 
some delay, sent Ensign Luce with eighteen men to the 
new place. These addressed themselves to business at 
once, and within a week had a tolerable block-house 
erected at North Bend, and the infant settlement felt 
more secure. This Ensign Luce is the hero of the ro- 
mantic, but, alas! unreliable story, concerning the black 
eyes of a fair dulcina as the cause of the removal of the 
garrison and fixing of the sight of Fort Washington at 
Losantiville, and the consequent prosperity of that place 
and decay of North Bend. 

The story of North Bend and other Miami settle- 
ments will be carried on further in this chapter. 

Among the early settlers of the township, were the 
Silvers, Rittenhouse, Woods, Materns, Howells, and 
Anthony famiUes. 

SETTLEMENT NOTES. 

Joseph Dixson Garrison, tavern keeper and grocery man. 
North Bend, is great-grandson of a Swede or German 
named Garrison, who was among the first settlers of New 
Jersey. His grandfather, Abraham Garrison, emigrated 
from Virginia to Kentucky at a very early day, and set- 
tled at or near Scott's'station, removing in a few years to 
the Northwest Territory at Losantiville. Here his wife, 
Lydia Garrison, did considerable doctoring among the 
people of the place, and here he and his son Joseph, 
father of the subject of this notice, were eye witnesses of 
the murder of Benjamin Van Cleve by the Indians. She, 
in a small way, introduced the manufacture of soap in 
Cincinnati, and he built and operated the horse-mill on 
Third street, where the Presbyterian colonists held some 
of their earliest services. Joseph Garrison is supposed 
to have been born at Scott's station, and remained with 
his father at Cincinnati until he was well grown. His 
son gives the following amusing account of the manner 
in which he became acquainted with General Harrison: 

"He got acquainted with him in rather a comical way. 
My father had caught a cub bear by killing the old one. 
He raised it as a pet, and had it under good subjection. 
After it had grown up to about its full size, he would 
watch when the army would be on parade or drilling, and 
would then take his bear and go up on the side-hill above 
the parade ground, and tie an old camp-kettle to his hind 
parts and scare him and turn him loose, when the bear 



would run for home right through the line of soldiers, 
and break ranks, and make a grand disturbance. So one 
day the general followed him home and requested his 
father to stop him of his sport. I have often heard the 
general and father laugh about their first acquaintance." 

.Joseph Garrison married Merab Conner, near Law- 
renceburgh, in 1805, and, after some service in aid of 
the Government surveyors, settled at the Goose pond, in 
Miami township, where Joseph D. was born, in 18 16. 
The latter in early life tended Garrison's ferry, over the 
Great Miami, where the Cleves bridge now is, and made 
several trading trips with boats to New Orleans. He was 
married in 1852 to Sarah Ann, only daughter of James 
Smith Leonard, an early emigrant from Canada to the 
neighborhood of Rising Sun, Indiana. The same day 
they started for California with a company he had agreed 
to take through. He there engaged in gold mining until 
the middle of February, 1855, when they started on their 
return to the States. While residing at Diamond Springs, 
California, their first son, now a physician in southeastern 
Kansas, was born. Two more sons and two daughters 
are now residing with their parents. After his return 
Mr. Garrison pursued farming for a time, and then bought 
his present hotel property in North Bend. 

One of the settlers of 1796, at North Bend, was An- 
drew Scott, a Scotch immigrant from Redstone, Penn- 
sylvania, who was one of the first blacksmiths to erect a 
shop and open for business here. He remained at the 
Bend about six years, and then went on a farm, dying in 
Crosby township in 1831. His son James also worked 
for a time at blacksmithing here, and then became a 
teacher — one of the first in point of both time and repu- 
tation, in Hamilton county. He was also a civil engi- 
neer. He removed to Crosby township, where he was 
justice of the peace for several years, and was one of the 
founders, in 1803, of the Whitewater Congregational 
church at New London, Butler county. He died of 
cholera in 1834. His numerous descendants still reside 
in Crosby township. 

Christopher FUnchpaugh was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, in 1799, and came to America in 1817, settling in 
Miami township the same year. He was married to Eliz- 
abeth Columbia in 1 82 1. Three years later he embraced 
religion, and the same year commenced preaching the 
gospel. He was a member of the United Brethren 
church. He used to have such men in his congregation 
as General Harrison, Judge Short, and numerous other 
distinguished men of our country. When he became a 
Christian he could neither read nor write. A short time 
after he began in the ministry he was assigned to a cir- 
cuit of four hundred miles. The distance had to be 
travelled on horseback, and he was obliged to preach 
thirty-two times every four weeks. He filled the pulpit 
in Cincinnati, in both the English and German churches, 
and was presiding elder two years. At present he is re- 
tired, but preaches occasionally. He is highly respected 
by all who know him, and has indeed been a pubUc ben- 
efactor. His faithful wife died July 30, 1880, at the ad- 
vanced age of seventy-eight. They have had twelve 
children: Jacob; William; Caleb; Christopher; Simon, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



325 



married to Sarah Swayen; Mary, the wife of Caleb Ren- 
unger; Christina, the wife of Adam Swartz, of Indiana; 
Henrietta, the wife of Jesse Herron; Charlotte, now 
married to Charles Becker; Hannah, Mrs. John Swayen; 
Elizabeth, married to Francis Markle ; and Susie. 

Henry Flinchpaugh' was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, March 9, 1792. At the age of sixteen he enlisted 
in the French army and took part in the campaign 
against Moscow, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, suffering 
all the privations of the terrible retreat. He fought in 
the battle of Leipsig, also in Waterloo, and in the latter 
battle escaped without a wound. In 1817 he came to 
America, and, while passing through Pennsylvania, at the 
town of Lancaster, married Johanna Schmidlapp. The 
same year he settled in Butler county, Ohio, where he 
remained about a year, when he came to Hamilton coun- 
ty and settled at first in the town of Miami, but after- 
ward moved to a farm in Miami township. The place is 
now owned by Emanuel Faigle. He came to America 
poor, but succeeded in amassing a large -property. He 
was a member of the church of United Brethren, and in 
politics was a Democrat. His death occurred October 
7, 1852. His wife died October i, 1863. Their family 
consisted of twelve children: David, now married to 
Maria Fleming; Henry, married to Cynthia Creech; 
Hannah, the v/[{e of- William Creech; Mary, married to 
Frederick Ulmer; Caleb, married to Rachel IngersoU; 
Jacob; William, married to Eliza Brown; Harriet, Mrs. 
Gottlieb Metzzer; John, married to Fanny Yanney; and 
three that died in early childhood. 

Caleb Flinchpaugh was born in Hamilton county, in 
the house in which he now lives, in the year 1828, Feb- 
ruary 14th. He has always followed the business of 
farming. He was married February 27, 185 1, to Miss 
IngersoU, of the same township. She died August 13, 
1879, leaving eight children. He is at present township 
trustee, an office held by him during the past six years. 
He has also been on the board of education fifteen years 
and has a deep interest in everything pertaining to the 
cause of education. A zealous member of the United 
Brethren church, he has had several offices of honor and 
trust in the church. Politically he is a Democrat. He 
has an interesting family of eight boys, all living, and all 
at home. Their names are — William H., David, Wesley 
R., Isaac Y., Jacob S., Frank, Anderson, and Eddie. 

John M. Flinchpaugh was born in this county in 1838, 
and has always been a farmer from preference. He was 
married in 1863 to Miss Fanny Yanney, of Miami town- 
ship. A Democrat in politics, he has filled the place of 
councilman of the village one year. His five children 
are — Charles E., Nora L., Harry E., Jennie, and James E. 

Henry Flinchpaugh was born in the town of Miami in 
1819, and followed the business of farming till of age. 
Then he opened a store on Taylor's creek, in which he 
remained five years, when he removed his stock of goods 
to Harrison, and remained another five years. He is a 
natural mechanic, and has worked considerably at the 
gunsmith's trade. During the gold excitement in Cali- 
fornia he made rifles for a number of men who went 
over the plains to that State. He is now engaged at his 



trade. He was married in 1843. I" politics he is a 
Democrat. His three children are — Harriet L., now 
Mrs. Valentine Fagely; William M., married to Julia 
Siepen; and John F., still living at home. 

David Flinchpaugh was born in Butler county, Ohio, 
in 1818, and was moved with the family to Miami town- 
ship the same year. He has held the office of township 
trustee three years, and has been school director more 
than thirty years. In politics he has always been a 
Democrat. He married Maria Fleming, a native of 
Pennsylvania, in 1842, and settled, the same year, on the 
farm which he now occupies. 

John B. Matson was born in this township in 1796, 
and married Lucretia Y. Buck, of the same place, in the 
year 1826. She died after thirteen years, leaving six chil- 
dren. Two years later he was married to Milchia Van- 
gorder. His first settlement was made on the farm now 
owned by Mrs. A. W. Flowers, the same on which he 
was born. He was a Democrat, and has been in the office 
of justice of the peace for one term. He died on the 
same farm in 1875, 3' the age of eighty years. His nine 
children are James, married to Elizabeth Houts; Oliver, 
married to Louisa Stephenson; John B., married to 
Cynthia A. Brown; Lucretia, who died when four years 
old; Job, married to Catharine Derrick; Lovina, who 
died in infancy; Albert, married to Anna Chambers; 
Charlotte D., now the wife of Amasa W. Flowers; and 
Narcissa, Mrs. Richard C. Flowers. 

John B. Matson was born in this township in 1831. 
He attended Farmers' college, at College Hills, one 
term. In 1854 he was married to Cynthia A. Brown, of 
the same county. He is a Democrat in his political be- 
lief His children are James B., married to Mary Mc- 
Sweety; Minnie, the wife of Asa C. Bouham ; Mary, 
now Mrs. Thomas M. Gerard; Kate, Fannie, who died 
at the age of seven years; Frank, who died at three 
years of age; Hattie, now living at home, and Bessie, 
who died an infant. 

Chalon G. Guard was born in this county on March 
15, 1819. In 1 84 1 he was married to Leah H. Comeges, 
of Dearborn county, Indiana. He was township trustee 
for several years, and, in the Methodist Episcopal church, 
of which he was a member, he was steward during 
many years. In his political faith he was a Republican. 
He died October 21, 1873. His children are Angeline, 
Maton B., married to Sophia D. Moore, and now living 
in Indiana; Simeon G., married to Inez M. Lewis, and 
now in Kansas; Rachel M., Ezra G., Almira H., the 
wife of Stephen W. Rittenburg; and Eunice W., now 
Mrs. Luther Fisher, of lUinois. 

John McGee was born in New Jersey in 1807. He 
came to Ohio in 1829, and settled on the farm on which 
he now Uves in Miami township. In 1833 he married 
Nacky Brown, from Clermont county. He has held the 
office of trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church, of 
which he is a member. He has long been a Republi- 
can. His children are Sarah, Robert, married to Sallie 
Fazely; John, Jane, now Mrs. Michael Sargent, and 
Annie. 

Abel IngersoU was born in New Jersey in 1794, and 



326 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



was brought to Ohio in 1801. His first home in this 
State was in Whitewater township, on the farm owned at 
present by Mr. Hopping. He married Ehzabeth Polk, 
of Pennsylvania. At one time he served in the place of 
constable during a series of years; was a member of the 
United Brethren church; in politics was always very 
liberal, voting for the man that seemed to him best. He 
died in this township in 1850 at the age of sixty-six. 
Seven years later his wife died. They, had eight chil- 
dren: Isaac, married to Mary A. Herron; Patience, 
married first to John Herron, and afterward to Arthur 
Henry; Rachel, the wife of Caleb Flinchpaugh; Eliza- 
beth, now Mrs. Robert Martin, of Indiana; and iour 
that died in early infancy. 

Isaac IngersoU was born in this county in 181 7. Oc- 
tober 31, 1844, he married Mary A. Harron. Several 
years he has served as township trustee, and two years 
was township treasurer. He has always lived on the farm 
on which he was born. He is, in politics, a Democrat. 
He has five children : Joseph, now married to Florence 
Marklin; Nancy, Daniel, and Elizabeth, not living at 
home, and one that died while an infant. 

William Maensley was born in Virginia in 1785, where 
he married Nancy Bussel. She died, leaving six chil- 
dren, in Miami, in 1822. He came to this State in 1815, 
but had lived for a time previously in Boone county, 
Kentucky. His first Ohio settlement was made at North 
Bend, on the farm now the property of Charles Short. 
In politics he was an Old Line Whig. He died in Ripley, 
Indiana, in 1837. He had six children: James, at pres- 
ent in Texas; Moses B., now married to Eunice Hayes; 
John B., married to Mary J. Ingraham; Eliza, the wife 
of David Jones, of Indiana; Samuel, married to Catha- 
rine Gronendike; and Stephen W., married to Mary 
Vangorder, and a resident of Indiana at the present 
time. 

Moses B. Maensley was born in Boone county, Ken- 
tucky, in 1814, and was, while very young, brought 
by his parents to North Bend, Ohio. He has held the 
offices of constable and treasurer for his township, and 
has also been steward in the Methodist Episcopal church, 
where he has a membership. In politics he is a strong 
RepubUcan. In 1846 he built a warehouse at Cleves 
and began the buying of grain, which he followed twenty 
years, when he abandoned it and took up farming; 
Twelve years previous to the above date he was in busi- 
ness on the river between Cincinnati and New Orleans. 
It took an entire year in those days to make one trip. 
In 1839 he was married to Miss Eunice Hayes, of this 
township. They have had nine children: Anderson B., 
married to Mary H. Lewis; Anna H., and Alvin C; 
James F., married to Anna Markland; Abiatha B., the 
wife of Otto Lowe, of Indiana; Fanny M., Job H., Ara- 
bella, and Chalon G. 

Job Hayes was born in this county — North Bend — in 
1 79 1. His father, Job Hayes, died on a boat three 
months before his birth; he vifas buried on the bank of 
the Ohio river with such care to conceal the body from 
the Indians that even his friends were unable to discover 
the place of his burial. He always followed the business 



of farming. His children were: James, married to 
Penina Conner; Sarah, the wife of Levi Miller, now 
living in Indiana; and Job, married to Johanna Hayes, 
and living in Iowa. 

Job Hayes, jr., owing to the great distance to school, 
was obliged to study evenings at home, which he did by 
the firelight as best he could. He married Johanna 
Hayes, of Butler county, June 29, 1816, and first settled 
on the farm now owned by the Miller heirs, in Whitewater 
township. In politics he was a Democrat; in religion, 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died 
in Madison, Iowa, February 4, 1868. His wife died at 
the same place four years later. Their family consists of 
eleven children: Mary, Levi M., Joseph H., married to 
Sarah Myers; Omer, married to Mary A. McEUhaney; 
Sarah M., the wife of Isaac Stephens, of Indiana; Isaac 
D., married and living in Iowa; Martha, Jacob, Samuel 
F., married to Mary Marsh, and now of Iowa; and Bue- 
lah, married first to Corydon Swift and afterward to Bar- 
ney Mullin. 

Joseph H. Hayes was born in this county in 1824. In 
1852 he married Sarah Myers, also of this county. He 
has served as township trustee one term, is a member of 
the Methodist church, and in politics is a Democrat. 
His seven children are: Job W., Enos, Alice D., Isaac 
D., Joseph G., Wilson, and Charles. 

Thomas Markland was born in Maryland, in 1765. 
He was a cooper by trade, which business he carried on 
with farming all his life. He married Anna M. Somers, 
a native of Virginia, and came to this State in 1805. 
He reached Green township, of this county, on the sec- 
ond day of April, and settled on the farm now owned 
by Charles and Washington Markland. At that time 
the nearest white settler was two miles distant, and the 
nearest church had to be reached by going eleven miles. 
The. school was two miles from his farm, and the nearest 
grist-mill twenty-seven miles away. There was no saw- 
mill within reach. 

He helped Bailey Guard land at Lawrenceburgh, Indi- 
ana, about the year 1806; was the first manufacturer of 
barrels in that part of the county. In politics he was an 
Old Line Whig. He died in 1825, and his wife's death 
occurred in 1837. They had a family of eleven children, 
eight boys and three girls — Elizabeth, the wife of William 
Rogers; Leah, wife of Henry Towner; Martha, now 
Mrs. James Anderson; Jonathan, married to Julia Sam- 
mons; Benjamin, married to Fanny Rogers and after- 
wards to Emily Edwards; John, whose wife is Mary 
Miller; William, whose wife is Mary Sammons; Noah, 
married to Jemima Sammons; Washington, married to 
Mary Hammond; James, novp in Indiana, whose wife 
was Phoebe Moore and afterward Eliza Creech ; and 
Charles, married to Jane Gardner. 

Noah Markland was born in Kentucky, April 25, 
1803, and' came to Ohio with his parents when about 
two years of age. He remembers the building of the 
first school-house in Green township. It was made of 
logs, on the farm now owned by Simeon Pounder. The 
first teacher was Moses W. Cotton, who taught in 1809. 
He also remembers the building of the first church, on 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



327 



the site of the present Methodist Episcopal church, 
called the Ebenezer church. He learned the cooper's 
trade with his father which he followed but a short time, 
when he turned his attention to farming in which he is 
now engaged. In 1832 he came to this township and 
settled on the farm now owned by Charles Short. In 
1825, April 5th, he married Jemima Samraons, of Hamil- 
ton county. She had seven children, and died October 
16, 1844, at the age of forty-one years. He then mar- 
ried Rebecca Laird, of the same county. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics 
is Republican. He has eleven children — Jesse; Lean- 
der, not now living; James, married to Sarah Gooden; 
William, married to Jane Wade; Charles; Francis, mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Elinchpaugh; Mary J., the wife of Wil- 
liam B. Welch ; Martha, the wife of George T. Redfern 
and living in Tennessee; Annie M., the wife of James 
F. Maensley; Samuel, and Elizabeth H. 

Moses Argo was born in the State of Delaware, in 
1771. A farmer by choice, he came to this State and 
set^tled near Mount Pleasant, this count)', in October, 
1803. He married Sarah Bruin, of New Jersey, and his 
marriage license is the second on record in the probate 
court of this county. In politics, he was a Jacksonian 
Democrat. In 1813 he moved to Miami township, and 
began his home on the farm now owned by William 
Brawley. He died in 1842; his wife had died nine years 
previously. They had nine children: Libbie, now the 
wife of Lewis Fowler; Lucinda, wife of Daniel Helter- 
brine, of Indiana; Alexander, married to Mary A. Wal- 
hiven, and residing in Illinois; Ebenezer, who had three 
wives, Amanda Tapel, Hannah Spinning, and Laura M. 
Oldruve; Anna, who was the wife of Thomas Kinkaid, 
and is now married to Enos Gray, and living in Indiana; 
William, Elizabeth, and one that died in infancy. 

Ebenezer Argo was born in this county in 1810. 
When fifteen years old he began the trade of shoemaking. 
In 1836 he came to Cleves, and opened a shop in the 
building now used by him as a wareroom. In 1842 he 
married Amanda Yapel, of Illinois. She had three chil- 
dren, and died in Cleves in 1848. He then married 
Hannah Spinning, of New Jersey, who died in 1867. 
His third wife was Louisa M. C. Oldruve, a native of 
England. She died in 1876. In February, of i85i, he 
sold out the boot and shoe business to Michael Miller, 
and began dealing in groceries and hardware, in which 
he is still employed. He is trustee and elder in the 
Presbyterian church, of which he is a member, and is a 
Republican in politics. He has three children : Sarah 
A., married to Edmund Kane; William, whose wife is 
Melissa Hearn; and James E. 

Samuel Burr was born on Long Island, in 1766. He 
married Debora Fleet, of the same place. In 1793 she 
died, leaving one child. He afterwards was married to 
Phcebe Dodge, of the same place, and she died, leaving 
two children. He was an excellent mathematician, a self 
educated man. While in New York, he was appointed 
head clerk in the general post office, under President 
Washington, and served until the seat of government was 
moved to Philadelphia, when he resigned. In 1817 he 



came to Ohio with his family, and settled on what is now 
known as the Oliver Spencer farm. While in Ohio, he 
followed farming and surveying. The first year after he 
came here, he was appointed trustee of the Cincinnati 
college, which office he held for a number of years. He 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in 
politics he was an Old Line Whig. His children are " 
Edward M., now on Long Island; William P., married 
first to Cynthia Brown and afterward to Lydia M. More- 
head; and Deborah F., the wife of Henry Dodge, of 
Long Island. 

William P. Burr was born on Long Island, August 17, 
1808. He came to Ohio with his parents, and settled 
on the same place. His business has been farming and 
surveying. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and in politics was first a Whig, but more recently 
has been a Republican. In 1827 he married Miss Cyn- 
thia Brown, of this township. She died March 18, 1834, 
leaving five children. He afterward married Lydia M. 
Morehead. His family has numbered twelve: Mary, 
Edward, Martha A., Robert, Samuel, Deborah, Eliza, 
Emma F., Phosbe, and three others who died in early 
infancy. 

Jesse Hearn was born in North Carolina in 1783, 
came to Ohio when about twenty-one years of age, and 
settled in North Bend. He was a farmer, which business 
he followed all his life. He was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church for a great many years, held the 
position of trustee from the time the Miami church was 
built until his death. In politics he was a Democrat. 
He died June 28, 1854. His wife was Nancy Kyle, of 
the same township. She was born December 26, 1789, 
and died the same date, 1859. They had nine children: 
Elizabeth; Harriet, the wife of John Brown; Edward, 
married to Sarah Palmer; Mary A,, the wife of Isaac 
Ingersoll; John, married to Patience Ingersoll; James, 
who has had three wives, Hester A. Rogers, Jane Mark- 
land and Kate Hayes; Purnel, married to Ann M. Noble; 
Anna B., the wife of Joseph Schermerhorn; Patience, 
who died an infant; and Jesse, now married to Henrietta 
Flinch paugh. 

Purnel Hearn was born in this township November i, 
1823. He was formerly a butcher, but is now a farmer. 
In 1850 he married Ann M. Noble, of Green township. 
One year he has served as township trustee, is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and, in politics, is 
Democratic. He takes a deep interest in religious mat- 
ters, has been class leader, trustee, and superintendent of 
the Sabbath-school for a number of years. His children's 
names are: Missuria, William, Elizabeth, Phcebe J., 
Frank T., George M., Purnel O., and one that died when 
very young. 

NORTH BEND. 

When Judge Symmes found that he was to be disap- 
pointed in his hopes of founding a large city at the mouth 
of the Great Miami, he was easily persuaded to plant his 
colony where it had landed on the second of February, 
1789, at the northernmost point of the great bend in the 
Ohio. Here, he writes, "I flatter myself with the pros- 
pect of finding a good tract of ground, extending from 



328 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



river to river, on which the city might be built with more 
propriety than it would be to crowd it so far down in the 
point, from the body of the county round it." Here, accord- 
ingly, he made his settlement, calling it North Bend, he 
said, "from its being situated in the most northerly bend 
of the Ohio that there is between the Muskingum and the 
Mississippi." Forty-eight lots of one acre each, and of 
four rods, or sixty-six feet, front, were staked off, of which 
every other one was a donation lot, granted to actual 
settlers upon condition that the donees should build 
immediately thereon; and one was also reserved for each 
of the proprietors. 

It should be here observed that these proprietors did 
not include all the associates or partners of the East 
Jersey company, but were those belonging to a special 
company of twenty-four, formed March 15, 1788, under 
the auspices of Judge Syrames and Dr. Thomas Bondi- 
not, to found the expected city of Miami and sell the 
property within the townships the judge had reserved 
to himself between the Ohio and the Great Miami. The 
business of the company was managed by Symmes and 
Bondinot, and the latter had given the judge power of 
attorney to sell "shares of propriety" in the said city and 
townships until all were disposee of Each proprietor 
was entitled to choose an entire square or block in the 
city, when founded, which should be exclusively his own, 
subject to no future division with other proprietors. 
Under this arrangement Symmes was now proceeding 
with his settlements in the Miami peninsula. 

On the twelfth of September, 1789, Judge Symmes' 
partners wrote him that their choice for the site of the 
city was where he had landed and made his settlement 
in February — namely, at North Bend — and instructed 
him to lay it off there. He set about the survey during 
the later fall and early winter, and reported on the ensuing 
first of January, as follows: 

We find the ground rather uneven, but, on the whole I hope it will 
do better than I formerly thought it would, especially as it embraces 
several valuable springs which never fail. Some of the squares are very 
good ones, but others of them are very indifferent, owing partly to 
Camp creek's running across the plat, as also to very considerable hills 
and deep gutters which are interspersed through the isthmus. The city 
does not reach quite over to the banks of the Miami, for I have laid it 
out exactly on the old plan and on the cardinal points, not receiving 
any instructions from you authorizing me to throw it into an oblong, 
which would have shot it better across the neck of land from river to 
river. 

The new survey completed, the vacation of the old 
plat, which was included within it, and the nullifying of 
the arrangements made with settlers for donation and 
other lots. The judge was naturally appehensive of re- 
sultant trouble; but he wrote in his January letter: 

I believe that I shall have very little difficulty in procuring the relin- 
quishment of all the lots which are sold and given away in North Bend. 
Those which have been paid for I hope will be restored on reimbursing 
the purchaser his money, though se\'eral of these purchasers are not on 
the ground at present, therefore I cannot say what objections they may 
start. The most of those who had donation lots in this village are well 
pleased with the new arrangement, as they now get five acres, and had 
but one before. This seems to pacify them, though they have generally 
built cabins on the acre. 

Some special interest attaches to the judge's next re- 
mark, as showing the primitive character of the dwellings 
then upon the site: 



Very fortunately for the proprietors, not one man in the village, but 
myself and two nephews, have been at the expense of building a stone 
chimney in his house; therefore they can the more readily cast away or 
remove their former cabins and build new houses on the proper streets 
of the city. The expense of clearing and fencmg their lots is what they 
most lament, as this labor goes directly to the benefit of other people 
who take up such cleared lots. I shall, therefore, be obliged to make 
them some-compensation for this in order to keep up the quiet of the 
town. 

The judge had taken a rose-colored view of the pros- 
pects, which was not answered by the outcome of his de- 
structive and constructive operations. In about five 
months (April 30, 1790) he was compelled to write to 
Dayton: 

I must enjoin it upon the proprietors to send out some of their body 
with discretionary powers to act for the good of the whole without be- 
ing subject to subsequent control by the proprietors, for you cannot 
conceive the disorders that have been occasioned by breaking up the 
old village of North Bend to make room for the city. Some have left 
the town offended at the measure, while others are quarrelling about 
the use of the cleared land which was opened last year. Captain John 
Brown fenced one of these lots in order to sow it with hemp, but the 
same night his fence was all burnt and laid in ruins. He charges 
Daniel Gard and Peter ICeen with the fact. 

Symmes himself was obliged to make a plea to the 
board of proprietors, for the preservation of his own im- 
provements, which were threatened with the cominon fate 
"in the general wreck of the village," he said. In the 
course of this he introduces the interesting description of 
his houses, which will be found a few paragraphs hereafter. 

The "city of Miami" was, nevertheless, duly laid off 
in a square of about a mile, the streets intersecting at 
right angles, regardless of hill or valley, height or plain, 
and running with the cardinal points of the compass. On 
the east (Mr. F. VV. Miller, in Cincinnati's Beginnings, 
says also on the north), running from river to river, a 
strip of land was reserved for a common. The judge 
had no instructions as to the width of this, but took the 
responsibility of laying it forty rods, or an eighth of a 
mile wide. He wrote: 

I would have left a wider common, but at this dangerous time when 
we have already had a man murdered within the square of the city, to 
leave a larger extent of unoccupied land between the city and smaJl lots, 
would have looked rather like trifling with the lives of citizens who are 
obliged to go daily to their labor on the donation lots beyond the com- 
mon. 

By "small lots" the judge must have meant the smaller 
out-lots — those of ten acres, which lay next beyond the 
common. "The ten acres," he wrote, "I shall throw 
round the hills and city in the nearest manner I can. 
The lots within the city — some of them, at least — were 
of the unwonted size, for in-lots, of five acres. Beyond 
the ten-acre tracts, in order, were out-lots, first of thirty 
acres, then of sixty. 

This was Symmes' plan for any other towns or cities he 
might lay off; and this was the main element in the em- 
barrassment and uncertainty caused by the delay in fix- 
ing the site for the city, as mentioned in a previous sec- 
tion of this chapter. He was also anxious to know 
whether he might sell the proprietors' alternate reserved 
lots at North Bend, for which he had many offers; and 
had taken the responsibility of selling one "to a valuable 
citizen," rather than lose him, for "half a joe," or three 
dollars. He wished to sell more of them, to encourage 
emigration; and his anxieties to get the foundations of a 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



329 



settlement at the bend well laid form the burden of a 
number of his letters to his associates. He notes that 
his surveyors were having a hard time of it, at work as 
they were in midwinter, with snow deep, the cold severe, 
and supplies short. One of them, Noah Badgley, who 
lived at Losantiville, but was formerly of Westfield, New 
Jersey, had lost his life by drowning during a freshet in 
the Licking river, while returning with others in a boat 
from a place in Kentucky where they had procured some 
" bread-corn." The two men who were with him had a 
narrow escape with their lives, being rescued from a tree- 
top in the midst of the raging waters, where Ihey had 
been for three days and nights. 

Under the new arrangement fifty of the small lots were 
to be given to the first fifty applicants, on condition that 
they should build a house and agree to reside three years 
in the city. They were rapidly taken up, and by April 
30th the judge could write: 

We have parted with all the donation lots around the city, and I 
think it highly incumbent on the proprietors to add one fifty more 
thereto, as, people being refused out-lots when they apply, go directly 
up to the back stations where they are sure to have them. 

He also asked the privilege of giving away about 
thirty-five acre lots at South Bend, which was now going 
rapidly, and he desired to encourage the settlement there. 

The proprietors seem to have acted liberally with the 
infant settlement, and to have given the judge ample 
powers of grant or gift; for, more than five years after- 
wards (August 6, 179s), he wrote to Dayton: 

There are yet several hundred donation lots in the plan of the town 
that have never been accepted by anybody, and very few indeed will 
purchase a lot when they can have such a choice of one gratis. 

The inlots given to actual settlers in the city were soon 
taken up, and, as applications continued to be made, 
further surveys were extended up and down the Ohio, 
until over one hundred acre lots were laid out, giving the 
place a front on the Ohio of about one and a half miles, 
or nearly half of the present extensive frontage, accord- 
ing to the nominal boundaries of the village plat. 

Judge Symmes remained for six weeks in the rude 
shelter he had built for his family upon first landing, and 
then removed into a more comfortable log cabin, which 
by that time was enclosed and roofed. He subsequently 
wrote the following description of his own group of habi- 
tations and other buildings at this point : 

I have gone to considerable expense in erecting comfortable lo,^ 
houses on the three lots, which I had taken for myself and two 
nephews, young men who are with me. The lots in North Bend were 
four poles wide; we have therefore occupied twelve poles of ground on 
the banks of the Ohio. This front is covered with buildings from one 
end to the other, and of too valuable a construction for me to thmk 
of losing them in the general wreck of the village. That the 
proprietors may be more sensible of the reasonableness of the request, 
I will give you a description of them. The first, or most easterly one, 
is a good cabin, sixteen feet wide and twenty-two feet long, with a 
handsome stone chimney in it; the roof is composed of boat plank set 
endwise, obliquely, and answers a triple purpose of rafters, lath, and 
an undercourse of shingle, on which lie double rows of clapboards 
which makes an exceedingly tight and good roof. The next is a cot- 
tage, sixteen feet by eighteen, and two and a half stories high; the 
roof is well shingled with nails. The third is a cabin, fifteen feet wide 
and sixteen feet long, one story hig'B, with a good stone chimney in it; 
the roof shingled with nails. The fourth is a very handsome log house, 
eighteen feet by twenty-six, and two stories high, with two good cellars 
under the first in order to guard more effectually against heat and cold. 



This large cabin is shingled with nails, has a very large and good stone 
chimney which extends from side to side of the house, for the more 
convenient accommodation of strangers, who are constantly coming 
and going, and never fail to make my house their home while they stay 
in the village. In this chunney is a large oven built of stone. Adjoin- 
ing to this house I have built me a well-finished smoke-house, fourteen 
feet square, which brings you to a fortified gate of eight feet, for com- 
munication back. All the buildings, east of this gate, are set as close 
to each other as was possible. Adjoining to and west of the gate is 
a double cabin of forty-eight feet in length and sixteen feet wide, 
with a well built stone chimney of two fire-places, one facing each 
room. This roof is covered with boat-plank throughout, and double 
rows of clapboards in the same manner with the first described cabin. 
In these several cabins I have fourteen sash-windows of glass. My 
barn or fodder-house comes next, with a stable on one side for my 
horses, and on the other one for my cows. These entirely fill up the 

space of twelve poles. This string of cabins stands poles from the 

bank of the river, and quite free from and to the south of the front or 
Jersey street of the city. . . The buildings have cost me 

more than two hundred pounds specie, and I cannot afford to let them 
go to strangers for nothing — the mason work alone came to more than 
one hundred dollars. There is not another house on the ground that 
has either cellar, stone chimney, or glass window in it, nor of any 
value compared with mine. 

August 10, 1796, the judge writes: 

I am building a dwelling house and grist-mill, both on pretty exten- 
sive plans, and obliged personally to superintend the whole without 
doors by day, and to arrange my accounts by night, so that, from early 
dawn to midnight, I am engaged with my buildings or my farm. I had 
this season a wheat and rye harvest of fifty acres, and have one hundred 
and fourteen acres of land planted with Indian corn, and a stock of 
one hundred and fifty head of cattle. 

Most of the settlers who received the original donation 
lots had fulfilled their obligations with reasonable prompt- 
ness, and by the middle of May following the landing of 
the colony, about forty of the lots had each a comfortable 
cabin erected upon it, covered with shingles or clap- 
boards, "and other houses still on hand," as the judge 
wrote. Not three donation lots, he added, remained at 
this time unappropriated. 

The new city is designated as the City of Miami in 
Dr. Goforth's letters and in old official docuinents. 
Judge Burnet, in his Notes on the Settlement of the 
Northwestern Territory, says the place was known as 
Symmes, and it was frequently called Symmes' City. 
Whatever name or names it may have borne, however, 
the settlement continued to be popularly called North 
Bend, and it has never wholly lost that cognomen from 
the hour of its christening to the present day. The place 
grew rapidly during its first two or three years, and in 
1 791 was deemed worthy of a garrison of eighty soldiers, 
who, according to Dr. Goforth, were stationed there. 
The presence of the troops had a great deal to do with 
the prosperity of the settlement, and when they were 
withdrawn the people rapidly followed them to Cincin- 
nati, or removed to other points deemed more secure 
than North Bend, so that the village was for a time 
almost deserted. After St. Clair's defeat some years later, 
there was a perfect stampede to the back country. Au- 
gust 6, 1795, the judge wrote: 

The village is reduced more than one-half in its number of inhabit- 
ants since I left it to go to Jersey in February, 1793. The people have 
spread themselves into all parts of the Purchase below the military 
range since the Indian defeat on the twentieth of August, and the 
cabins are of late deserted by dozens in a street. 

He remained steadfastly by his city, however, doing all 
he could to reanimate and resuscitate it. He built 



330 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



another residence in the northwest part of it, whose site 
is still plainly marked by the remains of a cellar and a 
heap of stones near a large honey-locust, on the north 
side of the road, in the southeastern edge of Cleves, west 
of the tracks of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, 
& Chicago railroad. Here he was visited in 1808 by the 
romancing English traveller, Thomas Ashe, who after- 
wards published in his book of American travels the 
following memoranda of his visit. They afford a very 
interesting picture of the judge's household, and their 
employments in the lal:er years of his life : 

I left Cincinnati with an impression very favorable to its inliabitants, 
and with a higher opinion of its bade country than I entertain of any 
other. Seven miles [ !] below my departure, at a place called North 
Bend, I stopped to take breakfast with the hospitable Judge Symmes, 
the original proprietor, after the extinction of the Indian title, of the 
whole of the country lying between the two Miamis. The situation 
which the judge has chosen for his residence cannot be equalled for the 
variety and elegance of its prospects. Improved farms, villages, seats, 
and the remains of ancient and modern military works, decorate the 
banks of the finest piece of water in the world, and present themselves 
to view from 'the principal apartments of the house, which is a noble 
stone mansion, erected at great expense — and on a plan which does in- 
finite honor to the artist and to the taste of the proprietor. Differing 
from other settlers, Mr. Symmes has been studious to give the river-sides 
a pastoral effect by preserving woods, planting orchards, and diversify- 
ing these with corn fields, sloping pastures, and every other effect in- 
cidental both to an improved and rural life. From this expression of 
elevated judgment you may be prepared to know that the proprietor 
formerly resided in England, and alter in New York, where he married 
his present wife, a lady distinguished by elegance of mind and a gen- 
eral and correct information. They have no children, but there resides 
with them a Miss Livingston, on whom they fix their affections, and 
whom they treat with parental kindness and respectful urbanity, the 
one being due to her intrinsic merit, and the other to her family, which 
is eminent by birth, propeity, and talent in the State of New York. 

The judge passes his time in directing his various works, and the 
ladies read, walk, and attend to numerous birds and animals, which 
they domesticate, both for entertainment and use. Miss Livingston is 
much of a botanist — a practical one. She collects seeds from such 
plants and flowers as are most conspicuous in the prairies, and culti- 
vates them with care on the banks and in the vicinity of the house. 
She is forming a shrubbery also, which will be entirely composed of 
magnolia, catalpa, papaw, rose, and tulip trees, and all others distin- 
guished for blossom and fragrance. In the middle is erected a small 
Indian temple, where this young lady preserves seeds and plants, and 
classes specimens of wood, which contribute much to her knowledge 
and entertainment. When the beauties of the fine season fade, and 
the country becomes somewhat inert and insipid, the judge and the 
ladies remove to Cincinnati, and revolve in its pleasures till fatigued, 
when they again return to their rural economy, and to the prosecution 
of happy and inoffensive designs. I could with great difficulty tear 
myself from persons so amiable. 

This mansion is said to have been then the most spa- 
cious and commodious in the State. It was destroyed, 
however, in March, 181 1, as was believed by the torch 
of the incendiary; and with it a large number of papers 
relating to his transactions in the Purchase, including the 
certificates of the original proprietors of Cincinnati, 
upon which the judge had executed deeds to the pur- 
chasers of lots, and the loss of which was irreparable. Of 
soine of the papers duplicates were in existence; but the 
destruction of his files gave the judge infinite trouble, 
and aided to embarrass and embitter his closing years. 
Suspicion of the incendiarism rested upon a man named 
Hart, residing near North Bend, who was known to be a 
violent enemy of Judge Symmes — simply, it is said, be- 
cause of the judge's refusal or neglect to vote for him 
when a candidate for justice of the peace. Hart was 



arrested, indicted, and tried; but, although the evidence 
against him seemed strong, and most of the North Bend 
people believed in his guilt, he was acquitted by the jury. 
The judge died in Cincinnati in 1814. His will may be 
found, with other related matter, in our annals of the city 
for that year. His remains were brought back to North 
Bend, in accordance with his wish, and buried in the 
cemetery, about a mile southeast of his former residence. 
The inscription on the tablet in the brickwork above his 
grave is as follows : 

Here rest the remains of John Cleves Symmes, who, at the foot of 
these hills, made the first settlement between the Miami rivers. Born 
on Long Island, in the State of New York, July 21, A. D., 1742. Died 
at Cincinnati, February 26, A. D. 1814. 

One of Judge Symmes' sons-in-law, as before men- 
tioned, was the distinguished general and afterward Pres- 
ident of the United States, William Henry Harrison. 
He also catne, after his marriage with Miss Annie 
Symmes, to reside in North Bend, which is now only 
known to the world at large as the place of his residence 
and burial. The famous "log cabin" of the Presidential 
campaign of 1840 was located here; but that, as usually 
pictured in the newspapers and on banners and transpar- 
encies at that time, was a myth, originating, it is said, 
in the sneer of a writer for a Baltimore Democratic paper 
at the general as a dweller in a log cabin. A part of the 
Harrison mansion was, indeed, originally built of logs; 
but a large frame structure was subsequently added, and 
the whole clapboarded and painted white, making a com- 
fortable, and for the time a quite superb mansion. It 
has long since disappeared, except the excavation for a 
cellar; and some remains of the flower garden and other 
improvements inay still be traced upon the grounds, 
which have been abandoned since the fire. The large 
farm formerly cultivated by the general in the vicinity 
has also passed to other hands, and his descendants have 
disappeared from the region, except a granddaughter, Mrs. 
Betty Eaton, daughter of the Hon. John Scott Harrison, 
who resides with her little family half a mile from the 
village, on heights commanding, probably, the finest view 
in Hamilton county, extending into three river valleys 
and three States. 

Harrison married Miss Symmes in November, 1795. 
The tradition goes that the father opposed the match, 
and that the young couple were obliged to slip away from 
her home to the residence of Dr. Stephenwood, one of 
the justices of the peace for the county, near the subse- 
quent site of Cleves, where they were married without 
the presence of the father. The tomb of the general 
and ex-President, as is well known, is on the heights back 
of North Bend, west of the tunnel formerly used by the 
Whitewater canal and now used by the Indianapolis 
railroad. It is a plain mausoleum of brick work, suita- 
bly inscribed. For a time it fell into neglect, and be- 
came somewhat dilapidated; but has been restored of 
late years, and is now in good repair. 

Among other notable early- settlers was Brice Virgin, 
who was made a captain in the militia in 1790, among 
the first appointments by Governor St. Clair, upon the 
erection of Hamilton county. He afterwards removed 
to Princeton, Butler county, where he died. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



331 



Among the early ministers who preached to the peo- 
ple at North Bend, were the Revs. John Tanner, of 
Turner's Station (now Petersburgh), Kentucky, and 
Lewis Dewees, also of Kentucky, who officiated from 
time to time during the years 1792 to 1804. Each of 
these was a Baptist, as was also the celebrated Rev. and 
Senator John Smith, of Columbia and Cincinnati. The 
Rev. James Kemper, Presbyterian, also sometimes came 
out from Cincinnati and preached. About 1804 Rev. 
M. Oglesby, of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
preached here, and afterwards Rev. John Langdon, of 
the same. In the early day, the male worshippers here, 
as at Columbia and Cincinnati, always went to church 
armed. 

North Bend village proper, has had no large growth, 
and is now simply a moderate cluster of houses at the 
original site. A large town plat, however, known by the 
same name, has been laid out for more than three miles 
along the river, with a width of about two-thirds of a 
mile west of North Bend station, and over two miles 
east of it — that is, three sections wide, and extending 
back from the river something more than half a mile at 
the station to very nearly two miles on the eastern boun- 
dary, which intersects the river half a mile above the 
mouth of Muddy creek. The site thus comprises one 
thousand four hundred and forty-eight acres. Several 
railway stations — as Shuts, named from the Hon. John 
Cleves Shut, son of Payton Shut, and grandson of 
Judge Symmes, whose decendants live here ; also Dev- 
ins's and Griffiths' stations, are within the North Bend 
corporation. The certificate of its incorporation, for 
special purposes was filed with the secretary of State, 
August 25, 1874. The village had four hundred and 
twelve inhabitants by the last census. 

SUGAR CAMP SETTLEMENT. 

A little colony bearing this name is remarked in the 
Ohio Historical Collections as having been founded about 
the same time as North Bend, three miles down the 
river from that place and two miles from the Indiana 
line, upon the farm of W. H. Harrison, jr. It had at 
one time about thirty houses, but afterwards became ex- 
tinct. The block-house built in the early day for the 
protection of the settlers was still standing in 1847, but 
was much dilapidated and did not last a great while 
longer. A figure of it as it then appeared is given in the 
collections. 

CLEVES. 

This place standing upon or very near the large tract 
covered by the "City of Miami" plat, a mile north of 
the present North Bend station and on the Great Miami 
river, was originally called Clevestown, and bore that, 
as well as it bears its present name, in honor of the ma- 
ternal branch of the Symmes family, from whom the 
judge and many others derived in part their given names. 
It was laid out by General Harrison in 18 18, the re- 
corded plat bearing date November 7th of that year. In 
1830 it had one hundred and ten inhabitants; fifty years 
later, by the tenth census, it had eight hundred and 
thirty-six. Notwithstanding its comparatively light pop- 



ulation, it has a large corporate limit, including nearly 
an entire section, or five hundred and ninety-five acres. 
It was incorporated for general purposes March 17, 1875. 

The post office at this point has done duty at times 
during the decadence of North Bend, for both that place 
and its own. Under the presidency of General Harrison 
Mr. J. M. Runyan was postmaster. His successors were 
Thomas Archer, James Carlin, George Cassady, Mr. 
Crofoot, and Charles Ruffen, the last named of whom 
now holds the post. 

The most notable event in the history of Cleves was 
the anti-slavery agitation of nearly forty years ago, which 
resulted in serious disturbances at this place. The fol- 
lowing account of them appears in the Life of Senat or 
Thomas Morris, formerly o f Hamilt on and then of Cler- 
mont countyjjjy his son B. F. Morris: 

.Cleves, in Hamilton county, Ohio, was the scene of violent resist- 
ance to free discussion. In the spring of 1843 the pastor of the 
Presbyterian church, Rev. Mr. Scofield, and a majority of his flock 
called a meeting for free discussion on sla^'ery. Samuel Lewis, Jon- 
athan Blanchard, now president of the Galesburgh college, Illinois, 
and Thomas Morri.s, whose manly voice for freedom, integrity of prin- 
ciples, and firmness of character, have enrolled his name among the 
early champions of free speech and free soil, were the speakers. 

A mob was organized and a riot threatened. A number ef students 
from Lane seminary went down with the speakers. Landing at North 
Bend they passed the mansion and tomb of the lamented General Har- 
rison, on their way to the church. The doors of the meeting-house 
were barred against the friends of freedom. Prominent and influential 
men were with the rabble that prevented the convention from occupy- 
ing the meeting-house. The convention, thus forbid to enter the 
house, occupied the road in front. Rev. S. Lewis, an able and faithful 
laborer in the cause of freedom, recently gone to an honored grave, 
kneeled on the ground and offered a most solemn and impressive 
prayer. For a moment the rioters were palsied in their nefarious 
operation. One of them often said, "That prayer I shall never for- 
get." An infidel was converted, and "the wrath of man was thus 
made to praise God," and advance the cause of freedom. 

At the invitation of Richard Hughes, a ruling elder in the Presby- 
terian church of Berea, a mile distant from Cleves, the convention met 
at that church and held its sessions two days. The impression of that 
convention abides to this day ; fires were kindled that are burning 
brighter and brighter. 

The Cleves rioters, not satisfied with driving the convention from the 
village, smashed the windows of the meeting-house, mobbed the house 
of the pastor, threw his buggy into the canal, and shaved the tail of 
his horse. The perpetrators of these deeds of darkness chose the 
covert hour of night for their mob performances. They were of the 
baser sort in the community, but were instigated and backed by quite 
a number of those of reputation. These mob scenes created an era in 
the history of that region and will be long remembered. 

A more detailed and very interesting narative of the 
same transaction is given in the life of Samuel Lewis, 
who was also of the party of visitors and speakers at the 
meeting, a biography also written by a son : 

Mr. Lewis was again at work in the spring and summer of 1843 
laboring and speaking in behalf of the liberty party and of the slave. 
A meeting was appointed in Cleves, one and a half miles north of North 
Bend, and care was taken to ask and receive consent of the elders and 
trustees of the Presbyterian church; and notice was accordingly given. 
Judge Short and Dr. Thornton, relatives of the family of General Harri- 
son, as well as J . Scott Harrison, son of General Harrison, and now mem- 
ber of Congress from that district, took umbrage at the project of an 
anti-slavery meeting so near their homes and expressed themselves in 
the strongest terms against the sitting of the convention in that place. 
The consequence was that a violent excitement soon prevailed in the 
vicinity, and threats of violence were made by vicious and irresponsible 
persons. 

As it was understood that these threats would not influence the with- 
drawal of the appointment, a public meeting was called at which it was 



332 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



resolved that for the purpose of maintaining peace and good order dur- 
ing the present excited state of the community, a committee of seven 
be appointed by the chair, whose duty it shall be to repair to the church 
on the seventh instant, and quietly and peacefully remonstrate with 
those who may present themselves as Abolitionists against the use of 
the church for the dissemination of their doctrines. 

The seventh being come, some fifty persons went down from Cincin- 
nati to meet those who might assemble. Mr. Lewis was early on the 
spot from another direction. When he arrived there, some time before 
the coming of the city delegation, he was advised by a personal friend 
by no means to venture to show himself at the church, as he could not 
do so without danger of extreme personal violence. He replied that 
"the danger he spoke of was the very reason why he should be there; 
that when there was no difficulty and danger in proclaiming the prin- 
ciples of freedom he would then leave the work to others and rest in 
the comforts of the family and home, with which God had blessed 
him." 

As the anti-slavery men presently came up the street toward the door 
of the church, Mr. J. Scott Harrison stood forward in the crowd (and 
such a crowd ! made up of boys and half-grown men, with a few of 
those who did not advocate the doctrines of the Washingtonians), that 
awaited us at the door of the house, and stated " that he was there in 
behalf of a committee appointed by a meeting of the citizens of Miami 
township, to protest against that church being occupied by the conven- 
tion;" giving as a reason that "the citizens of Miami township were be- 
lieved to be generally opposed to the doctrines of the Abohtionists, not 
one in seven favored their incendiary doctrines, and they did not wish 
their peace disturbed bv them; and if they attempted to hold a meet- 
ing there for the dissemination of these doctrines they could not be re- 
sponsible for the consequences. But they prayed that the proceedings 
might not end in violence." 

Mr. Lewis then followed him in a short and earnest address, and with 
visible effect. He said "he was there among others to advocate no 
principles but those of the gospel of Christ and the American declara- 
tion of rights. He defied him to find in the crowd six men who were 
opposed to us who could tell what Abolitionism was; and, as to threats 
of violence, if violence was threatened, there were men present who, 
if they were disposed to do so, could prevent it; that they, and they 
alone, would be held responsible by God, and an enlightened public, 
for any violence which might occur. He appealed to them, as one liv- 
ing in their midst, whose person and habits of life they well knew, and 
asked them whether it had come to this, that American citizens could 
no longer peaceably assemble and present their veiws to each other 
without being met at the threshold and threatened with violence, and for 
no other reason than that they were a minority, only one in seven! " 
Mr. Harrison, who withered sensibly under his earnest pathos and 
strong good sense, said that, if there were any persons present who had 
power to prevent meditated violence, he prayed Almighty God that 
they might exercise that power. 

Rev. J. Blanchard, after a few moments more of conversation, pro- 
posed that the people present should say, by dividing to the right and 
left, whether they would have the discussion or not. This he recom- 
mended as a peace measure, as in no ways declaring the right to prevent 
a minority from discussion. The people divided as requested, and a 
clear majority appeared in favor of the discussion, Mr. J. Scott Harri- 
son not voting at all. The free discussion party, of course, embraced 
all the men of good sense, and all the ladies present, one of whom, a 
pious old resident of the place, quietly remarked : "Ah, well, I heard 
tell of the separation of the sheep from the goats, but I never e-xpected 
to live to see it." 



The left hand multitude were indeed a most forlorn-looking set. 
Long, lank boys, crooked, and sallow, and thin, most of them carrying 
clubs, with here and there a rusty musket, their cheeks distended with 
tobacco and their mouth resembling the closely drawn pouch of the 
opossum, enameled brown with the juice of the same — their rags and 
their rage together gave them quite a unique and comical appearance, 
which fully justified the Scriptural allusion of the pious old lady. 

Mr. Lewis called to the chairman to stand forward and see how the 
vote stood. Mr. ]. Scott Harrison answered from a distance that he 
had done his duty and could do nothing more, and made off as rapidly 
as he was able. His associates, of whom he was evidently ashamed, 
remained behind to disturb the meeting ; and the meeting itself, being 
invited to another place a short distance off, they repaired thither and 
held their convention. First, however, they sang "How firm a founda- 
tion," etc., and then Mr. Lewis led in prayer in the open street. That 
prayer, offered as it vvas in the very face of men of blood and violence, 
whose clubs were ready to be drawn over his head, and whose brows 
were lowering with the rage that maddened them, that very prayer led 
more than half a score to truth and liberty. Even the hymn rang in the 
ears of Mr. J. Scott Harrison for months, according to his own contes- 
sion. More than forty persons avowed themselves liberty men, with the 
venerable Judge Matson at their head. 

FERN BANK, 

a place of suburban residence, laid out on the north side 
of the railways, in the southwest part of section one, be- 
tween Riverdale and Short's station, just outside the lim- 
its of North Bend corporation. 

GRAVEL PIT, 

a station now little used, on the Ohio & Mississippi rail- 
road, about two and a half miles southwest of North 
Bend, near Fort Hill, named from the extensive deposit 
of gravel here opened for the ballasting of the railway 
tracks. It was the scene of stirring times at one period 
during the war. In the early part of September, 1862, 
during the so-called siege of Cincinnati by Generals Kir- 
by Smith and Heath, a battalion of Squirrel Hunters 
was ordered here to guard a ford across the Ohio — it be- 
ing a season of very low water — against the possible 
crossing of a force of rebel cavalry. The Squirrel Hunt- 
ers remained until the sixteenth of September, when they 
were relieved by the Nineteenth Michigan infantry, a 
new regiment, which had just been ordered to the field. 
It encainped at first between the station and the river, 
and then on the higher ground above the station for two 
or three weeks, without special incident, and then re- 
turned to Cincinnati and advanced into Kentucky. 

POPULATION. 

Miami township had two thousand three hundred and 
seventeen inhabitants by the census of 1880; one thou- 
sand five hundred and forty-nine by that of 1830, just 
fifty years before. 



MILL creek; 



GEOGRAPHY AND BEGINNINGS. 

The present township of Mill Creek is bounded on 
the south by the city ot Cincinnati, on the east by 
Columbia township, on the north by Springfield township, 
and on the west by Green township. It is named from 
the stream which flows through it from northeast to 
southwest, almost bisecting the township. The Indian 
name of this creek was Mah-pet-e-wa. The shape of 
the township would be a regular parallelogram, six sec- 
tions long by four broad, but for a little more than a 
quarter section, still belonging to Mill Creek township, 
projected by the Avondale corporation south of the 
north Hne of the city, between Corryville and Woodburn, 
and for the projection of the city into the township, in 
its turn, about two miles and a half, by the annexation 
of Cumminsville. The present acreage of Mill Creek, 
originally very nearly an entire surveyed township, is but 
eleven thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine, of 
which almost one-third is covered by village sites, leaving 
but eight thousand and ninety-seven acres in strictly 
rural districts. 

Previous to iSio the inhabitants of this territory were 
partly under the jurisdiction of Cincinnati and Springfield 
townships; but in 1809, upon the petition of the com- 
missioners of Hamilton county. Mill Creek township was 
set off upon that part of the Symmes purchase known as 
fractional range two, township three. A glance at the 
Symmes plat shows that this township then contained 
nearly thirty-six sections (square miles), the fractional 
sections being numbers one and seven on the Ohio 
river. Its southern line was on the parallel along which 
now runs Liberty street, Cincinnati. 

The first election for township officers was ordered by 
the county commissioners for February, 18 10, at the house 
of Peter Mays. Since then Cincinnati has encroached up- 
on the southern part of the township, taking into the city 
two rows of sections (twelve square miles). Cummins- 
ville has also been taken into the corporation of Cincin- 
nati, so that Mill Creek township proper now contains 
something less than twenty-two square miles. 

The surface of Mill Creek township is hilly in the 
western part, the level lands lying along the creek and to 
the east upon low hills. Of the grand old forests, be- 
neath whose shade the Indians roamed in freedom, not 
more than a thousand acres remain, the rest having been 
long since cleared away to give place to the farms, 
gardens, and busy corporations which cover the land. 

*The material for this chapter has been supplied very largely through 
the inteUigent industry of Thomas M. Dill, esq., of Carthage, and 
much of it is given in his own words. 



Soon after the organization of Hamilton county, in 
January, 1790, so great was the influx of pioneers and 
adventurers from abroad, that Cincinnati, cramped in by 
the towering hills, as the village was, could give neither 
employment nor subsistence to the people, and it became 
a practical question with many, whether to remain and 
starve in sight of Fort Washington or fight their way to 
the north, through woods, wolves, and Indians. Many 
chose the latter alternative, and the rapidity with "which 
the pioneers extended themselves north from Cincinnati 
to the Great Miami is easily accounted for. 

The campaigns of Harmar in 1790, of St. Clair in 
1 79 1, and of Wayne in 1794, were all planned in Cin- 
cinnati, and the expeditions were composed, to some ex- 
tent, of men from Columbia, Cincinnati, and North 
Bend, together with many from Kentucky. The soldiers 
went on foot and on horseback. The right wing of 
the armies extended as far east as the present Lebanon 
pike, while the centre and left wings moved north on the 
present Hamilton pike, reaching towards the west to 
Mill creek and to the foot of the hills beyond. Upon 
these e.xpeditions those who were fortunate enough to 
return had ample opportunity to acquaint themselves 
with the lay of farm lands, the supply of water for mill 
purposes, the location of springs and stone quarries, the 
best sites for buildings, natural means of defence; and 
also the shortest and safest communication with the 
parent settlements. So strongly did the beauty and ad- 
vantages of the Mill Creek valley impress the early sur- 
veyors, the hunters, and the soldiers, that within three 
years from the first landing at Columbia in 1788, Lud- 
low's station and mill, at the second crossing of Mill 
creek, with White's and Caldwell's block-houses and 
mills at Carthage, offered both protection and subsistence 
to all who were pushing towards the present sites of 
Hamilton and Dayton. 

A good notion, as to the rapid settlement of the town- 
ships north of those on the Ohio, may be gained from a 
few statements. In June, 1790, a force of one hundred 
and forty men landed at Cincinnati and commenced the 
erection of Fort Washington on the spot afterwards 
made classic by the bazaar of Mistress Trollope. In 
December of the same year General Harmar came with 
more troops, increasing the garrison to four hundred and 
forty, and these, with the "eleven famiUes and twenty- 
four batchelors," made up the population of the village. 
In 1798 (October 29th) Governor St. Clair gave notice 
to James Smith, sheriff of the county, requiring the free 
male inhabitants of the townships to meet and elect 
representatives to serve in the territorial assembly. This 



334 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



election was held on the third Monday in December of 
the same year, when four hundred and fifty-six voters 
were enrolled. 

In the governor's proclamation he slates that "suffi- 
cient proof has been given me that there is a much 
greater number than five thousand free male inhabitants" 
in the district. In the following year the population had 
increased so much as to entitle the people to two more 
representatives, and an election was held September 12, 
1799, at which five hundred and thirty-six votes were 
cast. From 1800 to 1805 Cincinnati's population in- 
creased two hundred, while near twenty-five thousand 
immigrants passed on into the upper counties. 

In 1840 the population of Mill Creek township was six 
thousand two hundred and forty-nine, and forty years 
later, at present date, it is but one thousand two hundred 
and thirty-five. 

Previous to 1810 the history of the people who inhab- 
ited Mill Creek township is inseparable from that of Cin- 
cinnati. Before the sales of lands by Judge Symmes, in 
what is now Mill Creek township, adventurers would slip 
out from Cincinnati, put up rude cabins, clear little 
patches of ground, make war on wolves and wildcats and 
maintain a precarious existence until driven back to 
shelter under Fort Washington. These hunters and 
squatters frequently entered parts of sections as ''actual 
volunteer settlers," and sometimes laid claim to the For- 
feit Corners by right of occupancy. As early as 1795 
purchasers from Symmes would find their deeds scoffed 
at by prior claimants, who had manufactured titles by 
starvation, peril, and perhaps blood-letting, which titles 
were assigned from one to another, until claim and pos- 
session were determined and given by the courts of law. 
Abstracts of title in the Miami purchase date back to 
the first sales by John Cleves Symmes, but from 1788 
until final purchasers received their deeds, perfected in 
full possession. Beyond the purchasers of the original 
Symmes sections in range two, township three, were 
many men and women who labored, suffered, and died 
in obscurity. Their lives were unwritten, and now, 
when the laborer's spade or ploughman's share turns out 
their skeletons, our inquiries start, but no answer will 
ever come to .tell us who they were. 

INCIDENTS OF EARLY HISTORY. 

Among the names which appear frequently in the his- 
tory of the Miami purchase, and upon the land records 
of Hamilton county, is that of Ludlow. The brothers, 
Israel and John, Ludlow, were prominent men in their 
day. Is rael Ludlow became surveyor, and a joint pro- 
prietor, in place of the unfortunate Filson, with Penman 
and Patterson, in laying out the village of Losantiville. 
He was captain of the Cincinnati militia in 1790-1, and 
his descendants are widely and reputably known. John 
Ludlow and family came from Buffalo to Cincinnati in 
November, 1789, occupying first a double-roomed log 
cabin on the northwest corner of Front and Main streets. 
The following year he became the first sheriff of the county, 
and in 1798 was elected to the first territorial legislature. 
The first e.xecution was done by Sheriff Ludlow, James 



Mays being the condemned man, and costs were allowed 
him by the commissioners, for "gallows, coffin, and grave- 
digging, fifteen pounds, eight shillings and nine pence." 
William D. Ludlow, son of Sheriff John Ludlow, com- 
municated to the writer of this, two or three incidents of 
early life, which are here given : 

I came to Cincinnati in 1789, when a boy five years old, and soon 
became used to the hardships, the frights, the incursions of savages_ 
and the tramp of soldiers, who were either drilling, going to, or return- 
ing from war. All persons were obliged in those days to be indus- 
trious, and I learned to work when quite a little boy. Sometimes I 
went to school, and the first master 1 knew was an Irishman by the 
name of Lloyd. His school-house was on the river bank, now the Pub- 
lic landing, near Main street. We children were sent to school on the 
safest side of the village. One day in the spring of 1791 the Indians 
came over the hill-tops right down in sight of the fort, and fired away, 
killing Henry Hahn, a Pennsylvanian, who was clearing a lot, My 
uncle Israel gave chase with his militia company but did not overtake 
them. Harmar's expedition did not intimidate the Indians, but made 
them worse; and while I was a boy in Cincinnati I saw armed men 
and soldiers every day, and heard Indian stories every night. 

When there was service in the village church I went with my parents, 
and every man was obliged to have his gun by his side. I remember 
once my father's colored man was sent up over the hills to look for our 
black mare, which had strayed away. The Indians had taken her from 
the outlot, and got away with her as far as where Ludlow grove now is. 
The thieving fellows had taken the bell from her neck to decoy those 
who should be sent after the mare. The darkey was led on and on by 
the tinkling bell, for he was one whom they would rather capture than 
kill. Feeling sure of him, they put the bell on the mare's neck, tethered 
her and secreted themselves. Just as he walked up the Indians jumped 
out after him, and the race began. The darkey was a good runner, 
and kept ahead of them to the top of Vine street hill, where the Indians 
gave up the pursuit. The darkey, however, improved his chances un- 
til he reached our house, where, pale with fright and gasping for breath , 
he shouted, " De black mare gone, gone ! Massa John, you neber see 
dat black mare any more, suah ! De Injuns got her !" 

I do not remember St. Clair's start on his campaign in 1791, but re- 
member the return, the arrival of the wounded, and the funeral of Cap- 
tain Darke, who died of his wounds in Isaac Martin's house, next to my 
father's. The turnout of the soldiers, the black pall, the colifin, the 
slow pace of those who carried his body, and the dead march sadly and 
solemnly affected me. 

The Indians were continually hanging around, watching along the 
Miamis, stealing from cabins and horse-lots, from Columbia to North 
Bend, and back in the country from the river, wherever any one had 
ventured to fix a stopping place. Once our horses were missing from 
the wood-lot. Pursuit was given at once by four men, Jrfin and James 
Spenser, John Adams, and Peter Cox. These were known as the 
"northwestern spies." Cox had a new rifle, and as they started Cox 
called out to my father: " 'Squire John, the Indians shall never get this 
rifle unless they kill me at the first fire." These men found the horses 
and Indians just north of Spring Grove cemetery, near Piatt Evans' 
house, and fired into them, killing two. The Indians returned the fire, 
disabling Cox. Knowing he could not escape from the twenty or more 
who came after him with a yell. Cox told his companions to go and save 
themselves. The last seen of Cox was with the muzzle of that new rifle 
in hand smashing it to flinders against a tree, as the savages closed 
upon him. In my school-boy days I used to pass that sugar tree and 
look upon the mutilated bark, where poor Cox had smashed the stock 
and lock of his gun the moment before the tomahawk fell upon him. 
While General Wayne was drilling his troops at "Hobson's Choice," 
preparatory to his campaign against the Indians, I was a frequent wit- 
ness of camp and field proceedings under the ii on-countenanced old 
general, and on Sundays I used to perch myself in the top of a beech 
tree and look down upon the sham battles below. 

General Wilkinson usually commanded the riflemen, who, as whoop- 
ing Indians, filled the woods, while Waynedirected oursoldiers. These 
sham battles were often exciting, and I shall never forget old Wayne's 
appearance, his warlike manner, and his stentorian profanity, which 
could be heard above the noise whenever anything displeased him. 
This year (1794) Wayne's army left the town, going up Main street, 
over the hill and up the Mill Creek valley, the footmen and horsemen 
crossing the central parts of Mill Creek and Springfield townships, the 
left wing passing over the present sites of Cumminsville, Spring Grove, 
Carthage, and Springdale. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



335 



Soon after the army left, my father moved his family out to the coun- 
try, at what is now known as Ludlow Grove, where my brother John 
so long resided. The ford here became known as Ludlow's ford, or 
the " Second Crossing of Mill Creek," as Wayne's army crossed here 
on the route to the "Third Crossing," at White's station, in northern 
Carthage. I was ten years old when we came to Ludlow's place, and 
soon learned that we were in an Indian country. Captain Jacob White, 
Thomas Gaudy, Sarah Freeman, Abby Cochrane, riding horseback, 
and several wagons came with us from town. These pushed on to- 
wards White's station, two miles above. In less than an hour we heard 
the cry, "Indians! Indians!!" and soon came those on horseback, to- 
gether with some running on foot. Thomas Gaudy, the lawyer, and 
the ladies mentioned, rode on by to Cincinnati, but Captain Wliite 
swung his hat, hurrahed for White's station, and left with a fighting 
party to attack the Indians. They reached the station, however, with- 
out seeing anything of the savages. In this affair two of our men were 
killed at the first fire, the Indians shooting from behind some burr oaks 
which stood on the west side of the road, close to a run, not many feet 
from the brick school-house which stands there now. The two men 
were buried just south of the stream, near Allen Huffman's present 
residence, and my father called the stream "Bloody Run,' which name 
it bears to this day.* The Indians were only stragglers who did not 
care to meet General Wayne. Like other guerilla parties, they preferred 
to straggle about and steal, watch the roads to the mills, fire into a sta- 
tion from safe distance, kill men, women, or children, pick up what the 
armies might have lost or thrown away, and make themselves trouble- 
some generally without getting killed or hurt. At one time they came 
to my father's house in the middle of the night, and tried to force an 
entrance. Our seven men inside stood ready,' with weapons in hand to 
receive them; our dogs outside attacked them, dividing their attention 
and skill. After failing to pry open the doors, they left. 

Shortly after this they stole our only good horse and five broken-down 
pack-horses. One afternoon the men had been rolling up log- heaps for 
burning, which my father and I fired in the evening. After the men 
had gone up the ladder to bed in the loft they saw seven Indians about 
the log-heaps, but a rifle-shot among them sent them off in a hurry. 

Notwithstanding Wayne's victory in August, 1794, these depreda- 
tions continued for months afterwards. A party attacked White's sta- 
tion and were repulsed, leaving several of their dead in sight of the 
station. I saw some of their swollen bodies on the north side of Mill 
creek, soon after the fight. They lay in the bottom land west of the 
Miami aqueduct, near the ford, and were partially covered with stalks, 
weeds, and earth. One lay with his head pillowed on the root of a 
tree ; by his side was a new rifle, and on his bosom was tipped up a 
piece of looking-glass, reflecting his dead face. Few persons of to-day 
can form any just conception of our constant apprehension, -our con- 
stant sense of danger in those days. My father made it a rule for each 
of his men to have his rifle loaded and in hand on going out in the 
morning, and the supply of ammunition was to be constantly attended 
to. The plowman carried his gun on his back ; the man with the hoe 
placed his gun from time to time against the first tree ahead, and when 
engaged rolling or raising logs, sentinels were placed in the outskirts to 
prevent surprises. 

The narrator of the foregoing was one of the best men 
that ever lived — truthful, honest, kind and obliging. In 
early life he was united in marriage with an estimable 
woman, Cha rlotte Hand , by whom he had twelve chil- 
dren, but few of whom are now alive. His wife dying in 
1846, he was afterwards married to Mrs. Abigail Bonnell, 
one of the pioneer women who came to Columbia in 
early days. With Abigail he lived happily during the re- 
mainder of his life. William D. Ludlow was industrious 
until the infirmities of age forbade longer labor. His 
last years were devotedly given to work in the Christian 
church at Carthage, where, by pastoral work, by prayer 
and exhortation, he endeared himself not only to the 
congregation, but to all who knew him. He fell dead on 
a street of Carthage in 1863, aged seventy-nine years. 
His last words were spoken to Mrs. Elizabeth Bonnell, a 
moment before he fell. "Good morning. Sister Eliza- 

*Tn later years, while making improvements here, two skeletons, supposed to 
be those of the murdered men, were e.xhumed by the workmen. 



beth," said he; "I'm just taking a morning walk — never . 
felt better, and enjoy the sunshine. My work for life is 
about done; my house is in order, and I am ready to go 
whenever the Master shall call." A moment after, he fell 
dead. His remains lie in the cemetery at Reading, close 
to the grave of his friend and Christian brother, James 
Dill. They had previously chosen their last resting- 
places, and now sleep together. 

Among the earliest to break the forest in Mill Creek 
township were the Columbia schoolmaster, Jo hn Re ily, 
and his companions. He bought his tract of land, com- 
prising'^part of the present site of Carthage, in 1791, but 
did not associate himself with Pryor and others for im- 
provements in this region until 1793. The short story of 
their attempt in the wilderness is thus told in the sketch 
of the life of Mr. Reily, in McBride's Pioneer Biography: 

Their land being entirely in timber, they spent the first week in mak- 
ing a small clearing and building a rough shanty, and the second in 
digging a well. They then continued clearing their land. Their horses 
were stolen by the Indians, but, not discouraged, they procured others 
and continued their improvements. After some time Mr. Pryor, in 
company with two other men, engaged to make a trip from Fort Wash- 
ington to Fort Hamilton, with provisions, on pack-horses, the usual 
mode of transportation in those days. On their way they encamped on 
a branch of Pleasant run, four miles south of Hamilton. ... In 
the morning they were attacked by the Indians, and Mr. Prior was 
killed. 

Mr. Reily was so discouraged by the death of his as- 
sociate that he stopped his improvements and returned 
to teaching in Columbia, removing afterwards to Cincin- 
nati, and finally to Hamilton, where he died. We shall 
hear more of the Pryor family when the history of Spring- 
field township comes to be related. 

A belief in witchcraft, singularly strong and persistent, 
prevailed in parts of the Mill creek to a comparatively 
recent day. About the year 1814 a wealthy and respect- 
able family resided on the creek and owned a number of 
fine horses, some of which died of a strange and unac- 
countable distemper. No remedy for it could be found, 
and the conclusion was arrived at that they were killed 
by witchcraft. A sharp lookout was consequently kept 
for sorcerers or fortune-tellers, and means were taken to 
punish them, if any there were, by boiling certain herbs 
and other ingredients over a hot fire in a cauldron, with 
pins and needles, which were believed to prick the witch 
or wizard, at however great a distance. While a mess of 
this disinfection was boiling furiously at the residence 
aforesaid, the head of the household happened to take a 
view from a door which overlooked a large part of the 
farm, and saw his daughter-in-law at the moment hasten- 
ing from her cabin, about a quarter of a mile from the 
house, to a spring, for a bucket of water. His excited 
imagination at once connected her movements with his 
calamities and incantations, and he ordered his son to 
remove his family from the farm. He suspected an old 
and feeble woman named Garrison, residing eight or ten 
miles from his place, to be the author of all his troubles ; 
and, having been advised to shoot a silver bullet into the 
next distempered horse he had, which would kill the 
witch and cure the animal, he prepared one and shot it 
presently into a very fine brood mare which was affected 
with the disease. Contrary to his expectations, the shot 



336 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



killed the beast; but, as Mrs. Garrison also died soon 
after, it was finally believed by some that his silver bullet 
had brought her to her death. 

EARLY INDUSTRIES. 

Thomas Goudy, esq., the Cincinnati lawyer mentioned 
in the Indian story, had a flouring mill on the creek, 
whose capabilities and facilities for work he set forth in 
a long advertisement in the Western Spy and Hamilton 
Gazette for May 15, 1799, closing as follows; 

As to disposition of business, I need say no more than that Mr. 
Jessup had three and one-half bushels ground on her [sic] in precisely 
eight minutes. I hope to gain a general custom, but she is absolutely 
idle for want of work at present. 

From the same region, forty years afterwards, as Mr. 
Cist notes, a surplus of three hundred thousand barrels 
of flour was sent annually to New Orleans. 

Some time before 1826, Duvall's paper mills, owned in 
Cincinnati, were in operation at Mill Grove, presumably 
in the Mill Creek territory. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

James Sisson, Robert Menie, Abraham Wilson, James 
Lyon, Joseph McDowell, 1819; Robert Menie, John 
Ludlow, Bela Morgan, Jacob Stewart, 1825; Jacob Stew- 
art, John Ludlow, John Burgoyne, Nathaniel Williams, 
1829; Enoch Jacobs, William Bowman, E. P. Joseph, 
1865; Bowman, Joseph, John A. Rudel, 1866; Joseph, 
Rudel, Henry Erchel, 1867-8; Joseph, Erchel, J. C. 
Cross, 1869-70; Joseph, 1871-2; Samuel Kemper, 1873-5; 
A. C. Kaylor, Elon Strong, 1876-8; Kaylor, J. N. Skell- 
man, 1879; Kaylor, Solomon Tice, 1880. 

RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 

After the erection of the First Presby terian church in 
Cincinnati (1792), religious services at or near the out- 
posts were only such as fathers or mothers conducted in 
their families, or when, upon appointment, a few would 
meet at the rude home of a neighbor to listen to a wan- 
dering preacher, who, with Bible, hymn-book, and rifle, 
was going through the forest wilds to gather together the 
Lord's people. Previous to the year 1800 very many 
had never listened to a sermon by a regular preacher, 
except at a funeral. When peace was practically acknowl- 
edged after Wayne's treaty, the preachers rode or walked 
ftom post to post, from cabin to cabin; and meetings 
began to be held once a month, or once in three months 
with something of regularity. The early preachers made 
themselves known at the country weddings, at the bed- 
sides of the sick and dying, at the solemnities of the 
grave, and at the "big meetings" which were held for 
days at a time, and in the woods, when the weather per- 
mitted. Some of these preachers are remembered by 
the children of those who first attended the services in 
Hamilton county, and a few of the names here given have 
deservedly found their places in the ecclesiastical annals 
of the country. Among these were the Rev. Messrs. 
Rice, Kemper, Smith, Burke, Wilson, Robinson, Root, 
Simonton, Stone, Lyon, Graves, Cavender, Wetherby, 
Challen, O'Kane, Scott, Dudley, Worley, and Runseler. 

In connection with Mill Creek township, which was a 
part of Cincinnati township until 1810, it may be said 



that the membership of the different denominations in 
that year was less than one hundred. Fifteen years later 
— that is, in 1825 — the following representation was made 
by the several agents at the distribution of the ministerial 
fund : 

MEMBERS. 

Methodist Episcopal church, William D. Ludlow, 73 

Presbyterian church, James Lyon, 62 

Christian church, William Snodgrass 22 

Baptist church, Thomas Cooper, 14 

in all one hundred and seventy-one members, to whom 
was allowed from the fund fifty-one dollars and thirty 
cents, or thirty cents a member. 

In 1835 distribution of the fund was made as follows 
to the church agents: 

MEMBERS. 

Methodist church, A. L. Cook 24 

Lane seminary, Presbyterian, James Lyon 26 

Christian church, John Ludlow 99 

Walnut Hills Presbyterian church, E. G. Kemper, 14 

Baptist church, ^ohn H. Davis, 15 

Methodist church, Elijah Wood, 125 

in all three hundred and three members, to whom was 
allowed one hundred and fifty dollars and fifty cents. 
In 1850-1 the church lists showed the following: 

MEMBERS. 

Methodist Episcopal church, Fulton, E. H. Filmore 246 

Christian church, Fulton, A. D. Filmore, 46 

Walnut Hills Presbyterian church, F. A. Kember 37 

Asbury Methodist Episcopal, Cincinnati, John C. Nye loi 

Walnut Hills Methodist Episcopal church, W. H. Wheeler 17 

Baptist church, Lockland, David McFarland 7 

Christian Church, Carthage, John H. Sheehan 61 

Presbyterian church, Mt. Healthy, William Cary 77 

Christian church, West Fork, William T. Roller 50 

Methodist Episcopal church, Cumminsville, J. G. Smith 44 

Reformed Presbyterian church, Archibald Burns, 6 

Presbyterian church, Cincinnati, J. C. Clopper 23 

Presbyterian church, Reading, A. Ruffner, 9 

Methodist Episcopal church, Carthage, A. L. Cook 31 

in all seven hundred and seventy-five members. This 
number shows very nearly the total of professed religion- 
ists in the township, being less than the real number, in- 
asmuch as there were some others who, not having organ- 
ized churches, did not apply for the ministerial aid. 

As before stated, the first services were conducted in 
private dwellings, in barns, in school-houses, and often in 
the woods. The beautiful groves at Carthage, its easy 
approaches by the old beaten roads, its accommodations 
and hospitalities, made it the great rallying place for the 
Methodists, the Campbellites, as they were called, the 
Millerites, and some others; ?.nd, from the earliest times 
to late years, Carthage was known for its religious gather- 
ings, as well as for its political meetings, horse races, 
fairs, and militia musters. 

Soon after Alexander Campbell became known as a 
leader, some of his adherents found their way to Mill 
Creek township, and about 1830 the Rev. Messrs. Camp- 
bell, Stone, Challen, and others began to visit and preach 
throughout the neighborhood. Meetings were held in 
the Carthage school-house, in Solomon Rogers' barn, in 
Smalley's woods (now Schmucker's), and in 1832 a band 
of fourteen enrolled themselves under the leadership of 
Walter Scott, a colaborer with Campbell in the work of 
tearing down human creeds and building up churches on 



H. ATTEMEYER. 



Henry Attemeyer was born in Horstl, Prussia, in 
the year 1806. Having a desire to seethe New 
World, he left his native place and sailed for New 
York, where he landed, after an uneventful voyage, 
in the year 1837. From New York city Mr. Atte- 
meyer went to Michigan, where he remained for 
nearly two years. In 1842 he came to Cincinnati, 
and commenced work as a stone-mason, in the cel- 
lars of the buildings 
on Pearl street. At 
this time he was 
moneyless ; but cheer- 
ed by the encourag- 
ing words of an excel- 
lent wife he went to 
work on low wages, 
and soon became 
known for his intel- 
ligence, industry, and 
correct business 
From day-labor and 
small wages, Mr. Atte- 
meyer soon turned his 
abilities to contracts, 
big buildings and the 
gains which, by hon- 
esty and persevering 
industry, make a man 
rich. 

In the year 1845 
he contracted for the 
material and stone- 
work of St. John's 
church, on Green 
street, and this job 
being soon satisfactorily disposed of, Mr. At- 
temeyer increased his facilities for larger opera- 
tions, and became at once a reputable contractor, 
builder and manager. Among other buildings, too 
numerous to be mentioned here, reference must be 
made to the sub-structures of the Carlisle buildings, 
Burnet house, Jewish synagogue, numerous build- 
ings on Pearl and other streets, and the house of 




refuge at Camp Washington. The latter is one of 
the most magnificent stone structures, and in sub- 
stantiality and finish is comparable with the best 
known edifices in the State. Having done his work 
well, established a splendid reputation, and accumu- 
lated a hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Attemeyer 
retired from business. To St. Bernard, north of 
Cincinnati, he removed some sixteen years ago 
where, with his aged 
wife and children, he 
is now resting in the 
enjoyment of the good 
things of earth. A 
Democrat on State 
and National con- 
troversies, Mr. Atte- 
meyer cares not for 
party restrictions or 
piejudices in local af- 
fairs, arid in the town- 
ship, county and 
corporation elections, 
always votes for the 
best man. 

In religion, as in 
politics, he is always 
liberal with those who 
do not entirely agree 
with him ; and devot- 
edly attached to the 
Catholic church, he is 
a defender of that 
faith with a kindly re- 
gard for the opinions 
of his neighbors, and 
is perfectly willing for any person to go to Heaven 
who wants to go — and can get there. With no 
enemies, but many friends, Mr. Attemeyer's fine 
residence and improved grounds, his genial man- 
ners and generous hospitalities are attractions 
which make this suburban house the resort of 
many friends and place of pleasant visits by many 
from abroad. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



337 



the New Testament. Walter Scott was a scholar, editor, 
and impassioned speaker; he was industrious and coura- 
geous, and proclaiming a new order of things, and haling 
men and women from the centre to the four quarters of 
Mill Creek township, he threw the denominational camps 
into consternation. Without requiring anything of can- 
didates beyond confession of faith in Jesus and a promise 
of good behavior, he proceeded by day and night to 
baptize his converts in Mill creek or the Miami canal. 
Mr. Scott preached incessantly, printed the Evangelist, 
and in 1832 had a comfortable brick meeting-house built, 
a corps of capable church officers, and a large congrega- 
tion. Among the first who joined hands with Walter 
Scott, may be mentioned a few names which appear else- 
where in the county's history : Solomon Rogers, the first 
bishop, and Mrs. Rogers; William Myers and Richard 
Dillino, first deacons, with their wives; Adaline Hubbell, 
and Eraeline Ross; Thomas Wright and wife; Elijah 
Brady and wife; Mr. Stephens and wife; Hezekiah 
Woods and wife; John Ludlow and wife. After these 
came, as officers, bishops, deacons, and teachers, Robert 
Richardson, Harvey Fairchild, James and Samuel Dill, 
William Thomas, James McCash, Solomon Niles, John 
McCammon, Benjamin Watkins, Isaac Bruin, Daniel 
Riggs, John Sheehan, William and Louis Pinkerton; 
also, to assist in church work, sisters Abigail Bonnell, E. 
Swift, Mary McCammon, Sarah Rodgers, Sarah Scott, 
and Hettie Ludlow. 

In the words of the church scribe (Robert Richardson, 
afterwards a professor at Bethamy college, Virginia), "as 
the word of the Lord prevailed, many were added to the 
church." The words of the historian were true; the 
congregation prospered, and remains to this day, in faith 
and practice, with the children of the pioneers. In this 
old church the Millerites proclaimed the end of the world, 
and in 1842 pitched their tents in the adjacent grounds 
and, posting their proclamations and pictures on the trees 
and rocks, awaited the fulfilment of their vain expecta- 
tions. 

This place lies in two townships, having the larger part, 
one hundred and fifty-five acres in Mill Creek and Car- 
thage, but fifty-eight (two hundred and thirteen in all) in 
Springfield township. It had one thousand and seven 
inhabitants by the census of 1880. In 1818 Edward 
White, sometimes called Edward III, laid out the village 
of Carthage, on the "forfeit corner" of section twelve, 
in the northeast part of Mill Creek township. The re- 
corded plat is dated December 23, 1815. In the previ- 
ous year Levi Frazee had sold the east forty-six acres of 
the forfeit corner to Captain Jacob White for six hundred 
and fifty dollars, who immediately disposed of it to Ed- 
ward for the same sum, six hundred and fifty dollars. 
The next year the town was laid out and the lots ad- 
vertised for sale. It was then bounded east by Dayton 
street, south by Deerfield and' west by the Hamilton 
road, which then bore a little east of north, on the 
beaten track of St. Clair's and Wayne's armies, which 
passed north from Fort Washington in the years 1791 
and 1793. The north boundary of the town plat was 
the east and west line between the townships of Mill 



Creek and Springfield, established in 1809-10. Previ- 
ous to 1815 White's mill, on Mill creek, just above the 
town, and Griffin's Station, on the west near by, were as 
well known in the early days as Columbia or North 
Bend. These mills and stations were the principal 
places for safety and supplies between the Miamis north 
of Cincinnati. A wagon road connected Whites Station 
with Columbia, crossing Harmar's trace one mile south- 
east of the present village; another led east to Covalt's 
Station, on the Little Miami; and another road, on the 
old Indian trail, passed near Griffin's (Caldwell's Mill), 
westward to the Great Miami, and on to North Bend. 
This road connected almost directly with Dunlap's or 
Colerain Station on the Great Miami. Between White's 
and Griffin's Stations (in upper Carthage), passed the 
great road from Fort Hamilton, southward to Ludlow's 
Station (North Cumminsville), and thence to Cincinnati. 

Limited space prevents, in this place, a digression up- 
on the natural advantages of the Mill Creek valley 
around White's and Griffin's; and the names of those 
who first fought the red men here, who first cleared the 
forest away, must also be passed reluctantly over. The 
names of the greater landholders will, however, lead to 
important dates. The present corporate limits of the 
town enclose the corners of four sections, six and twelve 
in Mill Creek township, and one and seven in Spring- 
field. Section seven, the northwest corner of the pres- 
ent corporation, was entered by warrant in 1792, by 
David Griffin, and in the same year Griffin also entered 
section one, in behalf of Jacob White. Section six, 
(Mill Creek), was entered in 1789 by Samuel Bonnell, 
Moses Pryor locating on the "forfeit corner" of said sec- 
tion. The same year David Tuttle recorded his warrant 
for section twelve (Mill Creek); and soon after we find 
Richard S. Clark vacating the "forfeit corner" of said 
section twelve because of a debt which he owed to John 
Vance, who established his claim thereupon. 

In close relation to the four mentioned, Daniel Grif- 
fin, Jacob White, Samuel Bonnell and David Tuttle, ap- 
pear the names of James Henry, Joseph John Henry, 
Israel Shreve, Moses and Luther Kitchel, Henry Run- 
yan, James Mott, Silas Condit, Robert Harper, Darius 
C. Orcutt, John Brazier, Daniel Cooper, Samuel-Martin, 
Moses Pryor, Samuel Dunn, Stephen Flinn, Caleb Camp, 
James Flinn, Richard Hawkins, Zebulon Foster, Jacob 
Dungan, Edward and Amos White, James Caldwell, Wil- 
liam Ludlow, Benjamin Ludlow, Robert and Richard Dill, 
Samuel Williams, Silas Halsey, John Wallace, Andrew 
Goble, James Winans, James Cunningham, and some 
others, who, though not crowded uncomfortably close, 
were neighbors and frequenters of White's and Caldwell's 
Mills. These men were mostly land owners, holding en- 
tire sections, halves, or quarters, on "forfeit corners." 
The Whites were a numerous family, as were also the 
Flinns, while the Ludlows had located claims through- 
out the Symmes purchase. Many of the names above 
are no longer continued on the county records, and have 
vanished from the memory of the living. 

There were one hundred and fifty-two lots sold to fifty 
eight different purchasers. Many of these purchasers 



338 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



never resided in the village, and, as some disappeared 
before the town was much improved, only a few names 
are given of those who bought lots, remained, and built 
up the place. 

Archibald Burns took thirty-eight lots, put up a fine 
residence, and built a factory and machine shop. 

John Brecount bought four lots, and built and ke|5t the 
first public house, known as the Mansion house. 

John Evans took several lots, and was known as the 
first resident bricklayer in Carthage. 

Sidney and Ephraim Knowlton were early pork mer- 
chants and storekeepers, and were afterwards in the canal 
business. Their boat, the first one here, was "The Han- 
nibal, of Carthag-e." 

Benjamin Irwin, property holder and first storekeeper, 
at the corner of Fourth and Main streets. 

Leicester Nichols and James Hefferman, were the first 
carpenters. 

John Shanklin was the first wagonmaker. He died in 
a few years, and was followed in the same business, in 
1829, by Richard Rancevaw, who still resides in the vil- 
lage. 

The Millers — Isaac, Thomas, and Adam — were early 
residents, owned property, and had a saddler-shop on 
Hamilton street. 

Rev. Isaac Ferris was the preacher from Duck creek; 
and Solomon Rogers, a retired, wealthy steamboat cap- 
tain, was also ever engaged in good works. Mr. Rogers 
established a silk cocoonery, and endeavored to develop 
the silk business, but failed in the enterprise. He im- 
proved his property, however, and did much for the vil- 
lage. 

Andrew Smalley owned thnty-five lots, kept the Clifton 
house (afterwards Belser's tavern), was the first postmas- 
ter, encouraged the county fairs, and delighted in horse 
racing. 

Joel Tucker and Nathaniel Williams were blacksmiths 
on Main street. Their successors in iron working were 
Messrs. Burns, Castner, and Tucker. 

The Townsends — James, John, and Pernal — were 
coopers and carpenters. 

The Williams family — Nathaniel, Miles and Martha — 
were lot owners. 

In 1821 Thomas McCammon & Sons, from Cincin- 
nati, came to the neighborhood, and are remembered 
as the first cabinetmakers. 

At this time (182 1), there were only a dozen houses 
in White's Carthage, and but five or six in sight west of 
the village. These were the houses of Major James 
Caldwell, Richard Dill, Abram Wilson, and Thomas Mc- 
Cammon, and the Bull's Head tavern, south of Wilson's, 
on the Hamilton road. 

In 1826 Samuel Caldwell made an addition of seventy 
lots, on the west side of Hamilton road, opposite old 
Carthage, the same year that the Miami canal was cut 
through the east side of the village. Many strangers 
came to the place, some bought lots, many new houses 
were put up, and the town began to present an appear- 
ance of thrift and prosperity. The children, who had 
been attending an old time school far below the village. 



in what is now South Elmwood, were better accommo- 
dated in a comfortable brick school-house, east of the 
canal, at the corner of Second and Mill streets. This 
was one of the first three brick buildings at that time in 
the neighborhood, and remained standing until recently, 
when modern demands put it away for the more preten- 
tious school edifices which are" now conspicuous in 
Carthage. 

For a while church services were occasionally held at 
private residences, or in the school-houses, or groves; 
but in 1832 the Christian church, organized by Walter 
Scott, built a brick meeting-house on the corner of Jack- 
son and Fourth streets, whereon the new edifice, erected 
in 1878, now stands. The first ofificers of this church, co- 
workers with Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott, were 
Solomon Rogers, William Myers, Richard Dillino, Heze- 
kiah Wood, Elijah Brady, and John Ludlow. Dr. Rich- 
ardson, later a professor at Bethany college, was clerk of 
the church. In connection with this church a Lord's 
Day school was established; and the names of the first 
verse reciters — children then, old men and women now — 
who memorized and recited twelve thousand three hun- 
dred and ten verses, are here given, as worthy a place in 
the history of Carthage and its neighborhood : 

Noah Wright, Stephen Dillino, Boyd Thomas, William 
Evans, James Harvey, Boyd Dillino, John Scott, Isaac 
Chase, William Hefferman, Thomas Wright, David Pigg, 
Nelson Derby, Ephraim Knowlton, Jonathan, John, and 
Benjamin Bonnell, William Scott, Isabella McCammon, 
Ansenith Harvey, Mary Thomas, Elizabeth and Emehne 
Dill, Emily Scott, Charlotte Myers, Elizabeth Wright, 
Lucinda Chase, Joanna Bonnell, Isabella Felter, Louisa 
Mayhew, Sarah Flinn, Elizabeth Pigg, Caroline Riggs, 
and Emily Baldrick. 

Many of them are still alive, though widely separated. 
Their parents and grandparents were among those who 
landed at Columbia, Cincinnati, or North Bend, in the 
earlier days. One of those named, Jonathan Bonnell, is 
now leader of the choir in the village church, a place 
he has filled almost continuously for forty-five years. 

The instruction of the common .school was supple- 
mented in private schools by that of the academic, 
wherein mathematics, philosophy, Latin, Greek, painting, 
and music, were taught, and good students made. 

Walter Scott edited and published a paper in the vil- 
lage, and, being a notable orator in things divine, classes 
were formed in theology, under his direction, and at least 
a respectable number of professional writers and speakers 
of to-day date the beginnings of scholarship and goodness 
to the classical and religious instruction received in Car- 
thage fifty years ago. 

Among the early teachers were Messrs. Armitage, Mat- 
thews, Wheelock, Wood, Wiley, Jehial Woodworth, Isaac 
Goodwin, William Pinkerton, Providence White, Mrs. 
Sophia Wright, Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Eliza McFarland, 
Ehzabeth J. Dill, and Flavius Josephus Hough — all pre- 
vious to 1850. Of all these the longest and best known 
of the village teachers was Mrs. Eliza McFarland, who, 
in a long experience of thirty-five years, taught two gen- 
erations — the childrens' children — and, in 1877, at the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



339 



age of seventy-five, closed life's labors beloved by all who 
knew her. 

Going back to the days of the first school-house (1830) 
wherein occasional church services were held, it appears 
that Anthony Cook and wife were industrious workers in 
behalf of early Methodism in the place. They conducted 
a litde Sunday-school, entertained itinerant preachers, 
labored for the establishment of their church, and are re- 
membered as pioneer Methodists in Carthage — only re- 
membered, the writer is obliged to say, for the most 
industrious inquiry fails to obtain anything of recorded 
facts. The cause, however, for which the first Method- 
ists labored, did not fail, although the church never 
numbered more than a few, and the services have 
not always been continuous to the present day. About 
the year 1850 a neat meeting-house was erected on East 
Second street, opposite the old brick school-house, and 
herein was formed the little society of the Methodist 
Episcopal church in Carthage. The building of the 
house was largely the work of John K. Green, esq., who, 
with his family, regularly attended for years, taking an 
active part in the Sunday-schools and in the revivals 
which occurred from time to time. Mr. Cook and Mr. 
Green were wealthy, and contributed freely to the sup- 
port of the church. With their names are associated 
Godfrey Peters and family, William Gibson and wife, 
Henderson Warner and wife Rosanna, Caleb Thayer and 
wife, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Ludlum, John Sweeney 
and wife, Miss Hannah Radcliffe, Mrs. Maria Wilson, 
Henry Hart and family, and a few others. Death and 
removal have taken away nearly all of these, so that not 
one of the early Methodists remains a worshipper in the 
congregation. At present the Rev. Mr. White conducts 
Sunday night services, and a Sunday-school in the morn- 
ing is well attended. It is much regretted that no 
records of this church can be found. 

In 1869 the Catholics, by Archbishop John B. Purcell, 
purchased the block on the northeast corner of Fourth 
and Lebanon streets, and put up a neat church edifice, 
with rooms for a school. The total cost of lots and 
house was ten thousand dollars. The trustees were Ed- 
mund Oberle, John Bickers, and Henry Lammers. The 
church was formally opened and dedicated in 1869 by 
the archbishop and numerous assistants, after which 
Father John Allbrinck was installed as the local priest. 
After him came priests Henry Recken, Benjamin Broer- 
ing, and Henry Brinkmeier, the last in 1879. Father 
Brinkmeier recently took charge of the convent west of 
the village, and the church and school of St. Borromeo 
are now under the control of the Franciscan Fathers. 
The communicants number about sixty, the day school 
thirty, the latter being managed by two of the Sisters. 

In 1871 John W. Sprung and John H. Eggers donated 
the lots on the northeast corner of Sixth and Lockland 
avenue to the society of German Protestants, and a 
church building and a pastor's residence have been fin- 
ished thereon. The congregation numbers forty, and 
the Sunday-school fifty. The Rev. Mr. Baura is now the 
resident minister. 

Previous to the establishment of schools and churches 



the people entertained themselves much with shooting- 
matches; firing at turkeys at sixty and one hundred yards, 
county fairs, and horse races also commanded full atten- 
tion. The first race track was on the township line, east 
and west, between Springfield and Mill creek, from 
western Carthage, near Dill's, to the hill on the east, 
where the grounds join Morris' grove. This was a line 
well known, and still not known, to numerous lawyers 
and surveyors, who almost yearly measure, calculate, 
and wrangle over the property rights on both sides of the 
line. The Miami canal cut this track in two in 1826, 
when another was laid out from Knowlton's corner, at 
the Second street bridge, northward to White's station 
on Mill creek. After this Smalley's track, on what is 
now Major Caldwell's farm, became a noted place for 
races and militia musters. On these first tracks, in early 
times, the boys coming to Caldwell's and White's mills, 
used to speed their "quarter nags," furnishing a good 
deal of amusement and occasional opportunity for 
"chances" and "odds," with money attached. 

Here racers and riders became famous; the political 
conventions and fairs drew large crowds, and the place 
acquired a wide reputation for good displays, hospitable 
entertainments, and horse races. "Old Smalley" was a 
noted equine practitioner; so, also, were Hamer, Hutch- 
inson, Coffeen, Stubbs, and Wade. Among the riders, 
"Jockey" Pryor and Shep Smalley were up in reputa- 
tion, and when a youngster got a "whip-around" on 
Kenton, Yankee Tom, or Deacon Wade's horse. Orphan 
Boy, he gained an enviable notoriety. While many per- 
sons came to see the governors of Ohio, Indiana, Ken- 
tucky, and Illinois, who were often here, and to listen to 
the speeches of Colonel Dick Johnson, General Harri- 
son, Henry Clay, Bellamy Storer, Tom Corwin, Duncan, 
and other celebrities, it was plain that excitements on the 
track and discussions on blooded stock had much to do 
in persuading attendance. 

In Smalley's stables, and for many years later in Bel- 
ser's and Vankirk's, good horses were kept the year 
round, and when Kentuckians chanced across to talk 
about speed and put up the money on their horses, they 
were generally accommodated, and the nags put upon 
the track. 

As an index to the crowds who came to the first Car- 
thage entertainments, it may be stated that the stables at 
Belser's and Vankirk's were always ready for the accom- 
modation of a thousand horses, and the tavern tables, in 
order the year round, were ready on short notice for as 
many horsemen or hungry politicians. These races and 
old-time fairs continued up to 1850-4, when they gave 
place to the modern expositions and trotting races on the 
Hamilton County fair grounds, in northern Carthage. 
The later fairs commenced in 1854-5 by the purchase of 
extensive grounds and the erection of expensive amphi- 
theatres. They are fully set forth in the printed reports 
of the County Agricutural society. 

The more tragic history of Carthage begins with the 
killing of Moses Pryor and his two children, by the In- 
dians, in 1792-3, and the murder of the pack-horsemen 
at Bloody run, just south of the present village, in 1793. 



34° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Edward White, the founder of the place, was killed at 
Galena, Illinois, while acting as an arbitrator, about 
1840. His decision was adverse to one Dr. Stoddard, 
who drew a pistol and shot him dead. 

Lewis Bonnell was killed by the fall of a tree in 1831. 

Two boys, named Swift and Robinson, skating on the 
canal, were drowned in 183 1, below Second street. 

An unknown man, taking shelter in a hollow tree was 
killed by lightning in 1845. 

In 1846 the stage was overturned in Mill creek, and 
one child was drowned. 

Charles Hughes, while swimming in the creek, west of 
Third street, was drowned in 1847. 

In 1853 a stranger stopped over night at Mr. Fowler's, 
upper Main street, and was found sitting on the front 
stove plate in the morning, dead. 

James , also an unknown man, drowned his 

sister and horse accidently at the ford above the village 
in 1854. 

A fast woman and fast horse were drowned by a care- 
less driver at the Hamilton Street bridge, in 1854. 

Mr. Huber was drowned in the creek near by, in 1855. 

In the same year two men, a fireman and section 
hand, were killed by the cars on the Cincinnati, Hamil- 
ton & Dayton railroad, one at the depot the other below. 

Mr. Chumley, an old man tired of life, put himself on 
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton track, and was killed, 
in 1858. 

A brakeman on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton 
railroad was killed at the bridge above the depot,- in 1861. 

About 1853-58 four men, all unknown, were drowned, 
on as many different Sundays, in the same place where 
the woman and horse lost their lives in 1854. 

William D. Ludlow, the pioneer, dropped dead near 
Jackson and Third streets in 1862. Mr. Ludlow was at 
this time the second husband of Abigail Ludlow, whose 
first husband, Lewis Bonnell, was killed by a falling tree 
in 1831. 

A driver of a mule team, from the camp in upper 
Carthage, was killed by being run over by a wagon in 
front of Southwell's blacksmith shop in 1863. 

In the same year Mrs. Susan Ramsdale fell dead near 
Third and Lebanon streets. 

In 1863, when Mrs. Dugan (mother of Susan Rams- 
dale, just mentioned) saw the young man killed 1n front 
of Southwell's shop, she said: "Let ray death be just as 
sudden." A few days afterwards she was thrown from 
her wagon and instantly killed. 

An unknown man, hit with a stone, was killed near 
the corner of Third and Lebanon streets. It was done 
by a man now in the penitentiary, whose name is not 
remembered. 

In 1864, Mrs. Mary Eliza Ewing, but recently married 
then, was thrown from her carriage at the corner of Fifth 
and Jackson streets, and instantly killed. 

Oscar Musser, engaged in the camp here in 1864, was 
kicked by a horse and died immediately after. 

Mrs. Mary Dill, widow of Richard Dill, an early set- 
tler, was found dead in her bed in 1863. Aged ninety 
years. 



Miles Riggs, while engaged in pleasant conversation, 
died instantly, in 1868. 

Caleb Thayer was found dead in his own cistern in 
1868, a supposed suicide. 

Hiram Sloop was tired of life and hanged himself in 
his own room, at the corner of Jackson and Anthony 
streets, in 1869. 

Mrs. Ann Vankirk was found in the canal, near Centre 
street, in 1870; also a supposed suicide. 

Mrs. Philip Foltz, standing at her front gate with her 
baby in her arms, engaged in conversation with a neigh- 
bor, fell instantly dead, in 1873. 

A boy named Norton was drowned in Mill creek, near 
Centre street, in 1876. 

Rachel Carrico dropped dead at the depot, on West 
Second street, in 1876. 

A child, parents unknown, was found dead on the tow- 
path side of the Miami aqueduct, in 1878. 

John Nutts was found dead in a sandbank, al the 
corner of Fifth street and the canal, in 1879. 

Adolphus Dill was killed by the cars on the Dayton 
Short Line railroad, in 1879. 

James Fitzpatrick, a school boy, was drowned near 
Sixth street and the canal, in an ice-pond, in 1879. 

Benjamin Tegeder, in trying to recover his brother 
from under the ice, was himself drowned, near the Cin- 
cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton bridge, on Sunday, Decem- 
ber 12, 1880. 

The foregoing narrative is exclusive of the casualties 
within or connected with the numerous public institu- 
tions around Carthage. 

The soldiers from Carthage who volunteered in the 
late war were: 

Alcorn, Fielding, in the cavalry, a prisoner four months. 

Bonnell, Warren, cavalry. 

Bowen, Putnam, cavalry. 

Calden, Jerry, infantry, wounded at Rich Mountain. 

Castner, Peter, gunboat service. 

Castner, Jonathan, gunboat service. 

Curtis, James, cavalry. 

Curtis, Morton, gunboat service. 

Dooley, William, infantry, wounded at Perryville, Kentucky. 

Dillano, Samuel, infantry, taken prisoner at Stone River. 

Dorman, John, wounded at Vicksburgh on the gunboat Carondelet. 

Flinn, Jesse, infantry, wounded. 

Flinn, Edward, infantry, killed at Atlanta. 

Ferris, Henry, cavalry. 

Fowler, William, cavalry, prisoner in Salisbury. 

Folz, Philip, cavalry, wounded in action. 

Hauck, Harry, infantry, died in hospital. 

Kellerman, Henry, gunboat service. 

Kroeger, Fred., gunboat service. 

Musser, Jerry, cavalry. 

Musser, Albert, cavalry. 

Morris, Clarence, artillery. 

McLean, Jesse, infantry, wounded at Mission Ridge. 

McLean, Edwin, infantry and musician. 

McClellin, James, infantry. 

Phillips, George, infantry. 

Riggs, Philip D., infantry and cavalry. 

Robinson, Frank, infantry, starved to death at Salisbury. 

Rictner, William, gunboat service. 

Southwell, George, cavalry. 

Smedley, Daniel, surgeon. 

Snyder, John, infantry, killed at Fort Blakely. 

Schmucker, Jacob, infantry. 

Wilson, William, cavalry. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



341 



Winder, John, infantry. 
Kaylon, George, infantry. 
Shackles, Noah, cavalry. 

Since the platting of Carthage in 1815 there have 
been several additions: By Samuel Caldwell, in 1826; 
James N. Caldwell, in 1848; Lee, Wilson & Bullock, in 
1850; Caldwell & Paddack, in 1850: Samuel Greenham, 
in 1858; Theophilus French, in 1868; Jacob Schmucker, 
in 1869; Eggers & Sprung, in 1875; and by T. Colling, 
the same year. 

The village was incorporated September 22, 1868. Its 
first mayor was Jonathan R. Bonnell; the second, Rich- 
ard A. Morton, who served from 1869 to 1874, inclusive; 
third, Richard Phillips; fourth, Smith Stimmell, the pres- 
ent incumbent. 

Since its incorporation the streets have been properly 
widened and graded; expensive gas works were put up, 
and the streets are well lighted. There are four churches, 
with graded public schools, both German and English, 
and a parochial school attached to St. Borromeo's Cath- 
olic church. The hotels are well kept. There are four 
public halls, of which Coke hall, on North Main street, 
is accounted the finest in Hamilton county, outside of 
Cincinnati. 

The Miami canal passes Carthage on the east, and the 
Short Line railroad on the same side ; the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton railroad on the west side, both roads 
giving sixty trains a day to and from Cincinnati. Mill 
creek is the extreme northern and western boundary of 
the village. About fifty of the residents do business in 
Cincinnati. It had a population of one hundred and 
forty-eight in 1830, and two thousand four hundred and 
nineteen half a century afterwards, by the census of 
1880. 

In the State Gazetteer of 1841 Carthage is noticed as 
then containing two hundred and eighty-three inhabi- 
tants, with fifty-five dwellings, ten mechanics' shops, 
three stores, two taverns, two groceries, one meeting- 
house, and one school-house. The Gazetteer adds: 
"This town is situated on a sandy soil, which gives it a 
pleasing appearance. Its location being in the centre of 
the county makes it a noted place for large gatherings. 
The annual fair of the Hamilton County Agricultural 
society is held there. It has two mails per day." 

The old Caldwell graveyard, near where Griffin's sta- 
tion stood, in western Carthage, is now nearly plowed 
over, and not a single stone remains to tell the name of 
the dead beneath. The last to disappear was that of 
Richard Dill, who put up the first brick house in Cin- 
cinnati, his assistant on that work being James Dugan, 
who later was in Hull's surrender, and died a few years 
since in Carthage. The grave of James Caldwell is now 
no longer to be distinguished, even by the writer, who 
was at the burial (in 1843), and who, in boyhood, used 
to "play horse," riding the old sword-scabbard which 
Wayne presented to Caldwell with a major's commission 
when out in the campaign of 1793-4. The old White 
graveyard lies on the brow of a low hill, a half mile east 
of Caldwell's and close to where the station stood. 
When old Providence White last visited this last resting 



place of the pioneers, thirty years ago, he walked mourn- 
fully around, read over the inscriptions on the fallen 
stones, and to some curious listeners who knew nothing 
of the tender emotions in his bosom, recounted the 
events of his earlier days. By his request James Dill 
replaced the stones as they were in the long ago. But 
modern school boys, with little knowledge of pioneer 
history, and less respect for the graves of the once brave 
dead who lie in them, have overthrown the walls and 
broken and scattered the stones so that but few are left 
to mark the place. When the writer visited this old 
cemetery in 1878, he counted sixty sunken graves, but 
there were many more before the Miami canal, cutting 
through in 1826, obliterated all trace of them. On one 
mutilated stone appears the following : 

Mary, wife of Amos White. 

On another this: 
1834, in the soth year of his age. 

Consider, friend, as you pass by, 

As you are now, so once was I , 

As I am now, soon you shall be, 

Prepare for death and follow me. 

This is remembered as the stone of Mr. Jehial N. 
Wood worth, a schoolmaster. 

Amos White, died September 25, 1819, age seventy years. 
Edward White, the first, born, April, 1714; died, September, 1802, 
Edward White, the second, born, November, 1746; died, October, 
1798. 

On a large tablet : 

Josinah, consort of Jacob White, born November 6, 1760; died 
March 26, 1834, age seventy-three years four months and twenty days; 
has left the church militant to join the church triumphant. 

On a tablet : 

Alcy, wife of Jacob White, bom May 30, 1773; died September 20, 
1835, aged si.Kty years three months and twenty-one days; has gone to 
join the assembly and church of the first born. 

A few rods southeast from this graveyard, near the 
north side of the county farm, in a well recently covered 
over, Moses Pryor was killed by the Indians in 1792. 
Just northeast of the graveyard a short distance, in the 
southwest corner of the grounds of William R. Morris, 
esq., was the grave of the Indian chief killed by Captain 
White in the attack on the station in 1793. The place 
of the chief's burial was pointed out by old Providence 
White on one of his later visits there; and in 1847, while 
improving the grounds, the workmen accidently ex- 
humed the chief's skeleton. A full account of the bat- 
tle at White's station will be found in the history of 
Springfield township. 

AVONDALE. 

This is a large tract (seven hundred and fifty-five 
acres) adjoining the city north of Walnut Hills, 
platted in part as a suburban village in 1854, to which 
considerable annexations have since been made. Its 
area is not far from one thousand acres, comprising the 
whole of section nine, the northwest part of section eight, 
between Woodburn and Corryville, in the city, and a part 
of section fifteen, in the south of which, just outside the 
city, are situated the zoological gardens: The section 
nine was conveyed by Judge Symmes in 1795 to Sainuel 
Robinson. The next year Robinson conveyed three hun- 



342 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



dred acres in its northeast part to John Hardin; in 1797 
one hundred and twenty acres in the southwest part to 
WiUiam McMillan, of Cincinnati, whose remains were 
buried here for more than half a century, but now rests 
in Spring Grove cemetery; in 1798 the tract north of Mc- 
Millan's and west of Hardin's was sold to John Hunt; 
and the southeast part, comprising the entire remainder 
of the section, was afterwards acquired by the celebrated 
William Woodward, founder of the Woodward High 
school. McMillan became a further purchaser here, to- 
gether with Jonathan Dayton and Elias Bondinot, of the 
East Jersey company, making the Miami purchase. 
After the death of Dayton, a subdivision was made in 
November, 1846, by Jonathan Bartlett, administrator of 
his estate on both sides of the Lebanon turnpike (now 
Main avenue), but mostly east of the road, which he des- 
ignated as "a plat of house lots at Clinton, three miles 
from Cincinnati." This was the first subdivision made 
in what is now Avondale. Two years afterwards James 
A. Corry made a plat in the southwest part of the sec- 
tion, upon the McMillan tract, which he styled the Lo- 
cust Grove subdivision. About the same time still an- 
other subdivision was made by Spencer and Corry. In 
1852 Samuel Cloon made a subdivision of about one hun- 
dred and fifty acres, covering the "Clinton" tract, upon 
which Miles Greenwood, of Cincinnati, had built his sub- 
urban residence in 1847. The Cincinnati & Chicago 
railroad made a subdivision on the Corry lands in 1854, 
to which the engineer in charge of the survey gave the 
name of Avondale subdivision, from which the village to 
be derived its name. 

One of the first suburban residences on this tract was 
the brick mansion on the Lebanon pike, built in 1835 by 
Luke Kendall, who, two years before, had bought ten 
acres from Mr. Corry at one hundred dollars an acre. 
This was then the "outpost of Cincinnati," as Colonel 
Maxwell styled it in his Suburbs of Cincinnati, to which 
we are indebted for most of these facts. In 1836 his 
partner, David B. Bassettake, built a brick residence out 
here; and the number increased gradually year by year, 
until one of the most notable suburban villages in the 
world has been formed, with several churches, a fine pub- 
lic hall, recently erected, the German Protestant cemetery, 
and a large public school-building on the west side of 
Main avenue, south of Rockdale avenue, built of brick, 
seventy by thirty feet, with a hall and six rooms, whose 
schools are superintended by Mr. A. B. Johnson, one of 
the veteran teachers of the Miami country, who has held 
the post of principal here for near a quarter of a century. 

The Grace Protestant Episcopal church is situated 
upon a two-acre lot on Main avenue, north of Glenwood 
avenue. It was first occupied February 27, 1870, when 
a sermon was preached by the Rev. William A. Snively, of 
Christ church, in the city. The church and grounds cost 
twenty-five thousand dollars. 

The Grace Methodist Episcopal church was formerly 
called Mears chapel. It is on the south side of Forest 
avenue, west of Washington. In 1868 the building was 
handsomely repaired and improved, at a cost of two 
thousand two hundred dollars. 



The Presbyterian church of Avondale, originally Old 
School, was occupied about the first of February, 1868, 
under the pastorate of the Rev. Joseph Gamble. It is 
situated on the north side of Rockdale avenue, a little 
way from Main. 

A beautiful new town hall, consummatmg an enter- 
prise which had been long under discussion, was dedi- 
cated December 31, 1880. It occupies a fine site on 
the south side of Rockdale avenue, just west of the main 
avenue. It is modified Queen Anne in style, of blue 
limestone trimmed with Ohio freestone. The outside 
dimensions are sixty by one hundred and ten feet. En- 
tering from Rockdale avenue, the main hall divides the 
offices of the mayor and clerk. Beyond these offices are 
the cloak room on the right and the principal staircase 
to the lef'', below which is the porte cochere; large doors 
at the south end of the main hall open to the assembly 
room forty-five by sixty, with stage and four dressing- 
rooms. Over the offices and entrance hall is the council 
chamber, extending across the entire front part of the 
building. This room with its panelled ceilings, polished 
wooden mantels and elegant chandehers, is one of 
the features of the building. Accommodations for the 
police and fire departments are provided in the basement. 
The necessary height of the ceiling for the smoke-stack 
of the engine is afforded by the elevation of the stage 
floor. The large stage in the hall is, or is to be, provided 
with a complete set of scenery for private theatricals and 
similar entertainments. The commodious hall, with its 
polished floor, and lighted with five superb chandeliers, 
is devoted to a variety of uses, not the least of them 
being the elegant assemblies for which Avondale society 
is noted. Mayor Strickland made the principal address 
at the dedication, in which he indulged in the following 
pleasant reminiscences: 

As a community, we have certainly made wonderful and rapid strides 
in growth and prosperity. From a few houses grouped together upon 
either of the turnpikes, with here and there a farm-house just in sight, 
surrounded with blossoming fields and well-stocked orchards, we have 
grown to be a community of three thousand inhabitants, embracing 
among them all classes, from the merchant and capitalist, to the skilled 
artist and daily workman. 

In the earlier and more primitive times the journey to and from the 
city was not the luxury such as we have known it. Hunt street — then 
termed the bottom — from the old corporation line to the foot of the hill, 
was, during the winter season, an almost endless sea of mud, and woe 
betide the unskilled and luckless driver, whose sight was not keen, for 
no friendly gas illumined the trackless path to enable him to safely pilot 
his way. No friendly policeman guarded the dark passes of the hill- 
side, nd home was often reached after adventures that tried the bravest 
and most resolute among them. Our patriarchs now were then the 
hardy pioneers of our civilization ; and although the necessity for block- 
houses had passed away, great care was necessary to protect themselves, 
their families and their property from the depredations of tramps and 



As our Queen City grew with all ever-increasing prosperity the flow 
of population to the hill-lops and surrounding country set in, and our 
delightful suburb has received its fair share of acquisitions. The little 
square school-house gave away to a more pretentious and imposing 
building located on a part of this lot, and it, too, has subsequently 
grown in size with the increasing demand of the times, until the old 
town hall, located there, was, of necessity, called into requisition, and 
its walls now recho the merry chatter of our children. The old town 
is a bright memory of the past. In it have gathered the young and old 
of our village for many years, but the history of that time is too 
crowded with events to even warrant rae in an attempted reference to 
them. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



343 



There was hardly any division upon matters of church and State. 
From going to the city to attend worship, as had been the custom, each 
to his or her favorite church, they united for Sunday observance upon a 
platform so broad and generous in its orthodoxy that all could fairly 
stand upon it, and the references that are now made to the good old 
days of union and harmony in church matters are convincing proof that 
the spirit of good faith and good fellowship then implanted has grown 
and strengthened as time had tried them. And in State affairs, so 
firmly rooted and grounded became the practice then inaugurated 
that to this day oflScers of our different boards are chosen and elected 
without reference to their political views. A community, pronounced 
Republican in its majorities, has thrice honored our distinguished 
guest, ex-Mayor Johnston, and has kept in our school board and in 
council some of the most efficient and honorable of our citizens. 
Long may the system continue that works such good results. 

No scandals have ever been uttered in our midst attempting to im- 
peach in the slightest degree the integrity of any of our public officers. 
No improvement so great, no expenditure of money so large — involv- 
ing at times thousands of dollars — has ever tempted the abuse of a 
public trust. No scheme of merit but vt^hat has received and will re- 
ceive respectful consideration, and the question has never been asked, 
"What are the emolinnents? " A notable instance, and one of which 
we should all feel proud, is the building of this hall. Almost without a 
jar it has risen in its fair proportions, and so close have been the calcu- 
lations of architect and contractor, and so painstaking the committee 
in charge, that the completion has been effected with extras aggregat- 
ing less than two hundred dollars. It reflects great credit upon them 
all, and it is my duty, as well as a great pleasure, to refer to it here. 

We have improved and beautified in many directions. Old avenues 
have been remodelled and improved; new ones have been constructed 
and opened; good and substantial sidewalks abound, and every thor- 
oughfare is as well lighted with gas as those of any of our surrounding 
neighbors. We have established a police force, have an organized fire- 
department, and have constituted a board of health, composed of 
gentlemen who are thoroughly alive to the sanitary interests of our 
village. It will thus be seen that we have achieved much as a munici- 
pality. We have, step by step, advanced, keepiftg always in view the 
comfort, convenience and happiness of all. We have conspired, aided 
largely by nature, in making this an attractive and desirable place in 
which to dwell, and yet we have not accomplished all that we should. 

Avondale was regularly incorporated as a municipality 
July 28, 1864. Some of its mayors have been: A. R. 
Button, 1866-7; Daniel Collier, 1868; Robert A. John- 
ston, 1869-74; John Dixon, D. W. Strickland. It had a 
population of two thousand, five hundred and fifty-two 
by the tenth census. 

BOND HILL 

is a little over a mile east of north of Avondale, with a 
station on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad. It was 
founded by the Cooperative Land and Building associa- 
tion, No. I, of Hamilton county — a company formed in 
1870, but not fully organized until February 3, 1871. It 
purchased thirty acres, on the Reading or Lebanon turn- 
pike, at five hundred dollars per acre, situated at what 
was known as Colonel Bond's hill, from which the sub- 
urb takes its title. It is about two-fifths of a mile from 
the station, on a slightly inclined plat, offering many 
eligible building sites. This was subdivided into spacious 
lots for suburban residence. The by-laws of the associ- 
ation required dwellings to be erected in the centre 
front of each lot, and fifteen front from the sidewalk, and 
also prohibited the sale of intoxicants in the village. A 
fine public hall was early erected. The suburb has had 
a good growth, with the usual institutions of such a place, 
including the Bond Hill circle, a dramatic reading soci- 
ety, which gave weekly readings in the private houses 
during the cool season. The village had eight hundred 
and ninety-six inhabitants in June, 1880. 



The St. Aloysius's German Catholic orphan asylum is 
situated near Bond Hill, on the Reading road, north of 
the Marietta & Cincinnati railway. It owns and occu- 
pies here a noble tract of fifty acres, has a three-story 
brick building, with basement and extensive two-story 
wings on each side — the lower story in each used for 
school rooms, the upper for dormitories. The property 
was valued at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 
1874, and has accommodations for about three hundred 
orphans. This asylum is supported by the regular con- 
tributions of more than two thousand subscribers, at 
three dollars and twenty-five cents a year, and three cele- 
brations or picnics per year — on AVashington's Birthday, 
the Fourth of July, and on anniversary day, the third 
Sunday in September — from which about seven 
thousand dollars are annually realized. Orphan boys 
may be kept here until twenty-one years old; girls until 
they are eighteen. The Sisters of Notre Dame, under 
the direction of a reverend father, conduct the asylum, 
with a board of trustees to manage the finances. It is 
regarded as a most beneficent charity. Bond Hill had 
three hundred and ninety-two inhabitants by the tenth 
census. 

CLIFTON. 

In 1843 Mr. Flamer Ball, a prominent attorney in 
Cincinnati, deemed it best for the health of his family 
to remove from the city and take a small farm in what is . 
now Clifton. The region was then without schools or 
churches, police, or anything else that savored of city or 
village life; and there were not even good roads. After 
Mr. Ball had been there a few years, he thought the time 
had come to reap the advantages of a village govern- 
ment, and in 1849 he presented a petition to the legisla- 
ture, accompanied by the draft of a law for incorporation 
of the village, to his neighbors and other property own- 
ers in the proposed municipality. Among those who 
signed the petition were the distinguished or well known 
names of Philip Mcllvaine, Justice McLean, Chief Jus- 
tice Chase, Hon. William Johnston, R. B. Bowler, Rob- 
ert Buchanan, William Resor, Winthrop B. Smith, W. G. 
W. Gano, and B. R. Whiteman. In March of the next 
year, accordingly, a beginning was made of Clifton (for 
so the village was called), as a separate government. The 
writer of Cincinnati Past and Present adds : 

Mr. Ball consented to serve as its mayor, and for nearly twenty years 
held that office; and as mayor and ex officio president of its council he 
drafted and enforced all the ordinances of the corporation. He origin- 
ated the law for impounding stray animals — a law which he enforced 
through much opposition, but lived to see it meet the general approba- 
tion, and a similar law prevail throughout the State. Under his ad- 
ministration a church, a good school, and good roads, together with 
good order, were secured, and Clifton became the most beautiful sub- 
urban village to be found in the United States. It is hardly too much 
to say that he was the founder of Clifton. 

Mr. Ball was mayor from 1850 to 1S69, when Mr. 
Robert Hosea took the office and held it some years, 
when he was succeeded by James Bergher, who was in 
the mayor's chair from 1872 to 1874, inclusive. 

Clifton comprises one thousand, two hundred and 
eight acres. It took its name ftom the Clifton farm, 
which was within its present territory. It is situated just 
north of those parts of the city known as Chftom heights 



344 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and Camp Washington, and between Avondale and the 
Twenty-fifth ward, or Cumrainsville. King's Pocket- 
book of Cincinnati says it "comprises about twelve hun- 
dred acres of land beautifully diversified with hill and 
dale, and has a population somewhat exceeding one 
thousand persons (one thousand and forty-six in 1880). 
In its precincts there is neither shop, factory nor saloon. 
It has over seventeen miles of avenues, lined with fine 
shade trees, two thousand of which were planted in the 
years 1877 and 1878; and this planting is to be continued 
from year to year. The town hall is a handsome brick 
structure, surmounted by a tower with a clock. This 
building contains the public offices and the school-room. 
The school, though a public one, is known as the Resor 
academy, and was established originally through the en- 
terprise of the late William Resor, one of the earliest 
residents of Clifton, and always identified with its in- 
terests. The main hall of the building is elegantly 
frescoed in the Pompeian style and hung with choice 
photographs from works of the old masters and the mod- 
ern painters, the gift of the mayor, Henry Probasco. 
The ladies of the Sacred Heart have also a school for 
girls in a large stone mansion, with spacious and 
beautiful grounds, purchased at a cost of one hun- 
dred and sixty thousand dollars. .... 
Numerous handsome cottages with attractive grounds 
are scattered throughout the town. . . Calvary 
Episcopal church is the only edifice for public worship. 
It is a neatly designed stone building, having a memorial 
tower. The outside is covered with iron, and presents a 
beautiful picture. The interior is well finished and hand- 
somely frescoed, and decorated with scripture mottoes." 
The last census gave Clifton one thousand and forty- 
six inhabitants. 

COLLEGE HILL. 

This is another fine suburb of five hundred and sixty- 
three acres, situated near the northwest corner of Mill 
Creek township, about eight miles from fountain square, 
Cincinnati. It is conveniently reached from the city by 
College Hill narrow-guage railway, or by the old Hamil- 
ton turnpike, commonly called the College Hill pike. 

The site of College Hill, which is among the highest 
localities in the county, was included in a large tract 
bought from Judge Symmes in October, 1796, by Nehe- 
miah Tunis, who had the title conveyed to Jabez C. 
Tunis. From him William Cary bought four hundred 
and ninety-one and one-half acres, in section thirty, upon 
which the village is located, for three thousand four hun- 
dred and forty dollars. Freeman G., son of William 
Cary, in 1833 founded, in a pleasant situation upon this 
tract, Cary's academy, which was chartered in 1846 as 
Farmer's college, and the latter institution gave the name 
to the place. The name is further justified by the loca- 
tion here, upon the same hill, of the Ohio Female col- 
lege. 

About 185s there was a large emigration to College 
Hill of Cincinnati business men seeking attractive sub- 
urban residences. Among them were Messrs. Charles 
and Charles E. Cist, George C. and Norris S. Knight, 
the Rev. Clement E. Babb, J. C. C. Holenshade, A. D.' 



E. Tweed, D. B. Pierson, G. Y. Roots, and others. 
After a time the Female college building was opened to 
summer boarders, and that gave a further impetus to the 
place. It was formally incorporated as a village Septem- 
ber 9, 1857, and again July 21, 1866, when a general 
system of local improvements was instituted, which has 
aided to make one of the most inviting suburbs about 
Cincinnati. Among its mayors have been : Edward De 
Serisy, 1867; Norris S. Knight, 1868; Henry M. Cist, 
1869; Cyrus S. Bates, 1870; L. T. Worthington, 1880-1. 

The population of College Hill when the census was 
taken, in June, 1880, was one thousand one hundred and 
nine. 

Farmer's college was chartered with all the powers 
usually granted to collegiate institutions, and secured an 
endowment, in buildings, grounds, money, etc., of one 
hundred and thirty thousand dollars. It was highly 
prosperous for many years, and then fell off somewhat in 
popularity and strength. Embarrassing debts were in- 
curred, and an effort to endow an agricultural professor- 
ship failed. Special attention is given, however, to the 
applications of natural science to agriculture and the 
arts, and to botany and vegetable physiology. The col- 
lege faculty has included a principal and an actuary of 
the farm department, the former of whom was also pro- 
fessor of science and practical agriculture, and the latter 
teacher of landscape gardening. A botanical garden was 
also among the projects of the founders. At the time of 
pecuniary embarrassment, relief was afforded in an act 
of the legislature enabling the college to sell the college 
farm, which realized enough to pay the debt and leave a 
surplus of fifty-two thousand dollars, which is an irreduc- 
ible fund, the interest only being available for the current 
expenses of the school. The Polytechnic hall was dedi- 
cated in 1856, with an address by Professor F. G. Cary. 
A valuable agricultural and horticultural magazine, called 
the Cincinnatus, was conducted about this time by the 
faculty of the college and published at the Hill. Five 
volumes of it appeared. 

The original Cary's academy was at the junction of the 
old Hamilton road with Colerain avenue, within the vil- 
lage limits. 

The female college was chartered in 1848. The hon- 
ored Justice John McLean was president of the first 
board of trustees, and S. F. Cary was secretary. The 
corner-stone of the main edifice was laid September 9, 
1848, and the institution went into operation in the fall 
of 1849. Its first building was destroyed by fire, but an- 
other was soon erected. In 1851 the college received a 
new charter, giving it the usual powers of colleges for 
young men. In 1865 it came into possession of Messrs. 
Samuel F. Cary, Franklin Y. Vail and Joseph Brown. 
Their interests were severally bought up by the trustees, 
and the school flourished until April 23, 1868, when its 
buildings were the second time burned. Recitations 
went on to the close of the school year, however, the 
citizens generously opening their homes to the students, 
and in a few months a finer building than ever went up 
on the old site. It is of brick, one hundred and fifty-five 
by fifty feet, with freestone quoins and trimmings, a 




RMERS' COLLEGE; HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



M5 



mansard roof and tower. The last is called Alumnae 
tower, each graduate of the college having finished one 
of the stone quoins in it. The grounds are beautifully 
situated, and occupy fifteen acres. 

Besides the educational institutions. College Hill is 
also the site of a famous sanitarium or private lunatic 
asylum, opened in 1873, and said to be the only strictly 
private insane retreat in the country. The building it 
occupieswas originallyput up for the Ohio Female college. 

By the will of the late John T. Crawford, of Cincin- 
nati, his farm of eighteen and one-half acres, just 
north of College Hill, in Springfield, township, is to be 
devoted to the purposes of a home for the aged and 
destitute colored people. 

The first Presbyterian church here was organized in 
1853, by thirty-three members of the Mount Pleasant so- 
ciety. The Rev. E. H. Bishop, D. D., then of Farmers' 
college, was one of the prime movers in the new depart- 
ure. The new church worshipped for several years in the 
College chapel, but got a building erected about 1855, 
w^hich it occupies to this day. 

The Grace Episcopal society was organized in 1866, 
and likewise worshipped for a time in the College chapel. 
In the early part of the next year, however, a beautiful 
brick church was built on the site of the old Gary acad- 
emy, costing sixteen thousand dollars. 

The building for the colored church stands on Cedar 
avenue. There is also an excellent school in the village, 
occupying a brick structure on Hamilton avenue, north 
of the Presbyterian church. 

About 1857 a very prosperous Farmers' lyceum was 
maintained in and about College Hill, meeting once a 
month from house to house, and commanding an inter- 
ested attendance from a wide extent of country. The 
members and visitors brought their wives and children, 
and baskets of provision, and made a day of it at each 
meeting. 

The-Harvest Home was also a flourishing institution 
of those days, and somewhat peripatetic, its gatherings 
not being confined to College Hill, nor even to Mill 
Creek township, as the meeting of September 29, 1856, 
assembled at Miamitown, Whitewater township. 

ELMWOOD. 

A small subdivision laid out in 1875, along the Dayton 
Short Line railroad, near the lunatic asylum and just 
southwest of Carthage, by Messrs. Frank L. Whetstone 
and L. C. Hopkins. It had one hundred and thirty-six 
people by the tenth census. 

LUDLOW GROVE. 

This place occupies the site of the grounds and grave- 
yard of the heroic old pioneer of 1793-4, John Ludlow, 
esq., near the junction of the Dayton Short Line and 
Marietta & Cincinnati railroads, about nine miles from 
the Plum Street depot. The original Ludlow homestead 
is still standing. In 1854 the tract was mostly covered 
with trees, where the city people delighted to keep holi- 
day. With the completion of the Marietta & Cincinnati, 
however, the prospects of this region for a suburban vil- 
lage began to brighten, and in 1869 the site was subdi- 



vided by Benjamin Barton, H. S. Brewster, and Charles 
Folz. It is now included in the corporation of St. Ber- 
nard, for which it furnishes the sole postal facilities, 
under its old name. 

MOUNT AIRY 

is an incorporated village of large size in point of terri- 
tory, immediately west and southwest of College Hill and 
covering a little more than two square miles (one thou- 
sand three hundred and twenty-six acres) in Mill Creek 
and Green townships, of which seven hundred and forty- 
seven acres are in the former. Its certificate of incorpor- 
ation as a village was filed November 20, 1865. Some of 
its mayors were: Anthony Shouter, 1897-8; Oliver 
Brown, 1869; R. Creighton, 1870; B. H. Kroeger, 1874. 
The St. James Catholic church, under care of Father F. 
Schonfelt, with its parochial school of two departments 
and one hundred and fifty pupils, and its confraternities 
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin 
Mary, are located at Mount Airy. The village, consid- 
ering its large tract, is still rather sparsely settled. It had 
one hundred and sixty-two inhabitants in 1880. 

ROLLING RIDGE 

is a small settlement on the Winton turnpike, about half 
a mile north of Winton Place, and a mile from the north 
line of the township. 

ST. BERNARD. 

This extensive suburb lies south of the Marietta & 
Cincinnati railroad, and immediately north of Avondale, 
partly on the Carthage turnpike. It was laid out in 1850 
by Joseph Kleine and J. B. Schroder, and has been so 
extended as to include the suburb of Ludlow Grove. It 
was incorporated as a village March 8, 1878. It is 
largely inhabited by the Germans, who have here the 
St. Clements Catholic church and parochial school (with 
about one hundred and ten pupils), and the attached 
Archcon fraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, all 
under the pastoral care of the Rev. Father Gregory 
Faugman. The building for this church was erected in 
1873. It has six hundred sittings, and a spire one hun- , 
dred and seventy feet high. The St. Bernard Catholic 
cemetery is in the southwest part of the corporation, near 
the canal. The extensive starch factory of Mr. Andrew 
Erkenbecker, of Cincinnati, are also in this place. The 
village has a well organized fire department, with full ap- 
paratus for extinguishing fires. In June, 1880, its popu- 
lation was one thousand and seventy-three. 

SPRING GROVE CEMETERY, 

with the County infirmary, Longview lunatic asylum, 
and Zoological gardens, all either county or city institu- 
tions, are wholly in Mill Creek township. They receive 
full notice in their appropriate places elsewhere in this 
work. 

WINTON PLACE. 

This delightful suburb adjoins the Spring Grove ceme- 
tery on the east, due north of Clifton. It was formerly 
called Spring Grove, and gave the name to the great 
cemetery and to Spring Grove avenue, which runs far 
into the city. It wns platted in 1865 by S)h ester Hai d 



346 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and Samuel Troome. Chester Park, a famous place for 
speeding horses, is located here. The village had three 
hundred and eighty people, by the tenth census. 

POPULATION. 

Mill Creek township had ten thousand five hundred 
and fifty-two inhabitants in 1880. 



Biographical Sketch, 



FREEMAN GRANT CARY 
was born in Cincinnati April 7, 1810. His father, Wil- 
liam Cary, emigrated to the Northwest Territory in 1803 
and settled on a farm he purchased at the head of Main, 
street, Cincinnati, where he resided until 1814 when he 
removed to College Hill. His thirty-two acres in Cincin- 
nati were sold and he bought section thirty in Mill Creek 
township — now CoUlege Hill — where he resided until his 
death March 25, 1862. 

Here in the wilderness, the subject of our sketch, the 
oldest of three sons, with his two brothers, William 
Woodward, and Samuel Fenton, received his early edu- 
cation. He afterwards attended college at Miami uni- 
versity, and graduated with honor in the class of 183 1. 
This was fifty years ago, and since that time Mr. Cary 
has left a marked impress of his character for good which 
in the history of the county is inerasable. He has 
devoted more than thirty years of his life to teaching. 
He established Cary's academy, originated Farmers' 
college, into which the academy was merged; also orig- 
inated for females what afterwards became the Ohio 
Female college; which institutions were eminently suc- 
cessful until after he resigned the presidency — the Farm- 
ers' college at that time numbering three hundred students. 
The Female college was likewise quite successful. 

Mr. Cary's fort was in government, and was also a suc- 
cessful teacher. During his presidency he associated 
with him men of ability in the various departments of 
his institution — we say his institution, for he exercised 
entire control of it from the first until he resigned his 
place in it. During the period of its existence under 
him he educated, to a greater or less extent, some three 
thousand young men, many of them now occupying dis- 
tinguished positions north and south, in the ministry, at 
the bar, as physicians, or becoming active business men. 
Mr. Cary's character is marked by a combination of strik- 
ing traits; being possessed of a strong constitution, of 
temperate habits, of good health, giving him physical 
ability to successfully accomplish whatever he undertakes. 

He has made his own place in society and is known to 
be presistent, energetic and self-reliant, never seeking'aid 
from others, much less place or honors of office. The 
arduous and responsible duties that have fallen to his lot 
have been discharged so as to reflect credit upon himself 
and the honorable positions he has filled. He has now 
reached the age of over three score and ten, and is still in 
possession, to a wonderful degree, of those cha.racteristics 



which have distinguished him through life. He seems 
to be thoroughly conversant on all subjects of natural 
science, especially those pertaining to agriculture and 
horticulture of which he is proficient both in practice and 
theory. He has connected with his residence an admir- 
ably arranged conservatory and greenhouse, on his own 
plan, in which he spends much of his time in experiment- 
ing for his own gratification. He established and edited 
an agricultural periodical, The Cincinnatus, which for 
five years had a wide circulation, and only ceased by 
reason of the Rebellion, which placed such literature at 
a discount, many of the subscribers being in the south. 
He was one of the distinguished early leaders and sup- 
porters of the Cincinnati Horticultural society, being 
several times its honored, president. Mr. Cary is not 
only an adept in the natural sciences but is also a good 
classical and mathematical scholar, his education and 
ability eminently fitting him for marked prominence. 
He was selected as one of two to represent the great 
State of Ohio — under Buchanan's administration — in a 
congress of the States for the promotion of agriculture, 
with Marshall and Wilder at its head. After over a quar- 
ter of a century's labors in the schools originated and 
constructed by him, he retired to a farm in Butler county, 
where, with his wonted zeal and industry, he devoted him- 
self to rural pursuits, leading a quiet and retired life. 
His residence, planned by himself (see engraving), is a 
model of taste and fine architecture, combinding more 
conveniences than almost any structure in the county. 
His place is set with the choicest fruits grown in the cli- 
mate and with fruits, evergreens, and diciduous trees his 
residence is completely encircled, and all is in keeping 
with the intelligence of the man, amply repaying any one 
with the information he would receive, on almost every 
subject, from a visit to his place. He has been an elder 
in the Presbyterian church for over forty years, and its 
active, zealous supporter. 

His wife, Malvina McCan, to whom he was married 
April 4, 1833, was a native of Chillicothe, a daugter of 
a pioneer, who was a man of fine education and was an 
extensive surveyor. She died in the month of January, 

1872. He had by her eight children, five of whom sur- 
vive. His second wife was the widow of Dr. James Rich- 
ardson, and daughter of Clark Bates, one of the earliest 
pioneers of the west. He was married to her March 6, 

1873, with whom he still lives. His mother, Mrs. William 
Cary, now ninety years of age, intelligent and still active, 
lives with him. Notwithstanding her advancement in 
years she enjoys all her faculties of mind. William 
Woodward, named after William Woodward, the founder 
of Woodward college, died in 1847.. He was a farmer, 
a man of sound judgment and mathematical education. 
General S. F. Carey, of world wide renown as a lecturer 
and popular orator, is the youngest of three brothers. 
The Cary sisters, the celebrated writers, are his cousins, 
and were greatly aided in their first efforts by the subject 
of this sketch. 

We may say, few men, in an independent and unaided 
life and on their own resourses, have exerted a more ex- 
tended influence than has F. G. Cary. 




-tee^i^i^a^^ 



a.^^-^Z-C^ 



SPENCER. 



FORMATION AND GEOGRAPHY. 

Spencer township was erected some time in the early 
'40's, to reUeve the embarrassment caused to some of 
the people in transacting township business or voting, 
from the size of Columbia, which had always been a 
large township, and had now become populous. The 
new municipality began at the eastern line of Cincinnati 
township, being the "second meridian" referred to fre- 
quently in a previous chapter, or the range line dividing 
Mill Creek and Columbia townships, and extending to the 
Ohio nearly at the foot of Barr, a short street running 
from the river to Eastern avenue, west of Pendleton. 
North upon this meridian to the second section line, 
at the northwest corner of section thirty-two; thence 
due east to the Little Miami river ; thence by the Little 
Miami and Ohio rivers to the place of beginning, com- 
pleted the boundaries of the township. It contained 
within its limits the old village of Columbia, with Pendle- 
ton and the present sites of Tusculum, O'Bryanville, and 
a part of Mount Lookout — all now included within the 
city; also Linwood, East Linwood, Russell's, Turkey Bot- 
tom, and part of Red Bank. Its greatest width, a mile 
south of the north line, was but three and a half miles, 
the breadth dwindling to less than a third of a mile at 
the mouth of the Little Miami. Its length varied from 
four miles, on a line drawn from the present northeast 
corner of the city, at Mount Lookout, to the junction of 
the rivers, down to one and a quarter miles on the west- 
ern boundary. It has a water front of five miles and a 
half on the much-winding Little Miami, and four miles on 
the northward-bending Ohio. Yet it was, at its best es- 
tate, but a small township, having only four entire sec- 
tions, with nine fractional sections, altogether hardly 
making the equivalent of eight square miles. The town- 
ship proper has, within the last decade, been further en- 
croached upon by the movement of the city eastward. 
By the annexation of Pendleton, Columbia, and the dis- 
tricts to the north of these, it has lost the whole of sec- 
tions twenty-five and twenty-six, thirty and thirty-one, to- 
gether with parts of sections nineteen, twenty-four, and 
thirty, restricting the territory over which it has exclusive 
jurisdiction to half its former limits, or about four square 
miles, including the whole tract adjoining the Little Mi- 
ami, and one and a half miles front upon the Ohio. 
What remains of the township (only two thousand one 
hundred and eighty-four acres, and but eight hudred and 
sixty-nine outside its villages) is almost exclusively in the 
valley ; is low and flat, but exceedingly rich and fertile. 
Much of the triangular space between the Little Miami 
railroad and Mount Lookout is, however, on the hills. 



and gives many picturesque views up and down the val- 
ley, and across to Mount Washington and the heights of 
Anderson. 

Besides the Little Miami road, Spencer is also inter- 
sected by the Cincinnati & Portsmouth narrow guage 
railroad and the projected line of the Ohio River & Vir- 
ginia railway. Within the city part of old Spencer, two 
dummy lines of street railroad connect the terminus of 
the horse-car lines at the east end of Pendleton with Co- 
lumbia and Mount Lookout, respectively. The Union 
Bridge pike runs from Linwood about a mile southeast- 
ward to the splendid structure over the Little Miami, no- 
ticed in our chapter on Anderson township ; the New 
Richmond pike, from Columbia toward the mouth of the 
river, crosses it below Mount Washington ; the old Cin- 
cinnati and Wooster pike intersects the whole township 
from Cincinnati to Red Bank, on the Little Miami, at the 
northeast corner of Spencer ; and it has numerous other 
fine roads. The drives over the hills and along the val- 
ley in this direction are among the finest in and near the 
city. 

A very handsome and valuable improvement was made 
in this township some years ago, at the expense of the 
county, in building a very strong and costly union levee 
or roadway, of about a mile's length, across the Little 
Miami bottoms, from the Union bridge to Linwood, upon 
which the Union Bridge turnpike now runs. It is forty 
feet wide on top the whole way, and in many places from 
fifteen to twenty feet in height, containing an immense 
amount of earth and stone, and costing near eighty 
thousand dollars. It is designed to raise this, one of 
the most important roads into the city, over which most 
of the wagon transportation and carriage travel from the 
eastward comes in, altogether above the annual floods of 
the Little Miami and the Ohio, which overflow this part 
of the valley, and had often grievously interrupted the 
use of the old highway. Upon completion of the levee, 
the county also generously proceeded to displace the 
antiquated, rough wooden Union bridge by the present 
superb iron crossway, which is suitably mentioned else- 
where. 

The township received its distinguished name in honor 
of Colonel Spencer, one of the early colonists of Colum- 
bia, and father of the Rev. Oliver M. Spencer, whose 
story of Indian captivity supplies one of the most inter- 
esting leaves in its history. 

ANCIENT WORKS. 

The following notes of antiquities in Spencer township 
are taken from Dr. Metz's paper on the Prehistoric Monu- 
ments of the Little Miami Valley : 



348 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Immediately south of Red Bank Station, Little Miami railroad, com- 
mences a gravelly ridge, having an average elevation of about forty to 
fifty feet above the general level of the surrounding plateau, and extend- 
ing in a southwesterly direction for three-fourths of a mile along the 
course of the Wooster turnpike. On this ridge and on the estate of 
Dr. O. M. Langdon, sve have a tumulus and a circular excavation. 
The tumulus has an elevation of nine feet and a circumference of two 
hundred feet at base. It has not been explored and is covered with 
young forest trees. Three hundred yards southwest of this tumulus is 
the circular excavation. Its diameter north to south is forty feet, east 
to west forty-four feet, depth seven feet. An old settler related that fifty 
years ago remains of stakes or palisades could be seen surrounding this 
excavation. The southeast slope of the ridge near this excavation is 
covered with huge conglomerate masses, under which are two small 
caves ; no evidence exists about them as to their having served as habi- 
tations. 

Hal! a mile west of this ridge is an elevated plateau sloping to south- 
ward, until it coinsides with the first bottom of the Little Miami river. 
On this plateau, at its highest elevation just south of the Little Miami 
railroad and at the junction of Oak and Elmwood avenues of the Lin- 
wood Land company's subdivision, was a mound recently removed in 
the grading done by the Land company. The superintendent of the 
grading informs me that there were two circular layers of human re- 
mains, one near the general level of the ground, and one three feet 
above the lower one; he gives its height as eight feet and its circum- 
ference at base of two hundred feet. The Hon. Judge Cox states to 
me that this mound was enclosed by a circular work that had a diame- 
ter of eight hundred feet. 

South of this mound, distant two hundred yards, was a mound 
which was explored fifty years ago. My informant, Mr. Riggle, re- 
members that in a kind of stone coffin, as he describes it, were two 
skeletons lying side by side, with their feet to the east, and that their 
faces were covered with layers of mica. 

The five acres west of these mounds are known as the Indian Bury- 
ing Ground, now subdivided into lots by the Linwood Land company. 
The square bounded by Elmwood, Walnut, Oak, and Maplewood 
avenues covers the greater part of the ancient cemetery, and an exca- 
vation made anywhere within or near those boundaries will reveal 
human remains. The inhumation was usually at length with head to 
east. 

A short distance east of the Linwood station, on the south side of the 
railroad, can yet be seen a portion of the mound remaining. This 
mound was removed to make way for the Little Miami railroad. 
Many relics were found in grading down these mounds and levelling the 
ground over the cemetery, which are in the collections of Dr. H. H. 
Hill and J. J. Hooker, of Cincinnati, and of the writer and others. 

Southwest of another mound, and at about the same elevation known 
as Linwood Hill, distant about four hundred yards, is the site of a 
mound ; it has been graded down. I could learn nothing positive as to 
its dimensions , the Anderson house occupies its site. Still further 
westward, a quarter of a mile distant, and at the same elevation on the 
Land company's property, is a mound four feet high with a circum- 
ference of one hundred and fifty feet. It has not been explored. 

The history of the western half of the old township 
now belongs to Cincinnati, and has been mostly consid- 
ered in the second part of this book. As, however, the 
landing of the first white settlers in the Miami purchase 
was undoubtedly upon the present soil of Spencer 
township, with which this, the oldest town in Hamilton 
county and the second founded in Ohio was identified 
for many years, we have reserved for this chapter the 
history of the beginnings of Miami settlement at 

COLUMBIA. 

The movements of Major Benjamin Stites, who was 
not merely the founder of Columbia, but in the first 
instance of the Miami purchase also, preliminary to his 
emigration to the west, have been detailed in our chapter 
on the purchase, in the first part of this work. 

To Stites were sold, by the East Jersey company, 
twenty thousand acres, mostly in the Little Miami valley, 



and including, of course, the subsequent site of Colum- 
bia, and some tracts elsewhere. In July, 1788, he ar- 
rived at Limestone with a party of emigrants from the 
Redstone Old Fort, and there joined a company which 
had arrived on the fifth of June, having left New York 
and New Jersey during the spring, accompanied by 
the Rev. John Gano. They had been attracted to the 
Miami country by the representations of the Rev. Wil- 
liam Wood, of Kentucky, who had visited New York 
toward the end of 1787, and confirmed the glowing 
statements which Stites, and then Symmes, had endeav- 
ored to spread at the east. Judge Symmes, with his 
party, arrived soon after, and the now large company ot 
Miami immigrants here remained together until winter 
was very near. 

The character of Stites's arrangements with Symmes, 
in part at least, may be learned from the following docu- 
ments, which we find, all but the last, in Colonel A. E. 
Jones' valuable address on the pioneers of the Little 
Miami valley: 

Captain Benjamin Stites enters ten thousand acres and the fraction 
on the Ohio and Little Miami rivers, and is to take in Mr. John Car- 
penter as one of his company, to be on line or sections on the Ohio 
and Little Miami from the point, and ten thousand acres on equal 
lines and sections at the mill-stream [Mill Creek], falling into the Ohio be- 
tween the Little and Great Miamis — which, when the certificates there- 
of are paid and the Record Book open, shall be recorded to him and 
to such of his company as join therefor. 

[Signed.] John C. Symmes. 

New Brunswick [N. J.], 7th of .September, 1787. 

A supplement follows, without date or signature: 

The last ten (10,000) thousand acres is to be taken in the following 
manner: Two sections at the mouth of Mill creek, and the residue to 
begin four (4) miles from the Ohio up Mill creek. Captain Stites 
takes four {4) sections on the Little Miami with the fraction adjoining 
the ten (10,000) thousand acres where it comes to the Little Miami, 
and four sections with the section next above the range of township, 
taken by Daniel , esq., on the Little Miami. 

By the eighth of February, 1793, Captain Stites had 
paid in full for his tracts, as the following receipt 
evinces: 

Cincinnati, February the 8th, 1793. 

Received of Benjamin Stites, esq., at different payments, certifi- 
cates of debts due by the United States, to the amount of ten thou- 
sand six hundred and fifty-two dollars and twenty-three-one-hundreths 
of a dollar, in payment for different parts of the Miami purchase, ly- 
ing, as may appear by location of Mr. Stites, ten thousand acres 
round Columbia, seven sections on the waters of Mill creek for differ- 
ent people, as will appear by the Miami records ; and about three or 
four sections in the neighborhood of Covalt's Station, and in cash or- 
ders and other articles to the amount of one hundred and fifty-eight 
pounds, eight shillings, and eight pence, for which lands, accommoda- 
ted to the several locations, I promise to make a deed in fee simple, so 
soon as 1 am enabled by receiving my deed from the United States. 
Attest: John S. GANG, 
[Signed.] John C. Symmes. 

The following letter from Major Stites, written a few 
months after planting his colony, will be read with in- 
terest in this connection: 

Columbia, June 18, 1789. 

Sir: — After my respects to you and family. I would inform you that, 
after further deliberation on the subject of the second purchase, that if 
you should find it valued, that you would endeavor to purchase or 
come in with the owners of the point, if you can find who they are, so 
that we may hold some lots in and some out. Sir, do what you can, 
and we will be on the same terms of the article of agreement betwixt us. 
This from your humble servant, BENJAMIN Stites. 

To John S. Gang, 'Washington. 




SAMUEL M. FERRIS. 



Samuel Marsh Ferris, of Linwood, was born October 12, 1817, in the 
old Ferris homestead at Mt. Lookout (now Cincinnati), where his 
mother, now in her eighty-fourth year, still resides. 

Isaac Ferris, the great-grandfather, came to Columbia from Connec- 
ticut in the year 1789. During the Revolutionary struggle both he and 
his son Ebenezer were engaged as soldiers under Washington in the 
battle of White Plains. After coming to Ohio he became one of the 
constituted members of the first Baptist church organized in Columbia. 
He was a faithful member until his death which occurred in 1819, and 
it may be said of his numerous descendants that they are, so far as 
known, strict adherents of the Baptist church. Mr. Ferris had five 
sons — Ebenezer, Isaac, John, Abram and Ezra; the last-named was a 
practicing physician in Lawrenceburgh, Indiana. John lived in the old 
homestead. He was a captain first, afterwards a colonel. Abram 
kept a tanyard in Cincinnati. Ebenezer, the grandfather of S. M. 
Ferris, moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he lived and died. He 
had three children, two girls and one boy — Isaac Ferris, father of the 
subject of this sketch. 

Isaac Ferris was born in Lexington, Kentucky, April 12, 1795, and 
when only four years of age came to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he 
resided up to the time of his death. He came to Ohio to live with his 
grandfather, and learned the shoemaker's trade with his uncle Abram. 
Not liking this business he soon afterwards learned the trade of 
a blacksmith, .which he followed successfully fifteen years. Out of this 
business grew the hame business, which he conducted until his death, 
and which has since been conducted by his sons. 



In the year 1816 he married Phosbe Marsh, who had come to Ohio 
from New Jersey in 1805. From this union there came nine children, 
five of whom are now living, S. M. Ferris being the eldest. At the 
early age of sixteen Isaac Ferris became the subject of Divine grace, 
and soon after united with the Duck Creek church, then almost in its 
infancy. He was baptized by Elder William Jones. Though an ap- 
prentice and residing six miles from the church, such was his love for 
the communion of the saints, and his delight in the public worship of 
God, that his place in the sanctuary was seldom vacant. 

In the year 1825, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, then having 
been a growing member for thirteen years, he was licensed to preach ; 
and after his aptness to preach and his ability for usefulness was deter- 
mined by a test of experience, he was-ordained to the work of a minis- 
ter. For ten years he preached to the church in which he was a mem- 
ber. He was afterwards thirteen years pastor of the East Fork church. 
This was the field in which his labors were most signally blessed, a 
strong church growing up under his care and an organization effected 
which was a great power for good in that community. Here eighty 
converts were baptized by him in a continuous revival of eighteen 
months. He also led the flocks at Newton, Cloughs, Hammer's Run, 
and elsewhere, and, as was necessary in those days to meet appoint- 
ments, many hardships were endured. He still labored all those years 
at his trade, blacksmithing, and farming, and kept up his religious work 
in the cause he loved so well. He was accustomed to manual labor 
and was an active, energetic man, and in consideration of the arduous 
work performed was truly a great man at that time. He died, loved 



and respected, December 22, i860. Those who knew him credit him 
with having a meek, humble disposition, and an unassuming manner. 
His mind was clear; reasoning and understanding, deep; while his 
arguments and exhortations were very eftective, and upon great occa- 
sions, when aroused into action, the power of the man was most fully 
felt. 

The early life of Samuel M. Ferris, the subject of this sketch, was 
spent on a farm and in the shop with his father, the latter association 
predominating and forming his life pursuits in business. In the year 
1838 he married Miss Mary Z. Ferris, daughter of J. J. Ferris. She 
was born April 27, 1818; her father was a cousin and brother-in-law of 
Andrew, Joseph, and Eliphalet Ferris, who came to Ohio from the east 
in i8ri, and who became prominent men. The two families of Ferris 
were not related, but the ancestry of all are traceable to the days of 
William I, the conquerer of England. 

S. M. Ferris and his people are characteristically blue-eyed, fair 
skinned, and light-complexioned; while those of his wife's people are 
dark-complexioned, with dark eyes and dark hair. For two years after 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ferris lived in Mt. Lookout and then 
moved to Linwood, in 1841, where for forty years they have resided, 
In 1833 Mr. Ferris was taken into the Duck Creek church, three miles 
north of Columbia, in which church he has always been a most 
active and useful member. In this church he was clerk for twenty 
years; was treasurer and deacon for ten years, and after he moved to 
Columbia, in 1865, was made deacon in the Baptist church at that place, 
which position he has held ever since, and in all has had an experience 
of forty-eight years in church work up to this date. He also took a 
lively interest and management in the erection of the costly and elegant 
church building in Columbia in 1866 and 1867. To this work he devoted 
of his means lavishly, and its success as an organized society is due 
largely to the efficient and never-tiring labors of Mr. Ferris. 

His first business venture, owing to small capital, was as a village 
blacksmith, which, with that of wagon-making, he followed for many 
years with some success, for by rigid economy and untiring industry 
he was able, in 1856, from his earnings, to build a hame shop and open 
business on a larger scale. In this business, with its additions, he has 
since continued. Prior to 1865 he carried on his business alone, but at 
that time he took his two brothers into partnership, built a large, new 
brick factory, thoroughly equipped it with modern machinery, and has 



since conducted a large and growing luiiness under the firm nnnie '^f 
S. M. Ferris & Co., of which Mr. Ferris is the financial managtr. q- 

His children, seven of whom are now living — four daughters : 
three sons— are in prosperous circmstances. Appreciating the aava\- 
tages of study,' Mr. Ferris has given his children liberal education?. 
Mrs. Anna M. De Armand De Armund, the o'dest daughter, and ^Irs. 
Harriet Smith both live in Linwood. Mrs. Emma Hawkins lives in 
Clark county, Ohio, her husband being a farmer. Mrs. Clara M, 
Waters also resides in Linwood, her husband, Charles G. Waters, being 
engaged in mercantile business in Cincinnj:ti. Mr. De -Armand is a 
member of the firm of S, M. Ferris & Co., an:l Mr. A. E Smith is a 
member of the firm of Roots & Co., Cincinnati ( ommission nerchants). 
Frank Ferris, the oldest son, resides with his family in Linwood, and is 
a farmer. Howard, the second son, is an attorney-at law. pr tcticin^ in 
Cincinnati, and is a member of the law firm of Cowan & FcJ^icjs. 
Elmer E. Ferris, the youngest son, is engaged in the hame factory. 

Mr. Ferris has always lived an active and useful life. He is a quiet, 
uiasuming man, cares little for office notoriety; although, had he been 
an aspirant in that direction, we presume he could have secured high 
positions of trust and responsibility. In his township, for the sake of 
good government and needed reforms, he has held every office except 
t'lat of clerk. He helped organize his school district, and for eighteen 
years following served as one of the trustees on the bonrd of education. 
He has always believed in the power of the school to elevate societv, 
and so he has been a generous friend to educational interests, all his 
children, save one, having enjoyed the advantages of collfgiate studies 
at the schools at Granville. 

Mr. Ferris, though conservatue in his habits of thought and retiring 
in his disposition, is emphatic and pronounced in his views. His judg- 
ment is formed slowly and his conclusions are generally well regr^ ded 
by his neighbors. Though he has been engaged in active busine.4 for 
over forty years, yet he has not neglected to improve his mind b)Hread- 
ing and study. He has been a most faithful student of history, not 
only of our own but also of other countries, and having enlarged his 
views by travel in this and foreign countries, he has a fund of informa- 
tion which makes him a most agreeable companion. In business and 
in church circles Mr. Ferris is highly esteemed; but it is in his home re- 
lations that his influence is most deeply felt and appreciated. Here, 
surrounded by a large family of children and grandchildren, he is the 
central object of interest. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



349 



The original agreement with Judge Symmes, when the 
Dject of the Miami purchase was broached to him by 
S'^fl^s, in the spring or summer of 1787, provided that 
Lutes should have ten thousand acres about the mouth 
ot the Little Miami, lying as nearly in a square as possi- 
ble, as a reward for his discovery of the country and his 
consequent scheme of purchase, and should be allowed 
as much in addition as he could pay for. He appears 
by the receipts, however, finally to have had to pay for 
all the lands he acquired. 

' curing the long wait at Limestone, in September, a 
pp' y of about sixty went down the river, landing at the 
mouth of the Little Miami, and exploring the back coun- 
try thoroughly for some distance between that point and 
the great North Bend, where Symmes afterwards planted 
his colony. The judge was with them, but Stites was 
not. He was busily engaged with preparation for his 
settlement, making plans for the village plat and the fort, 
and getting out clapboards for roofs from the woods 
about Limestone, with the hearts of timber prepared to 
fill the spaces between the logs of his prospective cabin, 
cut of boat-plank doors, with their hangings all ready, 
were also made. He and his son Benjamin were mainly 
en ged in this work, and in storing them in a boat ready 
for he movement. At this time a sharp lookout had to 
be kept against Indian attack; and people walked about 
the streets and vicinity of Limestone habitually with arms 
in their hands. Nehemiah Stites, indeed, a nephew of 
the major, was killed by the savages while passing to or 
from the woods in which his relatives were at work. 

Another important item of preparation was also ac- 
complished during the delay at Limestone, in the execu- 
tion and signature of an agreement required by Stites, 
and assented to by about thirty persons, to form a settle- 
ment at the mouth of the Little Miami. Some were 
scared off afterwards, by the persistent rumors of disaf- 
'' -d Kentuckians, pehaps anxious to divert immigrants 
toward Lexington and other settlements on their side of 
the Ohio, that a large party of hostile Indians was en- 
camped at or near the point of intended settlement. 
The majority held to their signatures, however, and it is 
pretty well settled that the original body of the pioneers 
of Columbia and the Miami purchase was composed as 
follows:* 

Mfijor Benjamin Stites and family, including Benjamin Stites, jr. ; 
Elijah Stites and family, including Jonathan Stites; Greenbright Bailey 
and family, including John F. Bailey and Reason Bailey; Abel Cook 
and family, Jacob Mills and family, Hezekiah Stites, John S. Gano, 
- Ephraim Kibby, Elijah Mills, Thomas C. Wade, Edmund Bu.\ton, 
Daniel Schumacher, Allen Woodruff, Joseph Cox, Benjamin Cox, Evan 
Shelby, Mr. Heampstead, twenty stout stalwart men, with two well- 
grown, capable boys (the Stites sons), were of this band. 
"And there was woman's fearless age. 
Lit by her deep love's truth ; 
There was manhood's brow, serenely high, 
And the fiery heart of youth." 

Mr. Robert Clarke in his useful pamphlet on Losanti- 

■"For the accuracy of this list, as well as for many other facts em- 
braced in this narrative, we confidently rely upon the statement of the 
Rev. 1 _ Terris, D. D. , long of Columbia, afterwards of Lawrence- 
burgh, as embodied in his communication to the Cincinnati Daily 
Gazette, date of July 20, 1844. 



ville, has added the following names of subsequent but 
still early colonists at Columbia: 

James H. Bailey. David Jennings. 

Zephu Ball. Henry Jennings. 

Jonas Bowman. Levi Jennings. 

W. Coleman. Ezekiel Earned. 

Benjamm Davis. John McCulloch. 

David Davis. John Manning. 

Owen Davis. James Matthews. 

Samuel Davis. Aaron Mercer. 

Francis Dunlevy. Ichabod B. Miller. 

Hugh Dunn. . Patrick Moore. 

Isaac Ferris. William Moore. 

John Ferris. John Morris. 

James Flinn. Newell. 

Gabriel Foster. John Phillips. 

Luke Foster. Jonathan Pitman. 

William Goforth. Benjamin F. Randolph. 

Daniel Griffin. James Seward. 

Joseph Grose. John Webb. 

John Hardin. Wickerham. 

Cornelius Hurley. 

The names of Kibby and Schumaker (or Shoemaker) 
appear in the list of grantees of donation lots at Losilnti- 
ville, distributed by lottery January i, 1789. Several 
other Columbia pioneers also acquired property, and 
some made permanent settlements at Cincinnati, their 
names being identified with the early annals of both 
places. Colonel Spencer, the Rev. John Smith, Colonel 
Brown, Captain Jacob White, afterwards of White's sta- 
tion, Mr. H John Reily, the schoolmaster, and others, 

were also of the early Columbia — all, says Judge Burnet, 
"men of energy and enterprise." 

The Columbia argonauts — "more numerous," says 
Burnet's notes, "than either of the parties who com- 
menced the settlements below them on the Ohio" — led 
by Stites in person, he, as Symmes wrote shortly after to 
Dayton, "having a great desire to plant himself down 
there," floated out upon the broad river from Limestone, it 
is believed, on the sixteenth of November, 1 788. The first 
stage of their journey took them to the mouth of Bracken 
creek, on the Kentucky side. An interesting incident of 
the voyage is thus related by Dr. Ferris : 

They descended the river to Bracken creek; and from that place they 
started, as they supposed, in time to float down the Little Miami by 
sunrise, so as to have the day before them for labor. Previous to their 
leaving Maysville, a report had been in circulation that some hunters 
had returned from the woods who had seen five hundred Indians at the 
mouth of the Little Miami, and that the Indians had heard the white 
people were coming there to settle, and intended to kill them all as 
soon as they should arrive. On its being announced at break of day 
that they were near the mouth of the Miami, some of the females were 
very much alarmed on account of the report alluded to. To allay their 
fears, five men volunteered their services fo go forward in a canoe, and 
examine. If there were no Indians they were to wave their hand- 
kerchiefs, and the boats, which were kept close to the Kentucky shore, 
were to be crossed over and landed. If there were, the men were to 
pass by and join the boats below. The token of "no Indians" was 
given, and the boats were crossed over and landed at the first high banks 
(about three-fourths of a mile) below the mouth of the Little Miami, a 
little after sunrise on the morning of the eighteenth of November, 
1788. 

This landing was on the present soil of Spencer town- 
ship, outside the corporate limits of Columbia, a few 
hundred yards further up the river, where is still a con- 
siderable settlement, some of the buildings in which 
are very old. The traditional place of landing is pointed 



35° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



out, in front of an old two-story brick dwelling, near the 
lower part of the settlement. 

Dr. Ferris proceeds with these interesting details of the 
landing : 

After making fast, they ascended the sleep bank and cleared away 
the underbrush in the midst of a pawpaw thicket, where the women 
and children sat down. They next, as though to fulfil the commands 
of the Saviour, "watch and pray," placed sentinels at a small distance 
from the thicket, and, having first united in a song of praise to Almighty 
God, to whose providence they ascribed their success (Mr. Wade 
taking the lead in singing), upon their bended knees they offered thanks 
for the past and prayer for future protection; and in this manner dedi- 
cated themselves (and probably their thicket) to God, as solemnly and 
acceptably as ever a stately temple, with all the pomp and splendor at- 
tending it, was dedicated. There were in this little group six persons, 
viz: Benjamin Stites, John S. Gano, Thomas C. Wade, Greenbright 
Bailey, Edward Buxton, and Mrs. Bailey, who were professors of the 
Christian religion of the Baptist church. 

Thus, in a little more than one year from his first conception of this 
great enterprise, Major Stites with his little company was on the ground, 
prepared to commence that immense labor necessary to change this 
then vast wilderness into a fruitful field. 

The first duty was to build a defence against the ma- 
rauding savage. Plans for this had already been pre- 
pared, and without delay the strong arms of the settlers 
began to make inroads upon the forest, in the prepara- 
tion of material for a simple military work. Part of the 
men stood guard, while others toiled, while laborers 
and guards from time to time exchanged places. The 
site of the first block-house was selected near the point 
of landing, and about half a mile below the mouth of the 
Little Miami — just in front, it is said, of the subsequent 
residence of A. Stites, esq. It is also said that the en- 
croachments of the river long since washed away this 
site. The work was so far advanced by the twenty-fourth 
of November that the women, children, and portable 
goods of the party were moved into it. The troops who 
came from Limestone soon after, to form a garrison, 
erected another block-house, below the first — west of the 
other, as tradition runs, and between the present toll-gate 
of the New Richmond pike and the river. Some say 
that four block-houses in all were erected, and so situ- 
ated as to form, with a stout stockade connecting them, 
a square fortification, which took twenty months after- 
wards the name of a work erected by the British on the 
Maumee about this time, near the scene of Wayne's vic- 
tory, Fort Miami. 

Oliver M. Spencer, who was a boy nine years old 
when he came with his father to Columbia, says in his 
Narration of Captivity that at that time Columbia was 
"flanked by a small stockade, nearly half a mile below 
the mouth of the Miami, with four block-houses at suit- 
able distances along the bank." 

In the immediate neighborhood, but below the fort, 
cabins were then put up as rapidly as possible, and the 
settlers housed themselves for the winter. They had 
scarcely got comfortably located, however, when the in- 
undation of January drove them from every cabin except 
one, which had fortunately been perched upon the high- 
er ground. The soldiers in the block-house — a garrison 
of eighteen men and a sergeant, had been sent in De- 
cember from Captain Kearsey's company at Limestone — 
were crowded into the loft of the structure by the rapid- 



ly rising waters, and were rescued from their uncomfort- 
able and perilous position by a boat, in which they 
crossed to the hills on the Kentucky side. Much of the 
loose property of the settlers was lost by the flood. The 
Hon. A. H. Dunlevy, in his History of the Miami Bap- 
tist Association, among other things, says of the conse- 
quences of this unhappy experience : 

A winter of bloody conflict with the Indians was anticipated ; but, 
contrary to expectation, the colony remained undisturbed during all 
that winter and until autumn of the next year. The settlers labored 
incessantly in building cabins for themselves upon the beautiful plain 
which lies east of most of the present buildings in Columbia ; but on 
the first of January, 1789, a high flood in the Ohio proved that they 
had made a bad selection for a town. The whole bottom was over- 
flowed, but one house escaping the deluge. Afterwards improvements 
were made below and further from the river, on higher ground ; but 
that flood forever ruined the prospects of Columbia. During the In- 
dian war many stayed there because they could not move further into 
the country on account of tlie savages. But as soon as Wayne's vic- 
tory, in the fall of 1794, secured the safety of the settlements in more 
interior localities, the people began to leave Columbia ; and after the 
treaty of Greenville, in 1795, many more left, and Columbia ever after 
had the appearance of a deserted town. 

The sturdy colonists did not abandon the ground at 
the first flood, however, but returned to them when the 
waters abated, and meantime provided themselves with 
such shelters as they could. They were often hard 
pressed for food this first winter, and some suffered much 
for want of their wonted articles of sustenance. Wild 
game abounded, but there was no salt or breadstuff to 
eat with the fresh meat, except what could be had in 
small quantities from passing boats. The women and 
children resorted much to Turkey bottom, when the 
weather and the condition of the ground permitted, to 
scratch up the bulbous roots of beargrass, which they 
boiled and mashed, and so ate them, or dried the sub- 
stance and pounded it into a sort of flour. In the spring, 
with the growth of vegetables on the Turkey bottom and 
other fertile tracks, the situation improved, and the 
abundant crops of the first year rendered starvation 
thenceforth exceedingly improbable. There was even a 
surplus for Fort Washington, as the following incident 
shows: 

Luke Foster, of the pioneers at Columbia, was one of 
the lieutenants appointed for the militia of Hamilton 
county by Governor St. Clair. He performed a most 
patriotic act in 1789, when the troops at Fort Washington 
were on particularly short commons, and General Har- 
mar sent two of his officers to Columbia to get supplies. 
Captain James Flinn had corn to sell, but would not 
let the soldiers have it, saying that, while he lived near 
Marietta, the year before, he had sold corn to the garri- 
son at Fort Harmar and had never been paid for it. 
Captain Strong answered that the men at the fort had 
been living on half rations for nine days, and if they 
were not supplied they must leave or starve. Mr. Foster, 
who was standing by, upon this instantly offered to lend 
them a hundred bushels of corn, which was part of the 
growth from two and a half acres in Turkey bottom, 
planted with six and a half quarts of corn, for which he 
had exchanged the same quantity of corn meal. His 
offer was gratefully accepted; but so remiss was the gar- 
rison afterwards in payment, or so poorly supplied, that, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



351 



when in need himself, he had to ride six times to the fort 
to get as much as nineteen bushels of it returned. Mr. 
Foster, it may be of interest here to note, finally settled 
two miles south of Springdale, in Springfield township, 
where he lost his life on the tracks of the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton railroad, August 28, 185 1, being 
struck by a gravel train. He was eighty-eight years old, 
had become deaf, and was otherwise greatly enfeebled. 
For many years he was an associate judge of the court 
of common pleas, under the old system, and was one of 
the first appointees to that office in Hamilton county. 

As soon as practicable after the landing, Stites had his 
proposed city surveyed, which he fondly hoped might be- 
come the metropolis of the west. According to the 
narrative of Oliver M. Spencer, published long after- 
wards, it was to occupy the broad and extensive plain 
between Crawfish creek and the mouth of the Little 
Miami — a distance along the Ohio of nearly three miles 
— and to extend up the Miami about the same distance. 
It was actually laid out over a mile along the Ohio, 
stretching back about three-quarters of a mile from that 
stream, and reaching half-way up the high hill whichformed 
in part the eastern and northern lines. This tract was 
platted, partly in blocks of eight lots, each of half an 
acre, and the rest in lots of four and five acres each. 
Nine hundred and forty-five inlots are said to have been 
staked off by Stites' surveyors. The streets intersected 
each other at right angles. A different plat of Columbia, 
corresponding more nearly to the village of recent years, 
bears date May 5, 1837. 

Major Stites' title to his entire large tract in this region 
was afterwards threatened, by the apparent determination 
of the Government authorities to draw the eastern boun- 
dary of the Miami purchase from a point twenty miles up 
the Ohio from the mouth of the Great Miami, which 
would have left him outside of the purchase, and alto- 
gether destitute of valid title from Symmes. It is to 
the honor of the judge that in this crisis he stood 
bravely by his friend, writing to his associates of the East 
Jersey company: "If Mr. Stites is ousted of the settle- 
ment he has made with great danger and difficulty at the 
mouth of the Little Miami, it cannot be either politic or 
just." Governor St. Clair at once issued his proclamation 
warning settlers off the Miami country east of the afore- 
said line; but the matter was afterwards arranged, and 
the east and west boundaries of the purchase were fixed 
as originally proposed, upon the two Miamis. 

During its first two years Columbia flourished hope- 
fully, and was then remarked as a larger and more 
promising place than Losantiville or its successor, Cincin- 
nati. It was the largest settlement in the Miami country, 
and was expected to increase rapidly; "but," says Dr. 
Drake, in his picture of Cincinnati, "the bayou which is 
formed across it from the Little Miami almost every year, 
and the occasional inundations of nearly the whole site, 
have destroyed that expectation, and it is now [18 15] in- 
habited chiefly by farmers." The village was not only 
superior in population, but also in the convenience and 
appearance of their dwellings. But for the floods, and 
the establishment of Fort Washington and then the 



county seat of Cincinnati, which naturally gave it great 
advantage, it might have been the metropolis of Miami- 
dom. Many excellent citizens, as Colonel Abram and 
Ezra Ferris, who came December 12, 1789, and Colo- 
nel Spencer, who landed a year thereafter, joined the 
colony during these years. We subjoin some notices of 
the more noted among the immigrants of the first de- 
cade: 

J ohn Reily, one of the early settlers of Columbia, was 
but t-wprify-fiyp yparq old when the colony came, having 
been born in Chester county, P ennsylva nia. April 10, 
1763. He had seen much service, however, in the army 
ofthe Revolution; was engaged at Camden, Guilford 
Court House, Ninety-six, and Eutaw Springs, and served 
through his eighteen months' term honorably and safely. 
After a few years in the wilds of Kentucky, he removed 
from Lincoln county, near the present site of Danville, 
to the Columbia settlement, December 18, 1789, and 
the next year taught the first school kept there, or any- 
where in the Miami purchase. He took full part in the 
scouts and expeditions into the Indian country, and in 
1794 removed to Cincinnati, where he became success- 
ively deputy clerk of the county court, clerk of the terri- 
torial legislature, and clerk and collector of the town. 
He removed to Hamilton in 1803, and there spent the 
remainder of his days, dying in that place June 7, 1850, 
after a long and highly honorable career. 

Judge William Goforth came in the early part of 1789. 
He is mentioned so often in the course of this history, 
as associated with affairs here and at Cincinnati, that a 
biographical sketch of him here seems unnecessary. The 
judge builded better than he knew in keeping a diary of 
his journey hither and of events for some time after- 
wards. It is an interesting old document, and the 
public owes access to it to Mr. Charles Cist, who pub- 
lished it nearly forty years ago in his Cincinnati Miscel- 
lany. We correct one or two patent blunders in the 
yearly dates : 

EXTRACTS FROM MEMORANDUM MADE BY JUDGE GOFORTH, IN HIS 
DAY-BOOK. 
1789. 

Jan. 2 left our camp and put down the Ohio and on the 8th arrived 
at Limestone and thence to Washington which is in 38 
degrees some minutes North, and had at that time 119 
horses. 
" i2th left Washington (Mason Co., Ky.,) on the 12th and ar- 
rived on the 18th at Miami (Columbia). 
" 23 the first four horses were stolen — by the Indians — 
April 4 two of Mills' men were killed. 

" 5 a bark canoe passed the town and five more horses were 

stolen. 
" 16 Baily and party returned from pursuing after the Indians. 
May 3 Met in the shade to worship. 

" II A cat-fish was taken — four feet long, eight inches between 
the eyes, and weighed 58 pounds. 
Judge Symmes arrived on the 2nd of February, 1789, as he in- 
formed Major Stites at his own post. 
April 21 traded with the first Indian. 

" 28 Capt. Samondawat — an Indian, arrived and traded. 
Aug. 3 Named the Fort "Miami. " 

" 5 Col. Henry Lee arrived and 53 volunteers. 
" 27 Went to North Bend with Col. Lee. 
Sep. 3 Captain Flinn retook the horses. 

" 25 Major Stites, old Mr. Healer and myself took the depth of 
the Ohio River when we found there was 57 feet water in 
the channel, and that the river was 55 feet lower at that 



352 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



time than it was at that uncommonly high fresh last winter. 

The water at the high flood was 112 feet. * 
Oct. 9 Mr. White set out for the Tiber. 
Aug. 16 Major Doughty went down the river. 
Dec. z8 Genl. Harmar passed this post down the River. 

1790. 
Jan. 2 The Governor passed this post down the River. 

3 received a line desiring my attendance with others. 

4 Attended his exxellency when the Civil and Military offi- 
cers were nominated. 

" 6 The officers were sworn in. 
" 13 Doctor David Johns preached. 

18 Doctor Gano and Thomaa Sloo came here. 

" 20 The church was constituted — Baptist church at Columbia, + 

" 21 Three persons were baptized. 

" 24 called a church meeting and took unanimous to call the 

Rev. Stephen Gano to the pastoral charge of the church at 

Columbia. 
April 15 General Harmar went on the campaign past this post. 

19 The Governor went up the River. 
Aug. 30 Worked at clearing the minister's lot. 

2 Mr. Sargent left this post to go up the River together with 
Judge Turner. 
Sep. 12 The Mason county militia past this post on their way to 
headquarters. 
" 19 200 Militia from Pennsylvania past this post on their way to 

Cincinnati. 
" 23 The Governor went down to Cincinnati. 
" 25 Major Doughty and Judge Turner also. 
" 30 The main body of the troops marched. 
1791. 
Jan. 2 begun to thaw. 
Mch. I Indians fired at Lt. Baily's boat. 

" Mrs. Abel Cook was found dead in the Round Bottom. 
" 4 Mrs. Bowman was fired at in the night through a crack in 

the .house. 
" 22 Mr. Strong returned from up the River; had 24 men killed 

and wounded on the 19th March. 
" 27 Mr. Flasket arrived — the 24th in the morning fought the 
Indians just after daybreak, about 8 miles above Scioto — 
this the same battle mentioned in Hubble's narative. 
July 7 Col. Spencer's son taken prisoner. 

" 14 Francis Beadles, Jonathan Coleman, a soldier killed. 
1792. 
Jan. 7 In the evening Samuel Welch was taken. 
Nov. 2 Last Monday night met at my house to consult on the 
expediency of founding an academy — Rev. John Smith, 
Major Gano, Mr. Dunlevy, — afterward Judge of the Court 
of Common Fleas, and myself — Wednesday night met at 
Mr. Reily's school-house — Mr. Reily then the teacher was 
for many years Clerk of Butler Common Pleas and Supreme 
Court — to digest matters respecting the academy, the night 
being bad, and but few people attending postponed till next 
night which was ist of November, met at Mr. Reily's to 
appoint a committee. 
Dec. 6 Fall of snow 7 inches on a level. 

1793- 
Sep. 24 The first and fourth Sub-Legions march under General 
Wayne. The 27th or rather the 30th the army march. 

Daniel Doty, of Essex county. New Jersey, was one of 
the immigrants of 1790. He came on the twenty-third 
of October, in a flat-boat, from Pittsburgh. He then 
found, according to his recollections long after, but two 
hewedlog buildings in the place, one of them occupied 
by Major Stites, the other by Captain John S. Gano. He 
enlisted promptly in Captain Gano's company of militia, 
which every able-bodied man in the settlement had to 
join, and which now mustered about seventy — a strong 
and efficient company. He turned out with the parties 



take 



Cist's foot-note ; "This seems 
was but 64 feet above low water, and the highest flood e 
ement of the country was but 12 feet higher." 

tAnother mistake, as will appear hereafter. 



The flood of 
known at the 



marching to the relief of Covalt's and Dunlap's stations, 
when the Indian attacks were made upon them ; and 
was secured by the Cincinnati Presbyterians, together 
with a man named French, to bring their first pastor, 
the Rev. James Kemper, and his family, through the 
wilderness from near Danville to his new home. In 1792 
Mr. Doty returned to New Jersey, by way of the Ohio 
and Mississippi rivers, and by sea, but came back to the 
Miami country in 1796, with his wife and children, and 
removed to the vicinity of Middletown, Butler county, 
where the rest of his life was spent. He was the first 
collector of taxes for that part of the country, which was 
then in Hamilton county. McBride's Pioneer Biography 
says: 

His district was twelve miles wide from north to south, comprising 
two ranges of townships, extending from the Great Miami to the Little 
Miami rivers, comprehending the sites where the towns of Franklin and 
Waynesvillehave been laid out, and the immediate country and settle- 
ments. The whole amount of the duplicate committed to him for col- 
lection was two hundred and forty-four dollars, of which he collected 
every dollar and paid it over to Jacob Burnet of Cincinnati, who was 
the treasurer for the county of Hamilton. Mr. Doty's own tax, for 
some years previous to his death, was upwards of one hundred and thirty- 
five dollars — more than half of the amount which he then collected from 
the whole district of which he had been collector. In the discharge of 
the duties of his office as collector, he must have ridden over more than 
one thousand miles. For these services, including his time and ex- 
penses, he received one per cent, on the amount of the duplicate, two 
dollars and forty-four cents, and no more. This appears to have satis- 
fied Mr. Doty with public office, as he never afterward, during his whole 
life, was a candidate for any office. 

Francis Dunlevy emigrated from Kentucky to Colum- 
bia in 1791, and at first was engaged in teaching, in com- 
pany with Mr. John Reily. He was then less than thirty 
years old, having been born near Winchester, Virginia, 
December 31, 1761. When but a boy he was engaged 
in Indian, and afterwards in the Revolutionary warfare, and 
helped to build up Fort Mcintosh, the first regular mili- 
tary work within the present bounds of Ohio. He was 
at Crawford's defeat on the plains of Sandusky, and in 
the retreat was cut off from the main body of the army, 
and had to make his way through the wilderness to Pitts- 
burgh. In 1787 he removed with his father's family to 
Kentucky, and ten years afterwards, having resided six 
years in Columbia, he removed to the vicinity of Leban- 
on, where he died, November 6, 1839. He was fourteen 
years presiding judge of the court of common pleas of 
the first circuit, which included Hamilton county, and 
was a member of the first Constitutional convention, also 
of the first legislature that assembled under the State gov- 
ernment. 

The following notice of perhaps the most renowned 
citizen that Columbia ever had, is extracted from the Life 
of Senator Morris, by his son, Mr. B. F. Morris: 

In 1795 Thomas Morris, a young and enterprising adventurer, nine- 
teen years of age, from the mountains of western Virginia, arrived in 
Columbia. He was immediately employed as a clerk in the store of 
Rev_Jiihj[i Smith, and became a great favorite with him. During this 
time his mind became deeply exercised on the subject of personal relig- 
ion, and his feelings found utterance in frequent poetic effusions, which 
are all lost. Rev. John Smith and others regarded these productions 
as of great merit for a youth of his age and limited education. For 
several years he continued in the employ of Smith, improving, as 
he could, his mind by reading, and preparing for a wider sphere of 
action. 

The plat of ground on which the great commercial city of Cincinnat' 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



353 



now stands, was frequently traversed by Morris. His feet tlireaded tlie 
forest, then in the wild magnificence of nature, and the craclc of his 
rifle brought down many a wild turkey from the tops of lofty trees 
which covered the very spot on which now is erected and established 
that noble building and mstitution, the Young Men's Mercantile Li- 
brary association. How wonderful the change in fifty years' Now 
commerce, arts, sciences, education, Christian institutions, and the 
highest forms of a refined social civihzation, and a prosperous indus- 
trial population of over two hundred thousand people, cover with their 
peaceful and noble triumphs, and their monuments of taste and civiliza- 
tion, and happiness, the same forest where young Morris was accus- 
tomed to shoot his wild game. 

Mr. M orris married Rachel, daughter of B enjam in 
Davis, a Columbian who came from Lancaster county, 
Pennsylvania, to Mason county, Kentucky, and thence 
here. He was of Welsh stock and had a fine family of 
five sons and two daughters. Morris removed to Williams- 
burgh, and then to Bethel, Clermont county, and became 
greatly distinguished as a lawyer, legislator. United States 
Senator, and anti-slavery agitator. 

From another settler named John Morris, at the time 
the most prominent man in the settlement, a cluster of 
houses on the hillside took the name Mnrristown. 

By the close of 1790 Columbia contained about fifty 
cabins. Wickerham's mill, upon floating boats, had been 
established upon the Little Miami, and yielded supplies 
of coarse corn meal, but wheat flour was still so scarce 
that what could be had was generally reserved for the 
sick. Before Wickerham started his small run of stones, 
the corn had been pounded by the colonists into hominy 
or laboriously ground in a hand-mill. 

The post at Columbia was evidently regarded as of 
considerable importance, since as many as two hundred 
soldiers were stationed here in 1794. The need of mili- 
tary protection, however, was then mostly over. There 
had been demand enough for it before, as the record of 
Indian murders, captures and robberies in this region 
abundantly shows. But the first approaches of the In- 
dians to the settlers here, soon after their arrival were 
thoroughly friendly. The savages came often to the 
block-houses, expressing great friendship, and calling for 
Judge Symmes, toward whom they were very favorably 
disposed, on account of his having saved one of their 
small camps froni the Kentuckians during the surveying 
expedition the year before. They had seen Stites' boats 
on the banks of the river, opposite the block-house, and 
held a council at their hunting camp six miles from the 
Ohio, at which it was concluded to take the attitude of 
friends rather than enemies toward the newcomers. A 
white man named George had been ten or twelve years 
a prisoner with them, and could speak both English and 
Indian. At first he accompanied a single savage as near 
to the block-house as they dared go, and hallooed to the 
settlers who were at work upon it. He called for some 
of the whites to go to him, but they took no heed of him, 
mistaking him for one of their own people. Presently 
one of them asked "in a blackguarding manner," as the 
old account puts it, why he didn't come to them, if he" 
had anything to say. Discouraged at this, George went 
with the Indian back to their camp. He afterwards 
started out again with a party of five Indians, armed 
and mounted, for the block-house. They came upon a 



trail of a surveyor's party, numbering three, who were 
hunting, and followed it until the men were overtaken. 
The latter fled, but could not escape, and prepared for 
resistence. Two of the three were Robert Hanson and 
Joseph Cox, from Sussex county. New Jersey. Hanson 
aimed his gun at the foremost Indian, but the red man 
took off his cap, trailed his gun, and held out his right 
hand as a token of friendship. George called out to 
the other party not to fire, as the Indians were their 
friends, and did not wish to hurt them, and they would 
like to be led to the block-house. Affairs were speedily 
arranged, and all went amicably together to meet Major 
Stites. Their joint arrival very much surprised the 
people at the settlement, some of whom were disposed 
to think them spies, there only to observe the strength 
of the colony for defence, others thinking them sincere 
in their peaceful professions. Both sides, however, as 
the story runs, "began to form a sociable neighbor- 
hood," and there was for a while considerable fraternity 
between the whites and reds, the former frequently visit- 
ing and even spending nights at the Indian camps, while 
the savages with their squaws frequented the settlement, 
spending days and nights there, principally occupied in 
drinking whiskey. 

The messages of Stites to Symmes, in regard to the 
Indians' professions, and their desire to see him, with 
his action, were sufficiently set forth in previous chapter. 

In a very few weeks, however, the status changed, and 
a war period set in. The journal of Judge Goforth shows 
that, so early as January 23, 1789,- four horses were stolen 
by the Indians; that two men were killed April 4th; the 
next day five more horses were stolen, and outrages were 
frequent thereafter, and the feeling between the hostiles 
became so envenomed that both sides engaged in killing 
and scalping with apparently equal activity. Some in- 
cidents related of the Columbia scalpers will be found in 
our chapter on "The Miamese and the Indians." 

The news of the attack on Dunlap's station greatly ex- 
cited the settlers at Columbia, who quickly mounted a 
volunteer party, armed with rifles, under Lieutenant Luke 
Foster, marched to Cincinnati the same night, and joined 
the regular and volunteer force there forming for the re- 
lief of the station. Before daylight the next morning 
all were on the move, through several inches of snow, 
and arrived near the scene of action between ten and 
eleven o'clock in the forenoon, only to find that the 
Indians had mostly departed. 

A relief party was also promptly turned out when the 
attack near Covall's station was made, and two men 
murdered. 

The following is the detailed account of one of the 
more thrilling events briefly noticed in the Goforth jour- 
nal: 

On the night of the fourth of March, 1791 , the cabin of Mr. Jonas 
Bowman, which was further down the river than any other in Columbia, 
was approached by Indians, and an attack made. Mr. Bowman had 
been up the Licking hunting wild turkeys with Mr. John Reily; and, 
returning chilled and tired, a large fire was built in the open fireplace, 
which made the house a conspicuous object in the dark night, as it was 
not chinked between the logs, and the fire was plainly visible a long 
distance. The Indians fired through the cracks, but happily without 
effect, when Mr, Bowman, who was sitting by the fire, instantly threw 



354 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



a bucket of water on the flames, thus darkening the room and confusing 
the Indians, who made off, vainly pursued and fired at by Bowman. 
Mrs. Bowman afterwards found a flattened bullet in the bosom of her 
dress, which had probably glanced and spent its force by the time it 
reached her, A messenger was dispatched to Fort Washington, with 
news of the attack, and a party of regulars and volunteers was made up 
at once, reaching Columbia before daylight; but a thorough scout for 
many miles into the country failed to discover any Indians. 

The subjoined narrative, taken frotm Cist's Miscel- 
lany, is a fuller and more interesting account than that 
previously given in this work of the capture of young 
Oliver Spencer: 

Spencer, then a boy of eleven, had been on a visit to Cincinnati, from 
Columbia where he then lived, to spend the Fourth of ]uly (1791) here, 
and having stayed until the seventh set out in a canoe with four other 
persons who were going to Columbia. About a mile above Deer creek, 
one of the men, much intoxicated, made so many lurches in the canoe 
as to endanger its safety, and Spencer, who could not swim, becoming 
alarmed, was at his earnest request set ashore, as was also the drunken 
man, who was unable to proceed on foot and was accordingly left where 
landed. The three in the canoe and Spencer on shore proceeded on, but 
had hardly progressed a few rods when they were fired on by two 
Indians. A Mr. Jacob Light was wounded in the am), and another man, 
name unknown, killed on the spot, both falling overboard, the man left 
on shore tomahawked and scalped, and Spencer, after a vain attempt 
to escape, was carried off by the savages and taken out to an Indian 
village, at the mouth of Auglaize, where he remained several months in 
captivity. Tidings of these events were taken by Light, who swam 
ashore a short distance below by the aid of his remaining arm, and 
Mrs. Coleman, the other passenger, who, though an old woman of 
si.Nty and of course encumbered with the apparel of her sex, was unable 
to make any efforts to save herself, but whose clothes floating to the 
top of the river, probably buoyed her up in safety. It is certain at any 
rate, incredible as it may be thought by some, that she floated down to 
Cincinnati where she was assisted to shore by some of the residents 
here. 

Spencer, after remaining nearly a year among the Indians, was taken 
to Detroit, where he was ransomed and finally sent home, after an 
absence in various places of three years, two of which he passed among 
his relatives in New Jersey. He resided subsequently in the city, where 
he held various offices of trust and honor, and died on May 31, 1838. 

Upon the occurrence of this exciting event the follow- 
ing dispatch was sent by the commandant at Fort Wash- 
ington to the chief officer at Fort Hamilton : 

Fort Washington, July 7, 1792. 
John Armstrong, esq. ; 

Dear Sir — I send out to apprise you that, this day about noon, a 
party of savages fired on a party, consisting of two men, a woman, and 
Colonel Spencer's son — about one and a half miles above this and on 
this side of the river — one man killed, the other wounded, but not 
mortally, and poor little Spencer carried off a prisoner. I sent out a 
party who fell in with their trail in General Harmar's trace, about six 
miles from this, and followed it on the path about two miles farther, 
when the men failing with fatigue, the sergeant was obliged to return. 
Master Spencer's trail was upon the path. This is a further answer to 
the pacinc overtures, and makes me tremble for your boy. I pray 
you if possible to redouble your vigilance, and on Monday morning 
early Captain Peters will march with his company and six wagons to 
your assistance. Send me twenty horses the moment Peters reaches 
you, and I will be with you next day — in the meantime your cavalry 
should scout on both sides of the river, and your riflemen be kept con- 
stantly in motion. Adieu. 
Yours, 

JAS. Wilkinson, Brig. Gen. 

The first church organized and the first sermon preach- 
ed anywhere in the Miami purchase, were at Columbia. 
So early as Deceinber, 1789, the Rev. David Jones, a 
Baptist clergyman from Chester county, Pennsylvania, 
while on a visit down the Ohio valley, stopped at Colum- 
bia and pronounced his first sermon in one of the block- 
houses at the fort. This place was then ldrL;er than 



Losantiville, and more likely to attract the attention of a 
visiting stranger. There was a larger Baptist element 
here, too.'* Another early preacher to the Columbians, 
Elder Stephen Gano, had further reasons for interest in 
the colony, since he had ties of blood connecting him 
with the Stiteses and the Ganos. Before he came, how- 
ever, the people had ministerial visits from the Rev. 
David Rice, a Presbyterian divine of some note from 
Kentucky, and Elder John Mason, a Virginia Baptist and 
brother-in-law of Elder John Smith, who soon afterwards 
became the first settled pastor among the Little Miamese. 
Elder Gano caine in March, 1790, making one of his 
many visits to his relatives, and after pleaching several 
sermons organized a Baptist church in Columbia — prob- 
ably on Saturday, March 31, 1790, though Hon. A. H. 
Dunlevy, descendant of Judge Dunlevy, and author of a 
History of the Miami Baptist Association, names the 
twentieth of January, 1790, as the time. Mr. Dunlevy 
rests upon the diary of Dr. Goforth, then a resident of 
Columbia, which we published on another page; but that 
is believed to have been made up, in part at least, many 
years after the occurrence narrated, and to be somewhat 
unreliable. The distinct recollection of persons present 
at the organization of the church, that it was on the last 
Saturday of March, is considered better testimony. 

The place of meeting was no longer a block-house, 
but the dwelling of Benjamin Davis. After appropriate 
services, the church was formally constituted by the aid 
of Elder Gano; Mr. Thomas Sloo, a member of his 
church in New York city, also being present. Nine per- 
sons joined at the time, whose names are given by Mr. 
Dunlevy as follows: 

Benjamin Davis, John Ferris, 

Mary Davis, Isaac Ferris, 

Jonah Reynolds, Elizabeth Ferris, 

Amy Reynolds, Thomas C. Wade, 

John S. Gano. 

Such was the little band that foimed the first organiza- 
tion of Christian institutions in the Miami valleys, from 
which a thousand church spires now point heavenward. 

Isaac Ferris was appointed deacon, and JohnJLiiano, 
clerk, of the infant church. El ijah Stij es, Rh oda Siite s, 
and Sarah__Feuis> ''^'sre received upon experience, and 
were baptized in the river the next d.iy (Sunday), afier a 
preaching service at the house of Major William Goforth. 
Three other members, Mrs. Meeks, and Messrs. Sinith 
and Baily, soon afterwards joined by letter; so that the 
church now numbered fifteen. Elder Gano was unani- 
mously chosen pastor; but he was too strongly bound to 
his work in the older communities of the east, and re- 
turned thither. He seems to have been a man of un- 
common ability and power, and certainly, as organizer of 
the first Christian church in the Miami country, demands 
some further notice here. He was born in New York 
city December 25, 1762, and was a brother of John S. 
Gano, of Cloumbia. His father was a clegyman, and 

* Mr. Dunlevy, in his History of the Miami Baptist Association, says of 
the first Columbia colony: "Among this little band of some twenty-five 
persons, there were six Baptists. There names were Benjamin Stites, 
John S. Gano, Thomas C. Wade, G'eenbright Baily, Mrs. Bailv his 
wife, and Edmund Buxton." 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



355 



his mother of one of the Stites famihes. In his twenty- 
fourth year he was ordained, and served as pastor in the 
city, in Hillsdale and Hudson, New York, and finally for 
thirty-six years in Providence, Rhode Island, where he 
attained considerable distinction, and where he died Au- 
gust i8, 1828. During one of his western tours he 
preached at Lexington, Kentucky, having in his audience 
the eloquent Henry Clay, who thus testified of him: 
"He was a remarkably fervent preacher, and distinguish- 
ed for a simple, effective manner. And of all preachers 
I ever listened to, he made me feel the most that religion 
was a divine reality."* 

Very soon, however, the church had its pastor — one 
who also was destined to attain distinction, but in a dif- 
ferent field, and at last to end in poverty and obscurity. 
Elder John Smith, a Virginian by birth and education, 
now in the prime of his manhoood — "a man," says the 
volume cited above, "whose personal appearance was 
noble and commanding, and who was possessed of very 
popular manners and a remarkably fascinating address — " 
visited Columbia in June and preached several times so 
acceptably that a unanimous call was given him to settle 
as pastor. This he accepted, and returned home to ar- 
range his business, which took longer than was expected ; 
and he did not arrive until the spring of 1791; the church 
meanwhile being served acceptably by Danitl Clark, a 
licentiate from Whiteley church, Pennsylvania, who had 
removed to Columbia with his own and other Baptist 
fainilies. He was afterwards fully ordained by Elders 
Smith and John Gano, a venerable Baptist clergyman 
from near Lexington, on the twenty-first (or twenty-third) 
of September, 1793, after a preaching service by Elder 
Gano in a grove of elms near the village. It was the 
first ordination among the Miamese, or in the North- 
west Territory, of a Protestant clergyman. 

In October, 1791, the substantial addition was made 
to the church of fifteen members by letter and two by 
experience and baptism. The building of a church edi- 
fice was the next thing in order, upon a lot given for the 
purpose by Major Stites, upon a slight eminence in the 
northern part of Columbia, now near and east of the 
Little Miami railroad, where a pile of rocks and some 
ancient graves still mark the spot. The meeting-house 
was resolved upon in February, 1792, but was more than 
eighteen months in building, not being regularly occu- 
pied, probably, till late the next year, though Mr. Dun- 
levy says there was preaching in it in the spring of 1793.! 
The structure was frame, thirty-six by thirty feet, with gal- 
leries and a hipped roof It stood until 1835, when it 
was pulled down, having been abandoned for years and 
become very much dilapitated. A picture of it, in this 
state, appears in Howe's Historical collections of Ohio, 
in the first volume of the American Pioneer, and in Mr. 
Dunlevy's little history. The following lines were written 
during the later years of the church by an old Columbian : 

ON VISITING THE OLD CHURCH AT COLUMBIA. 
Near where the Ohio winds its lovely way 
Through plains with flowers and herbage richly gay, 

* McBride's Pioneer Biography, volume II, p. 93. 
+ History of the Miami Baptist Association. 



High on a green, luxuriant, sloping sod. 

In ruinous mantle clad, stands the lone House of God. 

A strange sensation thrilled across my breast 

As its drear aisle my wandering footsteps prest; 

Its sound alone disturbed the pensive scene. 

That spoke what it was then and told what it had been. 

The pulpit mould'ring nodded from the wall. 

From which me thought still rang the watchman's call; 

Some ancient seats in circles filled the space. 

And seemed to say, 'A choir has left this \acant place.' 

But 'tis not so — here owls their vigils keep 

And driving winds in mournful muTmurs sweep; 

The bat rejoicmg flits along the gloom; 

All else is still, and calm, and tranquil as the tomb. 

■Where are those eyes that traced those sacred lines. 

Where truth, where majesty, and beauty shines ? 

Where are those hearts that have with fervor glowed. 

When o'er Death's vale they viewed the Christian's blest abode? 

■Vl'here is the choir that here so sweetly sang 
The song of praise to God and peace to man ? 
Methinks, returning through the lapse of years, 
I hear their anthem notes soft stealing on my ears. 

Deep in the grave, around this falling pile. 

They sweetly sleep, forgetful of their toil; — 

Have fied and left behind this loud appeal, 

'AH, all on earth must die — 'tis Heaven's unchanging willl' 

Then fare thee well! Perhaps my feet again 

Shall never tread thy silent, black domain. 

Yes, fare thee well! — for hst'ning solitude 

Waits to resume her throne in dark and frowning mood. 

Yet may the hand of Time long spare thy brow. 
Though covered o'er with many a furrow now; 
That generations yet to come may see 
Some vestige left — some trace remaining still of thee. 

Peace to the inmates that around thee sleep! 
May angel bands their slumbering ashes keep, 
Till Gabriel's trumpet rends the hearing clay. 
And calls them forth to joys that never shall decay! 

Mi\_J) unlev y supplies the following interesting facts: 

The law then required every able-bodied man attending meetings for 
worship to carry his firearms with him, prepared to defend the inhabit- 
ants, as well as those at the meeting, from an attack of the Indians. 
On the first day the house was opened for worship. Colonel Spencer, 
one of the early settlers at Columbia and at that time the head of the 
militia, attended the services, and at the close addressed the militia and 
pointed out the necessity of strict discipline at these meetings. On 
another occasion during the same season, when the congregation had 
assembled for worship, two men came from the woods with an Indian's 
scalp wiich they Had just taken;* and during this and the ne.xt year 
two members of the church, Francis Grifirn and David Jennings, were 
killed by the savages. A number more of the inhabitants of Columbia 
were killed by the Indians during the years 1791-2, and several taken 
prisoners — among them O. M. Spencer, son of Colonel Spencer above 
named, and long after a well-known citizen of Cincinnati. All their 
religious meetings, therefore, until Wayne's victory in the autumn of 
1794 (and the treaty of Greenville in the next year) had to be guarded 
by armed men. 

The Columbia church was the vigorous parent, prolific 
in offspring of other churches scattered up and down the 
Little Miami valley, at places, where its members settled 
after the the Greenville treaty. Within little more than 
a dozen years after its formation, colonies from it had 
founded, or helped to found. Baptist churches at the 
Little Miami island, on Carpenter's run, in the present 



unt states, Colonel Spencer addressed the 
he meeting and go home and prepare for 
See McBride's Pioneer Biography, Vol- 



* On this occasion, as an 


other ace 


op!e again, advising thei 


n to close 


fence; which they obedi 


ntly did 


ne II, page i86. 





3S6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Sycamore township; near Ridgeville, Warren county; 
at Turtle creek, now Lebanon ; near Little Prairie, now 
Middletown; and even at Staunton, near the county 
seat of Miami county, about seventy miles north of 
Columbia 

According to the recollections of Mr. David Doty, 
published in McBride's Pioneer Biography, "the order 
then was for every man to meet on parade on Sunday 
morning, armed and equipped, and after going through 
the manual exercise, march to the place of worship, stack 
their guns in one corner of the cabin until divine service 
was concluded, and then take them and return to their 
homes." 

Elder Smith preached a part of the time in Cincinnati. 
In April, 1790, the Columbia church formally resolved 
"that in view of the entire destitution of preaching in 
Cincinnati, Brother Smiih be allowed to spend half his 
time in that place." In 1795 he resigned at Columbia, 
and devoted his work to what was known as the Little 
Miami Island church, on an islet in the river, about eight 
miles northeast of Columbia. He was assisted at the 
latter place by Elder Clark, the ordained of the Septem- 
ber meeting in 1793, who took sole charge of the church 
after Smith's retirement, and ministered to it until au- 
tumn, 1797, when he removed to the northward and or- 
ganized, successively, the Deer Creek and Turtle Creek 
(since Lebanon) churches. For a number of years he 
preached to both, and was the only pastor the latter 
church had from its formation in 1798 until 1829, or 
thereabouts, when he became superannuated. He lasted 
five or six years longer, dying December 11, 1834, in his 
ninetieth year. 

Elder Smith ministered to the pioneer church for over 
ten years, and then dropped into politics. He was a 
member of the first Constitutional convention, that which 
organized the State of Ohio, and was one of the first 
United States Senators from this State. In 1806, when 
the storm burst over the head of Aaron Burr, Senator 
Smith shared in Colonel Burr's obloquy, simply, it would 
appear, from the hospitality tendered by him to Burr 
during the latter's visit to Cincinnati, and his firm ex- 
pression of belief that Burr's projects involved nothing 
treasonable or injurious to the country. 

Mr. Dunlevy says in his History: 

A few individuals of very bad character, at Cincinnati, wlio had 
themselves been intimate with Burr, and several of whom, it was be- 
lieved, had been fully committed to his plans, when the clamor became 
great withdrew their familiarity with Burr, and, to screen themselves, 
joined in accusing Smith of connection with him. Party political strife 
at that time ran high, and at Cincinnati a secret organization was 
formed, and oaths of inviolable privacy were taken. The crimination 
of Senator Smith originated with the secret society. Its members were 
the principal witnesses against him, and refused on his trial to answer 
any questions except such as they pleased, and as they supposed, no 
doubt, would afford evidence against him. 

A bill of indictment was actually found against him, 
though abandoned without trial. He was put upon trial in 
the Senate, however, and though vindicated, it was by a 
majority so meagre that he felt virtually condemned, and 
resigned his seat. The expenses of his defence were so 
great, and the pressure of his creditors so persistent, that 
he was compelled to part with all his property here, and 



in 1808 retired to an obscure locality in Louisiana, where 
he owned a tract of land, and where he thenceforth lived 
until his death, in 1824. 

Other early pastors of the Columbia church were: 
Elder Peter Smith, from Georgia, 1800-4; William Jones, 
at Duck creek, 1805-14; John Clark, at Duck creek, 
1814-16; and James Lyon, who was still living in 1857. 

A notable revival occurred under the ministry of the 
first named, in the spring of 1801, in which nearly one 
hundred and fifty persons were baptized and admitted to 
the church, among them several, as James Lynn, after- 
wards pastor of the same church, Ezra Ferris and Heze- 
kiah Stites,who themselves became useful preachers of the 
gospel. Later in its history others of its young men have 
gone out to different parts of the country in similar 
service. 

In 1808 the meeting-place of the membership in this 
church was removed from Columbia to a more central 
point two miles north, where it took the name of the 
Duck Creek church, which it has since borne. 

September 23, 1797, the first ecclesiastical gathering 
of importance in the Miami country took place with this 
church, in Columbia, to form an association of Baptist 
churches. It was composed mainly of ministers and 
delegated laymen from the societies at Columbia, Little 
Miami Island, Carpenter's run and Clear creek, though 
two ministers were present from Kentucky. Elder John 
Smith was elected moderator and David Snodgrass, 
clerk. After consultation it was resolved "that the 
churches in this Northwest Territory, and those adjacent, 
of the Baptist order, should meet at the Baptist meeting- 
house in Columbia, on the first Saturday of November 
ensuing." At that meeting further arrangements were 
made to form the Miami association, which was " fully 
constituted at a meeting held with the Island church 
October 20, 1798, still another meeting having been 
held meanwhile in June, 1798, at Columbia. Such bodies 
moved slowly in those days. 

A Methodist Episcopal class was formed at Columbia 
in 1799, by the Rev. John Kobler, the pioneer of Meth- 
odism in this region, and Francis McCormick, who lived 
near the mouth of the East fork of the Little Miami, 
and died near Mount Washington in 1836. 

The Columbia Congregational church was organized 
December 22, 1867, with twenty-nine members. For some 
time divine worship was regularly held at the town hall, 
but in 1870 the present edifice was commenced and 
completed. It is a neat, frame building, with bell, cost- 
ing about five thousand dollars. The auditorium or 
main room has a seating capacity of two hundred 
and seventy-five; while the room at the rear, which 
may be thrown open with the other, will comforta- 
bly seat sixty or seventy-five more. This is commonly 
used for the infant department of the Sabbath school, 
and for prayer meetings. The church has a pipe-organ, 
which has a distinct and peculiar history : It was ob- 
tained and given to the church by Mrs. H. P. B. Jewett, 
who now resides in New York city. In the death of 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



357 



Deacon Jewett, which occurred April 2, 1877, the 
church lost an invaluable member, and the community 
was deprived of a consistent Christian citizen. 

The church has had five pastors, viz: Rev. J. W. Pe- 
ters, Rev. H. L. Howard, Rev. D. I. Jones, of Pleasant 
Ridge, Rev. R. M. Thompson, of Mount Washington, 
and Rev. D. F. Harris, who has been pastor since the 
fall of 1876. 

Like all suburban churches, this one labors under the 
disadvantages of a transient population. People are 
constantly coming and going, so that stability is almost 
out of the question. In the last few years the church 
has suffered on account of the removal of some of its 
most efficient members, notably Mr. O. W. Nixon, of the 
Inter-Ocean, Chicago, who was a few years ago the 
treasurer of Hamilton county. During the four years' 
pastorate of Rev. Mr. Harris, there have been fifty-seven 
additions to the church — thirty-two by letter and twenty- 
five by profession. The present membership is one 
hundred and thirty-four. The ladies of the church and 
congregation have two missionary societies, the Home 
and the Foreign; while a third, in the interest of both, is 
carried on by the young people. Besides this work, the 
chuich regularly contributes her proportion, with sister 
churches of the Miami conference, toward the Oberlin 
ministerial fund. The church also contributes toward 
the support of the great missionary and benevolent so- 
cieties, such as the American Board, the American Mis- 
sionary association, the Home Missionary association, 
and the Congregational Union. 

The first school in the county was opened in Columbia 
June 21, 1790, by John Reily, the settler before noticed. 
It was a six-months' subscription school, and appears to 
have been kept right through the warm season. The next 
year Francis Dunlevy joined his pedagogic interests vi'ith 
Mr. Reiley's, the former taking the classical department, 
while the other taught the English studies. In 1793 
Reily gave the school over altogether to Dunlevy, and 
went to settle in the Mill Creek valley, seven miles from 
Cincinnati. The system of "boarding round" must have 
existed in his time of teaching in Columbia, since he 
records in his journal : "In the month of August boarded 
twelve days with Mr. Patrick Moore; in the month of 
September boarded twelve days with Hugh Dunn; and in 
the month of December boarded with John McCuUoch 
six days." He must have had a school-building put up 
for him, as Dr. Gofroth's diary names "Reiley's school- 
house" as a certain place of meeting. If so, this was the 
first temple of learning in the Miami country. 

A little more than eight years after the settlement of 
Columbia, it entertained a distinguished visitor in the 
person of a young Englishman named Francis Baily, 
afterwards an "F. R. S.'" and president of the Royal As- 
tronomical society. The following extracts are from his 
journal of a tour, which was not published until 1856, 
and thenappeared as an appendix to a memoir of Baily, 
by the late Sir John Herschel: 

Tuesday, February 28, 1797. 

This morning we dropped down the river about half a mile to a con- 



venient landing, and here we had a much better view of the town than 
we had where we lay last night. The houses lie very scattered along 
the bottom of a hill which is about one-eighth of a mile from the liver. 
The town is laid out on a regular plan, but was never in a very flourish- 
ing state. The neighboring and well-settled country round and at 
Cincinnati prevents it from being a place of any great importance: he- 
sides, it lies very low, and is often overflowed from the river, which 
prevents any houses being built immediately on the banks, as is cus- 
tomary in these new settlements. One-quarter of the land on which the 
town was intended to be laid out is now under water. 

After breakfast we went ashore to view the town, and H. introduced 
me to Mr. [Rev. John] Smith and Dr. Bean. The former gentleman is 
a man of very good property, which he has acquired in several different 
ways in this ptace : he is a farmer, a merchant, and a parson ; all these 
occupations, though seemingly so different, he carries en with the great- 
est regularity and without confusion. The latter is a man of good edu- 
cation and practices physic heie, somewhat in the same manner as our 
country apothecaries in England do, for which he is dubbed doctor. As 
those gentlemen rank with the first in the place, a description of their 
habitations, manners, and society will serve, without any great vari- 
ation, for that of the bulk of emigrants in a similar state of life. 

As Dr. Bean would insist upon our sleeping at his house, and in fact 
stopping with him during our residence 'here we accompfanied him home. 
His house was built of logs, as all the houses in these new settlements 
are, and consisted of a ground floor containing two rooms, one of which 
was appropriated to lumber, the other served all the purposes of parlor, 
bed-room, shop, and everything else (though there was a little out- 
house where they occasionally cooked their victuals and also washed), 
and it did not appear as if it had been cleaned out this half-year. There 
were two windows to throw light into the room, but there had been so 
many of the panes of glass broken, whose places were supplied by old 
hats and pieces of paper, that it was very httle benefitted by the kind 
intention of the architect. I saw a few phials and gallipots on a shelf 
in one corner of the room, and near them a few books of difterent de- 
scriptions. . . Such is the force of example that very few of 
the emigrants who come into this kind of half-savage, half-civilized, 
state of life, however neat and cleanly they might have been before, can 
have resolution to prevent themselves from falling into that slovenly 
practice which everywhere surrounds them ; and it is not till the first 
class of settlers are moved off, that any of these new countries are at 
all desirable to a person brought up in different habits of life. 

At dinner-table I observed a table prepared in the middle of the 
room, with some knives and forks and pewter plates placed on it, but 
without anv table-cloth; and when the dinner was ready, two of his 
servants who were working out in the field were called in, and sat down 
at the same table and partook of the same provisions as ourselves. 

Our provisions consisted of some stewed pork and some beef, 
together with some wild sort of vegetable which had been gathered out 
in the woods, as it must be observed that in all these new settlements 
fresh provisions, both in meat and vegetables, are at some seasons very 
scarce, particularly at the time we were there. The inhabitants live a 
great deal upon deer and turkeys, which they shoot wild in the woods, 
and upon bacon, which they keep by them in case of need, and as to 
vegetables, ' they are seldom to be procured, e.«ept in summer. The 
bread which is made here is chiefly of Indian meal; it is a coarse kind 
of fare, but after a little use becomes not all unpleasant. 

When the time drew nigh for us to retire to rest, we were shown to one 
corner of the room where there was a ladder, up which we mounted 
into a dismal kind of a place without a window, but instead of these 
there were a number of crevices between the logs, which had never 
been filled up, and in the room there were three beds, or rather three 
bedsteads, with a few blankets thrown over them. 

I went to breakfast with iVlr. Smith, and here I found things a little 
more in order, though far from that degree of refinement and comfort 
to be met with in the more civilized parts of this country. This house 
bore the marks of industry and cleanliness, and we were regaled with 
tea and coffee and boiled chicken for our breakfast, attended with buck- 
wheat cakes, which are common in this part of the country. 

The farm of this gentleman consists of several acres of land 
adjoining his house, which he keeps in high cultivation — chiefly meadow 
ground— and from which he has realized a great deal of money. His 
warehouse was near the water side. It consisted of but one room, 
where he brings down the river such articles of European manufacture as 
are most in demand. There are but two or three other stores of the same 
kind in Columbia. The profits of this trade are generally one hundred 
percent., and sufficiently compensate the trade for the trouble of a 
journey once or twice ayearto Philadelphia. 



358 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Some lots in Columbia sold lately for thirty dollars. 

That inveterate romancer, Thomas Ashe, who after- 
wards made away with Dr. Goforth's admirable collection 
of fossil remains, passed Columbia on his way to Cin- 
cinnati in 1807, and made the following note in his 
book: 

Just below the junction of this stream [the Little Miami] with the 
Ohio is the town of Columbia, which rose out of the woods a few years 
ago with great rapidity and promise, and now is on the decline, bemg 
sickly and subject to insulation, when the waters of the Miami are 
backed up the country by the rise of the Ohio in the spring, the cur- 
rent of the Ohio being so impetuous as to hinder the Miami from flow- 
ing into the stream. [!] 

A topographical description of the State of Ohio, In- 
diana Territory, and Louisiana, by J. Cuder, published 
in 1810, gives a paragraph to Columbia: 

Immediately below the mouth of the Little Miami is the town of Co- 
lumbia. It was laid out by Colonel Symmes, and is the oldest settle- 
ment in the State, on the Ohio river, except Marietta, but has increased 
very little in the iiumber of its inhabitants. At present it is only a neat, 
pleasant village, consisting of about forty houses, built at some dis- 
tance from eacli other, on a rich bottom or interval. Nor is it probable, 
from its situation, that it will ever become a place of much business. 

In 1 8 19 Columbia is noticed m the Ohio State Gazet- 
teer as "a post town of Hamilton county, six miles east- 
wardly from Cincinnati. It is situated on the north bank 
of the Ohio river, one mile below the mouth of the 
little Miami, and contains about fifty houses." 

The first marriages in Columbia, as reported under the 
law of the court of general quarter sessions of the peace, 
are believed to have been those of Captain Jaines Flinn 
and Jane Newell, June 27, 1790, and of Bethuel Covalt 
and Rachel Blackford, December 29, 1790. 

Columbia village was regularly incorporated in 1868.. 
By the last census taken before its annexation to Cincin- 
nati, that of 1870, it had a population of one thousand 
one hundred and sixty-five. It was taken into the city 
in 1873. AiTiong its mayors have been — J. L. Thomp- 
son, 1869; W. J. M. Gordon, 1870; Benneville Kline, 
1872-4. ■ 

LINWOOD. 

This place has a large site — one thousand three hun- 
dred and fifteen acres, or over two square miles — com- 
prising four hundred and forty-six acres more than all 
the rest of Spencer township. It is situated in the north- 
east part of the township, on the hills west of the Little 
Miami railroad, and southwest of the observatory at 
Mount Lookout. It was founded in 1848 for L. A. 
Chapman, by Israel Wilson, and has been greatly en- 
larged and otherwise improved since by the operations of 
the Linwood Land company. January 16, 1874, the 
village was incorporated for general purposes, and its 
mayor that year was Mr. John P. Lan_gdon^ 

It is mainly a place for suburban residence, with Meth- 
odist, Congregational and Baptist churches, and a good 
graded school; but a beginning of manufacturing has 
been made with a hame-factory, etc. It has a population 
of seven hundred and twenty-two by the census of 1880. 

Linwood station is half a mile south of the main part 
of Linwood, at the junction of the Union Bridge and 
Wooster turnpikes, and on the Little Miami railroad. A 



considerable settlement has also been made here. 1 he 
fine Undercliff road passes through it. 

James L. Langdon settled in Columbia township in 
1806. He was born in Orange county, Vermont, in 
1792, and emigrated to Ohio, where he still lives. He 
has followed the business of farming on the Miami bot- 
toms. At times also he has served as a Methodist 
preacher. His wife, Sarah Phelps, was born in Maine in 
1799, and died in 1863. They have three children liv- 
ing in this county: John P.; Elam C, a resident of Lin- 
wood; and Mrs. Harriet Williams, of Springfield. Mr. 
Langdon is one of the oldest men living in Columbia 
township; he is eighty-eight years old, has lived a life 
that commands the respect of all who know him, and 
his two sons are worthy representatives of himself 

RED BANK STATION 

is on the Little Miami railroad and river, at the south- 
east corner of the township, on the Spencer line, about 
a mile east of the observatory, and two and a half miles 
northeast of Columbia. Batavia Junction, where the 
Cincinnati & Eastern narrow guage joins the Little 
Miami, is a few hundred yards northeast of it. 

MOUNT LOOKOUT 

is at the extreme northeast corner of Cincinnati, and lies 
both within and without the city. The observatory at- 
tached to the University of Cincinnati is located here, in 
charge of Director Stone. A fine private park lies just 
inside the city limits, which is much in request for picnic 
parties and celebrations. A dummy railroad connects 
the locality with the horse-cars at Pendleton. 
o'bryanville. 
A village on the Madison pike, now included in the 
First ward of the city, at the northwest corner of the old 
Spencer township. It was laid out in 1875 ^Y Scar- 
borough & Williams, executors of the will of Benjamin 
Hey. 

PENDLETON. 

Also an old village, but more considerable, lying be- 
tween the hills and the river, from Fulton to Sportsman's 
Hall or the East End garden. The Delta station, on 
the Little Miami railroad, and the termini of the Colum- 
bia and Mount Lookout dummy railroads, are at the 
latter point. 

LEWISTON 

was a former village in Spencer township, laid out in 
1828 by William Lewis. It is now included in the Sev- 
enteenth ward of the city. 

UNDERCLIFF AND RUSSELL's 

are stations and suburban villages on the Little Miami 
railroad, between Columbia and Red Bank. 

TURKEY BOTTOM. 

This is a notable track of about one and a half square 
miles, between the Little Miami river and Columbia. It 
was found by the first settlers already cleared, for the 
most part, by the long cultivation of the Indians, and 
very likely also of the Mound Builders; but still exceed- 
ingly fertile. From nine acres of it planted by Judge 
Goforth during the first season of white occupancy, nine 



Jl 




e7.'7te2ct-(y. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



359 



hundred and sixty-three bushels of corn were raised ; and 
Captain Benjamin Davis realized a crop of one hundred 
and fourteen bushels from one acre. There is also a tra- 
dition that Benjamin Randolph, having planted a single 
acre with corn and then compelled to visit New Jersey, 
came back in the fall and found one hundred bushels of 
corn, witiiout any attention meanwhile, ready for his in- 
gathering. Major Stites was its first owner, and leased it 
out in good-sized lots — unmarked by divisions — to six of 
the colonists, for terms of five years. The first cultiva- 
tion of it by the whites had to be done under guard, to 
protect against Indian surprise. It was almost the sole 
Columbia cornfield of 1789 and '90, and was the favorite 
resort of the women and children, for procuring the b.ar- 
grass root for fuel. 

In the matter of the fertility of the Columbia region, 
an extravagant local item in the Wesk?-n Spy and Hamil- 
ton Gazette for September 11, 1802, with quotation 
here : 

There is in the garden of Colonel John Armstrong, of Columbia, a 
peach-tree on which there is fruit nearly as big as a half-bushel, and 
would weigh, it is supposed, from twenty to twenty-five pounds. 

TUSCULUM 

names a station on the Little Miami railroad in Eastern 
Cincinnati, and also a district for suburban residence on 
the neighboring hill, which is called Mount Tusculum, 
and closely overlooks Columbia both south and east. 
Over three hundred acres have been handsomely laid 
out and improved by Judge Joseph Langworth, the im- 
provements including a fine roadway of about five miles 
length, called Undercliff avenue, which encircles and in- 
tersects the entire quarter. 

POPULATION. 

Spencer township — the little tract now lying outside 
the city — had nine hundred and ninety-five inhabitants 
by the census of June, 1880. And yet it had as the 
larger township, a population of two thousand five hun- 
dred and forty-three in 1880. 



Biographical Sketch, 



THE LANGDON FAMILY. 
The records of the Langdon family in Linwdod go 
back to Philip Langdon, a mariner from Boston, Massa- 
chusetts, who was originally from England, it is supposed. 
His seventh child and fifth son was Lieutenant Paul 
Langdon, who was born September 12, 1693, and died 
December 3, 1761. He married Mrs. Mary Stacy August 
18, 1 7 18, in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and they had 
seven children; the fifth being John Langdon (the grand- 
father of James D. Langdon). Lieutenant Paul Lang- 
don and this son John took part in the Revolutionary 
war. This John was born June 21, 1728, and died 
October 10, 1822. He married Eunice Torrcy, Decem- 
ber 29, 1 757, and they had a fainily of eight children, 



whose names were John W., Artemas, James, Josiah, 
Joanna, Oliver, Eunice, and Solomon. Of these Artemas 
died in infancy, and the brothers, excepting Josiah, all 
came to Ohio with their sister Joanna, and although they 
were farming, yet they often officiated as preachers and 
exhorters in the Methodist church. They settled near 
Cincinnati, and some of their descendants are living in 
the old homestead. James, the third son, was the father 
of the subject of the following sketch. He was born 
March 27, 1762, and died October 3, 1804. He was 
married December 15, 1788, to Esther Stebbins, also of 
Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and their children were 
Richard Chester, James Davenport, Elam Potter, Loren- 
da, and Joanna. He (the father) died while the children 
were comparatively young, leaving the cares of the fami- 
ly on the mother, who was a woman of remarkable energy 
of character. She was usually known as "Aunt Esther," 
and as friend, nurse, or neighbor, was very often called 
upon for advice or assistance. In those days the women 
spun and wove the cloth for bedding and clothing, and 
Aunt Esther was a wonderful weaver and spinner. Her 
father was Moses Stebbins, the son of Samuel, who was 
the son of Samuel, who was the son of Thomas, who was 
born in 1620, in England, and son of Rowland Stebbins, 
or Stebbing, as the name was originally, and who came 
to America in 1634, and settled in Massachusetts. 

James Davenport Langdon was born June 13, 1792, 
in Vershire, Vermont. His father was James Langdon, 
who married Esther Stebbins, December 15, 1788, in 
Wilbraham, Massachusetts. His parents vi^ere both 
natives of this place, but immediately after their marriage 
they moved to Vershire, Vermont. He hadjwo brothers, 
Richard C. and Elain P., and two sisters, Lorenda and 
Joanna. In October, 1804, his father died whilst away 
from home on business, after a very short illness of 
measles. Two years after his death, or in 1806, two of 
his uncles, John W. and Solomon, wiih thtir families, 
his mother with her family, Andrew Peters and Wales 
Aldrich and their families, in all about forty souls, 
moved in wagons from Vermont and came out to Ohio. 
The journey was tedious and slowly made through the 
wilderness, there being no roads scarcely, camping at 
night as they could, sometimes at an occasional tavern or 
farm house, but oftener in their wagons as night came 
on. It took about ten weeks to reach the Ohio river at 
Wellsville, where they embarked on flat-boats, taking the 
wagons aboard, but sending the horses by land down the 
Ohio side. Floating down the river they landed at 
Columbia two days before Christmas. That first winter 
in Ohio his mother and family lived in part of the house 
of Oliver Spencer — an old building which still stands 
near the old tanyard. There was only one other house 
then in Columbia, the McMahon house, and that is still 
standing near the Columbia railroad station. 

This Oliver Spencer was the father of Robert, after- 
wards a Methodist preacher, Henry E., who was for 
several years mayor of Cincinnati, Oliver, a judge in the 
Hamilton county courts, and a fourth son who became a 
farmer in northern Ohio. 

In the spring of 1807 the family located at what was 



36o 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



called Red Bank station, on the farms or lands which 
have ever since been occupied by them and their de- 
scendants, on and near the Little Miami river. This 
land was purchased by his uncle Oliver Langdon, who 
was the guardian appointed in Vermont, out of tracts 
originally owned by Benjamin Stites. There were only 
ten or a dozen families then in all of what is now known 
as Spencer township; they were Eliphalet, Joseph, An- 
drew, and John Ferris, brothers, and Henry Ferris their 
cousin — the families of Larned, Allen Witham, Giffins, 
Nash, Riggle and Williams. A treaty had been made 
two or three years before with the Indians, and about all 
had gone to reservations. The first school-house was 
built by Joseph Ferris on his farm. The first religious 
society, Methodist, was formed in 1805 in the McMahon 
house alluded to, and the Baptists built the first church 
in Ohio in Columbia a few years later which was de- 
stroyed about 1835. The Methodists built their first 
church in Columbia about 1840, which was accidently 
burned and rebuilt on another lot. The settlers for the 
first year or two lived literally on hog and hominy. The 
first grist-mill was run by two brothers named Hawley, 
and was on the Miami near the mouth of Clough creek. 
Afterwards it was owned and run for years by the Tur- 
pins until worn out or destroyed. 

The brothers and sisters of James D. are all dead. 
The sister Lorenda married Lemuel SnowTfTSeptember, 
181 6, and moved to a farm in Indiana; the other sister, 
Joanna, also married a farmer, Minervus Swift, in Sep- 
tember, 1 818, and lived four years in Indiana; Elam 
Potter married Ann Cromwell, a sister of Joseph Crom- 
well, who kept the famous Broadway hotel so long iti 
Cincinnati. Elam Potter was connected as clerk or 
assistant postmaster nearly all his life with the Cincinnati 
post office. Richard was a printer and newspaper pub- 
lisher, and his widow still lives in Covington, Kentucky. 
James D., the subject of this sketch, was married to 
Sarah Phelps December 23, 1818, and has lived on the 
one spot about sixty-three years. He has always been 
actively engaged in farming from his early youth, and 
owes his good health and long years to good habits and 
regular living. His uncle Oliver was quite a preacher, 
and officiated at funerals, baptisms and marriages. After 
his uncle's death, in 1828 or 1829, he began to preach 
himself; the text of his first sermon was i Samuel xii- 
24 — "Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with 
all your heart, for consider how great things He has done 
for you" — and was at a service one Sunday at the mouth 
of the Little Miami river. There being but few rninisters 
in those days it naturally fell to be his lot to take the 
uncle's place. So from that on he was continually called 
on to preach, attend funerals, and solemnize marriages 
for miles all around the country. He was licensed to 
preach in 1836 and ordained elder in 1842. During 
the year 184S he was superintendent of Cincinnati circuit, 
and for eight years was a member of the annual confer- 
ence of the Methodist Protestant church. He was pres- 
ident of the first teinperance society formed in the year 
1833 in Columbia township. For years in succession 
he was a township trustee and school director, and has all 



through life been an officer or trustee in Sunday-school. 

His wife had an experience in coming to Ohio (which 
was the year before the marriage, or 1817) very similar to 
that of her husband. She was born in Hollowell, Maine, 
on May i, 1797, and was the daughter of Ebenezer and 
Sarah Phelps. She had four brothers, William, John, 
Alfred and Nathan, with one sister, Eliza, who came in 
wagons all the long journey from Hollowell, Maine, to 
Columbia. The brothers and sister (who married Jon- 
athan Livings) all settled in Indiana, and raised families 
there. Dr. Ebenezer S. Phelps, the oldest brother, lo- 
cated in Middleton, Massachusetts, where he and his 
family now reside. James D. and Sarah had a family of 
nine children — James, Sarah, Cynthia, Harriet, Cyrus, 
John, Elam, Edwin and Henry. There are now living 
only the father and three of the children — John P., Elam 
C, and Harriet. John P. occupies the homestead and 
is a farmer, and has one son, James W., who lives near 
his father, and is a farmer. The old family dwelling 
had become so out of repair and dilapidated, in 1877, 
having been used for some sixty years, it was torn down 
by John P., and a modern and commodious dwelling 
was built on the site. John P. has been mayor of the 
village for three successive terms, and been commissioned 
twice as magistrate for the township. Elam C. resides 
on part of the homestead farm, has had four children, 
three now living. These two brothers, from time to 
time, have been called upon to take part in aifairs of the 
township and village. Elam has served seventeen years 
as school trustee, several terms in village council, two or 
three terms as treasurer of township, and both the 
brothers are members and workers in church and Sabbath- 
school, taking an active part in all public enterprises. 
Harriet became the wife of Rev. Charles H. Williams, a 
minister in the Methodist Protestant church. She has 
three sons living, and for several years her home has 
been in Springfield, Ohio, where the sons are connected 
with railroads, and the husband is an active church 
officer. The sons James, Cyrus and Edwin, and the 
daughter, Sarah, died young or unmarried. Cynthia 
married Dr. H. E. Morrill, and her home was in Brook- 
lyn, New York, where an only daughter survives her, and 
who is now the wife of Dr. Hugh Smith. The son, 
Henry, became a physician and surgeon, and acted as 
such during the late war, in the Seventy-ninth regiment, 
Ohio volunteer infantry, which was with General Sherman 
during that wonderful march through the South, which 
virtually brought the war to an end. His widow survives 
him and one son, Willie Carson. The doctor, after the 
close of the war, practised medicine in Columbia for 
several years, and his office was within gunshot almost of 
the old Spencer house, in which his grandmother and 
father spent the winter of 1806-7. 

The record of the family of James D. Langdon: 
James D. Langdon, born June 13, 1792; Sarah Phelps, 
born May i, 1797, died September 11, 1863, married 
December 23, 1818. Their children were: James Har- 
vie, born November 23, 18 19, died June 27, 1842; 
Sarah, born October r, 1821, died December 15, 1825; 
Cynthia, born August 23, 1823, died January 9, 1861; 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



361 



Harriet, born July 25, 1825, still living in Springfield, 
Ohio; Cyrus Stebbins, born January 5, 1828, died Feb- 
ruary I, 1864; John Phelps, born December 8, 1829, 
living in Linwood, Ohio; Elam Chester, born March 31, 
1832, living in Linwood, Ohio; Edwin Mattoon, born 
December 20, 1834, died July 26, 1847; Henry Archer, 
born May 28, 1839, died May 13, 1876. 

John P. Langdon married, for his first wife, Mary 
Williams, May, 1855, and James W., a son by this mar- 
riage, is living, and married to Lida Durham, and occu- 



pies part of the father's farm. John P.'s second marriage 
took place in April, 1861, to Keturah Nash, and the 
couple still occupy the homestead place, and the old 
father lives with them. 

Elam C.'s first wife was Cynthia Allen, of New York 
State. She died in December, 1868, leaving two girls. 
His second wife was Martha F. Nash (whose sister mar- 
ried as above), a native of the old Columbia township. 
Two children have been born to them, one living only. 



SPRINGFIELD. 



ITS ERECTION. 

The need of a new township, to be carved from the 
northern part of the originally great Cincinnati township, 
was not felt with any pressure or made necessary by the 
pushing of settlement up the Miami purchase, until after 
Wayne's victory in 1794. This greatly stimulated re- 
moval from the hamlets along the river to the rural 
districts and invited rapid immigration from abroad. 
The next year the court of general quarter sessions of 
the peace for Hamilton county answered a demand of 
the growing settlements and somewhat numerous stations 
up the Mill Creek valley for a new municipality. Spring- 
field township was accordingly created, to begin at a 
point in the meridian bounding the east side of township 
three, in the first entire range, two miles south of the 
southeast corner of said township three (that is, the 
present corner of Springfield township); thence north two 
miles to said southeast corner of township three; thence 
east two miles to the meridian; thence north six miles 
to the northern line of the entire range one; thence west 
to the east boundary of Colerain, which was then as 
now; thence south along Colerain and South Bend town- 
ships eight miles; thence east to the place of beginning. 

This boundary deprived Springfield of its present range 
of sections on the north, in range two, township two; but 
south of the south line of that range gave two tiers of 
sections — twelve in all, to the present south line of 
Sycamore, also the ranges of sections across what is now 
the north part of Mill Creek township. The western 
boundary of Springfield was the same as now, except 
that it began one mile south of its present beginning, 
and extended two miles further south than now. The 
old township contained just sixty sections. 

In the general reconstruction of the townships of 
Hamilton county in 1803, Springfield suffered a change. 
It was now so bounded as to include the two western 
tiers of sections in township four, of the first entire range, 
which it had previously, but which are now in Sycamore 
46 



township; the two sections next north of them in the 
second entire range, township three, also in Sycamore, 
which Springfield did not have before; the five eastern 
tiers of sections in township three, of the first entire 
range, all of which Springfield covered previously, but 
now lost the last tier on the west; one tier of sections 
immediately north of these, in range two, township two, 
which was a new acquisition of five sections to Spring- 
field; and the same amount on the south, from what is 
now Mill Creek, but was only five-twelfths of the former 
possession of Springfield in this direction. By these 
changes the township had not greatly altered its form, 
but had shrunk in size from sixty to fifty-four sections. 

Springfield now includes the whole of township three, 
in the first entire range, and the tier of sections next on 
the north, in township two, range two. It is thus, but 
for a somewhat broken line on the north, a regular paral- 
lelogram of uniform length, seven sections with Sycamore 
and Springfield townships, and of even width — six miles 
— with Mill Creek township. It contains forty-two sec- 
tions, some of them being of less than full size, and so 
yielding altogether but twenty-five thousand eight hun- 
dred and ninety-six acres, and is, with the exception of 
Sycamore, which has the same number of sections but 
more acres, the largest township in the county. The 
south, east, and west boundary lines are run straight, 
with approximate exactness; the first section parallel 
from the south is also well run, as well as the meriadians 
in general; but the parallels proceeding from the 
second begin at once to break their regularity and soon 
become exceedingly uneven, growing more and more so 
to the north line of the township and county, which is 
here the most broken of any part of the county line, in 
places almost equaling the zigzags of a Virginia rail fence. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

Springfield township is bounded on the north by But- 
ler county, on the east by Sycamore township, south by 
Mill Creek township, west by Colerain. The southeast 



362 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and eastern parts ot the township are in the Mill Creek 
valley, which pushes some way, in its breadth and pictur- 
esque effects, up the West fork, into the interior of the 
township. The remainder of Springfield has the general 
character of the Hamilton county plateau. The heads 
of the West fork of Mill creek are just across the south 
line of the township, in Mill Creek — one at College Hill, 
the other a mile and a half east, near the Winton pike. 
The stream, with its tributaries, thence winds through or 
touches at least twenty-six sections of this township, with 
the main waters of Mill creek, which, at the point where 
they leave the township west of Carthage, approaching 
within a mile and a quarter of one head of the West 
fork, from which source the creek is here distant, by the 
very involved courses of the streams, scarcely less than 
eighteen miles. The East and West forks unite in this 
township, about a mile north of the southeast corner, 
and flow two miles and a half to their exit from Spring- 
field, a mile and two-thirds west of the corner. Some of 
the affluents of the East fork intersect the north part of 
the township, one of them stretching more than halfway 
across the northern tier of sections. In the northwest 
corner flow several of the headwaters of streams that 
make their way thence into Butler county and to the 
Great Miami at the northward. By all these the town- 
ship is very abundantly watered, and has its surface 
broken into many varied and picturesque forms. 

The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad runs 
through the entire easternmost tier of sections, in a 
somewhat winding course of about eight miles. The 
Cincinnati & Springfield railroad, commonly known as 
the Dayton Short Line, almost bisects section No. i, in 
the southeast corner, but does not elsewhere touch the 
township, except across a corner of the next section 
north. It has a course in Springfield of only about one 
and a half miles. The College Hill narrow-gauge rail- 
way now runs to a point half a mile west of "Mt. Pleas- 
ant, entering from the south and having about two miles 
of track within the township. Another narrow-gauge 
line, called the Cincinnati, Avondale & Hamilton rail- 
road, has been projected, to enter Springfield from the 
direction of Avondale, where it would form a junction 
with the Miami Valley (now Cincinnati & Northern), 
upon section No. 7, nearly half a mile west of the Cin- 
cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, and run with a 
general parallelism to that line to Glendale, where it 
would strike to the northwest, leaving the township on 
section No. 19, two miles and a half from the northwest 
corner. This, however, is believed to be a dead project. 
The old Hamilton turnpike runs through the township 
almost on a due north and south line, through Mount 
Pleasant, one mile east of the Colerain line. The Ham- 
ilton, Springfield & Carthage turnpike, on the old mili- 
tary road, or Wayne's trace, strikes a bee line from Carth- 
age, on the first meridian west of the Sycamore boundary 
througe Hartwell, Wyoming, and to Glendale, whence it 
diverges to the northwest, passing through Springdale to 
its exit from the county in the direction of Hamilton. 
The line due northward from the pomt of divergence is 
continued by the Princetown turnpike to the north county 



line. The Winton pike, and several other fine roads, 
also aid in the accommodation of the Springfield people. 
The Lebanon pike barely more than touches the south- 
east corner. The Miami canal also crosses that angle, 
but farther in the interior, striking diagonally, in a course 
of about two miles, through sections Nos. i and 2, and 
passing the villages of Carthage, Hartwell, and Lockland. 
These with other villages named above, and also Spring- 
dale, are also the principal places in the township, al- 
though many others have been platted, particularly on 
the railway lines, as will appear near the close of this 
chapter. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The first, nominated by the quarter sessions court in 
1795, were: John Ludlow, clerk; James Wallace, over- 
seer of the poor; Henry Tucker, Jacob White, overseers 
of highways; Isaac Martin, John Vance, Luke Foster, 
viewers of enclosures and appraisers of damages. 

Under the order of 1803, defining new boundaries for 
the township, the voters in Springfield were required to 
meet at the house of Jonathan Pittman, and elect three 
justices of the peace. 

April 24, 1809, under the system then prevailing, 
Zebulon Foster and Joseph Jenkins were commissioned 
by the governor of the State as justices of the peace for 
the township of Springfield, each to hold his office for 
the term of three years. 

We find the names of other Springfield justices pub- 
lished as follows: 181 9, Abraham Lindlay, William 
Snodgrass; 1825, Charles Swaim; 1829, Thomas Scott, 
James Whalon, Alexander Mayhew; 1865-8, Samuel 
McLean, John L. McGill, R. McGilliard; 1869, Mc- 
Gilliard, McLean, Thomas Evitt; 1870-1, Evitt, Mc- 
Gilliard, C. B. Rufifin; 1872, Evitt, McGilliard, E. P. 
Newell; 1873, McGilliard, Newell, Joseph O. Durham; 
1874, Durham, McGilliard, F. M. Douglass; 1875-6, 
same, with Jeremiah Gross; 1878, Robert Carson, D. J. 
Smith, H. P. Mayhew; 1879-80, Smith, Mayhew, R. J. 
Stauverman. 

HISTORICAL NOTES. 

The cattle brand of the township, fixed by the court of 
quarter sessions in 1795, was E. 

It is noted that by 1810 Springfield had already a pop- 
ulation of about fifty-eight to the square mile. It had 
a total number of seven thousand nine hundred and 
seventy-nine inhabitants by the census of 1880. 

In the Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette, of Cincin- 
nati — the number for July 9, 1800 — William Ludlow 
advertises his farm in Springfield township, of thirty to 
forty acres, for sale, and offers to take a brood-mare for 
part pay. Farming property, evidently, was cheap in 
those days. 

The Mound Builders left some remains of interest in 
this township, although none great in extent. A fine 
old mound, of considerable size, near the Station spring, 
was destroyed many years ago, in grading for a turnpike. 
Mr. Olden says: 

In cutting through it the earth presented the appearance of having 
been deposited from vessels little larger than a peck measure, as small 
heaps of that size and of eutirely different kinds of earth were found 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



363 



deposited or thrown promiscuously together, showing that the builders 
of the worl: had no knowledge of the domestication or use of the lower 
animals, and that all their great works were constructed entirely by 
human hands. 

Another, said by Mr. Olden to correspond pretty 
nearly in size to this, still stands on the Maynard French 
farm, section eleven, southwest of Glendale. He says: 

It is seventy-three feet in diameter north and south, and sixty-three 
feet east and west at the base, with an altitude of eight feet. It is cov- 
ered with forest trees, oak and ash, some of which are more than twenty 
inches in diameter. Some persons in digging into it years ago left two 
uneven and ill-looking depressions, which mar the appearance of this 
otherwise beautiful little mound. 

A smaller mound, of about forty feet in base-diameter 
and six feet high, is found on section four, upon the 
Noah Bab's place. Several others exist upon the estate 
of Mr. John L. Riddle, in the northwest part of the 
township, and some elsewhere in Springfield, but none 
of so marked a character as to call for further descrip- 
tion. We do not learn that any enclosures or fortified 
works have ever been discovered in the township. 

THE BEGINNINGS OF SETTLEMENT. 

In 1792, Mr. Henry Tucker, who had come froin New 
Jersey to Columbia the same year with his relative, John 
Tucker; Henry Weaver, who came to the same place 
from New York, two years before; Luke and Zebulon 
Foster, Jonathan Pittman and James McCasken, formed 
a company to push up the valley of Mill creek, estabUsh 
a station and improve a farm. They found a suitable 
tract on what is now section four of this township, on the 
west branch of Mill creek, a little below Glendale, half a 
mile north of the site of the well-known tavern, afterwards 
kept by Mr. Pittman, and about as far east of the tracks 
of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad. . The 
site known as Foster's Hill transmits the memory of their 
occupation here. It was then on the military trace cut 
through between Forts Washington and Hamilton. East 
of this, and at a point about a mile and a half northwest 
of the present Lochland, the party began the erection of 
a block-house. Mr. Olden says: "The old station-house 
stood on the east side of the road, immediately opposite 
the late residence of Manning Tucker, now owned by 
Mr. Horace Bugher." The farm owned by Mr. Bugher 
is identical, in part, with the location made by the Tuck- 
ers and their company. Cabins were also commenced; 
but the settlement, although unmolested by the Indians, 
was presently disturbed by a dissension between Henry 
Tucker and Luke Foster, the former alleging that Foster, 
in making the lines of his own division (for the settlers 
were not to hold in common), had encroached upon the 
site Tucker had selected for his home. The trouble was 
serious, and the complainant, unable to obtain satisfac- 
tion, seceded from the colony and returned to Columbia. 
During the winter of 1793-4, however, the difficulty was 
composed, Luke Foster accepting an offer of ten acres in 
the southwest corner of the section, and Zebulon Foster 
five acres next north of it, as compensation for their im- 
provements made on section four. This was now divided 
again between the two Tuckers and Pittman, while the 
Fosters, with Weaver and McCashen, and two new men 
named James Seaward and Ziba Wingent, agreed to 



settle on sections nine and ten, next on the west and 
southwest. Under this arrangement Henry Tucker, with 
the rest, who had also returned to Columbia on the ad- 
vice of Captain Wells, an experienced Indian fighter, to 
await the advent of Wayne's army, went out again in the 
spring of 1794 and recommenced their improvements. 

Henry Tucker's son, the Manning R. Tucker men- 
tioned above, resided long after upon the tract, and the 
place continued to be known as Tucker's station, being 
mentioned by that name in the notes of early travellers, 
and in other accounts. But the new station-house, made 
necessary by the division of the original party into the 
settlements, thus calling for a location central and con- 
venient to both, was called 

PLEASANT VALLEY STATION. 

It took its name from the beautiful grove in pictur- 
esque surroundings, amid which it was situated. A spring 
near still bears the name of "Station spring," and tra- 
ditionally marks the site as on the line between sections 
four and ten, on the west bank of Mill creek, and di- 
rectly on the present Hamilton turnpike, near Woodlawn 
station. Late in the fall, about two months after Wayne 
had marched his protecting and avenging "legion" north- 
ward, the station-house and cabins being sufficiently near 
completion, the settlers felt it safe to remove their 
families to the station. Mr. Olden says: 

. Neither Tucker's nor Pleasant Valley stations suffered any serious 
trouble with the Indians. No murders or other depredations were 
committed, and, save one single incident, nothing occurred to cause 
alarm or apprehension of danger. The event referred to happened 
one morning during the winter of 1793-4. Mr, James Seward, while 
down at the spring getting water, heard what he supposed to be tur- 
keys calling some distance beyond the creek, and on going into the 
station-house spoke to a Mr. Mahan, who had been about the station 
several days, saying: " If you would like to have a turkey, Mahan, I 
think you can get one if you hurty out. I heard them calling over on 
the hill." Mahan at once caught up his gun and started in the direc- 
tion pointed out by Seaward. He had gone but a short distance when 
he heard the peculiar calling of turkeys, and followed on in the direc- 
tion until he was led away near a mile from the station, when suddenly 
a large Indian stepped from behind a tree not more than twenty yards 
from him, and said in broken English, "How do?" At the same time 
he saw a gun pointing towards him from a cluster of spice bushes. The 
surprise was so great and sudden that he dropped his gun and ran with 
superhuman speed for the station, followed closely by the Indians. 
Tlrey no doubt intended capturing him without alarming the settlement, 
and therefore did not fire upon and kill him at once, as they could 
easily have done. . . . He outstripped his pursuers and' reached 
the station, but so overcome that his eyes were protruding and blood- 
shot. He swooned from exhaustion, and lay for an hour or more in a 
complete stupor. 'When reaction came a fever set in, and for several 
days his life was despaired of. 

Mr. Henry Weaver, of this settlement, was appointed 
by Governor St. Clair, in 1794, one of the justices of the 
peace for Hamilton county, with a very large jurisdic- 
tion, in point of territory, considering the extent of the 
country at that time. He pushed further to the north- 
ward after the treaty of Greenville, settling near the pres- 
ent Middletown, in Butler county, and afterwards on Elk 
creek, Madison township, where he lived the rest of his 
days, filling honorably, a part of the time, the post of 
associate judge of the court of common pleas, and many 
lesser offices. 

Luke Foster, one of the Columbia pioneers and a 
lieutenant under appointment of Governor St. Clair, was 



364 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the patriot who made the offer of a hundred bushels of 
corn to relieve the garrison at Fort Washington in 1789, 
as is related elsewhere. He remained with the Pleasant 
Valley settlement; also became an associate judge of the 
court of common pleas, and was killed August 28, 1857, 
at the great age of eighty-eight years, by a gravel train 
on the Cincinnati Hamilton & Dayton railroad, which 
passed through his farm. 

Foster Hill, in the south part of section four, midway 
between Glendale and Lockland, is named after this 
family. 

FORTIFIED STATIONS. 

The territory now covered by Springfield township in- 
cluded a greater number of these than any other tract of 
equal size in the county. The vigorous pushing of en- 
terprising colonists up the Mill Creek valley, vk^hile the 
necessity for special protection against Indian attacks 
still existed, sufficiently accounts for this. The most im- 
portant of these simple fortifications was probably 

I. White's Station. — This was formed under the lead- 
ership of Captain Jacob White, of Redstone, Pennsyl- 
vania, by a number of families, among the heads of 
whom were Messrs. David Flinn, Andrew and Moses 
Pryor, Andrew Goble, and Lewis Winans. The exact 
date is unknown. Local traditions fix the year as 1790; 
but as Captain White did not locate his land until July 
23, 1792, it is believed that he did not go upon it with 
his settlement until after that date. His location was 
upon section one in this township, and the block-house 
was built near the present canal aqueduct, northeast of 
Carthage, on the southeast bank of Mill creek, at what 
was then called "the third crossing." Mr. Olden says: 
"Its particular location, as near as can be described, was 
where the ice-pond now is, northeast of Carthage." The 
block-house was a small and feeble defence, and was oc- 
cupied by White's family alone. Goble and Flinn built 
cabins for their families near, and a heavy, rough log- 
fence surrounded all the buildings. It was made, how- 
ever, rather to turn cattle and hogs, then for protection 
against Indians. 

Mr. Thomas M. Dill, of Carthage, in a narative pre- 
pared for the History of Mill Creek Township, gives the 
following description of this humble fortification: 

The station stood on the south bank of Mill creek, where the Cin- 
cinnati & Springfield railroad bridge now crosses. It was a strong 
doubled log structure, with a middle hall through between the inner 
apatments, in the upper projecting stories of which were holes through 
which to lire. Barricade doors effectually barred all entrance from 
without, while a palisade strengthened an outer enclosure, into which 
horses were placed in time of danger. The creek prevented approach 
from the north and northeast, the bank here being high, and the ford 
below being within range of the guns in the station. The front of the 
block-house was towards the southeast, fifty yards from which, along 
the edge of the bottom, ran a low fence, extending from the great road 
on the west around east aid north to the bank of the creek, where the 
Miami aqueduct now stands. On the bank of the creek, above and below 
the station-house, were the cabins of Andrew Goble and Mr. Flinn, with 
whom lived his sons, Stephen and Benjamin. On the north side of the 
creek were the houses of Andrew Pryor, John S. Wallace, and Mr. 
Winans, and that of Mrs. Moses Pryor, whose husband was killed the 
year before in the well. 

Andrew Pryor, Mr. Winans, and Colonel John S. 
Wallace afterwards built cabins on the other side of 



the creek, within what are now the limits of Hartwell, but 
not distant from the station. The tract owned formerly 
by Moses Pryor was in section six, Mill Creek township, 
including what are now the county infirmary firin, and his 
residence, in his lifetime, was more distant from the sta- 
tion, as \yas that of Mr. John Reily, a school teacher 
from Columbia, who was onlhe northeast corner of sec- 
tion twelve, the original site of Carthage. Their history 
belongs to the annals of Mill Creek township. 

The principal event at White's station, or elsewhere 
in the early history of Springfield township, was the des- 
perate attack made by a party of Indians upon the station 
on the evening of October, 1793, closely following the 
defeat of an escort to one of Wayne's wagon-trains, a few 
miles north of Fort St. Clair. The station had been 
warned of the disaster, and probable consequent danger 
to it, by a courier from Wayne on the morning of the 
same day. Mr. Olden thus tells the sad story: 

Many traditionary accounts have been handed down through the 
families then belonging to the station concerning the events about to 
be related, differing, as might be expected, as to the details ; but the 
principal facts are well substantiated, and may be relied upon as true. 

The whole male force about the station at the time consisted of seven 
men and a boy, viz.: Captain Jacob White, Andrew Goble, David 
Flinn and his two sons Stephen and Benjamin, both full-grown men, 
Andrew Pryor, Lewis Winans, and Providence, the son of Captain 
White, then but ten years of age. John S. Wallace, who resided in a 
cabin on the north bank of the creek, was at the time on a visit with 
his family at Cincinnati. The widow of Moses Pryor, with her three 
children, was residing in the family of her brother-in-law, Andrew Pry- 
or, opposite the station, as before stated. 

About five o'clock in the evening the dogs belonging to the station 
kept up a continuous barking on the hill, not far from the present res- 
idence of William R. Mol'ris. Andrew Goble, supposing the dogs had 
treed a coon, proposed to go into the woods and get it ; but Captain 
White, thinking it possible that there were Indians about, forbade any 
one going out. Goble, however, persisted, and finally went alone. 
He had gone but a few hundred yards from the station when he wa.s 
fired upon and fell, pierced, as it was afterwards discovered, by a num- 
ber of balls. The Indians then emerged from their cover (some say 
behind the second bank of the creek ; others assert that they were con- 
cealed in the little ravine south of where Mr. Morris' residence now 
stands). They came down the hill with their accustomed war-whoop, 
and as they approached the station they observed Mrs. Pryor's little 
girl, a child of little more than four years old, playing upon the oppo- 
site bank of the creek. They at once fired upon it, and it fell mortally 
wounded. The mother, who and her three children were then the 
only occupants of the cabins on the north side of the creek — all the 
other inmates having gone over to the station on a visit — heard the fir- 
ing, and went to the door of the cabin just in time to witness the fatal 
shot that struck her child. Her second child, a boy between two and 
three yeaas old, being sick, she was holding him in her arms, while her 
babe was lying asleep in the cradle, On seeing her little girl fall she 
put down the boy and went out, under the fire of the Indians, and bore 
the child into the house, only, however, to find it silent in death. 

The savages then opened fire upon the little block-house, which was 
promptly returned, and the crack of the rifle was incessant for some 
half-hour. There were a number of surplus guns in the station, and 
the women were kept busy loading, while the men were thus enabled 
to keep up an almost constant fire, making their number appear much 
greater. Captain White ordered the women to place his hat upon a 
pole and run it through the roof of the block-house. This ruse was 
quite successful for a time in drawing the fire of the enemy. 

The Indians, who numbered about thirty, and up to this time were 
sheltered behind trees at some distance away, now came down the hill 
upon the station with furious yells, as if to carry it by storm. They 
were led on by a large and powerful chief, who approached the block- 
house and, while in the act of scahng the fence, received a fatal shot 
and fell within the enclosure. The rest of the band, seeing their leader 
fall, retreated back into the woods, where they kept up an occasional 
fire for an hour or more, and then withdrew and were heard of no more. 




^y-/, ::!/i'.M£, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



365 



In the early pnrt of the engagement several Indians detached them- 
selves from the main body, and, crossing the creek some distance above 
came down in the rear of the three cabins on the opposite bank from the 
station, in one of which Mrs. Pryor and her children resided. On find- 
ing her little girl dead beyond hope, iVIrs. Pryor became so distressed 
over her bereavement that for a tmie she lost sis;ht of all danger and 
gave herself up to grief. But the peril was too imminent to allow much 
time for sorrow. On going to the door of the cabin she saw an Indian 
approaching but a few hundred yards away, and once her mind reverted 
to her surviving children. Her first thought was to grasp both and fly 
for safety, but a second glance at the Indian warned her that time was 
precious, and, with a gleam of hope tha.t the savage might spare her 
babe, she caugh up the sick boy and ran with all speed for the station, 
with the Indian in full pursuit. Without any regard to road or ford, 
she took the most direct course to the block-house, and on coming to 
the creek sprang into the water up to her waist , crossed the stream, 
and reached the station in safety, where she was compelled to remain in 
her wet garments during the night.* 

Soon after the attack began Andrew Pryor was dispatched to Fort 
Washington for aid. He reached the fort about midnight, and ob- 
tained ten dragoons, each bearing an infantryman behind his saddle, 
who hastened to the relief of the little station, which they reached 
about daylight, but found that the Indians had left during the night. 

On going to the cabins over the way it was discovered that the sav- 
ages had taken Mrs. Pryor's babe from the cradle and dashed out its 
brains against a stump near the cabin door, where its body was found, f 
They had entered all three of the cabins, ripped open the feather beds, 
turned out the feathers, and filled the ticks with clothing, coverlets, 
blankets, household goods and other valuables, and carried all away. 
The soldiers followed the trail for several miles but failed to overtake 
them. 

Some additional particulars of interest and value are 
su])plicd by Mr. Dill's relative, which we subjoin in full, 
notwithstanding some slight and unimportant discrepan- 
cies with Mr. Olden's account: 

Of the White family it appears that only Captain Jacob White and 
his son. Providence, a boy of twelve, together with the female portion 
of the family, were at home on that day. John S. Wallace and wife 
were away at Cincinnati; so that but si.^t men and a boy comprised the 
strength of the station. During the day the dogs, in the woods east of 
the station, had barked a good deal, and Andrew Goble, thinking they 
had treed a coon, started out about sunset, saying he would have the 
coon, "Indians or no Indians." The Indians were in the ravine, which 
ran towards the station on the north side of the graveyard, and along 
the hilltop (near the aqueduct) overlooking the cabins of Pryor, Winans, 
and Wallace. On nearing the woods, where the dogs had been noticed 
barking, Andrew Goble was fired upon by the Indians, and fell, with 
eight balls through him. The Indians above, on the bluff, immediately 
fired across the creek, killing one of the Widow Pryor's children. The 
other child ran for its mother, at Andrew Pryor's. The mother ran to 
the child, which was shot before her eyes, and with the other endeav- 
ored to reach the cabin. A second volley from the Indians on the 
bluft struck the other child, and when Mrs. Pryor entered the cabin 
both children were dead in her arms. It was supposed by Captain 
White and those in the station that it was one of his own children that 
was first shot, until some time after the attack, when the little ones 
came out from under the bed, where they had taken refuge from the 
balls of the enemy. 

Fire was opened effectively upon every Indian who exposed hii?iself 
from the cabins of Pryor and Winans, over the creek, and from the 
rifles of Captain White and the Flinns, in the station. The women 
put the children under the beds, and, themselves being protected by the 
strength of the lower rooms and the bullet proof palisades outside, as- 
sisted in loading the guns and passing them up to White and the Flinns 

* Mrs. Pryor was married in 1794 to Samnel Dunn, and immediately returned 
to the improvements made by her former husband, on what is now the county 
infirmary farm. There she and her husband resided for many years and raised a 
family of si.v children. Her maiden name was Elizabeth 'Willis, and was a na- 
tive of New Jersey. She died on the second day of January, 1843, in the 
seventy-fourth year of her age, and was buried in the old Baptist burying-ground 
at Duck creek. The late Jeremiah Dunn, who resided north of Lockland, was 
her eldest son. 

t Mrs. Pryor was thus trebly bereaved bv the Indian marauders. Her hus- 
band had been killed by the Indians at Pleasant run, near Fort Hamilton, while 
:onducting pack-trains for the army. 



above, who, firing rapidly from under the roof, not only did considera- 
ble execution, but impressed the savages with the belief that the post 
contained a greater force than it did. 

About dark, and after the firing had continued sharply for over an 
hour, the Indians prepared to charge on the station and break their way 
through: t^ut the deadly fire from well directed rifles caused them to 
hesitate. The chief was recognized by his great stature, his orders, 
and his dodging continually from tree to tree, working his way towards 
the fence which extended across the cleared yard, sixty yards from the 
station. At last he issued his last command, and with a whoop started 
in advance of the rest to clear the fence. He reached the top of it, 
when White's rifle cracked, and the Indian fell heavily within the en- 
closure, dead. The attacking party kept under cover of the trees and 
the banks of the ravine until darkness prevented further hope of suc- 
cess. No sooner had darkness made it impossible to see the rifle-sights, 
than those of the Whites beyond the creek came over with their families 
into the station. Andrew Pryor immediately mounted a horse and 
started — most probably by way of Ludlow's station — to Cincinnati for 
aid. He, with Colonel Wallace and twenty men, got to the station be- 
fore daylight on the twentieth, but found the Indians had withdrawn. 

Providence White, the boy, long afterwards related that his father. 
Captain White, "switched one of the horses well to make him lively, 
and as soon as it was dark put him on the horse's back and started him 
out of the station gate, telling him to whoop at the brow of the hill, to 
let them know he was still safe on the horse's back, and go quick for 
help." The boy went, taking the road or trace in the direction of 
Bonnell's run. Duck creek, and thence to Columbia. The Indians fired 
at the horse and rider, in the darkness, but did no injury other than to 
scalp one of Provy's big toes. 

It has been frequently stated in print that in this attack on White's 
station the Indians left but one dead — the chief, who was too heavy to 
be carried off under fire of the station: but this is incorrect. Twenty- 
five years ago William D. Ludlow stated to the writer of this narrative 
that he was at White's soon after the occurrence, and saw some of the 
dead Indians within a half-mile of the station. They were covered but 
slightly with earth, stalks, and weeds; the weather was warm and their 
bodies were much swollen, and one of them had on a sort of cotton 
shirt, and by his side a new rifle. His head was pillowed on the root 
of a tree, and on his bosom was tipped up a piece of looking-glass, re- 
flecting the ugly features of his dead face. Some years ago some la- 
borers in the vicinity of this site disinterred the parts of several skele- 
tons; and these were, most probably, the remains of the Indians who 
fell in the attack. 

2. Griffin's Station. — This was but about half a mile 
west of White's, and was probably established in the fall of 
1793, or soon afterwards. Lieutenant Daniel Griffin, 
upon a land warrant, July 23, 1792, entered the entire 
section seven, now in this township, and some time after 
sold three hundred and forty-eight acres of it to James 
Caldwell. James was one of the sons (the other being 
Samuel) of Robert Caldwell, who were all among the 
earliest settlers about this station, together with Robert 
Griffin, Daniel and Jacob Vorhis, James McCashen, and 
Daniel Seward. Their main station building was on the 
present Hamilton, Springfield and Carthage turnpike, 
where it crosses Mill creek southwest of Hartwell. It 
seems to have had no particular history. The cabins of 
the Griffin and Vorhis brothers, and that of Robert Cald- 
well, were on the south side of the stream; those of 
Daniel Seward and James McCashen on the north. 
Seward's is said to have been near the present dwelling 
of Mr. Cormany, in Hartwell ; McCashen's at the inter- 
section of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad 
and the turnpike. John Winans is also known to have 
been an early immigrant near the station, but just where 
he located is uncertain. A Uttle way below it the Cald- 
wells early built a saw- and grist-mill, with which a little 
distillery was afterwards connected. Their business was 
ruined in 1806 by a sudden and unusual freshet in Mill 



366 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



creek, which- swept off their works ; and it was not found 
worth while to rebuild them. 

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT. 

Luke Foster was born on Long Island in the year 1761, 
and came to Hamilton county in 1788, where he first 
made settlement of the farm now occupied by the widow 
of Algernon Foster. His occupation was that of a farmer, 
although for a time he served as judge of the court of 
common pleas of Hamilton county. As he prospered 
he kept constantly adding to his first purchase, until he 
became finally one of the most prominent land holders 
in the county. He died at the advanced age of ninety- 
four, being run over by the cars. His companion died 
nine years previously, and they both are buried near each 
other in the cemetery at Reading. Further notices of 
this veteran pioneer appear elsewhere. 

Algernon Sidney Foster, the subject of the following 
sketch, was born in the year 1805, on the farm now occu- 
pied by his widow, at the age of sixty-one. He married 
Miss Laura T. Rudebock, a native of New Jersey. At 
about the age of twenty-three he graduated at Oxford 
school, and afterwards sought the legal profession as his 
choice, but owing to the indisposition of his parents to 
have him from home, he was compelled to yield to their 
wishes, and ever after followed the occupation of farming. 
He was a gentleman of remarkable ability and intelli- 
gence, esteemed and respected wherever known. He 
was an industrious and hard-working man, although 
highly cultivated and refined. He died in the year 1S80, 
after having lived a life of usefulness. He left a com- 
panion who was ever ready to share alike with him all the 
cares and disappointments that are so common in life, 
and his loss to her was irreparable. His remains were 
interred in the Spring Grove cemetery. Few are they 
whose names may grace the pages of this volume that 
were so well worthy as Algernon Foster. 

Among the first white children born in Hamilton 
county was one Daniel Cameron, who was born in the 
year i786(?). Immediately after attaining his majority 
he married Miss Sarah S. Haines, daughter of an early 
pioneer of the county. He and his family experienced 
all the bitterness and privations of real pioneer life. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Cameron were born six children : Robert 
H., Daniel, James H., Caroline, and Betsey. The sur- 
viving children of this family are Betsey, and Daniel, who 
was born in the year 1832. His business has been that 
of farming. He married, in the year 1858, Miss Maria 
Moore. Seven children have been given them: Watson, 
AUie, Daniel, George B. McClellan, Clara, and two 
dying in infancy unnamed. Mr. Cameron is one of the 
industrious citizens of the township, and is pleasantly 
situated on a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres — 
the old Haines homestead. 

Benjamin Perlee was born in the year 1769, in New 
Jersey. From this State he removed to Cincinnati in 
1795. He lived till the year 1845, when he died at his 
home in Springfield township. His first business was 
that of tailoring, but he subsequently became a farmer. 
Mary Peterson, his wife, was born in 1770, and died in 



1852. Peter and John are the only surviving children; 
the latter is now living on the old homestead. On this 
farm his father made settlement in the year 1795 or 1796. 
It was there in the woods, with no improvements what- 
ever, John Perlee was born in 1811. In 1835 he was 
married to Miss Maria Pearson. They have had five 
children: Caroline, Martha J., Benjamin, Peter, and 
Eugene; all have died excepting Caroline and Benjamin. 
Mr. and Mrs. Perlee are both members of the Presby- 
terian church, to which they have given material aid, as 
well as sustaining it by their active Christian lives. 

Dominicus Vandyke was born in New Jersey in the year 
1779. In 1795 or 1796 he emigrated to Ohio, where he 
settled in Springfield township, on which place he died in 
1 8 14. By trade he was a carpenter and cabinetmaker. 
Mary, his wife, was born in 1786, and died in 1876. 
There are now living only Mary Ann, who resides in 
Washington, Indiana, and William, the oldest son and 
subject of the following sketch. He was born in Spring- 
field township in the year 1809. His father died when 
he was but five years of age, leaving him to fight the bat- 
tle of life alone. At the age of fourteen he went as an 
apprentice to Cincinnati to learn the trade of harness- 
maker and saddler. In the year 1832 he came to Spring- 
field and established himself in business here. He in- 
dustriously and successfully pursued his occupation for 
a period of about forty years. He was married in the 
year 1834 to Miss Martha A. Sentny, and to them were 
born three children: Mary F., Charles H., and one that 
died unnamed. Mr. Vandyke has always been one of 
the business men of Springfield; a citizen respected and 
esteemed. This worthy couple are now living a quiet 
and retired life, and are both remarkably well preserved 
for their years. 

William McGilliard, the fourth son of John and Eliza- 
beth McGilliard, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere, 
was born in Springfield township in the year 1819. He 
resided with his parents until the time of his marriage, in 
1839, to Miss Rebecca Cregar. Eight children have 
been born — four sons and four daughters: Emeline, 
John, Hattie, George, Edward, Stanley, Laura, and Ida 
May. Emeline, Hattie, and George are not now living. 
Mr. McGilliard is one of the most enterprising farmers 
of his township and county. He served in the capacity 
of trustee of the township for thirteen years. He and 
his companion are reliable members of the Christian 
church. 

James Moore was born in Pennsylvania, York county, 
in the year 1768. In 1796 he settled in Springfield 
township. At various times he served as school teacher, 
land surveyor, and justice of the peace. His regular 
business, however, was that ol a farmer. His wife, Jane 
Moore, was born in 1771, and died in 1855. Those 
now alive of the original family are David, residing in 
Springfield township, and Robert W. The father died 
at his home in the year 1829. Robert was born in 1803, 
and now owns and occupies his father's place. In 1832 
he was married to Damaris Whallon. They have had 
nine children — six sons and three daughters: James 
W., William, Thomas W., Sarah Jane, Robert W., Hat- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



367 



tie A., Frank, Allen J., and Lucy B. Sarah, Robert, 
Hattie, and Frank, are not living. Mr. Moore and his 
wife have both been members of a Christian church for a 
long time, and are zealous supporters of the faith they 
profess. Mr. Moore has almost reached his four-score 
years, and but for an injury sustained from a fall in 1878, 
would have probably survived many years longer. James 
W. and Allen reside at home superintending the farm 
and caring for their aged parents in their declining years. 
James has been married to Miss Elizabeth Field, Thomas 
to Miss Phoebe A. Roll, and William to Miss Lucretia 
Hoel. 

Jacob R. Compton was born in New Jersey, in r76o 
In 1796 he made his first settlement in Columbia town, 
ship, having emigrated into Ohio from Kentucky. His 
business was that of a cooper, at one time, and afterward 
that of a farmer. He died in 1821 at his home in Co- 
lumbia township. Ermina Compton, his wife, was born 
in 1760 and died in 1840. Abraham, who was born in 
1796, in the State of Kentucky, came with his parents to 
Hamilton county, with whom he remained till the year 
1812, when, a lad of eighteen, he enlisted in the army. 
Unhurt, he returned to his home, crowned with all the 
honor our gallant sons justly received. He was married 
at the age of twenty, to Abigail Philips, by whom he had 
thirteen children — five sons and eight daughters. Oliver 
died irom disease in the war of 1861; Freeman, Alfred, 
John A. (killed in the Mexican war), Spencer (now de- 
ceased), Catharine, Emma (also deceased), Sarah, Elvira 
and Hetty (both deceased), Hannah, and one dying in 
infancy unnamed. Mr. Compton is a gentleman remark- 
able for his memory. His business has been that of a 
farmer and carpenter, which he has industriously pursued 
for almost three-quarters of a century. He and his wife 
are and have been active members of the Baptist church 
for many years. 

James Carnahan was born in the year 1773, in the 
State of Pennsylvania. From this State he emigrated to 
Springfield township in 1797, or 1798. By occupation 
he was a farmer during the greater part of his life, but at 
one time worked as a teamster, and at another time 
helped in the first pottery in that part of the country. 
His wife's name was Jane Piatt. He died in the year 
1848. Of his family remain Mary Hubbell; Jane, who 
is still unmarried, and resides at Walnut Hills; and Wil- 
liatn, the only male representative. He was born on the 
old homestead, in Springfield township, in 1804. In 
early life he worked in a pottery, vi^hich he afterwards 
gave up, as it impaired his health. He then followed the 
grocery business for almost half a century in New 
Burlington. He married, in the year 1829, Miss Maria L. 
Davis, of Warren county. To them were born nine chil- 
dren — G. A., Allen W., Piatt, James L., William, Catha- 
rine J., Amanda, Evaline, and Mary A. William, Mary 
and Evaline are not living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Carna- 
han are members of the Disciple church, and have always 
been accounted among its best supporters. He and his 
companion are living — she at the age of seventy-nine, 
and he in h's seventy-sixth year. He is postmis'"er at 
New Burlington (transit post office), at the present time. 



Aaron Lane was born in the State of New Jersey, in 
the year 1763,' January 2d. In 1797 or 1798 he, with 
his family, came to Hamilton county, and first made per- 
manent settlement in Springfield, in the forest. His 
earnest determinations were to conquer, and the mighty 
oaks soon yielded to his strong arm, and waving fields of 
grain told that his intentions had been fully executed. 
He lost his companion in the year 1800. He was mar- 
ried again to Miss Elizabeth Carnahan, daughter of an 
early pioneer family. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane were born 
six children, two sons and four daughters. Tlieir names 
are: William, Sarah, Abigail, Jane, Hannah, and Gar- 
rett. Those dead are : Sarah, Abigail, and Hannah. 
Our subject departed this life in the year 1845, after 
passing his four-score years, his companion surviving him 
until the year 1855, and they both lie buried side by 
side, in the little burial-ground at New Burlington. 
Garrett, the only surviving member of this once happy 
household, residing within the State, was born in the 
year 1816, in Springfield township, on the old Lane 
homestead, which he now owns and occupies. He was 
married, at the age of thirty-one, to Miss Hannah Gantz. 
The fruit of this union was two children, one son and 
one daughter, Willie and Mary. Both died in early 
childhood. The parents are now left alone, and are liv- 
ing in a beautiful and comfortable home near New Bur- 
lington. He is one of the prominent and highly re- 
spected citizens of the community in which he lives. 

John M. Wright settled in Cincinnati in 1798. He 
was born in Dublin, Ireland, emigrated from the District 
of Columbia into Ohio, and died at his home in Mount 
Pleasant. He had a part in the War of 181 2, and was a 
school teacher while in Cincinnati. His wife's name was 
Ann Maria Wright. The surviving members of the 
family are Joseph F., a resident of Mount Pleasant; 
Maria Louisa Laboyteaux, also a resident of Mount 
Pleasant; and F. C, the eldest son. The last mentioned 
was born in Cincinnati, October 16, 1813. He was a 
cooper by trade, which he industriously pursued for a 
period of fifteen years. He married, in the year 1838, 
Miss Julia Laboyteaux, daughter of an old and impor- 
tant family. To them have been born seven children — 
five sons and two daughters: Alvin D., John, P. N., 
F. C, J. F., Mary, and Cornelia. Cornelia and John 
are not living. In the year 1848 our subject began the 
mercantile business in Mount Pleasant, and successfully 
conducted his business until the year 1873. He then 
retired, and his son, P. N., took possession and is now 
proprietor. 

Henry Bolser was a German by birth, which event dates, 
back to the year I7r8. Some time prior to 1800 he em- 
igrated to Hamilton county from the State of Pennsyl- 
vania. While in his native land he filled the office of 
high sherriff, his occupation here was that of farming. 
He died in 1821 at his home, four miles. east of Reading. 
His wife, Mary Bolser, died the same year. Their chil- 
dren were George, Henry, Peter, John, Samuel, Joseph, 
Mary, Gustave, Elizabeth, and Katie — all now dead. 
George, the third son, was born in Pennsylvania, at Fred- 
ericktown, in 1765, and came with his parents to Hamil- 



368 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO! 



ton county at an early date. Previous to coming to Ohio 
he married Miss Rebecca Honnell, by whom he had 
eleven children : George, John, Felty, Reason, Abram, 
Sally, Katie, Rebecca, Polly, Ann, and Elizabeth. All 
died but Reason, who resides in Montgomery county, In- 
diana, and Felty, who owns and lives on the old Bolser 
homestead. Felty was born in 1803, and remained with 
her parents until the time of his n.arriage, in 1822, to 
Miss Mary Anderson. They have had nine children: 
George, Susan, Alexander, Katie, John, Samuel, Sarah, 
Benjamin, and Mary (deceased). Mr. Bolser lost his 
wife in 1837. He was again married, to Miss Sarah An- 
derson, and five children were added to his family, three 
sons and two daughters: Anderson, Mary, Caroline, La- 
fayette, and Alonzo. Lafayette died, as did also his 
mother, in the year 1879. Mr. Bolser, by careful man- 
agement and industry, is now in possession of a good 
property. He is not a church member but is well known 
as one who leads a moral life and brought up his family 
to love and do the right. His parents are now both 
dead, and are buried beside each other, in a little burial 
place on the old homestead. 

Samuel Seward was born in the State of New Jersey. 
He married Miss Elsie Jentry, and to them were born 
ten children : Obediah, Ann, William, James, Samuel, 
Irwin, Elias, Eliza, Martin G., and Daniel. Those liv- 
ing are Eliza Van Zant, Daniel, and Martin G. Mr. 
Seward came to Hamilton county previous to 1800. For 
many days they were obliged to remain in the block- 
house at Carthage, so numerous and savage were the 
Indians at that time. After their fears had somewhat 
subsided he and his family located on a tract of land sit- 
uated on Winton road, near Mount Pleasant. He at 
once set about the clearing of his farm^ which he gradu- 
ally contiued to improve till to-day it is one of the finest 
farms in the county. His death occurred in 181 9. The 
wife and mother survived him till the year 1843. Mar- 
tin G., the seventh son, was born in 1807 on the old 
Seward homestead. His occupation has been that of a 
farmer. In 1831 he married Miss Mary Hill. They 
had born to them nine children: Samuel, James Rilev, 
Viola J., Mary, Hannah, George, Lizzie, William, and 
one who died in infancy. Samuel also died, after he had 
reached manhood. The family are pleasantly situated 
on a beautiful farm adjoining Mount Pleasant. Mr. and 
Mrs. Seward are both consistent members of the Chris- 
tian church in the vicinity. 

The McCormick family were among the earliest pio- 
neer families of Hamilton county, their settlement being 
about the year 1800 or prior to that time, but as to exact 
date there is no certainty. The eldest of the McCormicks 
were James and Mary. To them were born five chil- 
dren, three sons and two daughters: James, Robert, and 
John, Evaliza and Catharine. All have died but Eva- 
liza. The immediate descendants of James, the eldest 
son, were three children, two sons and one daughter — 
John B., Mary, and Willian. The maiden name of his 
wife was Hannah Davis, who died in i860, her husband 
surviving until 1862, when he died of cancer, after five 
years of suffering. The only representatives of this once 



happy household are William, and John B., the subject 
of the following sketch, who was born in the year 1833. 
He resided with his parents until the time of their de- 
cease, caring for them and attending them in their de- 
clining years. He married, in the year 1868, Miss Eliz- 
abeth Randolph, and to them was born one son, Perry. 
Mr. McCormick is one of the prosperous and enterpris- 
ing young farmers of the community, and comes of a 
quite prominent and highly respected family. 

David Sprong, a farmer of Springfield township, at the 
age of thirty-seven settled in this part of the country as 
early as 1800. His birthplace was in the State of New 
York, whence he removed to Ohio. In 1842 he died at 
the place now owned by his son Cornelius. Louisa 
Tenney, his wife, was born in 1779 and died in 1851. 
Of the children, Solomon, James, Ward, Stephen, David, 
John, and Jeremiah have died; Cornelius, Samuel, and 
Henry are still living. Cornelius, the subject of the 
following sketch, was born in this township in 1802. He 
made his home with his parents till the time of his mar- 
riage, in 1845, to ^iss Ruth Perkins. She died shortly 
after, and the husband married, in 1852, Miss Parmelia 
D. McCosh, daughter of an important pioneer family. 
Two children were born of this marriage — Barney C., 
and Lois, who died in infancy. Mr. Sprong is a substan- 
tial farmer and a leading man in the township and coun- 
ty. He and his wife are zealous members of the New 
Light church. His parents have been dead for some 
time; they are buried at Finneytown. His only child, 
Barny, lives with his parents on the old homestead, 
superintending the farm and caring for his aged parents. 
He married Miss Delia Cummings. They have two chil- 
dren--Carl C, and Albert J. 

James Whallon made his first settlement in Sycamore 
township in the year 1800. He was born in 1770 in 
New Jersey, from which State he emigrated into Ohio. 
He died at his home in Springfield township in 1849. 
He was by occupation a farmer; at one time served six 
years as justice of the peace, and was an active member 
of the army in the War of 18 12. His wife, Ollie Whal- 
lon, was born in 1773 and died in 1847, two years before 
her husband's death. The surviving members of the 
farnily are Nancy Roll, Damaris Moore, Cynthia Stone, 
Thomas, and Benjamin, the fourth son and subject of the 
following sketch. 

Benjamin Whallon was born in Sycamore township in 
1807. He made his home with his parents until his 
marriage, in 1830, to Miss Eliza Moore, daughter of an 
early pioneer. Two years later his wife died, leaving an 
infant daughter, Eliza. In 1835 he married Sarah Stone, 
who became the mother of three children — Nancy, Eliz- 
abeth, and James. In 1843 his second wife died. In 
1847 he was wedded to Margaret S. Griffin. The home 
in which he now lives with his family joins the old home- 
stead where his father settled in 181 1. The Presbyterian 
church has for a long time received his liberal support, 
his wife as well as himself being among its best members. 
It may be added as a matter of interest that Mr. Whal- 
lon has attended one church regularly fifty-eight years; 
never received a whipping at home or at school (suggest- 




o-c^4-€^^>^CZ:, 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



369 



ive to the opposite as the name may be), and has never 
taken a chew of tobacco or smoked a cigar. 

William Pierson was born in the State of New Jersey 
in the year 1788. He came with his parents to Cincin- 
nati in the year 1800. His trade was that of a brick- 
maker. He was married to Miss Huldah Pierson, who 
was born in 1791, and was the daughter of an early set- 
tler. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierson were born seven children 
— four sons and three daughters: Sinias, Mary Ann, Har- 
riet, Emily, James, William, and John. John, Sinias, 
Mary Ann, and Harriet are now dead. Our subject died 
in the year 1866, surviving his companion thirty-four 
years. The only member of the family now residing 
within the county of Hamilton is William, the third son, 
who was born in the year 1832. His attention has prin- 
cipally been given to farming. He married, in the year 
1852, Miss May E. Cooper. There have been born to 
them four sons and three daughters: George W., Laura 
H., Frank, William H., May, Estella, and Samuel (de- 
deased). Mr. Pierson is one of the first farmers of his 
township and county, and now owns and occupies the 
old Pierson homestead. He and his wife are devoted 
members of the United Brethren church, who supple- 
ment by their lives the faith they profess. 

Benjamin Urmston was born in the State of Pennsyl- 
vania in the year 1800. The same year he came with 
his father to Springfield township, where he remained for 
a short time, then moving to Butler, where they stayed 
until after his father's death, in 1821. In the year 1828 
he married Miss Rebecca Kennedy, and to them were 
born five children, four sons and one daughter: Kennedy, 
Robert, Mary Jane, Benjamin, and Edmund. Kennedy 
and Mary Jane — the only daughter — are not living. In 
the year 1837 the family came again to Springfield, and 
resided here ever since. Both the parents are members 
af the Baptist church, and have always been among the 
supporters of the same. This worthy and aged couple 
now live at ease in a comfortable home at Mount Pleas- 
ant. 

Barnabas Hoel first settled in Springfield township, in 
1801. He was born in the State of New Jersey, from 
which he emigrated to Ohio early in his life. He was a 
carpenter by trade, but afterwards became a farmer. The 
following are the names of the surviving members of the 
family: Abigail Davis, Phoebe, Rosebaum, John, and 
William, the eldest son and subject of the following 
sketch. He was born in Springfield township, in a rude 
log cabin, without chimney or floor, in the year 1801. 
He resided with his parents until the time of his marriage, 
in the year 1822, to Miss Julia Ann May. To them were 
born six children, two sons and four daughters : Sarah 
Ann, Alexander, Emeline, Chamberlain, Maria, Delilah, 
and Amanda. Those not living are Sarah Ann, Emeline, 
and Chamberlain. Mr. Hoel lost his companion in the 
year 1854. He was married again in the year 1855, to 
Miss Mary Ann Huffman. The occupation of Mr. Hoel 
has been that of a farmer. He and his wife are both 
zealous members of the Presbyterian church. Grand- 
father and Grandmother Hoel are both dead, and lie 
buried in the Springdale cemetery. 



John LaRue came to Springfield township December 
16, 1802. He was born in Hunterdon county. New Jer- 
sey, in the year 1774, and moved from that State to Ohio. 
He served in the War of 181 2, and was one of the 
guards stationed at Blennerhasset island. His wife was 
Catharine Lowe, who was born in the year 1781. The pres- 
ent survivors of the family are James L. LaRue, who re- 
sides two miles west of Lockland. He was twice mar- 
ried — first, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Simmons, and 
second, in 1838, to Miss Naomi B. Gardener, daughter 
of an old and prominent settler. The first wife bore 
him two children — Louisa, wife of Dr. A. B. Luce, of 
Carthage, and George, a prominent coal dealer of Lock- 
land, who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, los- 
ing his right arm in the service. He returned to his na- 
tive county and was elected, at the close of the war, 
auditor of Hamilton county. His mother died in 1837. 
The second wife became the mother of nine children. 
Those now living are Alexander, John, James M., Jacob, 
and Eliza. The subject of this sketch has been an active 
business man for over half a century. He has occupied 
every position of honor and trust that an appreciative 
people could confer. He is now becoming an old man, 
but is strong in body, and in full possession of every fac- 
ulty. During his life he has acquired a pleasant home 
and enough of this world's goods to make himself and 
wife comfortable as long as they shall live. 

William McCash was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 
November 15, r783. He married Nancy Ann Dodson, 
of Greenbrier, Virginia, and to them were born eleven 
children, six sons and five daughters: Elenord D., Will- 
liam D., Permelia D., Edward, Margaret, David, Cyn- 
thia, Serena, Luther, James and Caroline; Margaret, Ed- 
ward, r^uther, David and James are not living. The 
wife and mother died in 1869, the husband survived un- 
til the year 1871. They are buried at the Spring Grove 
cemetery. Their first settlement was in the year 1802, 
in Springfield township, on the Winton road. They set- 
tled in the woods, with no improvement excepting a log 
cabin, and afterwards cleared up the farm. The old 
homestead is now owned by Mrs. Sjiring. 

Peter Laboyteaux was born in the year 1783 in New 
Jersey, and in 1804 came with his parents to Hamilton 
county, Ohio. In the fall of the same year, or the follow- 
ing spring, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Packer. 
Two sons and three daughters were born to them: Sam- 
uel, Elizabeth, Catharine, Peter and Keziah. His first 
permanent settlement was made upon the Miami pur- 
chase. Here, in this pioneer home, he cared for his 
family, with all the obstacles that a pioneer had to en- 
counter. His father died in 181 1; his mother lived till 
a few years later. The wife died also in the year 1 813. 
He was afterward married to Margaret Cameron, who be 
came the mother of six children — three sons and three 
daughters, and died in 1833. The year following he 
married Miss Bedson, after which event three more 
sons were added to the family. In the year 1848 
he died. His wife survived him some years, but died in 
the next decade. Samuel, the eldest son and subject of 
(■he following sketch, was born in Springfield township in 



37° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the year 1805. He aided his father in carrying on the 
farm till he had passed his twentieth birthday, when he 
left the paternal roof, but returned fifteen months later 
and learned the cooper's trade with his father. In the 
year 1827 he was married to Maria Louisa Wright, the 
daughter of an early pioneer. To them were born five 
sons and four daugters — Frederick ^V., Peter, Thomas, 
Ann Maria, Lucretia, Florien, Monroe, John Murray, 
Eliza Jane, Lucinda Ellen, and Joseph W. Peter and 
Lucinda have died. Mr. Laboyteaux carried on the 
cooper business in the town of Mount Healthy for al- 
most half a century, and has acquired a good property. 
Although now becoming quite advanced in years, he is 
well preserved, and looks a hale old man. 

Among the early settlers of Springfield township none 
were more prominent than the Johnsons. Gary Johnson 
came to Springfield township on horseback from Bascom 
Ridge, New Jersey, in 1804. He was born in the year 
1 78 1, and at the age of twenty-three he started for the 
land of promise. His first settlement in Ohio was the 
farm now owned and occupied by his son, Gary Benson. 
Here he began life. He at once set about erecting a 
cabin and clearing away the forest. In the year 1805 he 
was married to Miss Rachel Jessup, by whom he had 
nine children — four sons and five daughters: Drucilia, 
Jemima, Jane, John, Abner, Sarah A., Hampton, Au- 
gusta, and Gary B. All are now dead, but Sarah Manger 
and Gary B., who resides in Jackson county, Iowa. The 
father departed this life in the year i865, surviving his 
companion but three years; and they both are buried in 
the little burial ground near New Burlington. Now the 
only representative of this household residing in Hamil- 
ton county is Gary Benson, who was born in the year 
1832. His business has always been that of farming. 
He married, in the year 1859, Miss Sarah L. Jackson. 
Mr. Johnson is one of the thrifty farmers of his township. 
While he has no membership with any church, his sym- 
pathies are with the Universalists. He is pleasantly lo- 
cated on a finely improved farm near Mount Pleasant, 
surrounded by every comfort necessary to his wants. 

Rachel Jessup, wife of Gary Johnson, was born in 1787 
in the State of New Jersey, and came with her parents to 
Springfield township in the year 1794, coming from Pitts- 
burgh to Gincinnati on a flat-boat. The farm on which the 
family first settled had been selected some time previous 
by an older brother, Stephen Jessup, who came from 
Pennsylvania on foot to seek more suitable and produc- 
tive lands. Stephen Jessup was grandfather to the noted 
poets, the Gary sisters. 

Reuben S. Gompton was born in Golerain township, 
Hamilton county, in the year 1804. His business was 
farming. His wife, Bathsheba Laboyteaux, was born in 
1806. The members of his family still living are An- 
drew Jackson, Alexander, Ghrystalina, Emeline, Eliza, 
Gornelia and Oliver. The last named was born at the 
old homestead in Golerain township in 1826. He re- 
mained with his parents until he attained his majority. 
He married, on the thirteenth of April, 1854, Miss Eliza- 
beth Voorhees, of Warren county. They have three 
children — Flora Ellen, Laura Francis, and Alfred R. 



Both Mr. and Mrs. Gompton belong to the Ghrislian 
Ghurch, to which they give their constant support. His 
father is buried in a private burial-place on the old Gomp- 
ton homestead. 

Benjamin Walden was born in 1757, in the State of 
Virginia. As early as 1805 he came to Springfield town- 
ship from Kentucky, and died in 1842. His business 
was farming. Hannah, his wife, was born in 1757, and 
died in 1840. The only survivor of his family is William, 
the youngest son. He was born in 1808, on the farm 
where he now lives. In the year 1842 he was married to 
Miss Gharlotte Joselyn, who bore him ten children — 
George W., William, Benjamin, Marcus, Edward J., 
Josephine, Nancy O., Gharlotte, Emma, and Sarah. Mr. 
Walden is one of the best men of the township and 
county. With his wife, he has long been connected with 
the Presbyterian church. He has gradually acquired a 
competency, and is now is the enjoyment of cheerful 
surroundings and a comfortable home. 

Jacob Hoffner was born in the year 1765, in Burke 
county, Pennsylvania, and from this State he emigrated 
to Ohio and settled in Springfield township in 1805. 
His death occurred at Mount Pleasant in 1845. While 
in Pennsylvania he followed the business of wagonmaker, 
but was a farmer in Ohio. Mrs. Magdalen Hoffner, wife 
of Jacob Hoffner, was born in 1768, and died in 1840. 
The members of the family now alive are Eliza Johnston, 
a resident of Gumminsville; Samuel, who lives at In- 
dianapolis; and Thomas, the third son, and subject of 
following sketch. 

Thomas Hoffner was born in Franklin county, Penn- 
sylvania, in the year 1796. He came with his parents 
to Hamilton county in 1805, he and his brother Jacob 
walking the entire distance, , and crossing the river at 
Wheeling, Virginia. Although but a youth of sixteen, 
he enlisted in the War of 1812. After an absence of six 
months, he returned to the parental roof unhurt, and 
crowned with all the honors to which our brave sons 
were justly entitled. After the close of the war he re- 
turned and aided his father in the cultivation of the 
pioneer home. In 1815 he was married to Miss Sarah 
Bolser. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffner were born eight chil- 
dren — one son and seven daughters: John G., Gatharine, 
Rebecca, Eliza, Elizabeth, Amanda, Sarah, and Mary. 
Eliza, Amanda, and Mary are dead. In the year 1824 
the wife also died. He was married again in the j'ear 
1836, to Miss Abigail Smith. They are both active 
members of the church of United Brethren and have 
always been among its most staunch supporters. In the 
year 1827, he aided his father in carrying on the farm, 
and in 1839 returned to Massachusetts, and brought 
back with him Miss Sarah Adams, whom he soon after 
married, and who is now his companion. His first 
purchase was made in the woods, with no improvements 
whatever to give evidence of his ever having had a pre- 
decessor. Here he began life in reality. As time wore 
on, six children were born to this pioneer couple — four 
sons and two daughters: Thomas, Gharley, Gynthia, 
Joseph, Isaac, and Ella. Thomas and Gharles are now 
deceased. The sympathies of Mr. and Mrs. Weston 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



371 



have ever been with the Universalist church, to which 
they give their support. 

John C. Hoffner, youngest child of Thomas and Sarah 
Hoffner, was born in the year 1833, in the old Hoffner 
homestead. At the age of nineteen he went as a clerk to 
Cincinnati with the firm of Canfield & Mofifett, grocers. In 
the year i860 he returned to the farm where he has ever 
since resided. He married in the year 1855, Miss 
Zorada Harrison, whose father was an early settler of 
Cincinnati and a noted river pilot. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Hoffner were born twelve children, six of whom are now 
living: Valleria W., Mary E., Ada Estella, Rebecca, 
John H., and William Allen. Mr. Hoffner comes from 
a family whose record is spotless. He has reached the 
zenith in Odd Fellowship, having been a member for 
thirteen years. 

Henry Rogers, sr., settled in Mill Creek township in 
the year 1806. He was born in Monmouth county. New 
Jersey, in 1752, from which State he moved to Pennsyl- 
vania, and thence to Ohio. He died in Cincinnati in 
1839 or 1840. During the Revolutionary war he was a 
soldier in the American army. By occupation he was a 
weaver. His wife, Phoebe Bennet, was born in 1766, 
and died some time during the AVar of 1812. Their de- 
scendants were Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, Phoebe, Jemi- 
ma, Amos, Samuel, Nancy, Henry, and Maria — all 
dead except Henry, Amos and Samuel dying in infancy. 
Elizabeth married Thomas McFeely, of Virginia; Sarah, 
Michael Burge ; Hannah, Zebulon Strong, of Vermont; 
Phcebe, Jonathan Holden, of Vermont; Jemima, Rich- 
ard McFeely; Nancy, Cyrus Brown, of Ohio; Maria, 
Levi Finney, of Ohio ; Henry, Miss Rachel Maria Hill, 
daughter of Jedtdiah Hill, of New Jersey. Henry, the 
only survivor of this large family, was born in Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and came with his parents 
to Hamilton county, Ohio, the fall of the same year. 
When seventeen years of age, he left his home and went 
out, a poor boy, to fight the battle of life alone. His life 
has been occupied in various pursuits. He first learned 
the trade of cabinetmaking, for which he soon acquired 
a distaste and gave it up. For a time after this he worked 
out by the month whenever work could be obtained. In 
the year 1828 he engaged with Jedediah Hill, who after- 
wards became his father-in-law, in operating his flouring 
mill and cultivating his farm. He married in the year 
1832, September 22. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers was born 
one son, Wilson T. He married, March 15, 1866, Mary 
Jane Chadwick, who has become the mother of two sons. 
Our subject now owns and occupies the old Hill home- 
stead. Mr. Rogers is not associated with any church or- 
ganization, but his wife is a devout Christian, a member of 
the Baptist church, and has always been one of its best 
supporters. 

John M. Wozencraft came to Cincinnati in 1806. He 
was born in Wales, but emigrated to the State of Ohio 
from Baltimore, Maryland. In his sixty-fourth year, 
while in South Carolina and on his way to England, he 
died. His wife, Hannah, lived to be nearly ninety-two 
years of age. Her death occurred in San Vermideno, 
California. Of this family there now remain Dr. O. M. 



Wozencraft, of San Francisco, California — a man of 
great professional prominence; and Captain J. J. Wozen- 
craft, who was born in Cincinnati August 6, 1807. Prior 
to his marriage he was with his father in business. At 
the age of seventeen he learned the tinner's trade with 
Mr. Norman Bird, and remained ten years. After com- 
pleting his trade, his faithful and prompt attention to his 
employer's wishes was so appreciated that he was given 
the position of superintendent. In 1828 he married 
Miss Olivia King, daughter of Alexander King, the first 
deputy sheriff of Hamilton county. Four sons and three 
daughters were given them : John M., Anna E., William 
A., ex-mayor of Paris, Illinois; Oliver, who was killed by 
the explosion of an engine; Edwin D., who was band 
master for three years during the late war; Martha M., 
and Mary Ellen, now wife of John Fisher, an extensive 
manufacturer of carriages in Cincinnati. The life of our 
subject has been one of position and prosperity. For 
eleven successive years he was elected commander of the 
Fire Company No. 5, of Cincinnati. He was the first 
grand worthy chief Templar west of the Alleghanies, 
besides holding other honorable places. He has ever 
been an active leader in advancing and improving society, 
and a firm advocate of law and order. His estimable 
wife has always been a devout Christian. They have 
acquired a good property that novv enables them to live 
at ease. Their home is at Mount Pleasant. 

Mr. Jacob Skillman, with his family, made his first 
settlement in Springfield township, in 1806. He was 
born on Long Island, but emigrated from Pennsylvania 
to Ohio. ■ In the Revolutionary war he was a recruiting 
officer. After coming to Ohio he cleared the farm now 
owned by his grandson, Henry. His children were six in 
number: Isaac, Benjamin, Jacob, Thomas, and Abra- 
ham, all now deceased. Henry, second son of Abraham 
and Abigail Skillman, was born in the Skillman home- 
stead in the year 1824. He was married in 1857, to 
Miss Augusta Foster, daughter of one of Hamilton 
county's earliest families, which came to Ohio prior to 
1800. Four sons and one daughter were afterward 
born : Albert, George, Harry, Frank, and Emma. George 
and Harry hav^ died. Both parents belong to the Pres- 
byterian church, and have always been among the leading 
and most reliable members. 

Abiezer Miles settled in Springfield township in 1807. 
He emigrated from the State of Pennsylvania, where he 
was born in the year 1768. He was at different times 
farmer and shoemaker. During the War of 181 2, he 
helped carry the dead from the battlefield. His wife, 
Judith Miles, was born in 1775, and lived until 1839. 
His death took place at the old home in the year 1832. 
The children are Hannah Robinson, living at Batavia, 
Clermont county, and John J. The latter was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1801, and came with his parents to 
Springfield township. The farm now owned and occu- 
pied by him was the first permanent place of settlement 
made by the father. As he was prospered he gradually 
improved the pioneer home, till it became one of the 
pleasantest places in the township. John J. resided with 
his parents till their decease, when he became owner of 



372 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the farm. He was twice married, first to Miss Margaret 
Skillman, October 24, 1822. To them were born nine 
children: James, Jacob S., John S., George, Sarah, Ju- 
dith, Susan R., Phcebe, and Mary. Sarah, Margaret, 
Phoebe, Mary, James and John are dead. In 1845 the 
wife died. The following year he was married to Miss 
Matilda Jessup, who afterward was the mother of five 
children: Margaret and Israel, who have died, and John 
B., Ella, and Emma. The last two are twins. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miles' are devoted members of the Christian 
church. 

William McLean came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, 
and settled in Springfield in the year 1807. The surviv- 
ing members of the family are John, Betsey, Sallie, and 
Samuel. Samuel, the oldest son of William and Isabella 
McLean, was born in the Slate of Pennsylvania in the 
year 1799, and came with his parents to Hamilton county 
in the year 1807. The family for a while was obliged 
to occupy the old block-house at Columbia, so hostile 
were the red men just at that time. The family located 
in Springfield township, where the father died shortly 
after, leaving Samuel to superintend the farm. At the 
age of thirty he married Miss Elizabeth Whitlock, by 
whom he had seven sons: Jerome B., Jasper, Sylvester, 
Loami, Arthur, now deceased, John and Stephen. Ar- 
thur was a prominent attorney of Cincinnati, and after- 
wards a lieutenant in the War of 1861. Here his health 
became impaired, and he returned to his home and soon 
after died. Our subject was one who led an active busi- 
ness life, a man of whom his neighbors could boast. He 
took a very active part in the militia musters, of which 
our older citizens have vivid recollections. He occupied 
the position of colonel and general, and became every- 
where known as Colonel Samuel McLean. After living 
a life of usefulness, he departed in the year 1872. He 
is buried beside his parents in the burial place at Spring- 
dale. 

Samuel Johnson, sr., first settled, in the year 1807, in 
Springfield township. He was born in 1788, in New 
Jersey, and from that State he emigrated to Ohio. His 
death occurred in 1878, at his home in Mount Pleasant. 
He pursued the business of farming, and his first pur- 
chase was the farm now owned by the Riddle heirs. His 
wife, whose name was Phoebe Jessup, was born in 1793, 
and died in 1865. She came to Ohio with her parents 
in the year 1797. The names of surviving members of 
the family and their places of residence are John, Lydia, 
Abigail, Jane, Dale, and Samuel. John and his sister 
Jane reside in Texas. Samuel and two sisters, Lydia and 
Abigail, reside on the old homestead in Mount Pleasant, 
which is also owned by them. 

Major William Cox came from New Jersey to Hamil- 
ton county, Colerain township, in 1809. He was a stone 
mason, and was out in the War of 181 2, where he ac- 
quired his military title. He had but two children, 
Tunis and Martha. The former settled in Springfield, 
near New Burlington, where he kept the old Eleven-mile 
House, or Farmer's Rest, on the Hamilton pike, which 
was known as one of the best hotels of the county out- 
side the city. He had twelve children, evenly divided 



as to sex, among whom was George Washington Cox, 
now of Loveland, next to the youngest of the family. 
He was born December 27, 1837, at New Burlington, 
and was brought up at the hotel and on the farm con- 
nected with it. In 1874 he removed to Lockland, where 
he is now engaged in keeping a livery stable. He was 
married December 10, 1858, to Rebecca Ayres, of 
Springfield township, and again, after her death in 1864, 
to Mrs. Hartin (Hole) Smith, widow of Oscar Smith, 
January 22, 1868. He has three children, one, Lenroy, 
now twenty years old, by his first wife, and the others, 
twins, by the second wife, Elva, a son, and Idella, a 
daughter, eleven years old. 

Elisha C. Walden was born in the year 1800, in the 
State of Kentucky. He came to Hamilton county when 
quite a small boy. He was twice married, first to Miss 
Nancy Ogle, who died about the year 1840. He was 
married again in the year 1843, to Miss Julia L. Kitchel, 
daughter of an old family, her parents being Samuel and 
Margaret Kitchel. The life of Mr. Walden was devoted 
to various pursuits. At first he was a merchant in Darr- 
town, and in later years he occupied and superintended 
the farm in Springfield township, where his widow now 
resides. He is spoken of by neighbors and friends as a 
most excellent citizen, a gentleman respected and es- 
teemed wherever known. Years before his death he 
associated himself with the Presbyterian church, of which 
his wife has long been a member. He departed this life 
in the fall of 1876, after several years of severe affliction. 

Philander Allen settled in Cincinnati in 1811. He was 
born in Cornwall, Connecticut, in 1779. His wife's name 
was Hannah Foster. She was born in 1782. The four 
surviving children are Samuel S., Harriet Townley, Sarah 
Hilts, and Edward P. Samuel S., fourth son of Philan- 
der and Hannah Allen, was born in Hamilton county in 
the year 1820. He made his home with his parents un- 
til the time of their death. He was married in 1849 to 
Miss Emeline Riddle, daughter of one of the pioneers. 
There were born to them seven children — four sons and 
three daughters. Their names are Mary, Jacob, Charles, 
Henry, George, Anna, and Carrie — all living but Jacob, 
who died at the age of two years. Our subject resides 
on and is the owner of the old homestead. He and his 
wife are members of the Presbyterian church in Spring- 
dale. 

Daniel Brown settled on section fifteen of Springfield 
township in 1812. He was born in the year 1779, at 
Hagerstown, Maryland, but emigrated into Ohio from 
Pennsylvania. While in the latter State he worked as a 
mechanic, but his life in Ohio was that of a farmer. His 
wife was Elizabeth Bahn. He died at his home in 1S53, 
and his wife lived but nine years longer. The surviving 
children are: William, now living in Illinois; Isaac, in In- 
diana; Mrs. McGilliard and Mrs. Yerkes, both living in 
Springfield township; and John, who remains on the old 
Brown homestead. He was born in the year 181 2, and 
came with his parents to Ohio in the same year. He was 
married in 1839 to Miss Harriet McCoy. They have 
nine children, six sons and three daughters. Mr. Brown 
is one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of 




yud-t:rn^ 



Gary Benson Johnson resides at the ancestral home, three-quarters of 
a mile west of Mount Pleasant. He is the fourth son of Gary Johnson, 
born March 28, 1781, in Somerset county. New Jersey, and died at his 
home farm near Mount Pleasant February 15, i866, and buried at 
Burlington cemetery. Gary was the oldest son of Abner Johnson, who 
died January 14, 1832, in Golerain township, and who was the son of 
Samuel, who died May 14, 1808, and was buried in Basking Ridge 
cemetery. They were all of Scotch ancestry, and all at some time 
residents of Basking Ridge, Somerset county, New Jersey; and they 
were all brought up as members of the old Presbyterian church, whose 
building (of 1839) still stands at Basking Ridge, upon the site of the 
log church put up for the society near the beginning of the seventeenth 
century. Gary Johnson was the first of the family to come to Hamil- 
ton county. He immigrated on horseback in 1804, a young carpenter 
of twenty-three, making his beginnings in the world. His father (grand- 
father of Gary Benson Johnson) had been a wagoner in Washmgton's 
army near Morristown, where it spent two winters and lost many men 
from small-pox and other causes. He received his pay in land warrants 
covering a half-section of land, which he sent out by Golonel Ludlow, 
with instructions to locate them favorably within eight or ten miles of 
Gincinnati. The colonel located with them the west half of section 
thirty-two, adjoining the present village of Mount Pleasant. Mr. 
Johnson sent his son Gary to view the tract and improve it; and he, 
after staying for a short time in Gincinnati, pushed his way through 
the woods to the site of the property, where he built a log cabin, about 
one hundred and fifty yards northwest of the present homestead. It 
stood until 1880, when it was torn down. Its appearance, however. 



is preserved quite faithfully in the engraving accompanying this notice. 
An old well, still used, marks the hallowed spot where it stood. Mr. 
Johnson pursued with energy the clearing and improvement of the 
place, which was deeded some time afterwards by the father to him 
and his brothers Samuel and .Andrew, who also came out in 1807 and 
settled their places. When the elder Johnson came, in 1813, he set- 
tled at the former site of Dunlap's station, in Golerain township, near 
the famous ancient work in the bend of the river, which contains the 
old cemetery in which Abner Johnson lies buried. 

Gary Johnson, his son, married Rachel, daughter of John Jessup, of 
Mill Greek township, September 12, 1805. Mrs. Johnson was an aunt 
of Mrs. Robert Gary, mother of the famous Gary sisters. Her 
grandfather, Stephen Jessup, was a weaver's apprentice in England, 
but ran away from a hard master and came to the new world in the 
early part of the eighteenth century. He lived a long time in a log^ 
cabin on Long Island, and moved thence to Gumberland, Deerfield 
township. New Jersey, where he accumulated property and made his 
will February 17, 1757 — a curious old document, now in possession of 
his great-grandson, Gary B. Johnson. He had three sons, John, 
Isaac, and Daniel; and two daughters, Sarah and Abigail. John was 
grandfather of G. B. Johnson. Daniel was father of Daniel Jessup, 
jr., who became known as "Indian Daniel," from the fact of his cap- 
ture by the Indians. Isaac went south, and from him was reputed X-o 
be descended General Jessup, of the United States army. Abigail 
came to this county, where she married a Mr. Gallagher, and became 
the mother of the celebrated poet and magazinist, W. D. Gallagher, 
thus confirming the notion of the poetic strain in the blood suggested. 




by the talent of the Gary sisters, who were also, on their mother's side, 
of the Jessup stock. 

Gary and Rachel Johnson had children as follows; 

Drusilla, born February 14, 1S07; married Samuel Weston October 
25, 1828; died September 16, 1849. 

Jemima Hampton, born August 16, 1810; married Isaac Weston 
(brother of Samuel) in May, 1829; died July ir, 1831. 

Jane, born August 26, 1813; married George W. Rice September 26, 
1833; died March 19, 1849. 

John, born April 29, 1815; died July ist of the same year. 

Abner, born September 6, 1816; was married November 16, 1843, to 
Mary G. Moran, of Livingston county, Missouri, where he died De- 
cember 8, 1846. 

Sarah A., born November 8, 1819; married Joseph E. Munger Octo- 
ber 27, 1841, and residing at Maquoketa, Iowa. 

Hampton, born March 21, 1824; married Harriet Freeman May 22, 
1850; died September 17, 1869. 

Augusta L., born November i, 1828; died August 4, 1831. 

Gary Benson, born at the homestead near Mount Pleasant July 10, 
1832; married Sarah L. Jackson, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Rid- 
dle) Jackson, September 21, 1859, and residing still at his birth-place. 

Mrs. Rachel Jessup Johnson was born in Northumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, September 7, 1787, and came to the Miami country with 
her parents about six years afterwards. She remained united in wed- 
lock to Mr. Johnson through the long period of nearly fifty-eight 
years, when, January 15, 1863, she departed this life in hope of a 
blessed immortality. Her husband died February 15, i866. He, as 



also his wife, was a member of the Universalist church. In the 
year 1813 he made a notable improvement in the building of a large 
bam upon his place, which was then one of the most capacious in the 
county, and is still used, with additions, by his son. Seven years 
afterwards he built the mansion occupied by Gary Benson Johnson, 
from brick burned by him upon his farm, in the identical shape and 
interior arrangement in which it now appears, in an excellent state of 
preservation in every respect. Some of the more difficult portions of 
the work, as the sash of the windows, were executed by Mr. Johnson 
himself, 

Their youngest child, Gary B. Johnson, came into the possession of 
the paternal homestead upon the death of his father and that of his 
brother Hampton (in 1869), who was co-heir with him under the will. 
His uncle Andrew's former homestead has also come into his posses- 
sion by purchase. He has remained from childhood at the old home, 
engaged in the peaceful pursuits of the farm, unvexed by political or 
official life. He took an active part in the extension of the GoUege 
Hill Narrow Gauge railroad to Mount Pleasant, and was mainly m- 
strumental in securing it. For this purpose he gave the right of way 
through a mile of his landed possessions and a thousand dollars in 
cash. 

He, although of Democratic stock, turned to Republicanism during 
the early part of the war of the Rebellion, and has since voted steadily 
with the party of that faith. About 1871 his health was permanently 
affected by falling from a load of lumber upon his head, which came 
near costing him his life, and paralyzed him for some time. His gen- 
eral health is otherwise excellent. His married life has been childless. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



373 



Hamilton county. By hard labor and wise economy he 
has acquired a comfortable home. He has occupied va- 
rious positions ot honor and trust that the appreciative 
people of his neighborhood thought best to confer. He 
and Mrs. Brown are both earnest members of the Chris- 
tian church. 

Joel Brown, the eldest son of Aaron and Cynthia 
Brown, was born in the State of Connecticut, in 1808. 
He came with his parents to Ashtabula county in 1814. 
Here the family settled immediately, in the vvoods, with 
no improvements whatever to give evidence of their 
having a predecessor. Our subject resided with his 
father. In clearing up the pioneer home much devolved 
upon him, he being the eldest. At the age of seventeen 
he began the trade of carpenter and joiner, which occu- 
pation he has industriously and successfully pursued for 
more than twenty years. In the year 1829 he married 
Miss Anna Wright, of Ashtabula county, whose parents 
were quite prominent in the early settlement of that 
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born eight chil- 
dren — five sons and three daughters — Alphonso, Alonzo, 
Lorenzo, Alvin, Lovisa, Emma, Alexis, and Emma. Al- 
phonso, Alonzo, Lorenzo, Alvin, Lovisa, and Emma have 
died. Mr. Brown is one of the substantial and thrifty 
farmers of the township. While he is not associated 
with any church organization he ever favors what is good 
and true. He and his estimable wife live at ease in a 
pleasant home in Springfield township. 

Jacob Field was born in New Jersey in 1768. In 
1812 he settled in this township. He died in 1841, at 
the home where he had always lived since coming to 
Ohio. He taught school in his early years, but later de- 
voted himself to farming. Hester Ross, his wife, was 
born in 1770, and died in 1856. The only surviving 
member of the family t.o-day is John R. Field, who owns 
and resides on the old Field homestead. He was born 
in the State of New Jersey in 1810, and came with his 
parents to Ohio two years later. In 1834 he was married 
to Miss Harriet Perrine, and to them have been born 
nine children — Jacob, Martha, Jane, Hester A., Eliza- 
beth, Charles, Sarah B., Catharine R., and Lydia R. 
Charles, Sarah, and Elizabeth are still living. Mrs. Field 
is a member of the Presbyterian church, but her husband 
has never become identified with any religious organiza- 
tion. 

John T. Snodgrass was born in Hamilton county Oc- 
tober 7, 1812. He remained at his early home till his 
marriage with Miss Catharine Hoffner, in the spring of 
1836. Eleven children were born to them — William, 
-Thomas, John, Jethro, Oliver, Felty A., Mary F., Ange- 
line, Harriet, James B., and Albert. All are dead but 
Angeline, who married George Laboyteaux, one of the 
prominent merchants of Mount Pleasant. Mr. Snodgrass 
served as trustee of the township a number of years. He 
died in the year 1868, while in Minnesota recruiting his 
health. He, as well as his wife, was a member of the 
Christian church. Mrs. Snodgrass, with her son-in-law 
and daughter, reside in a comfortable home in Mount 
Pleasant. 

John Wolverton first settled in Springfield township, in 



J814. In 1783 he was born in New Jersey, from which 
State he moved to Ohio. His death occurred in Iowa, 
in the year 1850. Early in his life he carried on the 
business of weaving, but later became a farmer. Mary 
Hogland, his wife, was born in 1789, and died in 1835. 
The children are John, Alfred, William, Milton, Harriet, 
Neely, Ann Laboyteaux, and Amos, who resides in the 
township, and is the subject of the following sketch. 
Amos Wolverton was born in New Jersey, in 1811, and 
came with his parents to Ohio in 1814. In 1833 he 
married Miss Rebecca Carl, daughter of a pioneer. The 
fruit of this union was nine children — three sons and six 
daughters: David, William, Thomas, Eliza Ann, Eveline, 
Mary, Harriet, Matilda and one that died in infancy. 
Mr. Wolverton is one of the few remaining pioneers of 
Hamilton county, a good and esteemed citizen. While 
he is not associated with any church organization, he is 
a moral man, and lives what he believes. This worthy 
couple have now reached their three-score and ten years, 
and are remarkably well preserved for their years. 

William Riddle, grandson of the famous pioneer. Col- 
onel John Riddle, eldest son of John and Catharine 
Riddle, was born March 15, 18 15, and made his home 
with his parents until his marriage, in 1854, to Miss 
Lemira S. Burdsall, daughter of one of the pioneer fam- 
ilies. They have had four children — Lydia A., Edgar 
B., Alice D., and one that died without name in infancy. 
He has acquired a comfortable fortune, and his surround- 
ings show more than ordinary thrift and taste. Both are 
earnest members of the Church of Christ, and staunch 
supporters of its institutions. 

Joseph Carman settled in Springfield township, in 
1815. He came from New Jersey to Ohio, and remained 
in the same township, where he made his earliest im- 
provements, till 1831, when his death occurred. The 
farm first owned by him is now the property of John M. 
Cochran. The wife, Mary Carman, has long been 
among the dead. The daughter, Susan Broadwell, living 
at Smith's Landing, on the Ohio river, is now over 
eighty-four years of age. Andrew, the only male repre- 
sentative, was born in the year 1S04, in the State of New 
Jersey, and came with his parents to Hamilton county in 
1815, and made his home with them until the time of 
his marriage. He was thrice married — first, in 1830, to 
Miss Frances Watson, who died twelve years later. They 
had two children — one infant not named, and Benjamin, 
who lived to the age of thirty-four years, and died leav- 
ing a wife and two children. Mr. Carmen married again 
in the year 1850, Miss Rebecca Campbell, who died 
within a year after marriage. When Mr. Carmen again 
married, he was united to Miss Charity Sharp. He is 
now in his seventy-seventh year, and childless, but two 
little grandchildren remain to him. Mr. Carmen lived 
in log cabin days, and underwent the many disadvantages 
and hardships with the pioneer fathers. 

Isaac Lane, the eldest son of John and Rosanna Lane, 
was born in Springfield township, in the year 181 6, at 
the old Lane bomstead. In his youthful days he worked 
at blacksmithing, and assisted his father in carrying on 
the farm. Much devolved upon him, he being the eldest 



374 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



son of his father's family. He resided under the parental 
roof until the time of his marriage, in 1839, to Miss 
Margaret Hill, daughter of a pioneer. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Lane were born eleven children — seven sons and four 
daughters. Their names are as follows: Mary, Albert, 
Emma, John, Anna, Frank, Newton, Charlie, Jerome, 
Nettie and Willie. All are living but Mary and Anna. 
Both grew to years of womanhood, and their loss to the 
fond parents was great. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are both 
earnest members of the Christian church. Grandfather 
and grandmother Lane are dead, and lie buried side by 
side in the little churchyard at New Burlington. 

John Hall was born in the State of Pennsylvania in 
the year 1794 and came with his parents to Springfield 
township in the year 1817, and resided with them until 
the time of his marriage to Miss Sarah Hall, in the year 
1827. To them were born two sons — Joseph and John. 
He lost his companion in the winter of 1827. He was 
married again in the year 1844 to Miss Catharine Chris- 
man. This second union gave him six children — three 
sons and three daughters — Charles, Leander, Lovina, 
Amanda, Henry, and Emeline. Those deceased are 
Charles and Leander, both dying in early childhood. He 
and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian 
church, and were ever consistent to the faith they professed. 
The father died in 1873. He was a citizen respected and 
esteemed wherever known, and his loss was keenly felt 
among family and other friends. He now lies buried in 
the Springdale cemetery. 

Elijah Hills came to Cincinnati in 1818. He was born 
in New Haven, Connecticut, and emigrated from that 
State to Ohio. While living in the former State he fol- 
lowed the tailor's trade. After coming to Ohio he was a 
farmer. His death occurred in 1848. His wife, Re- 
becca Hills, died the year previous. The surviving mem- 
bers of his family are Townsend, Rebecca Maine, Martha 
Sprong, Susan, and Alfred, the eldest son, who was born 
in 1805, in the State of Connecticut. He came to Ohio 
with his parents, and at the age of thirty he married Ellen 
McCash, the daughter of an early settler. Three sons 
were born to them — Townsend, Alfred, and Charles, who 
died in infancy. Mr. Hills has gained sufficient property 
to make his old age comfortable, and he and his aged 
wife can now fully enjoy their pleasant home, and cheer- 
ful surroundings. 

Joshua Yerkes was born in Virginia and came from 
that State to Ohio, where he settled in Springfield town- 
ship in the year 1819. All through his life he followed 
the business of farming, and was a soldier in the War of 
1812. He died in Indiana in his hundredth year. His 
wife, Margaret Yerkes, died in her eighty-seventh year. 
The surviving members of the fainily are John H., Ra- 
chel Reed, Mary Griffith, Margaret Jolly, and Joshua, 
the second son and subject of this sketch. He was born 
in Virginia, in the year 181 2, and came with his parents 
to Hamilton county when but a lad of seven summers. 
He left the parental roof at the age of fourteen; was 
twice married, first to Miss Eliza McGillard, daughter of 
an early pioneer. To Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes was born an 
only son, Howard, who resides in Iowa and has a wife 



and two children. Mr. Yerkes lost his companion after 
four years of married life. Mr. Yerkes married for his 
second wife Miss Elizabeth Brown, who was also of quite 
an early and prominent family, of whom an extended 
account will be found elsewhere. To this second mar- 
riage were born six children — four sons and two daugh- 
ters — Susan, Alfred, Elizabeth, Hiram, Martin, and Ed- 
ward — all living. 

Benjamin Sterritt was born in the State of Pennsyl- 
vania, Franklin county, in 1801, and came to Cincinnati 
in the year 1820. His business career has been entirely 
devoted to the mercantile trade in Cincinnati. He has 
been twice married; first to Jane B. Keys. His second 
wife was Abigail C. McCoy. Both are dead, and our 
subject is now living a retired life in a pleasant home 
in Glendale. 

Elias Compton was born in New Jersey, and emigrated 
to Ohio in the year 1820. His settlement was made in 
Springfield township. He followed shoemaking, and 
afterward farming. His wife, Bacheba Hill, died in 
1832; the husband lived till 1866. The children are 
Joseph, Azariah, Wilson, Mary Ann, Phoebe, and Charles. 
The last-named was born in 1827, and remained at home 
until his marriage in 1863, to Miss Margaret Boggs. 
They had one child only — Ella M. In 187 1 his wife 
died, and he again married in 1873. The second wife 
was Martha N. Hurst, who has become the mother of a 
son, Clarence M. The family are now living on the old 
homestead of the Comptons. They are all connected 
with the Presbyterian church. His father ai^d mother 
are buried in the Springfield cemetery. 

Archibald Brown was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, 
January 22, 1776. In the year 1825 he emigrated to 
America, and settled in Cincinnati, but subsequently 
moved into Mill Creek township, where he died May 22, 
1858. His aged wife, Ellen Brown, survived him less 
than a year, dying January 6, 1859. She was born on 
the twentieth of May, 1779. His business was that of 
fanning. The children were William, Archibald, Isa- 
belle Adams, and Matthew, the youngest son and sub- 
ject of the following sketch. Matthew Brown was born 
in Scotland in the year 182 1, and four years later came 
with the family to Hamilton county. He reinained with 
his parents till the time of his marriage to Miss Martha 
Brown in the year 1847. Nine children have been born 
to them, eight of whom are now living. Mr. Brown is 
one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of his 
region, and a citizen respected and esteemed. He and 
his wife are both earnest members of the Presbyterian 
church, and are staunch supporters of the faith they pro- 
fess. By dint of hard labor and careful management, he 
has acquired a comfortable property. He is now sur- 
rounded by almost every comfort that a gracious heaven 
can confer, and as he and his estimable lady pass along 
life's journey, they can look back without regret upon a 
well-spent life. Grandfather and grandmother Brown He 
buried side by side in Spring Grove cemetery. 

Thomas Weston settled in Springfield township in 
in 1827. He was born in 1769, in Townsend, Massa- 
chusetts, and died in 1836, at his home in this township. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



37^ 



He was a farmer and shoemaker, and in the winter was 
sometimes a miller. Mercy, his wife, was born in 1776, 
and died in 1829. The surviving children are: Maria 
Adams, who lives at Mount Pleasant; Phoebe, who lives 
in Missouri; and Silas, the only present male representa- 
tive of the family. He was born in Massachesetts in the 
year 181 2, and came with his parents to Hamilton 
county. 

John Adams, the eldest son of John and Asenath 
Adams, was born in the State of Massachusetts in the 
year 1805. He assisted his father in cultivating the farm 
and in the manufacture of barrels, up to the year 1827, 
when he married and immediately after came to Hamil- 
ton county. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born two 
daughters — Mary Ann and Harriet D. His pursuit since 
coming to Ohio has been that of a cooper and farmer. 
In the year 1855 he lost his companion. He was mar- 
ried again, in the year 1856, to Miss Maria Weston. 
Mr. and Mrs. Adams are active members of the Univer- 
salist church, and have ever been staunch supporters of 
the faith they profess. He has retired from business, 
and he and his family live at ease in a comfortable Httle 
home in Mount Pleasant. 

Joseph B. Hall, the eldest son of John and Sarah 
Hall, was born in this township • February 16, 1828. 
He resided with his parents until the time of his mar- 
riage to Miss Catharine Ayers, daughter of a prominent 
early family. Mr. and Mrs. Hall had eight children: 
Caroline, Mary E., Mary Elizabeth, William B., James 
A., George W., Thomas J., Flora May, and Mary Ellen 
(deceased). Hard labor and excellent management have 
accumulated quite a handsome property. Himself and 
wife are both members of the Presbyterian church at 
Springdale, and have ever been strong believers, and 
supporters also, of the faith they professed. 

John Hall, the second son of John and Christiana 
Hall, was born in Springfield township, Hamilton county, 
in 1829. His occupation has always been that of a farmer. 
In the year 1877 he was married to Miss Clara Riddle, 
daughter of a quite early and prominent pioneer family. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hall was born an only son, John Hen- 
derson. Mr. Hall is enterprising and prosperous. His 
wife is an active member of the Presbyterian church, and 
is one of its earnest supporters; he is not connected with 
any church organization, but always favors the right, and 
firmly advocates law and order. 

William Herbert may not be classed among Hamilton 
county's pioneers, yet he deserves a place in its history. 
He was born in Northamptonshire, England, in the year 
1806. At the age of fourteen he began an apprentice- 
ship at the tailor's trade. His time expiring when he 
had attained his majority, in the year 1829 he married 
Mary Page, whose maiden name was Matthews. They 
had three children, one son and two daughters: Eliza- 
beth, Mary Ann, and William, of whom only Elizabeth 
remains. He is one of the first farmers of the township. 
He followed the occupation of tailor for a period of seven 
years in Cincinnati. He has quite a comfortable home 
in Springfield township, where he resides, leading a quiet 
life. He lost his companion in the year 1872. Both he 



and his wife were earnest Christians, their sympathies 
being with the Presbyterian people. 

Augustus Isham was born in the year 1801, in the 
town of Colchester, Connecticut, and comes of quite a 
prominent family. His life has been taken up in various 
pursuits, but principally that of the mercantile business. 
He married, in the year 1822, Miss Eliza Bryce. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Isham were born six children, five of whom 
are living, one son and four daughters. He lost his com- 
panion in the year 1859. He now resides in Glendale, 
has laid aside business, and lives a quiet and retired life. 

Mr. Alexander Brown may not be identified with the 
earliest pioneers of Hamilton county, yet he is neverthe- 
less a character whose name deserves a place on the 
pages of history. He was born in Scotland on June 3, 
1809. He married, in the year 1834, Miss Margaret 
Brown. They have had six children, one son and five 
daughters — Elizabeth R., Margaret, Elizabeth Jane, 
Jeannette, and William. Elizabeth R., Margaret, and 
Jane, are dead. Mr. Brown is one of the most enter- 
prising farmers of his township, his home and surround- 
ings denoting more than ordinary thrift. He and his 
family are earnest members of the Presbyterian church. 
Our subject is a member of the county board of con- 
trol, and has occupied nearly every position of honor 
that the citizens of his township could give, thus be- 
speaking for him the full confidence of his people. Mr. 
Brown is surrounded by almost every comfort necessary 
to his wants. 

Mr. James Lovett may not be classed among the 
earliest pioneers, yet he is a character whose name richly 
deserves a place in history. He was born in England Janu- 
ary 13, 18 13. He, with his parents, came to America 
and first made settlement in the State of New Jersey. 
Here the family remained for about five years, when, 
hearing of Ohio's fine climate and fertile soil, they started 
for the land of promise. His father's first purchase was 
the farm now owned and occupied by him. Here the 
parents resided until the time of their decease, both 
living beyond four-score years. Mr. Lovett married, in 
the fall of 1851, Miss Sophia McLean, daughter of an 
early settler. Two children were born to them — Aman- 
da, who died April 6, 1878, and Robert. Our subject 
lost his companion in 1875. He is now an old gen- 
tleman, living a quiet and retired life on the old Lovett 
homestead. His only son, Robert, resides with him, 
looking after his interests and superintending the 
farm. Robert married Miss Julia Riddle, of whose 
family will be found an account on another page. To 
him has been Dorn one child, James R., a bright lad of 
two summers. Grandfather and grandmother Lovell 
are both dead, and lie buried side by side in the Hamil- 
ton cemetery. 

Andrew L Sorter, second son of Hezekiah and Sarah 
Sorter, was born in Springfield township in the year 1830. 
He was married in 1852 to Miss Harriet Huffman. To 
them were born six children — Sarah Ann, William P., 
Laura, Mary, Ida, and Douglas. Sarah Ann is dead. 
Mr. Sorter is one of the substantial farmers of his town- 
ship, and a gentleman respected and esteemed by all. 



376 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Philip Dorn, the eldest son of Philip and Catharine 
Dorn, was born in Germany in the year 1809. He came 
with his parents to Maryland. The family removed to 
Pennsylvania in 1819 or 1820, where the parents re- 
sided until the time of their decease. The son came to 
Hamilton county in the fall of 1831. He was a black- 
smith by trade, with which business he afterward asso- 
ciated the manufactory of carriages and wagons. He 
was twice married, first to Miss Catharine Lowe, by 
whom he had nine children, six sons and three daugh- 
ter — Alexander, John, William, Gilbert, Frank, Martha, 
Ruth, Ellen, and Louisa, and one son who died in in- 
fancy. Louisa, William, and John are dead. Mr. Dorn 
lost his companion about the year 1852. He was after- 
ward married to Miss Susannah Aldman, and there were 
added to the family five children, three sons and two 
daughters — Albert, Mary, Julia, John, and Philip, all 
now living. For almost half a century Mr. Dorn has 
been one of the prominent business men of the county. 
He began at the bottom of the ladder, but by hard labor 
and wise economy he has climbed upward, and to-day 
ranks among the most prosperous of his community. 
While he is not associated with any church he is inter- 
ested in public improvement, and is an earnest advocate 
of the right. His wife is an active member of the 
United Brethren church. Although past his three-score 
and ten years, he is yet in the manufacturing business, 
and successfully superintends all his affairs. 

David H. Gillespie was second son of John W. and 
Catharine (Reese) Gillespie. The father is still living 
near Cumminsvilie in his seventy-ninth year, and still hale 
and hearty. He was a son of Robert Gillespie, who set- 
tled very early in Butler county. John came to Spring- 
field in 1847, and settled upon a farm near Lockland. 
He had ten children among whom was David, who was 
born at Seven-mile village, north of Hamilton, July 30, 
1 83 1. He came with his family to Lochland, in and 
about which he has since resided with brief intervals. 
He now resides in the village, and has a saloon near the 
Hamilton & Dayton depot. He was married to Miss 
Mary E. Turner in December, 1853, and has four chil- 
dren — Sarah, Abbeville, married to John Grismere of 
Lockland; Charles, William, and Alverda, all at home 
with their parents. 

Henry Moser, one of the prominent merchants of 
Mount Pleasant, was born in Switzerland in 1837. He 
came to America in 1849, and began in the mercantile 
business in Mount Pleasant in the year 1867. He 
erected a large and commodious brick building, in which 
his business is now conducted. He married, in 1861, 
Miss Sarah E. Rogers, who has five children, two sons 
and three daughters. Both are faithful members of the 
Christian church, and excellent supporters of the faith 
they profess. Mr. Moser was a soldier in the late civil 
war. 

Mr. J. H. Story was a native of New Hampshire, from 
which place he came to Ohio, with his parents, and after- 
ward became a resident of Cincinnati. He was born in 
the year 1810, was the eldest son of John Story and 
Sally Hoyt, who settled on their coming in Athens, now 



Meigs, county. In 1832 he began the lumber trade, 
which he industriously pursued for forty years. In 1836 
he married Miss Hannah Smart, and to them were born 
five sons: James, Joseph, John, Charles, and William. 
In the year 1872 he moved to Springfield township and 
purchased a tract of land containing two hundred acres, 
known as the old "Joe Cooper farm." His surroundings 
denote more than ordinary thrift. He has had a life full 
of activity and prosperity. He has never joined any 
church but his wife is a member of the Baptist church. 
His father died at the age of seventy-seven. His mother 
also lived to an advanced age, and the aged couple lie 
buried near the old home in Meigs county. 

GLEN DALE. 

This beautiful suburban village is situated on parts of 
sections five, six, eleven and twelve, in the northeast part 
of the township, close to the east line and a little over 
a mile and a half from the county line. The Hamilton, 
Springfield and Carthage turnpike skirts its western 
border; the Princetown and Sharon turnpikes, as also 
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad intersect it, 
and the Miami canal passes a mile to the eastward. 

The site of Glendale was originally a series of fine cul- 
tivated farms, belonging to Edmund R. Glenn, John M. 
Cochran, John Riddle, Robert Watson and others. In 
185 1 a number of wealthy Cincinnatians, desiring to 
build suburban homes, made an inspection of the coun- 
try between Hamilton and the city, and lighted upon 
this spot as the most promising and eligible for their 
purposes. Among them were the Hons. S. S. L'Hom- 
medieu and John C. Wright, Messrs. Jacob Strader, R. 
B. Bowler and others, constituting a joint stock company 
of thirty, called the Glendale association. They pur- 
chased five hundred and sixty-five acres from the several 
owners, had two hundred acres at first surveyed m lots 
of one acre to twenty acres each, selected their own 
building sites, and then offered the remainder at public 
sale upon condition that purchasers should become 
actual residents of the jilace, at least for the summer, 
and that none but good dwellings should be erected. It 
was understood, on the part of the company, that all re- 
ceipts above original cost of land and expenses should be 
devoted to public improvement — as parks, an artificial 
lake and the like. The lake was made with comparative 
ease, by constructing a dam three hundred feet long just 
below some springs, whereby a beautiful sheet of water 
covering four acres and having a depth in places of 
seventeen feet, was created. An hotel was presently 
erected for summer boarders, but its early patronage did 
not equal expectations, and it was sold to the Junction 
railroad company by whom it was conveyed to the Rev. 
John Covert, who founded therein the American Female 
college. Three pretty little parks were laid off and im- 
proved in different parts of the village. A neat public 
school building, a one-story brick with four rooms, was 
put up in due time. The avenues were staked off in 
beautiful and symmetrical curves, and are generally sixty 
feet in width. Sharon avenue, upon which the road to 
Sharon, in Sycamore township, passes straight through 




GEORGE W. WALKER. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



377 



the place, is eighty feet wide. Colonel Maxwell, in his 
admirable book on the suburbs of Cincinnati, says: 

Whichever way the stranger takes, he is constantly impressed with 
the thought that he has made a mistal<e ; and whatever point he at- 
tains is certain to be one unlool<ed for. This is the more embarrassing 
to the visitor, who asks in vain for the names of avenues that appear 
neither upon guideboards, or at Avondale. nor in the minds of the in- 
habitants, who feel no necessity of troubling themselves cencerning the 
mazes of thoroughfares with which time has made them thoroughly fa- 
miliar. A better acquaintance, however, removes the annoyance, and 
a score of visits demonstrate quite clearly how study unravels the most 
intricate ways. 

Several additions have been made to the village plat 
since it was first laid out, and the Glendale Building and 
Loan association was incorporated October 5, 187 1. 

Glendale had six hundred and ninety inhabitants in 
i860; one thousand seven hundred and eighty in 1870; 
and one thousand four hundred and thi^e in 1880. The 
village was incorporated in 1855, and has had among its 
mayors the Hon. Stanley Matthews, 1 867-8; R. M. 
Shoemaker, 1869; Samuel T. Crawford, 1870-73; Cap- 
tain T. J. Haldeman, 1B74. 

The place was visited with an extensive fire on the 
afternoon of Friday, May 14, 1880, during the preva- 
lence of a brisk breeze, which spread the flames rapidly. 
No fire-engine was at hand, but assistance sent from 
Hamilton and Cincinnati finally quelled the conflagta- 
tion. The loss was about thirty thousand dollars. A 
further loss of twenty-five thousand dollars was exper- 
ienced by a fire August 17, 1880. 

The village was laid out in 1852. Among the first to 
settle there this year and the next, were Messrs. Robert 
and Henry Clarke, Mr. Glenn, Benjamin Stenell, Fenton 
Lawson, and Robert Crawford. Not long after them 
came Hon. Stanley Matthews, Anthony Harkness, esq., 
Elliott, and others; and in later years it has been the 
home of the Hon. Warner M. Bateman, Judge J. Cilley, 
Florien Grauque, and many other well-known Cincinnat- 
ians. 

The chief public institution of Glendale, is the Female 
college. This, as before stated, occupies the original 
hotel building in the place. The following paragraphs 
of its history are extracted from an address by its presi- 
dent, the Rev. Dr. Potter, at the quarter century re- 
union, June 12, 1879. 

This institution was founded by Rev. John Covert, A. M. , in Sep- 
tember, 1854, and named by him " The American Female College, " 
Mr, Covert and his accomplished lady, Mrs. Covert, who received her 
education at two of the institutions of eastern New York, had been 
connected with an institution in that State, subsequently founded a 
seminary in Ohio, near Columbus, and still later founded and conduct- 
ed the Ohio Female college, at College Hill. In April, 1856, he 
transferred this institution to Rev. J. G. Monfort, D. D., Rev. S. S. 
Potter, and Rev. L. D. Potter, who assumed the possession and man- 
agement on the lifteenth of May, five weeks before the close of the second 
collegiate year. We changed the name next year to "Glendale Female 
College." All of the party just named and their wives had had con- 
siderable experience as practical teachers. Your speaker, though the 
youngest of the three, had had, however, a long experience, having 
been connected, in some capacity, for ten years, with some interrupt- 
ions, as scholar, teacher, or principal in boarding institutions, similar 
in character to this. Madame C. Rivi^ and her si>ter, now Mrs. 
Kitchell, were already here, having come with Mr. Covert from CoMege 
Hill. Mrs. McFerson, our lady principal for five years, and who is 
with us to-day, having given up her seminary in Bloomington, Indi- 
ana, joined us in September following. During the latter part of the 



summer vacation of 1856 a fire occurred, cause unknown, which de- 
stroyed the chapel, a music building with its contents, and other 
structures of lesser importance. The work of reconstructing the chapel, 
and of the addition of a better music building attached to the main 
building, was immediately commenced. The session was opened, how- 
ever, at the time appointed, and continued until the new buildings 
were finished, though with many inconveniences on account of room, 
as many of the old scholars present remember. Rev. S. S. Potter left 
us in i860, and Mrs. McFerson in 1861. Rev. J. G. Wilson, now 
United States Consul at Jerusalem, became connected with us in i86t, 
but left in 1862. Dr. Monfort left in 1865, after a successful adminis- 
tration as president for nine years, at the end of which time the college 
seemed to have become settled upon a secure and permanent basis. 
The steam-heating apaiatus, quite a novelty at the time, was intro- 
duced in the summer of 1856, and various improvements to the grounds 
and buildings have since been added from year to year. The number 
of scholars has been tolerably uniform from the beginning, with three 
exceptions — i. During the first years, when our public school was 
small and ungraded, the number of day scholars was much larger than 
it has been since ; 2. During the first two years of the war our num- 
bers were greatly diminished ; and, 3. From 1871 to 1875, after the 
late financial crisis commenced, we were crowded almost beyond what 
our accommodations would warrant. 

When the college was opened there was no church building in the 
place, and the Presbyterian church was organized in this chapel in 
1855. The citizens generally, without respect to denominational pref- 
erences, worshipped with us in this house for the first six years — the 
worship being conducted by ministerial members of the faculty. The 
Presbyterian, Catholic, New Jerusalem, and Episcopal churches were 
subsequently erected in the order named. 

So far as I am aware, we were the first institution, east or west, to 
adopt the regular classification and a fourfold division of studies, in the 
form and under the designation historically known as applied to col- 
leges for males — freshman , sophomore, junior, and senior. We have 
been followed by many others, so that now it has become common. Of 
the two hundred and one, exclusive of those who graduated yesterday, 
only eleven, in these twenty-five years, have been called into the eternal 
world. All of them, we have reason to believe, died in the triumph of 
faith, and several of them were uncommonly bright examples of Chris-* 
tiau piety and character. Of those who remain, I have recorded 
seventy-four as having been especially commended to us for taking a lead- 
ing part and prominent positions in the churches and the higher walks of 
society in the places where their lot has been cast; seventy-three have 
been teachers for a longer or shorter period; thirteen have distinguished 
themselves as authors and writers; seven have married professors in our 
higher institutions, and forty-six have married gentlemen in one of the 
learned professions. Several of these husbands {no doubt owing largely 
to the influence of their wives, as is usually the case) have risen to emi- 
nence in the army, in their professions, and in other positions; one a 
justice in the United States supreme court, one a United States minis- 
ter to one of the foreign missions of the first class, others in the coun- 
cils of the States or of the United States, and others in places of influ- 
ence in the churches. Two are members of the present Congress of 
the United States. Two old scholars are foreign missionaries. Should 
this institution live for another quarter century, when more than half of 
the alumnse may have reached the prime of life, we may hope for a still 
brighter record, for we must remember that comparatively few of our 
number have as yet passed beyond the period of early life. 

The last catalogue of the institution at hand — that for 
1879-80 — exhibits a total attendance of eighty-three: 
Resident graduates, two; seniors, seven; juniors, twenty- 
two; sophomores, eleven; freshmen, twenty-six; prepar- 
atory, six; in ornamental studies only, nine. Twenty-five 
were from Ohio, twenty-three from Indiana, three each 
from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and one each from 
Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Indian Ter- 
ritory, New Mexico, and Russia. There were also twenty- 
one Ohio day scholars. 

The Rev. Ludlow D. Potter, D. D., president of this 
institution, is a native of New Providence, Union coun- 
ty, New Jersey, born in 1823, upon a farm which now 
constitutes the site of the village of Summit. He is re- 



378 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



lated by blood to the Ludlow family, of which Colonel 
Israel Ludlow, one of the founders of Cincinnati, and 
was from another of them originally named Benjamin 
Ludlow Day Potter, his parents dropping the first name, 
however, when he was baptized. He prepared for col- 
lege at a boarding school in Mendham, and entered as a 
sophomore at Princeton college in 1838, graduating hon- 
orably in 1 84 1. During the next two years he taught 
languages and mathematics at a classical school in Plain- 
field, conducted by E. Fairchild, A. M. In the fall of 
1843 he entered the Union Theological seminary, in 
New York city, but the next year transferred his student, 
ship to Princeton, where he was graduated as a theologue 
in the spring of 1846. Again during the next academic 
year he taught a classical school in Pennington, New 
Jersey, and then in the fall of 1847 he set his face west- 
ward, and became pastor of the Presbyterian church in 
Brookville, Indiana, where he remained about five years. 
He had been licensed as a Presbyterian minister in New 
Jersey in 1846, and was here ordained the second year 
thereafter. He was in 1853 elected principal of the 
Whitewater Presbyterian academy, and held the post for 
three years, when he removed to Glendale, and became as- 
sociated, as above stated, with the Revs. Dr. J. G. Mon- 
tort and S. S. Potter, in the management and instruction 
of the female college. He was here head of the depart- 
ment of instruction; and in 1865, Dr. Monfort having 
resigned the presidency, he succeeded to that position, 
and has since remained president of the institution. 
Education is thus seen, in the length and prominence of 
"his connection with it, to be his field of usefulness and 
honor, rather than the pulpit, although he has in the 
latter done reputable service, both as pastor aforesaid 
and as occasional preacher to congregations in Hamilton 
county and elsewhere. His academic honors have also 
approved his career, he having been made a master of 
arts by Princeton college in 1844, and a doctor of divini- 
ty by Hanover (Indiana) college in 1872. 

Another excellent institution of Glendale for years was 
the Circulating book club, whose object is sufficiently 
indicated in the title. The organization was changed 
in the winter of 1880-1 to the Library Association of 
Glendale, upon the plan of the Young Men's Mercantile 
Library Association in Cincinnati, but without a leading 
room for the present. The officers are as follows: Pres.- 
ident, Rev. W. H. Babbitt; vice-president, J. B. C. 
Morres; secretary and treasurer, H. L. Keys; and a board 
of six directors. The library is kept in a room of Bruce's 
new building. 

The First Presbyterian church (Old School when 
formed) is the oldest religious society in Glendale. It 
was organized November 29, 1855, with the Rev. H. A. 
Tracy as pastor. An unique, Swiss-like church edifice 
was erected for it in i860, which has, within a few years, 
been displaced by a new and finer building. 

The Catholic church is strong in Glendale. Saint 
Gabriel's was organized in 1858, and at once erected a 
brick building upon a lot given the society by Messrs. 
Gross and Dietrick, which has since been steadily occu- 



pied. It cost about two thousand dollars. The church 
is under the pa:storal care of the Rev. Father James 
O'Donnell. It has a parochial school of four depart- 
ments, and about two hundred and fifty pupils, kept in 
the rear of the church by the the Sisters of Charity. It 
is free to all children, and the citizens of Glendale in 
1868 contributed one thousand and three hundred dol- 
lars to make valuable additions to its facilities. The 
Sodality of the Living Rosary is a society attached to 
this church. 

Christ Episcopal church was organized August 6, 
1865, under the auspices of the Rev. J. B. Pratt. Ser- 
vices were held in the school-house and in private houses 
until about 1867, when a chapel was erected by the so- 
ciety on Sharon avenue, and subsequently the fine build- 
ing now occupi^ at the top of the hill just south of the 
avenue. Its cost was twenty thousand dollars, and it 
was first occupied May 30, 1869. 

The church of the New Jerusalem society was erected 
in i860, on Congress avenue. 

LOCKLAND. 

The village of Springfield township next in importance 
to Glendale is Lockland. It is a much older town, hav- 
ing been laid out May 27, 1829, by Messrs. Nicholas 
Longworth and Lewis Howell. It took its name from the 
locks here, built in the Miami canal, which was then a 
quite new thing. Two houses were here at the time. 
It grew with reasonable rapidity, and has become a ])ros- 
perous business place. It had one thousand two hun- 
dred and thirty-one population in i860; one thousand 
two hundred and ninety-nine in 1870; and one thousand 
eight hundred and eighty-six in 1880. Part of this, how- 
ever, resides in Sycamore township, into which the village 
extends. Two hundred and twenty acres of it are in 
Springfield township, sixty-five in Sycamore. It is situated 
on the township line just west of Reading and northeast of 
Carthage and Hartwell, about a mile and one-third north 
of the Columbia and Mill Creek township line. It was 
incorporated December 20, 1865. Among its mayors 
were Andrew Thomas, 1869; Charles S. Dunn, 1870-4. 
The Lockland Building and Savings association was 
formed here in June, 187 1. A Methodist class was or- 
ganized near the place so long ago as 1799, by the Rev. 
Francis McCormick, at the house of a Mr. Ramsey. 
The churches now are : The Presbyterian, Rev. S. C. 
Palmer, pastor; Baptist, J. W. Davis, pastor; the Wayne 
Avenue Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Mr. Vance; Mt. Zion 
Baptist (colored), Rev. S. P. Young; African Methodist, 
Rev. M. M. Smithy and the Christian, also a colored 
congregation. In the Wayne Avenue church is still used, 
with almost entire satisfaction, the venerable organ which 
was the first ever played in Cincinnati. 

July 2, 1876, an historical discourse was preached by 
the Rev. W. A. Hutchison, then pastor of the Presby- 
terian church in Lockland, from which the following facts 
are obtained: 

The Presbyterian church in Reading, organized August 
29, 1823, divided January 2, 1839, into New and Old 
School branches. The Rev. Benjamin Graves, who had 




BENJAMIN URMSTON. 

Benjamin Urmston, fourth son of David and Mary 
(Enyard) Urmston, of Ligonier valley, New Jersey, is 
of English stock. They immigrated to Ohio about 
l8oi, coming first to Cincinnati, then pushing 
northward to a tract in Butler county, three miles 
north of Sycamore township, where both lived and 
died. Their children numbered ten, among whom 
was the subject of this sketch, born December 20, 
1800, in Pennsylvania, and was a babe in arms 
when brought by his parents down the Ohio river 
on a raft. His early life was spent on the farm 
with his father until his marriage, and for some 
years afterwards, when he removed to a small place 
given him by his father upon the paternal estate. 
Here he remained several years, and about 1838 
removed to Springfield township, where he has 
since resided as a farmer. He occupied his present 
place in 1853. It is about a quarter of a mile 
south of Mount Pleasant, on the old Hamilton 
pike, and the residence is that in which Robert 
Gary, father of Alice and Phoebe Gary, spent his 
last years. The old Gary residence is near, and a 
part of the former Gary farm is now the prop- 
erty of Mr. Urmston. Some of his children at- 
tended the district school kept by Phcebe Gary in 
this very neighborhood over thirty years ago. 
Here he is spending a tranquil and generally 
healthful old age. 

Rebecca Kennedy, wife of Benjamin Urmston, is 
daughter of Samuel Kennedy, son of Thomas Ken- 
nedy, who ran the well known "Kennedy's Ferry" 
from Gincinnati to the Kentucky shore, and owned 
the cornfield upon which Govington, in part, now 



MRS. BENJAMIN URMSTON. 

stands. Her mother's maiden name was Jane 
Richardson, of a Pennsylvania family, whose father 
came from England at the age of eighteen. Re- 
becca was born three miles above Hamilton, 
October 26, 1 801, where her father owned a large 
farm, which is still kept in the family, and is reck- 
oned one of the finest places in Butler county. 
About 1822, upon the death of her grandfather, 
she removed with her parents to the ancestral resi- 
dence in Govington, in the old Kennedy stone 
mansion. Here she was married to Mr. Urmston, 
October 16, 1828, and returned with him to the 
home of the elder Urmston, in Butler county. She 
has since shared his fortunes, his joys and sorrows, 
and all of life's experiences, through the long and . 
happy union of almost fifty-three years. Their 
children have been: Kennedy Urmston, born De- 
cember 30, 1829, died at the age of nearly three 
years; Robert, born August lO, 1 830, married 
Sarah Bevis, June 10, 1862, a prosperous farmer, 
residing near his father, has two sons and one 
daughter living; Mary Jane, born May 26, 1834, 
died March 27, 1858; Benjamin, born December 
27, 1837, lives at home with his father, and mana- 
ges the business of the farm ; Edmond born June 
25, 1840, married Margaret Butterfield October 
12, 1869, resides on a farm opposite the old home 
in Butler county, has two sons and two daughters. 
Mr. and Mrs. Urmston have been members of 
the Old School Baptist church for more than forty 
years. The former has voted the Democratic' ' 
ticket steadily for sixty years, and still goes regu- 
larly to the polls. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



3^9' 



been called and ordained pastor of the original society 
in 1827, continued to preach to the New School people, 
and after a few years began to answer a call for Presby- 
terian preaching in "the neighboring and little village of 
Lockland," then a hamlet clustered closely about the 
locks. He says, in a letter to his old congregation, read 
upon the Centennial occasion above mentioned: 

I preached the first semion ever preached in Lockland, in a log cabin 
standing near by what is now the first lock in the canal. In progress of 
time the Presbytery, at the request of the people, organized the Pres- 
byterian cliurch of Lockland. Prior to the organization there was no 
house of worship, and I preached, as did Paul, "from house to house," 
and in Brother Long's dooryard in the summer and in his workshop in 
the winter. 

April 6, 1850, was the natal day of the Lockland New 
School Presbyterian church. It numbered twenty-one 
members. Mr. Graves preached to it until 1853, and 
then, in order, came the Rev. Messrs. I. De La Mater, 
Edward Scofield, John Hussey, Silas Hawley, W. A. 
Hutchison, and S. C. Palmer, the last of whom is present 
pastor. Under Mr. Hawley's ministrations, in February 
and March of 1866, a notable revival season occurred 
which brought thirty-eight into the church. 

After the formation of the Lockland society, the New 
School branch in Reading languished, and in a few years 
ceased to exist, its members tninsterring their allegiance 
mainly to the Colony church. To this, many years after, 
October 14, 1870, in the year succeeding the formal reuni- 
on of the Old and New School assemblies of Pittsburgh, 
the Reading Old School wing also came over and joined 
the Lockland society, which now took the name of the 
Reading and Lockland Presbyterian church. The Read- 
ing pastor. Rev. James H. Gill, came with his congrega- 
tion, and ministered to theUnited church for three months, 
when ill-health compelled him to retire; while the Lock- 
land pastor at the time, the Rev. Mr. Hawley, was dis- 
missed the same day, with sixty-one of the members, to 
form the Presbyterian church of Wyoming. Many in- 
teresting facts concerning the antecedent church in 
Reading will be found under the proper head in the his- 
tory of Sycamore township, following this chapter. 

From the organization of the church in Reading in 
1834 to the centennial observance by the Reading and 
Lockland Church July 2, 1876, the number of members 
received on profession was seven hundred and twenty- 
four; on certificate, three hundred and sixty-eight; total, 
one thousand and ninety-two. During the five years of 
Mr. Hutchison's pastorate preceding the latter date, the 
additions aggregated one hundred and twenty, or an 
average of twenty-four per year. 

Reading is exceedingly fortunate in its industries, for 
which the four locks furnish an ample water-power, in an 
average fall of twelve feet each, yielding an equivalent of 
three hundred and fifty horse-power, or enough to 
move thirty-five run of stone. There are four paper- 
mills here, one of them alone employing about one hun- 
dred and fifty hands, with a pay roll of over forty thou- 
sand dollars a year and a product in printing paper and 
fine, plain and tinted book paper, in one recent year, 
of one million one hundred and twenty-five thousand 



pounds, worth one hundred'and ten thousand dollars. 
There are also two woollen mills, a huge cotton-mill 
recently erected, two starch factories, two flouriiig-mills, 
one box-factory and planing-mill, one baking-powder 
factory, and some wagon factories. Factory owners and 
operatives are thus a very large element in the population 
of Lockland. 

A neat eight-page paper called the Suburban Resident 
is published here, for Lockland, Reading, Wyoming and 
Carthage, by Mr. George W. Smith. It is an edition of 
the Cincinnati Tra7isC7-ipt, printed at Cumminsville by A. 
E. Weatherby, and bore the same name from the time of 
its founding, September 13, 1S79, by George K. Booth, 
the Lockland postmaster, to October i, 1880, when Mr. 
Smith took it and changed the name. It is a racy and 
interesting sheet, and serves a good purpose in the collec- 
tion and dissemination of news in these suburban villages. 

SPRINGDALE. 

This, the northernmost village in the township, is also 
the oldest, having been platted August 23, 1806, by John 
Baldwin. It was then and for many years known as 
Springfield, but for postal reasons was compelled to take 
its present name. It is at the northwest corner of sec- 
tion twelve, a little northwest of Glendale, on one of the 
Hamilton turnpikes, and a little over a mile vs^est of the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad. It was incor- 
porated as a village March 16, 1839, and had three hun- 
dred and eighty-two inhabitants in 1870 and two hun- 
dred and eighty-four in 1880. The Ohio State Gazetteer 
of 1821 notices it as "a wealthy post-town of Hamilton 
county, fifteen miles north of Cincinnati, on the road to 
Hamilton, containing two hundred and twenty inhabi- 
tants." This is a fuller notice than any other village was 
able to command in the book. The Gazetteer of 1831 
also mentioned it as a "wealthy" place, and credits it with 
.a population of two hundred and eighty. The issue of 
1841 gives it the same number, with fifty-five dwellings, 
four stores, two taverns, one school-house, one church, 
and "a large number" of mechanics' shops. 

Some of the earliest tradesmen and mechanics of the 
village are thus recalled by Mr. Anthony Hilts, one of 
the very oldest survivors of the early day in Springdale: 
John Baldwood, proprietor of the town, blacksmith; John 
McGilliard, postmaster; Captain John Brownson, hotel- 
keeper; Garret Lefferson, and Isaac Larrne, blacksmiths; 
Colonel William Chamberlain, dry goods merchant; John 
Swallow, dealer in dry goods and groceries ; N. S. Schor- 
ey, tanner and currier; the father of Governor O. P. 
Morton, of Indiana (who was brought up in Springdale), 
hotel-keeper; William Creager, cabinetmaker and under- 
taker; John Rogers, manufacturer of Windsor chairs; 
Hatfield Williams, wheelwright; James Cogg, hatter; Jo- 
seph Hagerman, physician. It is also remembered by 
old citizens that one Birder made hats in Springdale 
about sixty years — of rabbit and other fur, great bell- 
crowned affairs, that would hold a peck apiece, the fur 
sticking out of them half an inch or more. It is thought 
that James Cogy preceded Creager as cabinetmaker, 
and was the first in the village; and that Creager was fol- 
lowed by Garrett Williamson. 



38o 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



The old brick store in Springdale was erected in 1833, 
and the old pork-house on the other side of the street in 
1838. Among the oldest dwellings in town, some of 
which go a long way back, are the Hunt, Prigg, and 
Creager houses. 

Mr. Hilts came to Springdale (then Springfield) in 
1818, a boy of eleven years. But one other person of 
that day and neighborhood survives with hi.n. He con- 
tributes the following recollections of the school of his 
first winter here: 

"Schools were got up in those days by subscription, the employers 
paying usually three dollars per scholar a quarter. Three months in 
the winter season tl ey had school, and none in the summer. The 
teacher boarded from house to house. At the close of the term he was 
entitled to the subscription, and made his own collection. The school- 
house was a hewed-log house, in which was a school taught by Calkins 
Corkins, an Eastern man. " 

Mr. Huffman, a very aged resident of the village, re- 
members two of the pioneer.schools at Springdale — one 
kept by Caleb Kemper in a meeting-house originally built 
by the "New Light" religionists, and afterwards used for 
a school-house; the other, taught by a lady named An- 
drews, in a frame building erected in the Presbyterian 
churchyard. In this school needlework was among the 
branches taught. Alpheus Mclntyre was another of the 
early local pedagogues; John Wood was another. The 
present graded school building was put up in 1870. 

The Presbyterian church at Springdale is the oldest re- 
ligious society in the north of the county. Its history 
has been admirably detailed by Rev. William H. Jaraes, 
pastor (still in charge), in an historical discourse preached 
upon its seventy-ninth anniversary, June 4, 1876. Since 
the publication of this address Mr. James has obtained a 
more ancient document relating to its subject matter than 
any then accessible to him, which by his courtesy, we are 
enabled to present herewith : 

We, whose names are hereunto atifixed, do promise to pay or cause 
to be paid unto Mr. John Schooley, Mr. William Preston, or Luke Fos- 
ter, the several sums annexed to our names in cash or labour, for the 
use of procuring a piece of land for a Graveyard and to defray the ex- 
pense of a temporary Meeting house for the Presbyterian Society in 
this township of Springfield on demand — this fourth day of April, 1796. 
NAMES. LABOUR. LABOUR WITH CASH. 

DAYS. TEAM. £ 

John Schooley 2 i lo o 

Levi Sayer ...2 0150 

Endorsed: " Subscription for the Grave yard and Meeting house." 

This church, after its people had met for worship for 
some time at Foster's grove, two miles south of Spring- 
dale, under the ministrations of Rev. Messrs James Kem- 
per, Peter Wilson, and Archibald Steele, was regularly 
constituted by the presbytery of Transylvania, probably 
in 1796. It first appears upon the presbyterial records 
October 2, 1798, when "a written supplication was pre- 
sented from Springfield for supplies." Among the early 
preachers to the society, besides those before named, were 
John E. Finley, Mr. Dunlavy, John Thomson, who had 
gone into the "New Light" movement, but returned from 
it, Matthew G. Wallace, Benjamin Graves, Sayrs Gazlay, 
and William Graham. The later settled pastors have 
been Adrian Aten, 1833-41; J. M. Stone, 1841-9; George 
P. Bergen, 1849-57; T. E. Huglies, 1858-66; William 
H. James, 1866 to this time. Mr. Thomson, who served 



the church over twenty years, was the father of four dis- 
tinguished sons, of whom the Syrian missionary and au- 
thor of The Land and the Book, Rev. William M. 
Thomson, D. D., is one. The first meeting-house — "a 
large frame building, nearly square, with galleries on the 
three sides, and the pulpit at the north end" was put up 
in 1801-2; the building now occupied, a spacious brick 
church, was erected in 1834. A notable revival occurred 
in 1802, and the next year the church numbered one 
hundred and three members, and was one of the strongest 
societies in Hamilton county, Cincinnati included. 
Among the early elders were John Watson, William Pres- 
ton, Moses Miller, Thomas Mclntire, Abraham Lindley, 
James Andrews, Benjamin Perlee, Caleb Crane, and 
others. 

In the winter of 1801-2 a remarkable religious move- 
ment, which took the name of the New Light, or Ken- 
tucky revival, spread into southwestern Ohio. It began 
in the Presbyterian churches of southern Kentucky, in 
1800, and soon spread northward through that State, and 
finally into this, affecting chiefly the Presbyterians, but to 
some extent other denominations. , In the winter named 
two clergymen from Kentucky, John Thomson and 
Richard McNemar, before mentioned, preached often 
and very effectively at many points in the Miami coun- 
try. Their work was specially active at Springfield vil- 
lage, where Thomson uhimately settled as pastor, and 
at the Turtle Creek Presbyterian church, near the present 
Union village, or Shakertown, in Warren county, where 
McNemar settled. 

The history of the Miami Baptist association, by the 
Hon. A. H. Dunlevy, to which we owe these facts, thus 
relates, and apparently without prejudice, the singular 
characteristics of this revival: 

The effects of this revival can only be glanced at here. Indeed, the 
reality would hardly be credited now. New as the country was, congre- 
gations of one, two, and three thousand often collected at different 
points, and even evening meetings at private houses not unfrequently 
had such crowds that they were compelled to remain out of doors dur- 
ing the services. In cold weather it was not uncommon to build large 
fires around the house of logs, then very easily had, in order to the com- 
fort of those outside of the house. 

At first the excitement was distinguished by the falling exerci.se. 
This was marked by loud breathing at first, growing more and more 
rapid until the subject of it seemed to swoon, then fall, and be appa- 
rently without breathing for some hours. Hundreds would thus be 
seen prostrated in a few moments, and sometimes nearly every adult in 
the meeting, preacher and all, would be down at once — some silent, 
with scarcely the appearance of life, others apparently recovering, and 
either crying for mercy or praising God, with loud voices. Even wicked 
men who went to scoff, I have known to fall like others, wholly unable 
to control themselves, for a longer or a shorter time. On the recovery 
of these they would be unable to account for the effect on them, and in 
some cases such persons thus fell without producing even seriousness, 
more than for a few minutes, or hours^ at the furthest. In most in- 
stances, however, this falling was attended with strong convictions of 
sin, which resulted in permanent conversion. 

The falling exercise was succeeded by the rolling exercise, which 
consisted in being cast down in a violent manner, and rolling over and 
over like a hog. 

The next in time was the jerks. These were attended by violent 
twitchings of the muscles of the neck, arms, and sometimes of the 
whole body. The head would frequently be thrown from one side to 
another, backwards and forwards, so forcibly as to appear to threaten 
dislocation of the neck. 

A fourth exercise was what was called the barks. The individual af- 
fected by this would bark like a dog, and often move about on hands 



REEVES McGILLIARD, Esq. 



The parents of the subject of this sketch were John 
and Elizabeth (Campbell) McGilliard. The father was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1788, and at the age of eight 
years, in 1796, was brought to Springfield township by 
his parents, and spent there- 
mainder of his days there, 
dying in 1878, at .the ad- 
vanced age of ninety yeafs. 
He was a prominent tean 
in local affairs in his day, 
filling at different times 
nearly every township of- 
fice — as trustee, treasurer, 
justice of the peace, con- 
stable, etc. Elizabeth 
Campbell, his wife, was 
born in 1784, and died in 
1861, aged seventy-seven 
years. Among their chil- 
dren was one daughter, 
Mary, now widow of John 
Moore, and residing at Mt. 
Pleasant. There were three 
sons, Andrew, William, and 
Reeves, all of whom are 
still living in Springfield 
township. William is the subject of 
vious sketches. 

Reeves McGillard, residing nearly two miles east 
of Mt. Pleasant, was born in 1809. He was married 




notice in our pre- 



in 1833 to Miss Sarah Gardiner, of this township. 
Their children were two, Esther and Eliza Ann, 
both of whom died in 1864 — the mother having pre- 
ceded her chidren to the grave by four years. About 
two years thereafter Mr. 
McGilliard was married to 
Miss Sarah Brown. He 
has followed the business 
of farming during all 
his active life. For more 
than twenty consecutive 
years he was entrusted by 
his fellow-citizens with the 
responsible dutifes of jus- 
tice of the peace, which he 
discharged to the general 
satisfaction. He has also, 
from time to time, served 
as township trustee and 
school director. Himself 
and wife are both mem- 
bers of the Christian 
church, and have long 
been among its staunchest 
supporters. Mr. McGil- 
liard has passed the Psalm- 
ist's limit of human life by almost two years, but retains 
considerable vigor of mind and body, and is regarded 
by his friends as a remarkably well-preserved old gentle- 
man. 










JOHN ROSS FIELD. 

The progenitors of Mr. Field in this country were of Scotch-Irish ex- 
traction. John, his great-great-grandfather, was the first of the name 
and family in America. He came from Bradford, Hertfordshire, Eng- 
land, and was in the fifth generation, in*direct line, from John Field, 
the celebrated astronomer of the sixteenth century, who was born in 
1525. The later John was born in England, May 15, 1659, and settled 
in Piscataway township, Middlesex county, New Jersey, in 1685, where 
his descendants reside so numerously that their residence district (now 
in Somerset county) along the Raritan river, has received the popular 
name of Fieldville. A paper read some years ago, before the Histori- 
cal Society of New Brunswick, concerning this family, says : "The 
ruling characteristics of this branch of the family, and perhaps their 
greatest usefulness to the world, has been their example of earnestness 
in the common pursuits of life." 

Jeremiah, son of John Field, born May 17, 1689, was father of 
Benjamin, whose natal day was February 19, 1725. He in turn was 
father of Jacob, born February 7, 1768, married Hester Ross, also of 
Middlesex county, December 25, 1790, and died on the farm now oc- 
cupied by his son, the subject of this notice. One of his brothers, 
Michael, uncle of John R. Field, was killed in action at the battle of 
Monmouth, June 27, 1778. The latter was the sixth son of Jacob and 
Hester (Ross) Field, and was born at New Brunswick, Middlesex 
county. New Jersey, March 13, iSio. At the age of two years he was 
brought with his father "s family to Ohio, coming in wagons all the way 
with the Ross, Schooley, and Coddington families, all of whom were 
related. The Fields tarried for a while where St. Bernard now is, in 
Mill Creek township, and then, in 1813, came to the vicinity of the 
present residence of John R. Field, settling upon a farm just beyond 
the creek, between his home and Glendale. His father taught school 
for a short time, but devoted his attention mainly to the improvement 
of his place. About 1816 the family removed to the farm, now in pos- 
sesssion of his son, one mile west of Glendale. Here died Jacob Field, 
April I, 1842, aged seventy-four years, and Hester his wife, October 7, 
1854, aged eighty-four years. 

John's advantages of early education were but limited, being confined 
to the poor and widely scattered schools of that time. He remained 
with his father, engaged in the pursuits of the farm, until his twenty- 
fourth year, when he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet P. Ferine, 
also of Springfield township, January 7, 1834, by the Rev. Adrian Aten, 
pastor of the Presbyterian church at Springdale. After the age of 
twenty-one, by reason of the increasing age and infirmities of his 



MRS. JOHN ROSS FIELD. 

father, the cares of the farm devolved upon Mr. Field, who at majority 
came into possession of the place. He took his young wife to the 
paternal home, where they have since resided. Their children have 
been: Jacob, born January 27, 1835, died in infancy at the age of but 
ten days ; Martha Anderson, born April 2, 1836, died August 7, 1858 ; 
Jane, born January 2, 1838, died June 27, 1841 ; Hester Ann, born 
July 27, 1839, died May 23, 1864 ; Elizabeth, born April 20, 1841, 
married October 29, 1862, to James W. Moore, a farmer residing near 
Mt. Pleasanc ; Charles Milton, born February 4, 1843, married Lydia 
A. Hough November 18, 1863, and resides as a farmer upon a place im- 
mediately adjoining his father's; Sarah Isabella, born April 9, 1846, and 
still resides with lier parents ; Catharine Rowen, born February 6, 
1848, died February 17, 1861; Lydia Ross, born November 7, 1851, 
died November 21, 1877. 

Mr. Field has been a quiet farmer, but little in official life, and not 
connected with any religious or secret society organization. He was 
formerly a Whig in pohtics, but for many years has cast his vote with 
the Democratic party. At the age of seventy-one years, he is n2turally 
beginning to feel the weight of age, and for six or seven years has suf- 
fered the partial loss of his speech. 

Harriet Porter Ferine, now Mrs. John R. Field, was the second 
daughter of John I. and Jane (Van Tuyl) Ferine. Her father was a 
native of White Creek, New York, and her mother of the adjoining 
town, Cambridge, Washington county. She was born at White Creek, 
November 13, 1813, and at the age of eight years came with her family 
to Ohio, her father dying soon after in Ashtabula county, where he 
meant to settle. The widow and her young family then came on to 
Springfield township, where her brother, Thomas B. Van Tuyl, was 
settled, his lands adjoining Mr. Field's on the west. In the family of 
this uncle Harriet was brought up. When ten years old she experi- 
enced her first great grief in the loss of an older sister, Mary Ann, 
residing in Hamilton as an attendant at school, who was killed with 
three others by one fell stroke of lightning, April 5, 1825. Her mother 
died in Cincinnati April i, 1858, at the age of seventy-one, after a long 
struggle with feebleness and dehcate health. When her daughter was 
twenty-one years old she was married to Mr. Field, as related in the 
previous sketch, and their histories have been since united through the 
long period of nearly half a century. She has been a faithful member 
of the Presbyterian church at Springdale since the age of sixteen, for 
now more than fifty-one years. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



381 



and feet as if imitating that animal in its motions as well as in sounds- 
Another was the whirling exercise, spinning around like a top. 
These all had their day, and passed off in a few years, except the 
jer'.vs, which continued with some for many years. These exercises were 
considered by the New Lights as supernatural and intended to humble 
their natural pride of heart and debase, in iheir ownestimation, the sub- 
jects of them. Though 1 give no opinion, they were sometimes diffi- 
cult to account for on any known principles of psychology. There were 
instances, and many of them, where persons would lie as if dead, with 
scarcely the slightest appearance of life, for days together, without mo- 
tion or any other signs of life, unless an almost imperceptible pulsation 
and breathing. 

These people were called New Lights, because they taught "that the 
will of God was made manifest to each individual who honestly sought 
after it, by an inward light which shown into his heart; and hence they 
received the name of New Lights." 

This revival carried off the great body of the Presbyterian church in 
the Miami valley, with a number of their preachers; as it did in Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee, southwest Virginia and northwest North Caro- 
lina. In 1803 they separated from all connection with the regular 
Presbyterial organizations, formed new presbyteries, and protested 
against the doctrines and government of the old ecclesiastical organiza- 
tion. 

The Cumberland Presbyterian denomination took its rise in this re- 
markable episode of religious history, and its name from that presby- 
tery of southern Kentucky, in which the revival began. The Chris- 
tians, or Disciples, had the way prepared for them in many places by it; 
and the Shakers received many accessions, in Kentucky and the 
Miami country, by reason of its strange experiences. The church at 
Springdale was greatly affected by it for years, but finally recovered al- 
most entirely from its influence. 

The Baptist church was also very early in getting a lodgment here. 
The Rev. William Jones was its local pastor in 1827. 

MOUNT PLEASANT. 

This village — which, like Springfield, has been forced 
by the post office department to take another name 
(Mount Healthy) for its postal arrangements — is situated 
in the southwestern quarter of the township, about two 
miles north of College Hill, at the corners of sections 
twenty-six and twenty-seven, thirty-two and thirty-three. 
It is also an old town, having been laid out in 181 7 by 
John Laboyteaux and Samuel Hill. A Mount Pleasant 
Savings andBuilding association was incorporated January 
18, 187 1. It had two hundred and nineteen inhabitants 
in 1830; eight hundred and seventy-one in 1880. On the 
Fourth of July, 1837, there was a rather notable celebra- 
tion at the Presbyterian church in this village, with Mr. 
Daniel Vanmatre for orator. 

The neighborhood south of this place is on the Ham- 
ilton turnpike, principally celebrated as the early home of 
the Cary sisters, who receive due notice in our chapter on 
literature in Cincinnati. A highly poetic description of 
the old homestead here will also be found in that chap- 
ter; and we add here another poem by Alice Cary, in 
which there is much local coloring and some of the do- 
mestic history of the Carys: 

memory's pictures. 
Among the beautiful pictures 

That hang on Memory's wall 
Is one of a aim old forest, 
That seemeth best of all; 
Not for its gnarled oaks olden, 

Dark with the mistletoe; 
Not for the violets golden 

That sprinkle the vale below; 
Nor for the milk-white lilies 

That lean from the fragrant hedge, 
Coquetting all day with the sunbeams, 
And stealing their golden edge; 



Not for the vines on the upland. 

Where the bright-red berries rest; 
Nor the pinks, nor the pale, sweet cowslip, 

Doth it seem to me the best. 

I once had a little brother, 

With eyes that were dntk and deep — 
In the lap of that dim old forest 

Helieth in peace asleep; 
Light as the down of the thistle, 

Flee as the winds that blow, 
We roved there the beautiful summers, 

The summers of long ago; 
But his feet on the hiils grew weary, 

And one of the autumn eves 
I made for my little brother 

A bed of the yellow leaves. 

Sweetly his pale arms folded 

My neck in a meek embrace, 
As the light of immortal beauty 

Silently covered his face; 
And when the arrows of sunset 

Lodged in the tree-tops bright, 
He fell, in his saint-like beauty, 

Askep by the gates of light. 
Therefore, of all the pictures 

That h£.ng on Memory's wall 
The one of the dim old forest 

Seemeth the best of all 

Mount Pleasant (or Mount Healthy) was a great place, 
many years ago, for holding political conventions, espec- 
ially of the Anti-Slavery or Liberty party. At one conven- 
tion held here, in May, 1841, the nominees of the Liberty 
party, at the National convention in New York the same 
month, for the canvass of 1844 — Mr. James G. Birney 
for President, and Thomas Morris for Vice-President, 
both then or formerly of Hamilton county — were cordially 
sustained. This was before the organization of the Lib- 
erty party in Ohio. On the Fourth of July, 1842, another 
convention of Liberty men was held at Mount Pleasant, 
and the Hon. Samuel Lewis, formerly State superintend- 
ent of common schools, was nominated for the State 
senate. This was the first regular convention of the 
party in this county. It was crowded, and a very great 
interest was excited. The biographer of Mr. Lewis says: 
"One curious feature of the day was a discussion on the 
merits of the Liberty party and its claims to public favor, 
during which the gentleman who took the negative of the 
question labored hard to prove that slavery was an insti- 
tution of the Bible, and that God had sanctioned it. 
Such arguments were, of course, properly treated, by 
Messrs. Morris and Chase, who opposed his views." 

St. Mary's Catholic Church is located there, with a 
parochial school of seventy pupils, and the St. Mary's 
and St. Stephen's confratenities — all in charge of the Rev. 
Herman Johanning, pastor. 

A writer in a recent number of the College Hill Moon, 
a paper prepared at one of the literary institutions in 
College Hill, contributes a long article descriptive of a 
visit to the home of the Cary sisters, from which we ex- 
tract the following: 

A gray -painted, two-story, brick house, looking as if it had modestly 
stepped back from the road and drawn its leafy veil over its face as 
gently as a Quakeress of olden time, while its wide roof, sloping toward 
the road, made it look not unlike one who shades the eyes with the 
hand when wishing to look far off. In fact, all the air and bearing of 
the house gives you the impression of a person growing old, so busy 



382 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



with past memories that it seems never to realize or be a part of the 
present. On every side tall trees overshadow it; their long branches 
stretch over the roof; lovingly their shadows kiss it; house and trees 
lived, and growing old, and talking over their .secrets together, and 
though we heard the whisper of the leaves when they touched the gable, 
what they said I cannot tell, for poets only dare breathe such confi- 
dences. We open the gate, now held in place by a loop of rope, and 
pass inside the faded paled fence, and walk with reverent feet up the 
fi.igged walk, where moss and grass have grown all unrebuked between 
the stones. The front door at the end of this walk is in the centre of 
the house, and has a window on either side. We sit a while on the 
well worn door-step, and recall the time when many children clustered 
on and round it, to see the sun set, for the front faces the west, and 
Rhoda the child of promise, who died so young, told fairy tales, and 
from distant hill and gathermg cloud made the children see turreted 
castle and lordly hall, and peopled them with great folk that came to 
life in her wonderful imagination. But we must follow a path that 
leads round the house. We find our.'elves in the lane that passes the 
side of the house, at the end of which we see the barn, brown gabled, 
where the swallows still love to build. We note in passing that the 
rose bushes still grow lu.Kuriantly over the fence that bounds this lane, 
making it look in June, when they are in bloom, like a spinster of fifty 
decked out for a queen of May. Tall trees line each side of this lane, 
so that at no time of day is there wanting cool, pleasant shade. No 
wonder the sisters look back lovingly to it. Here they built their play 
houses, and kept their pets, and romped and played in childhood, and, 
in later days, put out the milk pans to dry in shining rows. 

The dining room and kitchen, with chambers over them, are in an 
addition running back, and have a veranda their whole length, the roof 
of which is supported by round brick pillars — a curious piece of archi- 
tecture we never saw before. At the end of this, close to the kitchen 
door, is the well. The sisters say they used to think that it went 
through to the other side of the world, and Alice says she loved it with 
the well sweep tall by her father's own hand reared, but that, alas ! has 
long since passed away, and the water, still as pure and cool, is brought 
up with pulley and bucket and chain. 

HARTWELL, 

a little northeast of Carthage, on the opposite side of 
Mill creek, and on section one, in the southeast corner 
of the township, and on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Dayton and Short Line railroads, was laid out in 1868 
by the Hamilton County Building association, and named 
from Mr. John W. Hartwell, who was vice-president of 
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad when its 
station was located there. It had a population of but 
sixty-seven in 1870, which ten years later had mounted 
to eight hundred and ninety-two, largely of persons do- 
ing business in Cincinnati and having suburban residences 
here. A Methodist church and a good graded school 
are located here. It was incorporated September 9, 1876. 

WYOMING 

is west of Lockland, on the other side of the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton railroad. It was surveyed in the fall 
of 1869, by Isaac Riddle, for the Lockland & Wyoming 
Homestead association; was incorporated for special pur- 
poses December 7, 1870, and for general purposes March 
25, 1874. Its mayor, the latter year, was Mr. W. B. 
Teetor. It had eight hundred and forty inhabitants by 
the census of June, 1880. The Presbyterian church here 
is in charge of the Rev. M. Maxwell. 

NEW BURLINGTON 

has had, likewise for postal reasons, to change its name 
to Transit Post Office. It is an old place near the west 
line of the township, one and a half miles northwest of 
Mt. Pleasant. It was laid out May 31, 1S16, by John 
Pegg. In 1S30 it had sixty-two inhabitants. 



GREENWOOD 

is a village plat surveyed in 1858 by C. S. Woodruff, on 
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, between 
Lockland and Wyoming, by whose growth and fame its 
own have become considerably obscured. 

PARK PLACE, 

on the same iron road, a little northwest of Greenwood, 
was laid off in 1877, by the Pa;-k Place Land and Build- 
ing company. 

FOSTER HILL 

is next north of Park Place on the Cincinnati, Hamilton 
& Dayton railroad, east side, in the neighborhood of the 
first white settlements made in Springfield township. 

WOODLAWN 

is a short distance north of Foster Hill, on the same sec- 
tion, four, and the same side of the railroad, near the 
township line, not far from the south corporation line of 
Glendale. 

ELLISTON 

is a station north of Glendale, on the Cincinnati, Hamil- 
ton & Dayton railioad, laid out in 1868, by W. F. Much- 
more, and named from Mr. John W. Ellis, a resident of 
the neighborhood. 

MAPLEWOOD 

is another station and village on this railroad, platted in 
1873, by Joseph F. Mills. It is now incorporated with 
Hartwell village in one municipality. 

THE POPULATION 

of Springfield township in 1870 was six thousand five 
hundred and eighty-four, and in 1880 had increased to 
seven thousand nine hundred and seventy-five. 



Biographical Sketches. 



JOSEPH JACKSON. 
The father of the late Joseph Jackson, of Mt. Pleas- 
ant, John Jackson, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, 
December 8, 1775, and removed to Pennsylvania in 
181 2, three years thereafter to Cincinnati, and in 1819 
to the Great Miami river, in Butler county, about two 
miles north of the Hamilton line. Here he conducted 
the flouring-mill long known as Jackson's, now Graham's 
mill. He was himself a millwright, and by and by built 
and ran a paper-mill at the same place and moved by 
the same power. This was also maintained until within 
a few years, when it was suspended. Mr. Jackson died 
October 30, 1857, at a farm a mile and a half from the 
mills, to which he had retired in his old age from 
the former business. His wife's maiden name was Annie 
Hough, also of a Virginia family. She was born Sep- 
tember 25, 1778, and they were wedded in May, 1801. 
Their children were: Anna, born February 22, 1802, 
died June 5, 1846; Elizabeth, born April 29, 1804, died 
May 31, 1868; Rebecca, born May i, 1806; Samuel, 








JOSEPH JACKSON. 




MRS. JOSEPH JACKSON. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



383 



born November 8, 1808; Joseph, born December 4, 
1809, died May 7, 1866; Thomas, born August 30, 
i8ii; Mary, born March 28, 1815, died September 11, 
1850; Amanda, born September 10, 1818, died June 8, 
1880. Their third son was Joseph Jackson, the subject 
of this notice. He was born on the fourth of Decem- 
ber, 1809, in Morgantown, Monongaha county, Vir- 
ginia, and accompanied his family in their successive re- 
movals, learning at home his father's trade of milhvright. 
About the time he reached his majority he left home, 
taking work at his trade in various places, as he could 
find it. In 1834, August 19th, upon his bride's birth- 
day, he was wedded to Miss Nancy Riddle, daughter of 
Colonel John Riddle, the famous pioneer, near Cincin- 
nati. For some years they resided at the mills of his 
father, in Butler county, and then removed, in 1839, to 
a farm one and a half miles south of Mt. Pleasant, in 
the neighborhood where the Gary sisters spent their 
earlier years. Upon this place the remainder of his days 
were passed in the improvement of a tract originally very 
poor, but which he made to blossom as the rose. Here 
he died May 7, 1866, and his remains repose in the 
beautiful cemetery at Spring Grove, adjoining the city of 
Cincinnati. He was not an active politician, and sought 
no public office or prominence of any kind. He was, 
however, for a number of years, president of the Cincin- 
nati, Mt. Pleasant & Hamilton Turnpike company, and 
raised the road owned by it to a high degree of excel- 
lence and prosperity, so that, for the first and last time in 
its history, it paid some dividends to its stockholders. 
After his death Mr. J. F. Wright, an officer of the board 
of directors of the company, in the course of some re- 
marks submitting a resolution in tribute to his memory, 
included the following eulogy, to which the resolution is 
appended: 

He was elected to the presidency of the company in 1853, and con- 
tinued to serve uninterruptedly in that capacity until his death. For 
the greater pait of the time during the same period he also served as 
county superintendent of the road. His unanimous annual reappoint- 
ment to both positions is indubitable proof of the satisfaction given by 
his official acts. As president I know full well it was ever his desire to 
be impartial, just, and prompt in the discharge of the duties which his 
official station devolved upon him. His knowledge of mechanics and 
human nature, together with his unwavering integrity, eminently quali- 
fied him and made him the efficient superintendent that induces every 
voice now involuntarily to inquire: "Who can fill the place made 
vacant by his demise? " 

Only those who were intimately acquainted with the man knew his 
virtues. He was a man of probity and integrity; he was a lover of 
truth, kind and merciful in all his relations and intercourse with men, 
and utterly incapable of practicing deceit. The dishonest man he 
avoided as he would a pestilence, holding no intercourse whatever with 
him unless unavoidable. In a word, for I must be brief, the community 
has sustained the loss of a good citizen and an honest man, its chief 
ornament. This board has lost an esteemed and valuable member, and 
an active and efificient officer. 1 he loss to both is irreparable. 

In conclusion, I propose for adoption the following resolu- 
tion as the sentiment of the board: 

"Resolved, That we greatly deplore the death of our late fellow- 
member, Joseph Jackson, m whom we recognized the honest man, the 
genial companion, the steadfast friend, and the faithful and efficient 
officer; and that the family of the deceased have our liveliest sympathy 
in their deep affliction; and that as a memento of our regard and 
esteem for the deceased, this resolution be spread upon the minutes of 
this meeting. 

Nancy Riddle Jackson was born at the ancient Riddle 



homestead in Mill Greek, oldest daughter of Colonel 
John and Jane Marshall Riddle. Jane Marshall was the 
third wife of Colonel Riddle, who had five wives in the 
course of his long life. Nancy's natal day was August 
19, 1811. She resided at home, receiving such educa- 
tion as was afforded by the schools of the neighborhood 
(then far out of the city, but now far within it), until she 
was married as above noted, when she followed the for- 
tunes of her husband in his several removals. She still 
survives her consort, and resides in a delightful home 
in Mount Pleasant, on the Hamilton turnpike. The 
third year after her husband's death she left the farm, 
and removed to the residence still owned by her, a little 
west of the Mount Pleasant station of the College Hill 
railroad, and in the fall of 1877 took her present place 
in the village. Her daughter, Miss Nancy Jane Jackson, 
resides with her. Mrs. Jackson presents a remarkably 
healthy and vigorous appearance for one of her years, 
and is every way a worthy descendant of the sturdy old 
pioneer who helped to lay the foundations of civilization 
in the Mill Creek and Ohio valleys. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were, in order of birth, as follows: 
Nancy Jane, born May 28, 1835; Sarah Louisa, now ' 
Mrs. Gary B. Johnson, of Mount Pleasant, born January 
10, 1837; George Washington, born January 27, 1839, 
also residing in Mount Pleasant, in the grocery and dry- 
goods business for many years; John Riddle, born Au- 
gust 15, 1841, died August 10, 1859; Mary Maria, now 
Mrs. George W. Rofelty, of Home City, Ohio, born 
February 15, 1849; Joseph, born August 17, 1851, died 
August 2, 1854. 



HON. JOHN MORROW COCHRAN. 

This gentleman, one of the most distinguished and 
useful citizens of Springfield township, resides one-half 
mile north of Glendale, upon the Glendale and Port 
Union turnpike. He was born near Gettysburgh, Adams 
county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1808, son of William, 
grandson of James C., and great-grandson of William 
Cochran. The Cochrans are of English stock. The 
great-grandfather was born in 1699, and died in 1771; 
his wife, Sarah, born 1702, died 1785. The grandfather 
was born July 8, 1732, died December 8, 18 10. The 
dates of birth and death of Jane, his wife, respectively, 
are November 14, 1742, and January 4, 18 15. 

Mr. Cochran's mother was Rebecca, daughter of John 
Morrow, from whom the subject of this notice was 
named, and sister of the late Governor Jeremiah Mor- 
row, of Warren (formerly Hamilton) county. In 1814 
his parents, with their young family, in wagons, with a 
five-horse team, and a saddle-horse for the mother, who 
would not trust herself upon the water, and hence in- 
sisted upon the land journey throughout, made the long 
trip across the country, still very much a wilderness, 
arrived in June at the residence of Governor Morrow, 
Twenty-iniles Stand, on the banks of the Little Miami, 
eight miles north of Montgomery. After resting here a 
short time they then pushed westward, crossing the fer- 



384 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



tile valley of Mill creek, and settling finally two miles 
west of Sharonville, and just east of Mr. Cochran's 
present residence. The elder Cochran here purchased 
one hundred and sixty-nine acres, to which his son John 
has made important additions by successive ]3urchases of 
fifty, seventy-five, and twenty acres. The latter attended 
the subscription schools of that day, at Springfield, now 
Springdale, and later the Miami university, at Oxford, 
where he numbered among his fellow students, these 
talented young men who were afterwards known as Lieu- 
tenant Governor Charles Anderson, the Hon. Robert 
Schenck, and Professor Freeman Gary, founder of Farm- 
ers' college, at College Hill. He spent seven years in 
all in Butler county, as a student at Oxfoid and a mer- 
chant at Millville, where his father owned and for some 
time conducted a mill property. In this county he was 
married June 28, 1832, to Miss Martha J., daughter of 
Joseph Wilson, of Rossville, now a part of Hamilton. 
Her mother was Elizabeth Dick, daughter of the old 
pioneer, Samuel Dick, who is celebrated in one chapter 
of McBride's Pioneer Biography. In the spring of 1839 
they removed to Springfield township, and settled tem- 
porarily at Springdale, removing afterwards to the valu- 
able property where they have since resided. About the 
same time he became president of the Hamilton, Spring- 
field & Carthage turnpike company, which had just built 
the fine sixteen mile road from Hamilton to Carthage — 
the best paying turnpike, it is said, in the State. He has 
been continuously in this position for forty-two years, 
except during a very brief interval caused by his resig- 
nation. For four years in his young manhood he was 
township clerk, and consented in his later life to serve 
for three years as township trustee. He is naturally 
ambitious, was an ardent Whig and afterwards Republi- 
can, and easily turned to the active pursuits of politics 
and official life. In 1840, when but thirty-two years old, 
he was called into conspicuous service as a representative 
in the legislature from Hamilton county. Young as he 
was, he bore an influential part in securing the election 
of his candidates for judges of the court of common 
pleas in Butler county; and the friends of the defeated 
ones, in derision and chagrin at his success, gave him 
sixteen votes for judge, although his residence was not 
in that county. 

Mr. Cochran again served in the lower branch of the 
legislature in 1864-7, '^o terms (the Fifty-sixth and Fifty- 
seventh houses), during which he was chairman of the 
important committee on corporations other than munici- 
pal, and member of the joint committee on enrollment. 
In the latter session he was also on the penitentiary 
committee. In the little volume of Biographical Sketches 
prepared for members of the legislature, it is said of him: 
"He is known as one of the strong Union members of 
the house, faithful, prompt and efficient." 

For the sessions of 1872-3 he was again summoned 
to service in the house by his fellow-citizens, when he 
acted as chairman of the coinmittee on public printing, 
and member of that on public benevolent institutions. 

During the war of the Rebellion he performed impor- 
tant duty as a member of the military committee of 



Hamilton county. While the great struggle was in pro- 
gress, in November, 1863, he visited his childhood's 
home, but as an official representative of the State of 
Ohio, by appointment of Governor Tod, to attend the 
dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburgh, where one of 
the greatest battles of the war had been fought a few 
months before. 

The confidence reposed by the community in Mr. 
Cochran has been shown most abundantly, not only by 
his rei^eated calls to official station, but by the frequent de- 
mands upon him to administrate upon estates, of which 
he has had as many as twenty-three in charge, settling 
all with thorough efficiency and integrity. He is uni- 
versally regarded as an able and very useful citizen, in 
public and in private life. Mrs. Cochran also still sur- 
vives. They have had thirteen children, as follows: 

William Arman, born April 14, 1835; October 14, 
1856, married Julia Ann Lewis; now a farmer near De- 
catur, Illinois. Joseph Wilson, born December 29, 1836, 
married Mattie H. Cox June 18, 1862; an attorney at 
Peoria, Illinois, and for six years circuit judge. Infant 
son, born September 29, 1838, died unnamed October 
24, same year. John Morrow, born December 13, 1839, 
residing with his parents. Samuel D., born February 13, 
1842; married Marie Fitzgerald November 8, 1876; a 
bookkeeper and local manager in Cincinnati for the 
Champion Reaper company, of Springfield. Eliza W., 
born November 15, 1843, married October 12, 1871, 
to the Rev. W. H. James, pastor of the Presbyterian 
church at Springdale. Jeremiah Morrow, born November 
20, 1845, "ow an editor and proprietor of the Daily 
Freeman, Peoria, Illinois. Rebecca, born November 20, 
1845, residing at the old home. Nannie A., born De- 
cember 3, 1849, also at home. James Marion, born 
December 21, 1851, at home; Louisa D., born August 
20, 1853, died April 12, 1854. Lewellyn, born May 
20, 1855, died December 10, 1859. Martha Ella, born 
Septenlber 16, 1857, died April 12, 1854. 



CAPTAIN GEORGE W. WALKER. 
Joseph Walker was a native of the isle of Guernsey, 
born in 1774 of an English-French family. Hettie 
Stibbs was born in New Jersey, United States, 1780, of 
Holland stock. She became Mrs. Walker after the im- 
migration of her husband to New York city in 1806 — 
probably about 1807 or 1808. He labored as a house 
carpenter, and also, under the direction of his friend the 
renowned Robert Fulton, he shaped at his shop by night, 
after the labors of the day were over, the model for the 
Clermont, the first steamer to navigate the Hudson 
river. The family, comprising then but two children, 
with the parents left the Atlantic coast in 181 1, prompted 
thereto by the prospect of war with Great Britain and 
the consequent danger to him as still a British subject, 
and started for Cincinnati. From New York to Phila- 
delphia they journeyed by ocean vessel, thence three 
weeks' travel took them by wagon across the mountains 
to Pittsburgh, where they embarked upon a flatboat for 




JOHN L. RIDDLE. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



385 



the river trip. Arriving at the young Queen City he 
reentered upon the pursuits of his trade, and in a short 
time became a prominent builder, being much in the 
employ of John H. Piatt, the enterprising speculator of 
that day. After a useful and honorable career Mr. 
Walker died in Cincinnati in June, 1838, and his wife in 
December, 1859, at the age of seventy-nine. Five chil- 
dren were born to them in the city, among them the 
subject of this sketch. George W. Walker was the fifth 
child and fourth son, born January 28, 181 7, near the 
corner of Third and Sycamore streets, which neighbor- 
hood was then mainly devoied to dwellings. His fath- 
er's house was just at the brow of the "Hill," which had 
not then been graded down. George was educated in the 
city schools, which were then almost exclusively private, 
and somewhat costly. Among his early teachers were 
Caleb Kemper, Mrs. Williamson, Mr. Wringlet, and 
other well-known early pedagogues. Following the ex- 
ample of his father and an elder brother, he learned the 
business of house-carpentering, to which he afterwards 
added the trades of ship-carpenter and steamboat-joiner, 
and practiced them all for some years. When about 
twenty-three years old his savings enabled him to invest 
in a steamer, the Mail, jointly with Captain Thomas J. 
Haldeman. — Thus early, in 1840, did the business asso- 
ciation of these two gentlemen begin, which continued 
almost unbroken in steamboating and paper manufactur- 
ing until the death of Captain Haldeman in October, 
1874. The company with which Captain Walker is now 
connected, still bears from him the name of the Halde- 
man Paper company. On their first venture with the 
Mail, Mr. Haldeman went out as captain and Mr. Walker 
as carpenter. Selling this vessel at the end of a year, 
they, with others, built a fine new steamer called the 
Express Mail, for the New Orleans trade. It proved a 
profitable investment, and was run by its owners four 
years, when they sold it to build the more costly steamer 
Yorktown — a powerful vessel built for the rapid transit 
of passengers rather than for freight, and bearing also on 
the wheel-house the designation of "Fast Mail." Cap- 
tain Walker continued to serve as carpenter of the 
steamers; but when Captain Haldeman retired to take 
the post of inspector of steamboats at Cincinnati — the 
first appointment there under a law of Congress which 
he had been largely instrumental in securing — Mr. 
Walker assumed the captaincy of another vessel pur- 
chased by them — the Norma. In a short time this 
became a total wreck by snagging at Choctaw Bend, on 
the Mississippi, the cargo, worth about three hundred 
thousand dollars, being mostly saved. For a year he 
was then engaged at Cincinnati and Madison in super- 
intending the lengthening of steamers for the Peo- 
ple's Line to Louisville, of which Captain Haldeman was 
president. He then engaged in real estate operations 
and house-building in the city, also making purchase of 
a farm in Clermont county and taking stock in a National 
bank in New Richmond. In 1866 he removed to his 
farm, nine miles from that place, but was called away 
from it in three years to accept a superior opportunity 
for investment in the paper-making business at Lockland. 



A reconstruction of the company of Decamp, Haldeman 
& Parker had become necessary by the death of Mr. 
Parker, who was killed in one of the mills January 31, 
1867. It became the Haldeman Paper company, with 
Captain Haldeman as president, who invited his old 
friend and associate to an interest in the new company. 
For a time Captain Walker employed his mechanical 
talent in the improvement and repair of the mills, and 
superintended the construction of the new mill in the 
summer of 1877, upon the site of the old mill where 
Mr. Parker was killed. Upon the death of Captain 
Haldeman, Mr. J. C. Richardson was promoted from 
the vice-presidency to the vacant place, and Captain 
Walker became vice president, in which capacity he has 
since served the company He has made his home in 
Lockland ever since his connection with the mills; is a 
member and trustee of the Presbyterian church at that 
place, which holds the faith of his fathers; and an un- 
compromising Republican since the outbreak of the late 
war. 

In 1858, February 28th, Captain Walker' was married 
to Margaret, daughter of Judge Robert Haines, of New 
Richmond, Clermont county. She is still living. They 
have two children, daughters — Hettie May, born May 
10, 1859, in Cincinnati, now at home with her parents; 
and Alice Quinlin, born in Newport, Kentucky, Decem- 
ber 28, 1863, and residing at home. 



JOHN L. RIDDLE. 

John Riddle, jr., was born in New Jersey in 1789, 
and in the fall of the next year was brought by his 
parents to Cincinnati. As he grew toward manhood he 
assisted his father. Colonel Riddle, in clearing and work- 
ing the section owned by the colonel in Mill Creek val- 
ley, one corner of which was near the Brighton house, 
and all of which is now far within the city. He went 
out as a volunteer in the War of 1812-15, and served 
faithfully and safely during his term. In April, 18 14, 
at the age of twenty-five he was married to Catharine 
Long, of whom and of whose father some notice is given 
below. Mr. Riddle and wife settled on a quarter-section 
west of the site of Glendale and handsomely overlooking 
it, where the remainder of their lives was spent. He died 
suddenly of hernia at about seventy-seven years of age; 
and she at the age of eighty-five, from the effects of a 
fall which rendered her unconscious and took her life in 
seven hours. They had never in their married life 
known sickness severe enough to confine them to their 
rooms; had been hard workers all their lives, and were 
each performing their usual duties until struck down by 
the icy hand of death. 

Catharine Long, wife of John Riddle, jr., and mother 
of John L. Riddle, was born December 13, 1788. She 
was a daughter of Michael Long, an immigrant from 
Penn's Valley, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and among the first 
to break the dense forest west of the present site of Glen- 
dale. He settled about twelve miles north of Cincinnati 
and two miles west of the former place. With him came 



386 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



his aged father and a number of relatives, among them 
some of the Longs, the McCormacks, the Smalls, the 
Sterretts, the Lowes, and many others, all of whom 
settled within a radius of four miles, and who were never 
driven out by the Indians. Long soon cleared land and 
from the first became self-supporting. He soon built a 
saw-mill on a small stream running through his farm, 
which for simplicity as well as capacity is a marvel to 
men yet living, who delight to relate the simplicity of 
the mechanicism as well as the enormous amount of work 
accomplished by it. During the entire life of Long it con- 
tinued to cut lumber for the building up of the neighbor- 
hood, as well as to furnish quantities to Cincinnati boat- 
builders. Mike, as he was called, was a farmer, black- 
smith, tanner, mechanic of all work, shoemaker of even^ 
ings, and for the first three years his own tailor, tanning 
skins and making clothes of them for the male portion 
of his family, but the first patch of flax raised relieved him 
of that necessity, and he lived to be able to procure for 
a wedding dress for his oldest daughter, calico, which 
then was considered the height of style in those parts. 
Michael lived to the age of sixty-five, when he died and 
was buried in the cemetery near Springdale. Since that 
time all his children have been laid by his side except 
two, and in the language of an old settler who knew him 
well, we know of no person, living or dead, who has con- 
tributed so much to improve and benefit the township 
of Springfield as Michael Long. The father of Michael 
was an emigrant from Holland, as was also his wife's 
father. Michael was born February 14, 1756, and died 
July 13, 1822. 

John L. Riddle is one of eight children of John and 
Catharine Riddle. The others were William, Jacob, 
Mary, Emeline, Andrew J., Nancy, and Adrian A. Of 
these only Jacob has died. John was born in the old 
log cabin home, west of Glendale, January 5, 182 1; 
spent his earlier years at home, getting such education as 
the primitive schools of the region afforded; was married 
in 1843 to Elizabeth J. Hitts, of Springfield township, and 
is the parent of eighteen children — five sons and thirteen 
daughters — Catharine A., Elizabeth J., Cornelia, Frank 
A., Harriet H., Clara, Julia, Margaret, Mary, John L., 
Henrietta, Jacob N., and six others who died infants un- 
named. 

Mr. Riddle has acquired a handsome property — partly 
by his very fortunate sale of parts of the site of Glen- 
dale, and is an extensive landholder in the northwest part 
of the township. He has never aspired to political 
honors, but has occupied numerous positions of trust, 
and is often employed to settle estates. Himself and 
wife have long been influential members of the church at 
Springdale. They occupy a pleasant home west of the 
village, and are spending their declining years in all 
honor, peace, and prosperity. 



GEORGE H. FRIEND, 
proprietor of the large paper mills of Lockland and Car- 
rollton, Ohio, was born in Miami county, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 12, 1816. 



His father, Charles Howard Friend, was born in Vir- 
ginia July 5, 1789. He removed to Cincinnati with his 
family in the year 1825; was a common day laborer, and, 
having a large family to support (nine children), it be- 
came necessary for his son, the subject of our sketch, to 
earn his own living, and, accordingly, when ten years of 
age, became employed in the Graham paper mills, then 
located at the foot of Water street — Central avenue. He 
began work as assistant lay-boy at a salary of seventy- 
five cents a week, but being apt in his work was advanced 
in his position, also in his salary, receiving one dollar and 
twenty-five cents a week. He continued in Mr. Graham's 
employ until the year 1832, when the mills were moved 
to the Black bottoms, below Hamilton, where he began 
work in the same business for Mr. Spears, whose mills 
were located near the foot of Smith street. He received 
there two dollars and twenty-five cents per week, but 
about this time his parents moved from the city, and 
young George, desirous of trying his adventures on the 
waters, left for the south on a flat-boat, having for his 
cargo a load of lard and bacon. He was to receive for 
the round trip the munificent sum of twenty dollars, 
which was not a fortune considering the two months' 
time required to go to New Orleans and back. About 
this time the cholera broke out and the captain of the 
boat had much difficulty in retaining the services of his 
crew, as they either would get sick or leave through fear 
of the epidemic. At Madison, Indiana, all left the cap- 
tain but young George, and at Louisville the whole force 
had again to be reorganized. At this last named place a 
German was employed, who, in consequence of idleness 
and refusal to work, the captain, in an enraged fit of pas- 
sion threshed him off the boat, but evil consequences 
followed. As soon as the cargo landed in New Orleans 
the German was also there with officers and arrested the 
captain, detained his stock of goods, leaving Mr. Friend 
in a strange land without money and in critical circum- 
stances. He next goes to Natches and engages work on 
the levee, but, changing his mind, accepts a position in 
a brickyard across the river, some miles above, at a sal- 
ary of one dollar a day, and stayed that winter and part 
of the summer. He had formerly worked at the same 
business in the summer season at Cincinnati, and, as he 
understood it, made a useful hand in making brick and 
erecting a large court house. This work being done he 
set out for Natches, but the distance of fifteen miles 
through thickets and low marshes being impossible to 
make in any reasonable time, quietly shifted himself into 
an Indian boat lying at the water's edge, and about dusk 
of evening set out. As it happened the night was 'dark, 
a heavy fog overspread the river, and not the faintest 
glimmering of any star could be seen. He thrust his 
little boat into the middle of the river, let it take the cur- 
rent, and in the face of all danger from collision with 
snags and steamboats, glided down the rapid stream at 
the rate of about six miles an hour, reaching Natches 
about eleven o'clock that night. 

Mr. Friend had now by hard earnings during the inter- 
regnum of 1834 and 1835, while away, collected together 
about fifty dollars, but he was yet to experience a loss 




y,t^3- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



387 



differing from the others yet endured. At Natches a 
helpless applicant for a passage up the river appealed to 
him for aid, and after fair promises to repay the favor 
about twenty dollars was given and he went aboard. 
Being a fellow companion he laid siege to his trunk, re- 
lieved him of the rest of his money and all his valuables, 
and then deboarded his vessel at the iirst opportunity. 

Such were some of the friendly experiences of Mr. 
Friend before reaching Cincinnati on his trip to and from 
New Orleans, but nothing daunted by misfortune, he set 
himself to learn the carpenter trade after his return, and 
for one year drove nails and shoved the plane in Cincin- 
nati; but in 1836 he removed to Lockland and continued 
his business for eighteen years thereafter. In 1858 he 
and his brother, in company with a Mr. French, pur- 
chased from Messrs. Haldermann and Parker the first 
paper mill built at Lockland. In 1853 he built the 
dweUing house in which he now resides, but there imme- 
diately came a depression in his business, and owing to 
the facts of heavy indebtedness for property bought, and 
the failure of the business to support two families, Mr. 
Friend purchased the mill outright from Mr. French in 
1862. Immediately after Mr. Friend taking the mill 
business revived, large demands for paper being made 
by the Government for war purposes, so that in a few 
years he found himself out of all indebtedness and mak- 
ing money rapidly. 

• In 187 1 he purchased two other mills at Carrollton, 
Ohio, but in five years afterwards, to the day, they were 
burned down, the loss being about forty thousand dol- 
lars. Mr. Friend immediately rebuilt, putting in ma- 
chinery, increasing their capacity, and making them the 
best of the kind in the west. His son, George Howard 
Friend, a young man of business tact, learned in the busi- 
ness, is now a partner of his father, and general mana- 
ger of the Carrollton mills. 

In 1840-41, a little church incident occurred which 
will illustrate Mr. Friend's politics. He was at that time a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Lockland, 
and in the course of time, a minister of the Wesleyan 
Methodists having been invited to preach (it being in the 
troublous times of the free soil discussions), took for his 
text: "God made all men of one blood," which was so 
suggestive — although no ill word, bestirring plolitical or 
partisan hatred, had been spoken — that the pro-slavery 
faction of the church took umbrage, and before the 
preacher got under headway with the sermon, pelted him 
severely with eggs, and upon taking a more violent course, 
Mr. Friend interceded to prevent further trouble, and 



for this act was to be suspended from the church and 
reprimanded. The suspension hurt him not, and the 
reprimanding was not received, as he was and had been 
so staunch in his Union sentiments as not to allow those 
who fostered the free soil principles to engender his re- 
ligious convictions. The church, however, even before 
its separation into the two branches, failed to carry out 
its threat, and he was always considered one of its mem- 
bers. 

On June 15, 1843, he was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Bradford, in Lockland, Ohio, and the fruits of this union 
were seven children: Mary Agnes Friend, married to 
Charles Howell; John B. Friend, died July 2, i86i,aged 
eighteen years; Charles VV. Friend, married to Julia 
Jackson, died January 2, 1879, aged thirty years. They 
had three children: George, died January i, 1873, Mel- 
vin, and Maynard; James Howard Friend, married to 
Flora Myers; they had two children: George Frederick, 
and Edith; E. Annie Friend, married to Samuel John- 
son; they had one child: Fannie E; Catharine Friend, 
and Edward Friend. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Friend, nee Bradford, still lives in the 
enjoyment of health and comfort, after having carefully 
raised and trained her family. She was born in Wash- 
ington, Pennsylvania, July 22, 18 18. 

The antecedents of the Friend family are numer- 
ous. They date back to the time when the father 
of our subject went to Canada on a visit to see his 
brother George, and while there married a daughter of 
Leonard Scratch, and sister of his brother's wife. It 
should also be stated that three children of the Scratch 
family married three children of John Wendel and Juli- 
ana Wigle. The two brothers came to the States. 
Charles stopped at Cincinnati, his brother going down 
the river to Jeffersonville, Indiana, where they settled, 
and the descendants mostly reside. Charles, however, 
remained in Cincinnati, and finally died in Lockland on 
January 23, 1868, aged seventy-nine years. 

In the year 1870 some of the Canadian members of 
this large family, while on a visit to the States, proposed 
a reunion, to take place in Canada, which finally occurred 
in Gosfield, Canada, September 24, 1872. The meeting 
was held in a beautiful grove belonging to Theodore 
Wigle. Eighteen visitors from the South were present, 
and about eight hundred of the home relatives, making 
the affair, with its bounteous repasts of the day, and the 
cordial greetings of the numerous descendants, an occa- 
sion long to be remembered. 



SYCAMORE. 



FORMATION AND GEOGRAPHY. 

The original Sycamore township was a new creation of 
the general reorganization "of the townships of Hamilton 
county, after the erection of Ohio as a State and the set- 
ting off of Butler and other counties from the territory of 
Hamilton county. It was defined as comprising "all 
that fractional township No. 5, in the first entire range, 
and four tiers of sections on the eastern side of town four, 
same range; also, so much of the second entire range as 
lies north of the same." These tracts include the whole 
of what is now Symmes township, and all of the present 
Sycamore township, except the two westernmost tiers of 
sections. The township was but little larger then than 
it is now, having thirty-nine full and twelve fractional 
sections, the latter lying altogether on the west bank of 
the Little Miami river. 

Sycamore township is now bounded on the east by 
Symmes, on the south by Columbia, and on the west by 
Springfield townships. Butler county bounds it for about 
two and a half miles on the north, and Warren county 
for three and a half miles. It is an approximately exact 
parallelogram of seven sections long by six broad, thus 
containing forty-two sections. Some unevenness is mani- 
fest in the original running of the section lines, and 
the section corners on the east line of the township are 
considerable north of the northwest corners of the same 
sections in Sycamore. This breaks up the north line of 
the township badly at the northeast corner; it otherwise 
is pretty nearly a right line. The present township com- 
prises the whole of town four, in the first entire range, 
and the southernmost tier of sections in town three, of 
the second entire range. Sections numbered only seven, 
thirteen, nineteen, twenty-five, and thirty-one, are thus, 
as in Springfield, duplicated in the township. It is the 
largest township in the county, having a total of twenty- 
nine thousand two hundred and ninety-one acres, or 
nearly a square mile more than forty-two exact sections 
contain. Springfield, which is the next township in size, 
and contains just as many sections, has but twenty-five 
thousand eight hundred and ninety-six acres — one thou- 
sand five hundred and fifty-five less than Sycamore, and 
nine hundred and eighty-four, or more than one and a 
half square miles, less than it would have were all its sec- 
tions full and exact. The irregularity of surveys in the 
purchase could hardly be better illustrated. 

The Miami canal leaves the township at the north- 
west corner of section thirty-two, in Lockland, having 
flowed through all the westernmost tier of sections north 
of that, in a course of nearly six miles. The Cincinnati 
& Springfield railroad, — otherwise the Cleveland, Colum- 



bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, or Dayton Short Line 
railroad — comes into the township at the south part of 
Lockland, half a mile south of the canal, and runs diag- 
onally across the two western tiers of sections and part 
of the third, leaving Sycamore about two and one-third 
miles from the northwest corner, after traversing the 
township a length of a little more than six miles. The 
Marietta & Cincinnati railroad has only about half a 
mile of track in Sycamore, crossing the extreme south- 
west corner, between Madiera station, in Columbia town- 
ship, and Allandale, in Symmes. The Miami valley, or 
Cincinnati & Northern railway, spans the entire town- 
ship with nearly eight miles of track, crossing the Mont- 
gomery pike and entering Sycamore exactly at the centre 
of the south township line, and making gradually north- 
eastward until it leaves the township precisely one mile 
west of the northeast corner, or two miles east of the 
point of entrance. The Montgomery, Lebanon & Day- 
ton turnpikes, with an abundance of admirable wagon- 
roads and otherwise, intersect the township in all direc- 
tions. No stream of large size touches the township. 
The East fork of Mill creek, with one of its larger tribu- 
taries, heads in the counties to the northward, and flows 
through the northern and western townships to a junc- 
tion with the West fork a little way beyond the township 
line, near Hartwell. Carpenter's run flows toward the 
East fork from the direction of Montgomery. Three or 
four small affluents of the Little Miami, on the eastern 
side of Sycamore, penetrate the township to the breadth 
of one to three miles. The southernmost tier of sections 
is almost altogether devoid of water courses. The gen- 
eral character of the surface of the township resembles 
that of Springfield and the Hamilton county plateau. 
On the west, however, the Mill Creek valley in which lie 
the Miami canal and the Short Line railway, is broad and 
flat; and parts of the southeastern and eastern districts 
are on the low ground of the Little Miami country. The 
rest of the township is emphatically hill country, though 
not of a description unfitting it for the production of large 
and valuable crops and for stock-raising. Most of the 
township is given up to farming, not much of it, away 
from Reading, being devoted to suburban residences, 
and this place, with Montgomery and Shawn, being the 
only villages of account in the entire township. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

In the creative act of the county authorities in 1803, 
the electors of the new township were directed to meet 
at the house or John Ayres, in the village of Montgom- 
ery, and choose three justices of the peace. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



389 



The following memoranda of Sycamore justices in 
later years have been preserved: 

1819 — Peter Bell, Benajah Ayres, Hezekiah Price, 
Jonathan Pittman. 

1825 — James J. Whalon, Nicholas Schoonmaker, 
James Rosebrough. 

1829 — Schoonmaker, Ayres, Matthew Terwilliger, 
Henry Morse. 

1863-9 — James Aydelotte, Daniel B. Myers, Michael 
Williams. 

1870 — Myers, Azdelotte, L. Melendy. 

1872 — Same, with William A. Aydelotte. 

1873-4 — Melendy, the Aydelottes, John Todd. 

1875 — Melendy, Todd, W. A. Aydelotte, Okey Van 
Hise. 

1876 — Aydelotte, Van Hise, Todd, Jacob Voorhees. 

1877 — Voorhees, Todd, Van Hise, F. Mosteller. 

1878-9 — Mosteller, Voorhees, Todd. 

1880 — Todd, Voorhees, Thomas W. Myers. 

THE FIRST IMMIGRANT 

to the territory now covered by Sycamore township was 
James Cunningham. He was born in Lancaster coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Kentucky while still 
a comparative youth, about 1785, there engaging, with 
four others, in building cabins for settlers, about four 
miles back of the present site of Covington. They were 
presently assailed by the Indians and one killed, when 
Cunningham and the remaining three decided to aban- 
don their business in that quarter and settle upon the 
Beargrass creek, near where Louisville was afterwards 
founded. He was there married to Miss Janette Park, 
of another Pennsylvania family, in 1787, and in the 
second year thereafter, the first year of Cincinnati or Lo- 
santiville, and on the twenty-sixth of May, 1789, he en- 
tered a land-warrant which entitled him to locate on a 
half-section of land, which he chose on the west half of 
section twenty-eight in what is now this township, in the 
valley of the East fork. He soon began improvements 
upon his place, assisted by Arthur, Andrew, and Culbert- 
son, his brothers-in-law and three of the first settlers of 
Reading village. They were the first to make a clear- 
ing in Sycamore township. It is supposed, as there was 
then comparative peace between the white settlers and 
the Indians, that Cunningham moved his family to the 
place and resided there until the Indian troubles of the 
next winter, when he removed to Cincinnati, where he is 
known to have bought a lot and built a cabin near the 
corner of Walnut and Second streets. He afterwards 
entered the Government service for a year or so as a 
teamster, and in the fall of 1793 removed finally to his 
farm, where the rest of his life was passed. He built and 
ran the first saw- and grist-mills in this part of the county, 
and about 1808 had a distillery in connection with the 
grist-mill. Among his surviving descendants are: a son, 
Francis Cunningham, lately living north of Sharon, on 
the old place, near the county line; two grandsons, 
Elmore W. Cunningham, of Cincinnati, and James F. 
Cunningham, of Glendale; and a granddaughter, the 
wife of Mr. Andrew Erkenbrecker, of Cincinnati. 



James Carpenter was also a very early comer to the 
sections embraced in Sycamore township. He located 
on section fifteen, west of Montgomery, probably in the 
autumn of 1793, or the spring of the next year, and 
removed thither from Columbia. Adjoining him on the 
west was Price Thompson, a soldier of the Revolution, 
who located a land warrant on the northeast quarter of 
section twenty-one, November 26, 1792. Other pioneers 
here were David and Abner Denman, whose sisters mar- 
ried Thompson and Benjamin Willis. Another of this 
party, Elihu Crain, a distant relative of Thompson's; and 
Richard and Samuel Ayres. For the sake of company 
and mutual protection they put up their cabins near each 
other, where the sections fifteen and sixteen corner with 
sections twenty-one and twenty-two, or about where the 
Plainfield school-house is. Others who came to the set- 
tlement after Indian hostilities ceased are mentioned by 
Mr. Olden in his Historical Sketches, as James and John ^ 
Mathers, Daniel and Nathaniel Reeder, Joseph Mc- 
Knight, Morris Osborn, Moses Hutelings, Matthias 
Crow, Henry, Benjamin, and Isaac Devie, Nathaniel 
Jarrard, and Samuel Knott, all of whom date by resi- 
dence here back of 1797. He adds that "the settlement 
was never annoyed hy Indians, and there was nothing to 
encounter but the wild animals and the almost intermin- 
able forest." 

John Campbell, who built a fortified station on the 
Great Miami, opposite Miamitown, also made a settle- 
ment in Sycamore, probably in the summer or fall of 
1793, on the forfeiture part of section twenty, southwest 
of Cunningham's. But few settlers clustered around 
him for years; he did not consider it necessary to fortify 
his cabins; and the history of his improvement here is 
wholly uneventful. 

Some other early settlers of Sycamore were John Gold- 
trap, on section twenty-two, where now is the Jacob 
Shuff place; James and John Wallace, on section twenty- 
one, now the Cooper farm; the Park brothers, with or 
neaj Cunningham, on section twenty-eight; and near 
Montgomery Ely Duskey, Moses and Joseph Crist, Jo- 
seph Tallman, and Andrew Lacky. 

William R. Morris was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sep- 
tember 12, 1836. His father is of Scotch extraction, 
and his mother of Irish descent. William R. Morris, sr., 
married Sarah Lydia Powers, sister of Hiram Powers, 
the sculptor. William R. Morris, jr., was one out of a 
family of nine, three sons only surviving to maturity. In 
May, 1865, he married Hattie, daughter of Captain Charles 
Ross, of Cincinnati, one of the old pioneers. Mr. Morris is 
the father of three sons and four daughters. Education- 
ally, he attended St. Xavier college, Cincinnati, and Ox- 
ford college, for three years each, preparing himself for 
the bar. For several years Morris engaged in the whole- 
sale grocery business at Toledo, though he is now a gen- 
tleman of rest, enjoying the fruits of his industry, resid- 
ing at Carthage, Ohio. 

FORTIFIED STATIONS. 

The only pioneer outpost in this direction which seems 
to have been occupied as a regular station-house was 



39° 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Henry Runyan's, about a mile and a half north of Read- 
ing. Mr. Olden says: "Near the spring, east of the 
Dayton turnpike, stood the old station-house." Mr. Run- 
yan was a Virginian, but emigrated from Kentucky, where 
he had lived since 1784, and had there been married to 
Mrs. Mary Bush, of Bourbon county. Upon two land 
warrants. May 9, 1790, he located the west half of sec- 
tion nineteen, the northernmost section of that number 
in the township, being fourteen miles from the Ohio, and 
then a long way back in the wilderness. It is believed 
that he did not move upon the tract within the period re- 
quired by Symmes' contracts, and that he consequently 
forfeited a little over fifty-three acres in the northeast cor- 
ner of it. He soon, however, put up his cabin and made 
a clearing, and in 1792, according to his son Isaac, who 
is still surviving at a very advanced age, he removed per- 
manently to the place. Mr. Olden thus presents some 
of the recollections of Isaac Runyan: 

Mr. Runyan remembers the first school-house in the neighborhood. 
It was built of buclieye logs, and stood in the field south of Mr. John 
Rick's present residence. It was a rude cabin, with the ground for a 
floor. The benches were made of slabs, with wooden pins for legs. A 
lew openings were left in the sides of the cabin, which, being covered 
with greased paper, served for windows. There Mr. Runyan took his 
first lesson in Ditworth's speller and reader. 

The first religious meetings were held in the woods, where the peo- 
ple seated themselves on logs or on the ground, as they found most con- 
venient. The first preacher that came to the settlement was a Mr. 
Cobb. The men dressed in the hunting-shirt and knee-breeches, and 
the women wore the petticoat and short gown, all made of linsey-woolsey, 
or homespun cloth. 

The principal sports or recreation among the men were had at the 
log-rollings and cabin and barn-raisings, and consisted chiefly in wrest- 
ling, jumping, pitching quoits and target-shooting. Spinning and 
sewing-parties, apple-bees and corn-huskings, after the country had 
been settled a few years, were frequent, where not only the young of 
both sexes, but often the old and middle-aged, were brought together, 
when, after completing the work which the company had been invited 
to perform and partaking of a bountiful supper, they all joined and 
spent the remainder of the evening, and often the entire night, in plays 
and dances that formed the social glee. The dance consisted of 

"N.ie cotillion brent new frae France," 
but the genuine old Virginia reel. And those who joined in the dance 
paid the fiddler, whose charges were fi.xed and well established at a 
fi' penny bit, or si.x and one-fourth cents, a reel. * 

No trouble is known to have occurred with the savages 
at Runyan's station. 

Voorhees' station was situated upon section thirty- 
three, near the present towns of Lockland and Reading. 
It was not a block-house, or even stockade, but a large, 
strong log cabin, which answered for both residence and 
defence, and was frequently mentioned in the early 
times, in speech and print, as Voorhees' station. This 
cabin is said by Mr. Olden to have been situated on the 
west side of the East fork of Mill creek, several hundred 
yards east of Mr. Breck's residence in Lockland. He 
further says: "This old house was torn away in 181 7 by 
Thomas Shepherd, who then owned the place, and the 
logs sold to Adrian Hageman, who used a portion of 
them in the erection of a house on lot No. 49, next south 
of where the new Catholic church stands in Reading. 
This house is still standing; it was weatherboarded many 
years ago, and is now occupied by John O'Neal, the 
constable. 

It was a strong family which made this improvement 



— almost enough in itself to make an effective garrison. 
Abraham Voorhees was the head and front of it; and 
with him were his sons-in-law, Thomas Higgins and John 
Rynearson, with their families, and his five sons, Abra- 
ham, Miney, Garret, John and Jacob. They began their 
improvements in the spring of 1794, and in the fall of the 
same year moved their families to the station. They 
were soon after joined by another and still larger family, 
nearly all of them adult persons. The parents were 
Henry and Margaret Redinbo, of the Pennsylvania Ger- 
man stock, who removed from Reading, in that State, in 
the spring of 1795; their eight sons were Solomon 
(drowned on the journey westward), Frederick, John, 
Phillip, Samuel, Andrew, Henry and Adam; and the 
daughters were Ann, Barbara and Margaret. In August 
of the same year they obtained a deed from JudgeSymmes 
of the south half of section twenty-seven, west of the 
Voorhees tract, built a cabin and log barn on the property 
since owned by Dr. Thomas Wright, and there settled. 
The parents both lived to the age of ninety-four years, 
and died in the same year, 1828 or 1829. 

The younger Abraham Voorhees was a blacksmith; 
and as soon as the progress of settlement, or the near 
prospect of it, would justify, he built a shop near his 
cabin, on the east side of the new road running from 
White's to Runyan's station. Mr. Olden says this shop 
was "at a point where now stands the dwelling and store- 
house of James Browne, on the northeast corner of Main 
and Columbia streets, in Reading. There he carried on 
his business for several years, using a hickory stump as an 
anvil." He also, in partnership with his brother Miney, built 
and ran a pioneer saw-mill on the west bank of Mill creek, 
in what is now Conklin's addition to Lockland. The elder 
Voorhees laid out upon his land the adjacent village of 
Reading about 1798, and had it called at first Voorhees- 
town, but allowed it afterward to be named Reading, at 
the suggestion of the senior Redinbo, from the latter's 
birthplace in the Keystone State. 

Another incident of this period, occurring south of the 
present site of Reading, is thus related by Mr. Olden : 

During the autumn of 1794, William Moore, who was a great hunter, 
and who made his home at Covalt's station, on the Little Miami river, 
while out on one of his hunting excursions, wandered to the Great 
Lick, as it was then called, about a mile and a half east of White's 
station, and on the lands now owned by John Hamel, in the southeast 
quarter of section thirty-two. He there killed a deer, which he skinned, 
and had prepared the saddle for packing, and while in the act of wash- 
ing his hands in the brook, and at the same time amusing himself by 
singing an Indian song he had learned while a captive among the 
Shawnees, he was suddenly alarmed by a voice joining in the song in the 
Indian tongue. He instantly sprang to his feet and ran for the thick wood 
on the west, closely pursued by several Indians. As they did not fire, 
they evidently intended capturing him. The foremost in the pursuit 
was quite a small Indian, but very fleet on foot. He was gaining 
rapidly on Moore, when, fortunately, they came to a large fallen tree, 
the body of which was some lour feet in diameter. Moore placed his 
hand upon the log and leaped it at one bound. The Indian, being un- 
able to perform this feat, was compelled to go round the tree. This 
gave Moore a fresh start, and after a long and closely contested race, 
he reached White's station, with the loss of his gun and coat, and also 
his game. 

EARLY RELIGION. 

Two miles west of Montgomery, on Carpenter's run, 
is the site of the church building erected by the first 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



391 



Baptist society, or religious organization of any kind, in 
the township. It was formerly a colony dismissed from 
the Baptist church in Columbia in 1797. Elder James 
Lee, pastor of the Miami Island church from 1799 to 
1801, often preached at Carpenter's run. Mr. Richard 
Ayers was one of the laymen representing this church at 
the meetings in 1797-8, to form the Miami Baptist asso- 
ciation, and was one of the committee to draft "general 
principles of faith, practice, and decorum," as the basis 
of an association. The membership of the Carpenter's 
run church was reported at the associalional meeting in 
Columbia, September 6, 1799, as thirty-two. The asso- 
ciation met with this church in 1801, when it numbered 
thirteen churches and four hundred and sixty-seven 
members, of whom one hundred and thirty-one, or more 
than one-fourth, had been baptized within a year. It is 
said that a very few members of this church were affect- 
ed with the "falling" experience during the strange New 
Light revival of 1801-3 in the Miami country, which 
is described in our chapter on Springfield township. 
Some of the early pastors of this church were: Elder 
John Soward (Seward?) 1 800-1; Elder Stephen Card, 
1803; Cyrus Crane, 181 1-26 (for one year, 18 14, Abra- 
ham Griffiths). The Mount Carmel church, whose 
meeting-house is not far south of the Carpenter's run 
site, long since superseded the pioneer society. 

Some of the early settlers near Montgomery — as the 
Crists, Tallman, Durkey, and Lackey — organized a 
church in their neighborhood very early, which was 
known as the old Sycamore Presbyterian church until 
1803, when it changed its designation to the Hopewell 
church. 

MONTGOMERY. 

It is thought by some that inroads were made upon 
the forest and improvements begun by white men upon 
the present site of Montgomery as early as the fall of 
1794; but the earliest trustworthy date is fixed one year 
from that time, when a colony of six families came in 
from Ulster county. New York. They were headed, re- 
spectively, by three brothers Felter — Jacob, Irominius, 
and David — Cornelius Snyder, Nathaniel Terwilliger, and 
Jacob Rosa. All were Felter families, indeed, in this, 
that the three brothers sired one-half of them, and 
their three sisters — Mesdames Snyder, TerwiIITgef,"and~ 
Rosa — were mothers to the other three. It is seldom 
that a pioneer colony is thus uniquely made up. Snyder 
bought of Thomas Espy, June 27, 1796, the whole of 
section four, for one thousand four hundred and forty 
dollars. Here the first improvements v?ere made by the 
party. August ist of the same year Terwilliger bought 
of Judge Symmes the southwest quarter of section three, 
upon which section Montgomery is situated, and began 
the clearing of that tract shortly after. Nearly five years 
afterwards — May 5, 1801 — he also bought the north half 
of the section, and upon it laid out the town of Mont- 
gomery. It was surveyed in 1802; but the recorded plat 
of this bears date the ninth of August, 1805. It is situ- 
ated on the Montgomery pike, two and one-half miles 
from the south line of the township, and one and a half 
miles from Montgomery station, in Symmes township. 



on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad. The old State 
road from Columbiato Chillicothe formerly passed through 
it. When the Montgomery turnpike was established the 
State road was straightened, leaving Main street, upon 
which are the oldest houses in the village, out of its line, 
and creating State street upon its new line. 

The following interesting passages are taken from Mr. 
Richard Nelson's work on Suburban Homes. Mr. Nel- 
son was formerly a resident at Montgomery : 

Like most towns of its size Montgomery has no written history. Sit- 
uated on a leading road, it became a resting place for teamsters and 
travellers, and so grew up from a single tavern to what it now is, a 
town of five hundred inhabitans. A log cabin formed the first tavern 
of the place. This was situated on the southeast corner of Main and 
Mechanic streets, on what is now known as the Station road, and kept 
by John Osborn. A man named Yost opened another tavern on the 
diagonel corner. Some idea of the extent of travel, or the drinking 
habits of the people of that time (1809), may be formed when we state 
that a fifty-barrel supply of whiskey for the year failed to meet the de- 
mand upon Yost's bar. 

In 1806-7 a number of citizens from Montgomery, Orange county. 
New York, came by the way of Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh), and Columbia, 
and settled around this point, as a good place for trade and fanning. 
Among these were [acob and Cranmer Felton, Cornehus Snider, grand- 
father of James Snider; John Z. Weller, Nathaniel Terwilliger, Joseph 
Taulman, H. Crist, Jacob Roosa, and others. Coming from Mont- ' 
gomery, they naturally named the new place in honor of their old 
home. In 1810 a company of these men was organized for the purpose 
of erecting and running a grist-mill. Some of the names were Elliott, 
Crist, Snider, and Sears — the latter was the millwright. Soon after 
commencing business in the mill they opened a store on the corner now 
occupied by Mr. R. Parrott. 

In i8r6 additions to the town were made by Joseph Taulman and 
Lodwick Weller, and subsequently two more by Daniel Hayden and 
Eli Dusky. 

As early as 1807 a rifle company was formed, and Montgomery soon 
became a place for battalion muster. Quite a military spirit was excited, 
which was maintained for many years afterward. 

Schools were not neglected in the early history of the place, though 
the buildings were as primitive in design as in finish. Withm one hun- 
dred yards of the writer's residence was the first school-house built in 
Montgomery. This was so constructed that openings were left in the 
logs to serve as windows. In summer these were left without sash; in 
the winter sized newspapers subserved the double purpose of sash and 
window-glass. A mode of punishment, equally primitive, called (or 
another opening of six inches in the rude floor. Into this offenders 
were required to thrust a bare foot and keep it there until released by 
the teacher. As snakes were numerous in summer and the ground 
under the house open, the discipline proved effective. 

In the course of some years the Montgomery academy was organ- 
ized. This was a classical school, and was under good management. 
Professors Hayden, Locke, and Moore were some of the teachers. It 
was in this academy that Dr. William Jones had his education before 
entering upon the study of medicine. James Snider was also a scholar 
of this as well as of the more primitive school, where he acquired some 
prominence during a "barring out" adventure. 

Some of the early industries of Montgomery, besides those mention- 
ed, were the manufacture of wagons for the southern market, pork- 
packing, and cabinet-making. Henry Snider conducted the wagon- 
making business, and built his own boats to carry his freight. The 
gunwales of these boats consisted of logs fifty or sixty feet in length, 
and were hewed in the village. To get them to the river they were 
placed upon wheels and, being hard to manage, required a steersman 
as well as a teamster. To steer this caravan, a pole was inserted in the 
centre of the hind a.xle and made to project backwards; this was the 
tiller, and the man on foot behind the logs was the steersman. 

One of the oldest citizens of Montgomery is Abiaham Roosa, who 
is seventy-nine years of age. His father, Jacob Roosa, and family, 
came out from New Yoik in 1799. With him came also a man named 
Ayres, who was one of the builders of the first ocean vessel, a brig, 
built at Columbia. In Abraham's boyhood wolves had not been ex- 
terminated; and as cattle were allowed to run at large it was necessary 
to have them brought home in the evenings and securely penned. As 
soon as Abraham was able to handle a gun this duty devolved upon 



392 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



him. Provided with musket, ammunition, and a faithful dog, he would 
tracl< the objects of his search by the sound of the bells, and before the 
shades of evening set in have them secure. 

Montgomery has contributed her quota of public men. For the early 
militia she furnished a general of note — Cornelius Snider. John Snider 
she sent to the legislature many years ago, and Dr. Alexander Duncan 
to Congress. California is indebted to her for a governor — Weller was 
a Montgomery boy; and the legislative halls of the State were reinforc- 
ed by Dr. William Jones, on more than one occasion, and by George 
Crist, of the firm of Creighton & Co., at another time. In the Presby- 
terian church the Rev. Daniel Hayden served with distinction, and in 
the Universalist church the Rev. A. Lawrie. who was ordained in the 
Montgomery church, was a distinguished advocate of the doctrines of 
his denomination. Thirty-eight years of practice of medicine in the 
vicinity entitles Dr. Naylor's name to a place here. 

Of Dr. Duncan's history and habits we learned something from Dr. 
Jones, and had the pleasure of examining his portrait, made by a young 
artist named Sweet, who carried it across the Atlantic and over Europe 
as a specimen of his skill in painting. The doctor's history is an inter- 
esting one. He was a lover of public life, and an ardent advocate of 
Democratic measures. He was also attached to outdoor pleasures, 
driving and fishing, and when in company with a friend, would often 
not exchange words for miles of travel, and when he did break silence 
it would be by the utterance of some remarkable statement, or by pro- ■ 
pounding some difficult problem. It was the doctor's custom, when 
about to engage in a fishing expedition, to catch his minnows in Syca- 
more creek; but some said that he was often fishing for votes when he 
was supposed to be engaged in legitimate piscatorial pursuits. Ac- 
- cordingly the knowing ones would account for his absence from home 
by saying he was "catching minneys in the Sycamore. " 

A remarkable man, of very different stamp, was Eli Dusky, whose 
"mark" may be seen in the records of the county. Eli was noted alike 
for industry, simplicity of character, and the limited amount of intelli- 
gence, with which he managed to transact the business of life. In 
poHtics, religion, and business, he was guided rather by instinct than 
knowledge or reason. He believed in ghosts and hobgoblins, if not in 
a future state; and fairies were the great facts, as well as mysteries, of 
his creed. This was known to the neighbors — to the men who were 
boys in those days, and to the boys who were men; and the latter were 
not slow in taking advantage of such notions, nor the former in encour- 
aging the fun. On a certain occasion, Eli had a prosperous stigar- 
camp in the rear of where Mr. Smith's house now stands. His blazing 
fire was rapidly converting the sugar-water into delicious syrup, and 
his barrels were waiting for their first installment, when, the shades of 
evening approaching, he slackened his fire, prepared his camp for the 
night, and went to his home, ruminating over his probable good luck 
in securing a big crop of molasses. Supper disposed off, Eli retired to 
his quiet couch, but had scarcely experienced his first nocturnal vision 
{for he was a great dreamer), when he was aroused by the barking of 
his fathful dog. Quickly dressing, he sallied forth, and soon was in 
plain sight of his factory, where, to his consternation he beheld, flitting 
about in the dim light of the subdued fire, the figures of full-grown 
elfs to the number of half a dozen. Spectres they were, sure enough — 
full-fledged fairies ! Eli did not hesitate long in selecting a line of re- 
treat. The house reached, the door was soon opened and again 
securely fastened, and Eli Dusky was safe froin entrusion. That night 
the fairies enjoyed a rick feast, and got home in time for a sound nap 
before daylight — larger boys might have fared worse. 

Montgomery was not so unimportant a settlement as to be over- 
looked by the showmen of the day. As early as i8i2 the leader of a 
troupe and proprietor of a menagerie, with Barnum's enterprise and 
Robinson's pluck, entered the great town of two taverns, procured a 
stable and provender for his menagerie, and board and lodging for his 
troupe. Next day he advertised his great show, and the news was 
blazed abroad throughout the entire settlement; and the wagons and 
horses, men and women, boys and girls, came to the number of fifty. 
The exposition was a complete success. Exposition Hall was crowded 
to the hay-mows, and the mulatto man, with his docile elephant, werJ 
the finest troupe that had ever acted, and the greatest show that had 
ever been exhibited in the town of Montgomery. 

This village was founded in 1805. Its growth was 
slow for many years. It had but two hundred and 
seventy inhabitants by the census of 1830. About 1872, 
however, its prospects improved by the advent of city 
people looking about for eligible sites for suburban resi- 



dences; older citizens began to improve their property, 
and some to build. The demand for building material 
led to the establishment of several new saw-mills, and in 
due time a new and more nearly straight road to Mont- 
gomery station was made. Since then a number of sub- 
urban homes have been made at the village. Its popu- 
lation, by the census of 1880, was two hundred and 
ninety-eight. 

The Presbyterian church at Montgomery was organ- 
ized in 1819. Rev. Daniel Hayden was the first pastor. 
His successors were, in order, the Rev. Messrs. L. G. 
Gains, C. Harrison, David McDonald, Jonathan Ed- 
wards, D.D., G. M. Hair, J. Stewart, J. H. Gill, 

McKinney, and T. F. Cortelym, who held the pastorate 
for many years after 1862. 

The Methodist Episcopal society here was organized 
very early. It occupies a good frame meeting-house, to 
which a bell of half a ton's weight was added in 1873. 

The Universalist church was organized in 1837, and 
built a church edifice soon after. The first regular 
preacher was the Rev. Mr. Pingley. The Rev. J. H. 
Henley was among his successors. 

The Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders are well repre- 
sented in Montgomery. A lodge of the former was or- 
ganized here in 1828, with S. W. Robinson, W. M.; 
James G. Cross, S. W.; and Abraham Crist, J. W. The 
Odd Fellows' lodge was constituted in 1865. 

The first notice of this place in literature probably oc- 
curs in Thomas' Travels Through the Western Country, 
a record of journey ings in 18 16. He says in this: 

At Montgomery, a village of a dozen houses, twelve miles from Cin- 
cinnati, we stopped to see a carding-machine which was turned by the 
treading of a horse on a wheel. A circular floor is attached to the up- 
right shaft, which is so much inclined as constantly to present to him a 
small ascent. He is blindfold, and his traces aie fastened to a beam. 
On stepping the wheel moves towards him. 

Near this place peaches and apples load the trees, especially those on 
the hills; and this pleasing appearance continued. 

About ten years after this the village was visited by an 
august wayfarer, in the person of his highness Bernhard, 
duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach, who deigned to give the 
hopeful hamlet a call and a notice in his book. His 
readable volume of Travels Through North America 
During 1825 and 1826, contains the following paragraph. 
His august highness, however, probably bunching his 
recollections together, has located Governor Jeremiah 
Morrow at Montgomery; when, as a matter of fact, he 
never lived there, but outside of the county, in Warren 
county, but eight miles above Montgomery and four 
miles from Loveland, at F'oster's Crossing, near the old 
State road. He lies buried, however, in this county, at 
the old Sycamore church in Symmes township: 

Fourteen miles from Cincinnati we reached a little country town — 
Montgomery — of very good appearance, surrounded with handsome 
fields. A few years past there was nothing but woods here, as the 
roots which still exist bear testimony. They cultivate Indian corn and 
wheat, which is said to succeed better here than in the State of In- 
diana. The dwelling of the governor consists of a plain frame house, 
situated on a little elevation not far from the shore of the Little Miami, 
and is entirely surrounded by fields. The business of the State calls 
him once a month to Columbus, the seat of government, and the re- 
mainder of his time he passes at his country seat, occupied with farm- 
ing, a faithful copy of an ancient Cincinnatus. He was engaged, on 
our arrival, m cutting a wagon-pole, but he immediately stopped his 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



393 



work to give us a hearty welcome. He appeared to be about fifty 
years of age; is not tall, but thin and strong, and has an expressive 
physiognomy, with dark and animated eyes. He is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and was one of the first settlers in the State of Ohio. He 
offered us a night's lodging at his house, which invitation we received 
very thankfully. When seated around the chimney-fire in the evening, 
he related to us a great many of the dangers and difficulties the first 
settlers had to contend with. 

READING. 

This, by far the largest village in Sycamore, containing 
nearly one-third of its entire population, is situated 
just east of Lockland, on the east side of the East fork 
of Mill creek, and upon the Dayton Short Line rail- 
road and tlie Lebanon turnpike, about one and a half 
miles from the south. It is one of the oldest villages in 
the county, having been laid out February 2, 1804, by 
Abram Voorhees, one of the very earliest settlers in this 
part of the township. It is said, indeed, that lots or 
small tracts of ground for residence, was offered for sale 
here as early as 1798 and '99. The village has been 
more fortunate than other old villages in the Mill Creek 
valley, having risen to be the most populous village in 
the county. In 1830 it had a population of but two 
hundred, but in i860 had one thousand two hundred and 
thirty-five, in 1870, one thousand five hundred and 
seventy-five, and in 1880, one thousand nine hundred 
and eighty-three. No other village in the county exhib- 
its such a growth. 

The great industry in Reading is the manufacture of 
ready made clothing, for which there are eleven shops 
here, employing more than a hundred hands, with a 
large weekly pay roll. Their product is disposed of 
mainly in Cincinnati, which is the greatest clothing 
mart in the world. There are also marble works, 
stone yards, and quarries, a cigar factory (formerly two 
sucli factories), several carriage and car manufactories, 
a planing mill and lumber yard, and other industries. 
From the founder the place took in early times the 
name of Vooheesetown. 

In 1809 a teacher from Newport, Kentucky, subscrib-. 
ing himself "Robert Stubbs Philom," who was, or be- 
came the editor of Browne's Cincinnati Almanac, took 
a tour through parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, the 
notes whereof were published in the almanacs for the 
next two years. As he neared Cincinnati on his return 
he passed through Reading, to which he gives the fol- 
lowing notice: 

From Lebaum I passed to Reading, a town laid out on the North 
fork of Mill creek by Mr. Abraham Voorheese ; on which account it is 
well known by the name of Voorheese-towu. Here are two or three 
taverns, and about twenty houses. The adjacent country is very thick- 
ly settled. Mill creek is a fine stream, on which are several mills ; 
and the bottoms through which it flows are of a very rich soil. 

The following named gentlemen have been numbered 
among the mayors of Reading: 1866-8, 1870-4 — C. H. 
Helmkamp. 1869 — Louis Melinda. 

The Catholic church of Saints Peter and Paul, in 
charge of the Rev. Fathers J. Brunnan and E. Fisher, is 
located in Reading. Its present church edifice was built 
in i860, at a cost of nine thousand dollars, upon the site 
of an old one, which was then torn down. A handsome 
pastoral residence is also owned by the church. The- 



school-house belonging to the church, was built in 1863, 
and cost over three thousand dollars. It is occupied by 
a large parochial school, with four departments, and an 
attendance of about three hundred. The confraterni- 
ties of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Rosary, 
also the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are con- 
nected with the church. The Mount Notre Dame 
Young Ladies' Boarding School, and the Catholic Insti- 
tution, is situated near Reading. 

The German Lutherans are also numerous in Read- 
ing. They have St. Paul's church, under the pastorate 
of the Rev. L. Buchold, and St. John's, ministered to 
by Rev. A. J. Spangenberg. 

The pioneer church here, however, was the Presbyte- 
rian, which long since took its departure "beyond the 
Rhine," or to the west side of the canal, at Lockland, in 
connection with which its later history has been related. 
Its earlier annals, drawn from the same source, the his- 
torical discourse of Rev. W. A. Hutchison, are briefly 
as follows : 

The Rev. Daniel Hayden, from 1817 to 1820, and 
possibly later it is thought, preached once or twice a 
month in a little brick school-house (sixteen by twenty- 
four), on the hillside in the eastern part of Reading, near or 
upon the present school lot. H e resided a mile east of Read- 
ing. Rev. L. G. Gaines, of Montgomery, preached about as 
often from 1820 until ihe Presbyterian church of Read- 
ing was organized Friday, August 29, 1823, with Jehiel 
and Margaret Day, John and Elizabeth Robertson, Rob- 
ert Boal, jr., and Rebekah Bates as members, and Jehiel 
Day and Robert Boal, jr., as ruling elders. John Gam- 
bril was the first member received on profession; Ann 
and Jane Brecount were the second and third so re- 
ceived. A brick church was put up in 1825-6; the Rev. 
Benjamin Graves called as pastor March 25, 1S27; a 
notable "grove meeting," held sometime after, which re- 
sulted in the admission of fifty-seven members at a single 
service, and eighteen more within the next month ; 
another in a grove at Sharon in 1831, where seventy-five 
were converted ; a colony sent off to form a church at 
Sharon, July 2, 1836, to which the Reading pastor also 
m.inistered; and admission into Old School and New 
School wings sustained in January, one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty-nine, both, however, under amicable, 
written agreement, continued to occupy the same build- 
ing, and each experiencing some growth. Each, in due 
time, had its own meeting-house, located not far apart. 

In April, 1850, the Lockland Presbyterian church was 
organized, as a colony from the New School society in 
Reading; and the main growth of that branch in the 
two villages being here, the two New School societies 
were united October 14, 1870, Rev. Dr. J. G. Montfort, 
with Revs. T. F. Cortelym and James F. Gill, officiating 
at the union. I'.s history has since been that of the 
Reading and Lockland Presbyterian church, related in 
the history of Springfield township. Its property in 
Reading was deeded to the cemetery authorities, and the 
receiving vault in that "God's acre" is built of brick from 
the old church building. 

The Rev. Mr. Graves, pastor before mentioned, served 



394 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



this church from the time of his call, in 1827, until 1853, 
with the exception of an interval 1842-6, when the 
Revs. J. C. Lockwood and J. Wilkinson severally minis- 
tered unto it. Soon after his pastorate closed, the church 
ceased to hold services in Reading. 

Meanwhile the Old School branch had successfully 
maintained its separate existence. It was formed Janu- 
ary 3, 1839, under the auspices of the Rev. L. G. Gaines, 
of seven members — James G. and Margaret Mount, 
John and Margaret McGrew, David McFarland, Maria 
Robertson and Agnes Gormond. Mount and McFar- 
land, with David Lee and John R. Dick — two of a band 
of eleven who joined a few days afterwards, were the 
first ruling elders. After ceasing to occupy the brick 
church jointly with their New School brethren, they met 
for a time in a neighboring and vacant log cabin, then in 
a brick dwelling owned by David Lee on Main street, 
and continued to meet there until 1843, when their own 
church building, still standing in Reading, near the site 
of the older Presbyterian edifice, was completed. For 
some years the society was united with that at Pleasant 
Ridge, and for three years from 1855 with the Mont- 
gomery Presbyterians. The church grew in numbers 
and influence for many years, and had not fallen seriously 
into decline when, following the union of the Old and 
New School wings at the general assemblies of 1869, the 
church at Reading was united with the New School 
branch at Lockland, October 14, 1870, under the union 
name of the Lockland and Reading Presbyterian church. 
Among the clergymen who ministered to the society dur- 
ing the generation of 1839--70, Mr. Hutchison enumer- 
ates the Rev. Messrs, Adrian Aten, S. J. Miller, H. R. 
Naylor, Samuel Cleland, Edward Wright, Samuel Hair, 
C. P. Jennings, John Stewart, John McRae, L. D. and 
S. S. Potter, W. H. Moore and James McGill. The last 
named of these was in the pastorate at the time of the 
union, and ministered for several months to the united 
congregation. He had been in charge of the Reading 
church as long before as 1853, but resigned to enter the 
service of the board of missions, and did not resume his 
pastorate until January, 1866. Since his retirement in 
1871, the pastors of the church have been but two — the 
Revs. W. A. Hutchinson and S. C. Palmer. The rest 
of the story has been told in the history of Springfield 
township. 

SHARONVILLE 

is situated on the Short Line railway, at the point where 
it crosses the East fork of Mill creek, two miles distant 
from the north and west lines of the township, respect- 
ively, at the southeast corner of section thirty. It is also 
an ancient village, having been laid out May 30, 1818, 
by Messrs. Josephus Myers, Simon Hagerman, Philemon 
Mills and Abijah Johns. It had ninety-five inhabitants 
in 1830, and by the last census, taken half a century, 
had a population of four hundred and sixty-nine. The 
post office, anciently Sharonville, was discontinued some 
time before 1840, but has since been restored under the 
same name. The Sharon Improvement company was 
formed about 1875, for the improvement and sale of a 
subdivision of a tract of about four hundred acres ad- 



joining this place, the property of Mrs. Catharine S. 
Anderson. It has not yet manifested much activity, 
however. 

THE CENSUS 

of 1830 showed up a population of two thousand seven 
hundred and seventy-nine in Sycamore township. Fifty 
years later, in June, 1880, it made a footing of six thou- 
sand three hundred and seventy-one, against six thou- 
sand five hundred and eighty-four in 1870. 



Biographical Sketch, 



COLONEL W. H. HILL. 
Colonel William H. Hill, of Sharonville, was born 
January 21, 1826, in Humilstown, Dauphin county, 
Pennsylvania, and is of German descent. His father, 
Michael, was a merchant, having a store of general mer- 
chandise. He died in the east, when William was quite 
young, about, nine years old. The widowed mother, a 
noble woman, moved with her family of five children 
from Fort Hunter, Dauphin county, to Winchester, Ran- 
dolph county, Indiana, in 1839, by team. Here she 
gave her children the best education in her power, that 
afforded by the common school. His first effort in busi- 
ness was when he was quite young, under nine years of 
age, in the selling of candies. His capital was twenty-five 
cents, which, by selling and reinvesting, in a little over 
one year he increased to more than one hundred dollars. 
This sum, after removing to the west, his mother invest- 
ed with other funds in purchasing a home at Winchester, 
where the colonel to this day is known by the old citi- 
zens as "the garden spader," because he was regularly 
employed by them nearly every spring to spade their 
gardens. After the death of his mother, in 1844 or 
1845, his first step upon leaving school was to learn the 
carding and spinning trade, in which he was engaged 
until the fall of 1850, when he commenced for himself 
the mercantile and milling business, which was prose- 
cuted with the great energy characteristic of Colonel 
Hill. During his mercantile hfe he was connected with 
and had the management of three different mercantile 
houses, and purchased for two others in the eastern 
cities. During the same period he was the owner and 
manager of two mercantile houses in the same place, 
running one house against the other, and so well was this 
managed that his own family was not aware that he owned 
both. This singular business freak was in order to have 
competition and draw trade to his own town, which old 
citizens, after learning of it, admitted was a complete 
success. 

In 1862, while Colonel Hill was in the milling bus- 
iness, when the great war of the Rebellion was fully in- 
augurated, and all the loyal sons of the United States 
were preparing to defend our flag, he was among the first 
to settle his business, enroll his name and organize a 
company, which was embodied in the Eighty-first regi- 




z^ 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



395 



ment of Ohio volunteer infantry. He was chosen cap- 
tain of company A, after which he was promoted to 
lieutenant colonel of the same regiment, and breveted 
colonel on the twelfth day of August, 1864. While in 
the line of his duty in front of Atlanta, Colonel Hill re- 
ceived a gun-shot wound in the left hand and was sent 
to the hospital in Cincinnati. Before he had sufficiently 
recovered to return to his regiment he was assigned to 
duty on a court-martial. As soon as he was relieved 
from that duty, on his own application after having been 
offered a discharge, he returned to his regiment, joining 
it at Goldsborough, North Carolina, and remained with 
it until the war closed with the surrendering of General 
Lee. He was then mustered out with his regiment at 
Camp Dennison. He entered the service at the com- 
mencement of the war, as before noticed, with the rank 
of captain, and attained the position of lieutenant col- 
onel with a brevet colonel's rank. His war record is one 
of which he and his friends are justly proud. Very few 
men who drew their swords at the commencement of 
that terrible struggle served their country with greater de- 
votion through the entire Rebellion, from 1862, than did 
the gallant officer whose name stands at the head of our 
biographical sketch. On returning to civil life he found 
thousands of soldiers who, for various reasons, had not 
yet received the money due them from the United States, 
and, upon their solicitation, he opened, in Cincinnati, 
a war-claim and real estate office and was enabled great- 
ly to aid the noble defenders of the country to collect 
their dues and secure pensions. It is safe to say that no 
claim attorney in the State had a larger business. 

In the spring of 1868, after suffering from a disease he 
had contracted in addition to his wound in the service, 
he removed to a farm in Butler county, where he re- 
mained until 1870, when he moved to his valuable farm 
in Sycamore township, his present and no doubt future 
residence. During the last eleven years he has been 
largely engaged in farming. Beyond question Colonel 
Hill has grown more wheat per acre on his farm for the 
last three years than any other farmer in his township. 
In August, 1873, he assisted in organizing Eden Grange, 
No. 97 ^Patrons of Husbandry, being one of the charter 
members. When the Hamilton County council was in- 
stituted Colonel Hill was chosen as its first business 
agent, without compensation for the first year; and so 
well were its operations organized by him that on the 
twenty-ninth of July, 1874, after the council had become 
thoroughly organized, he was appointed financial busi- 
ness manager of the Ohio State grange by the State 
grange executive committee. He accepted the trust 
under protest, after having repeatedly declined and re- 
questing others to be appointed. Locating his office at 
Sharonville, m a room but eight by ten feet in dimen- 
sions, business increased so rapidly that it became neces- 
sary to open another house in Cincinnati, which was done 
April I, 187s, with local agents in various parts of the 
State. On the first day of October, 1875, the business 
had become so extensive, running over millions of dol- 
lars, a large warehouse was opened at No. 63 Walnut 
street, after which a still larger house had to be secured 



at 22 and 24 East Third street, with business so largely 
on the increase that he had to enlarge his clerical force 
until he retired with an increased salary offered him, 
February 11, 188 1. 

In 1874 Colonel Hill was a candidate on the Republi- 
can ticket in Hamilton county for the office of county 
commissioner; and although he was not elected, he ran 
much ahead of his ticket, and his popularity in his own 
township was so great that he received almost the entire 
vote of his own precinct In 1877 he was unanimously 
elected to the presidency of the Hamilton County Agri- 
cultural society, and took charge January i, 1878, when 
the society was at its lowest ebb, not paying more than 
thirty to fifty per cent on its debts and premiums. When 
Colonel Hill with the board reorganized, they managed 
to get the Patrons of Husbandry and farmers interested, 
so that his first fair (that of 1878), after renovating the 
old buildings and trimming up the grounds, enough was 
taken in to pay all premiums and nearly all expenses of 
improvements made. This success so encouraged Col- 
onel Hill and the board, that on his second election he 
went to work to raise funds to rebuild, but did not suc- 
ceed in getting enough to put the grounds in proper 
order. But the fair of 1879, like that of 1878, was a 
pronounced success, realizing funds sufficient to pay all 
premiums and debts. He was again, for the third time, 
elected president, and then prepared a bill and got it 
through the Ohio legislature, of which he was by this 
time a member, appropriating fifteen thousand dollars 
for the purchase of more grounds and improving the 
same, which was done during the summer of 1880, put- 
ting the grounds in such shape for that year that it was 
the greatest success of any fair eVer held in the county. 
He was once more reelected, now for the fourth term, by 
a unanimous vote. At this fair the association accumu- 
lated funds enough to pay all premiums and debts, and 
as the reports will show, had a surplus with rental of the 
grounds and State free, of three hundred to eight hun- 
dred dollars. Colonel Hill then drew up another bill 
and got an appropriation of ten thousand dollars, which 
will enable him and the board to make the Hamilton 
county fair grounds the finest of any in the State. 

In the fall of 1879 Colonel Hill was elected one of 
the Hamilton county delegation to the Sixty-fourth gen- 
eral assembly of the State legislature, running the second 
highest on the ticket. Upon the organization of the 
committees of the house, Colonel Hill was made chair- 
man of the agricultural committee, and also put on the 
committee on turnpikes. As a legislator he was always 
on hand, and attentive to the interests of his constitu- 
ents, very seldom losing a bill he presented to the house. 
On the sine die adjournment of the assembly, and return- 
ing home to his constituents, he opened, in connection 
with Colonel Thomas E. Spooner, his old book-keeper 
when in charge of the State Grange house, an agricul- 
tural warehouse and general commission business, at 
Nos. 13 and 15 East Third street, Cincinnati, which, 
from present indications, will increase as largely as his 
State grange business did. 

Colonel Hill's connection with the financial business 



396 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



of the county and State granges, and his success with 
the Hamilton County Agriculturial society since it came 
under his charge, has given him a county, State and 
national reputation among the patrons of husbandry, and 
among farmers and business men generally, such as any 
man can be proud of. While a member of the legisla- 
ture, in addition to the large amount of work sent him 
from his county and from the State at large, he secured 
for the State Agricultural society a larger appropriation 
than it had ever received before. 

Colonel Hill has long been closely interested in the 
education of the youth of his locality; has had charge of 



the management of the same in Sharonville for several 
years, and in his efforts to bring them to a higher stand- 
ard and the establishment of graded schools, so that the 
children of the poor as well as the rich can be educated, 
is only waiting time to accomplish it. This, like the 
rest of his undertakings, will certainly be accomplished 
in due time. 

September 8, 1849, Colonel Hill was married to Char- 
lotte L. Kelley, af Winchester, Indiana. Nine children 
have been born of this union, of whom only six are now 
living. 



SYMMES. 



DESCRIPTION. 

Symmes is one of the later and smaller townships. It 
was created between 1820 and 1826, solely from the 
eastern part of Sycamore, to which were added two tiers 
of sections on the west which had formerly belonged to 
Springfield township. It is bounded on the south by 
Columbia township, on the west by Sycamore, on the 
north by Warren county, and on the east by the Little 
Miami, which follows a tortuous course of nearly twelve 
miles along the eastern front of Symmes. When about 
midway of its course here, it deeply indents the town- 
ship, reducing its width from the extreme breadth of a 
little more than four miles on a line a short distance 
north of West Loveland, to a trifle over a mile in the 
latitude of Remington, about two and one-half miles 
from the south line of the township. Below this point 
the width of the township is no where greater than three 
and a quarter miles on the section line next north of Camp 
Dennison. The length of the township on the western 
border and for more than a mile eastvyard is the same as 
that of Springfield and Sycamore townships — seven miles, 
dwindling down to nothing in the bends north and south 
of the great bend of the Miami. 

The lands of the township lie altogether in the entire 
range one, township five, the whole ®f which is in 
Symmes, and the southernmost tier of sections in the 
entire range two, township five. They comprise thirteen 
full and twelve fractional sections — the latter lying alto- 
gether along the Little Miami. The total number of 
acres is twelve thousand five hundred and thirty-eight. 
The boundary lines were run in this part of the Pur- 
chase with tolerable regularity, though some slightly 
broken ones appear in the north half of the township, and 
some singularly wide sections in the south part. Sections 
numbered thirteen, nineteen, twenty-five and thirty-one, 
lying in both ranges, are duplicated in this township. 



The little Miami railroad crosses about a mile and a 
half of the territory of Symmes in its southeastern part, 
on a line through Camp Dennison, averaging a half-mile's 
distance from the river. The Marietta & Cincinnati 
railroad enters at Allendale, near the opposite or south- 
west corner of the township, strikes the vicinity of the 
river at Remington and Montgomery stations, and thence 
follows the Little Miami closely, where it crosses into 
Clermont and shortly into Warren counties. The Cin- 
cinnati & Wooster turnpike passes through the township 
on the general line of the Little Miami railroad, crossing 
the river like that just below Miamiville. The old State 
road, from Columbia via Montgomery toward Chillicothe, 
also intersects the township, as do numerous other turn- 
pikes and common roads. 

Symmes township lies almost wholly in the valley of 
the Little Miami, and partakes of its general character. 
At some distance back from the river, however, especial- 
ly in the northwestern part, the hill country infringes 
upon the territory of the township, and variegates its 
topography, and to some extent its capacity of produc- 
tion. It is abundantly watered by several small streams, 
which mostly take their rise in Warren county and Spring- 
field township, and flow into the Little Miami. Across 
this river are several fine bridges crossing from Symmes 
township — as a large iron one at Loveland, and a long 
bridge above Miamiville. One of the finest bridges in 
southern Ohio is that between Branch Hill and Symmes' 
Station — places respectively in Clermont and Hamilton 
counties, and on the little Miami and Marietta & Cin- 
cinnati railroads. It is a suspension bridge three hun- 
dred and fifteen feet long, built at the joint expense of 
the two counties connected by it, and costing seventy 
thousand dollars. It was formally dedicated and 
opened to travel at a great celebration at this point on the 
Fourth of July, 1872, when appropriate addresses were 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



191 



delivered by Governor Noj'cs and the Honorable Samuel 
F. Hunt. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

The following named gentlemen have served as justices 
in Symmes township at the period named: 1829, 
Thomas Rich, Ezekiel Pollock, William Bell; 1865, 
George W. Brown, I. M. Migley, George Apgar; 1866, 
Brown and Apgar; 1S67-72, Brown, W. Beard; 1873-77, 
Brown, A. J. Kizer; 1878-79, Kizer, A. N. Rich; 1880, 
Kizer, Brown. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

In 1796, the advance guard of a German colony ar- 
rived from Norristown, Pennsylvania, all members of a 
Pietist church, which was offensive to the authorities in 
their native land, and from their connection with it they 
were compelled to leave the country. Then, and within 
three years, the following naiTied came: Christian Wald- 
schmidt (commonly Waldsmith), Ludwig Freiberger, 
George Harner, Johannes Kugler, Andreas Freis, Wilhelm 
Lauden, Joseph Bohne, Jacob Lefeber, Hans Leckie, 
Christian Ogg, Friederick Beckenbach, Kasper Spaeth, 
Samuel Ruethi, Hans Rodecker, Valentine Weigans, 
Hans Maddern, Daniel Prisch, Samuel Bachenheim 
(Buckingham), Andreas Orth, Johannes Montag. They 
stopped for a time at Columbia, exploring the back 
country, and presently decided upon locating at the tract 
since known as "Big Bottom." Waldschmidt and 
Harner were the moneyed men of the party, and they 
made purchases from Judge Symmes of a sufficient 
quantity for the entire colony, getting most of it for 
about one dollar per acre. The following account of the 
journey and settlement is given by Mr. Thomas Fitz- 
water, a descendant of William Fitzwater, who settled in 
Clermont county. Mr. Fitzwater was a little boy at the 
time. The narrative is given in the History of Clermont 
county, recently published : 

C. Waldsmith, our own family, and four other families started for 
this State on or near the first of .Vlay, 1796. I have but little recol- 
lection of the journey to Juniata; but I recollect that place. The next 
place I recollect seeing was Bedford Springs; then nothing more until 
we came to Redstone. Here we were detained near three weeks wait- 
ing for our flat-boats. At Pittsburgh we met General Wayne's regular 
army. I have a distinct recollection of seeing the soldiers firing the 
cannon; then the drum would beat and the fife would play a short 
time. The army was then going to Erie. General Wayne died the 
next October. A day or two after leaving Pittsburgh, Christopher 
Waldsmith was walking on a sand-bar, when he picked up a fife 
which looked very ancient. The brass on the ends was black and 
somewhat corroded, and it was full of sand. It was supposed it had 
been in the river since Braddock's defeat — nearly forty-one years. I 
saw the fife hundreds of times in after years. They lent it to an old rev- 
olutionary fifer, and never recovered it again. 

The Ohio River was low, and the three flat-boats had great difliculty 
in getting along. They only travelled in the daytime, always tieing up 
to the shore at night. At the mouth of Bracken river two families left 
and went into Kentucky, After being on the river seven weeks, we 
landed at Columbia. The iMiami was pouring out muddy water and 
driftwood. This was the first sight I got of that river. 

Not far above the mouth of the Miami the boat which contained 
Waldsmith's family ran aground. The four men and a boy tried to 
get it afloat that afternoon and into the night, but did not succeed. The 
next morning another boat came along, when they hailed the inmates 
for assistance. This boat landed close to ours, and I recollect seeing 
three or four go to the boat which was aground; in two or three hours 
the boat was afloat. About twenty years ago old Father Durham told 
me the same story, and further said that Waldsmith was so pleased to 



get his boat afloat that he told them he would give them ten gallons of 
whiskey for their services. They bought a keg which held three gal- 
lons, and he filled that. 

It was about the middle of July when we landed at Columbia. In 
fifteen or eighteen days, after the Miami got low, we arrived at our 
journey's end. Waldsmith went vigorously to work building a miU. 
.Some time in the summer of 1797 I saw the frame of his grist-mill put 
up. That same fall he started one run of stones, and also two copper 
stills for making whiskey. This year (1797) Matthias Kugler came to 
the territory. I have heard him laughingly tell about his losing his hat 
in the river, and shoes he had none on when he started. He was 
landed at Columbia in a skift"; when he arrived within reach of shore he 
jumped as far .as he could, but lighted in the soft, black mud, where it 
was so deep he got mired. After some floundering about, he got to 
solid ground. He then had ten miles to travel, without shoes or hat, 
and his legs well plastered with mud. He arrived at his stepfather's 
the same night. Soon after he commenced working for Waldsmith, 
and in September, 1798, he married his daughter. 

The Riggs came from the State of Delaware, starting with three thou- 
sand dollars in gold, a negro m.in worth eight hundred dollars, a wagon, 
and four good horses. They came to the Redstone country, and stayed 
there some time. He had a son and daughter living there. It is 
probable they stayed over winter, as early in the spring of 1790 they 
stopped at Limestone. Here his negro man gave them the slip, and 
they never again saw him. Old William Riggs sold the chance of him 
for one hundred dollars. 

Landing at Columbia, they put the wagon together out on shore, 
and tied the horses to the tongue, two boys sleeping in the wagon. 
Next morning every horse was gone, and they never saw them again. 
They could not ascertain whether Indians or white people took them. 
The next I knew of them they were at Covalt's station, in 1791, raising 
a crop of corn. The lall after, Timothy Covalt and Major Riggs took 
a basket, intending to bring in a basket of pawpaws; crossed the Mi- 
ami somehow, arrived at the foot of the gravelly hills east of John Kug- 
ler's distillery, and were there fired on by three Indians, from the brow 
of the hill, fifteen or eighteen yards distant. The Indians raised the 
yell. Covalt, being a few yards in the rear, seeing Riggs fall, wheeled 
and ran. The Indians followed him to the water's edge. He ran 
through the Miami, and when over met men from the station coming to 
their assistance. The Indians got Riggs' scalp, but they were too 
much hurried to take any part of his clothing. Shortly after the news 
of St. Clair's defeat reached the station. His mother was so near 
fretted out of her senses that they packed up and went somewhere into 
Kentucky. How long they stayed there I don't know— probably over 
the next winter. When they came back, finding the stations much 
stronger, and things better prepared for defence, they ventured to one 
of the frontier stations — I think to Jarrett's (Gerrard's) station. This 
station was near where Turpin's house now stands. 

Waldsmith, about 1840, founded the village of Ger- 
many, a small plat south of the present Camp Dennison, 
and near the southeast corner of the township, on the 
turnpike road running north and south through the 
township. It was a short-lived hamlet, and little sign of 
it now remains, except the old stone dwelling of Wald- 
smith on the turnpike, bearing the date 1808, and be- 
ing the oldest stone dwelling in the county, except one 
— the old residence of Colonel Sedam, near Gaff, Fleisch- 
mann & Company's distillery, at Sedamsville. He also 
built the first paper-mill in the country west of Red- 
stone. In the early spring of 1810 the mill there was 
burned, and the river frozen up. The Spy and Gazette, 
at Cincinnati, was obliged to suspend publication for 
want of paper, and Carpenter, the pubUsher, was also 
caught with a contract on his hands for printing the Terri- 
torial laws. In this emergency Waldsmith, who had been an 
expert paper-maker in Europe, was urged to try his hand 
here, and, in a rude way at first, he made enough soon 
to start the Cincinnati presses again. The Sjiy started 
again, after a suspension of a month and a half; and 
Waldsmith's success encouraged him to enlarge and 



398 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



otherwise improve his facilities. The Liberty Hall of 
December i, 1811, contains this advertisement: 

Christian Waldsmitli is now preparing in his paper-mill another vat, 
and will employ some experienced hands, who understand how to 
work at the vat, in the paper-making business. Such will find encour- 
agement at his mill on the Little Miami. . . . Store-keepers 
and printers may be supplied with all kinds of paper at the store of 
Baum & Perry, Cincinnati, or at the mill. 

Waldsmith's paper-mill stood on the island in the Lit- 
tle Miami, near the southwest corner of Symmes town- 
ship, opposite the saw-mill, which was upon the mainland 
near his house. This sturdy old German pioneer and 
his son died in March, 1814, of the "cold plague." 

Another note of operations in this region in the early 
day is found in the Cincinnati Almanac of 181 1, which 
says that October loth of the previous year a company 
had been formed at Round Bottom, thirteen miles from 
Cincinnati, with one thousand shares of stock of fifty 
dollars each. The directors of the company were An- 
drew Megrue, Thomas Sloo, Jacob Broadwell, Michael 
Debolt, James C. Morris, William Lytle, John Smith, 
William Bardley, Enoch Buckingham, Thomas R. Ross, 
Thomas Heckewelder. Mr. Broadwell was president, 
and Mr. Sloo cashier of the company. 

About the same time the Bockenheims, or Bucking- 
hams, had a small saw-mill on the bank of the Little 
Miami, opposite Miamiville. 

Elsewhere, further north on the Little Miami, the Cin- 
cinnati Paper Fabric company has its buildings. 

Jabez Reynolds, oldest child of William and Elizabeth 
Reynolds, was born in Washington county, Rhode Is- 
land, January 31, 1803, emigrated to Pennsylvania in the 
year 1829, and remained there until the year 1832, 
when he came to Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, 
and has been a resident of the county since that time. 
He was married to Miss Mercy Oatley, daughter of 
John and Susan Oatley, of South Kingston, Washington 
county, Rhode Island, March 22, 1825. The fruit of 
this union was ten children: William B., born May 17, 
1826; Elizabeth, born February 16, 1828; Lydia, born 
June 26, 1830; William, born December 20, 1832; 
Charles O., born April 25, 1835; Jabez, born December 
4, 1836; Caroline E., born January 26, 1838; Mercy, 
born November 3, 1840; Jabez, born April 25, 1843; 
Thomas H., born September 13, 1845. Of these, but 
five are still living — Lydia, William, Mercy, Jabez, and 
Thomas H. — all married. Lydia married William Phipps, 
and is a resident of Norwood, Hamilton county, Ohio. 
William married Bell Ashcraft, and is a resident of Bond 
Hill, Hamilton county, Ohio. Mercy married Hiram 
D. Rodgers, and is a resident of Linwood, Hamilton 
county, Ohio. Jabez married Miss Estella Sanders, and 
is a resident of New York. Thomas H. married twice — 
first to E. P. Pullen; the second time he married Ade- 
lia B. Conklin, and is a resident of Bond Hill, Hamil- 
ton county, Ohio. Mr. Reynolds is a member of the 
Quaker church. 

Jonathan T. Martin, sixth child and fourth son of 
Robert and Jane Martin, was born in Chenango county. 
New York, January 4, 18 18. The subject of our sketch 
emigrated to Ohio, Hamilton county, with his father 



when he was but a year old, and has been a resident of 
the county ever since. Mr. Martin was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Lucky, daughter of Henry and Sarah Lucky, 
who was born in New York, October 9, 1814. They 
were married in February, 1841, and to them have been 
born seven children — WiUiam, Henry, Robert T., John, 
Sarah A., George, Jane. Of these, four are living — Wil- 
liam, Henry, Robert T., and John. Although Mr. Mar- 
tin is not a member of a church, he is a strong advocate 
of law and order. The subject of our sketch is one of 
Hamilton county's enterprising farmers, and one of its 
worthy and respected citizens. 

John E. Rude, son of Zala Rude, was born in Symmes 
township, Hamilton county, August 29, 1820, and has 
since been a resident of Hamilton county. He was 
married to -Miss Christiana Apgar, daughter of Daniel P. 
Apgar, November 23, 1857. To them have been born 
nine children — Isabel, Frank P., Catharine, John E., Liz- 
zie, Anna, Peter S., Hannah and Robert. All living and 
still at home. Mr. Rude is a member in the Christian 
church. 

Oliver P. Buckingham, son of William Buckingham, 
was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 30, 1830, 
and has been a resident of the county all his Ufe. He 
was married to Miss Eliza J. Weller, daughter of John 
W. Weller, November 24, 1852. They have four chil- 
dren — Lola, Frorence, Montford and Lee — all living at 
home. Mr. Buckingham lost his wife July 14, 1880, at 
the age of forty-nine years. 

William B. Cunningham, son of John Cunningham, 
was born in Symmes township, Hamilton county, No- 
vember 28, 1829, and has been a resident of this county 
all his life with the exception of about two years. He 
was married twice — first to Miss Selina Pancost, daugh- 
ter of Enoch Pancost, February 28, 1855. She died 
February 22, 1866. He was married the second time to 
Miss Mary R. Montford, daughter of William P. Mont- 
ford, June 25, 1867. To them have been born seven 
children — Mary B., Edwin M., Charles W., James C, 
Francis L., Joseph F. and Florence — all living and at 
home. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Catholic 
church. Our subject is now serving his seventh year as 
trustee of Symmes township and is in every way a worthy 
and excellent citizen. 

Rachel Price, seventh child of Frederick Bucking- 
paugh, was born in Symmes township, Hamilton county, 
February 28, 1808, and has been a resident of the county 
all her life. She was married to Nimrod Price January 
19, 1823. To them have been born ten children — Mar- 
tha J., Marcus S., Marions B., Amanda M., Malen F., 
John N., Milton D., Ennis J., Albert P. and William P. 
Of them nine are living, Albert being dead. Mrs. Price 
is a inember in the Universalist church. She has reached 
the ripe old age of seventy-four years. 

Levi Buckingham, a native of Delaware, emigrated to 
Ohio in the year 1788, and 'took up a section of land in 
Symmes township. He then returned to Pennsylvania, 
and in 1794 returned to his land with his brother, Enoch 
Buckingham. The first thing they did was to build a 
log cabin to shelter the family. The Indians were very 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



399 



troublesome at that time, and a man was fined who went 
to church without a gun. Levi Buckingham was the 
father of six children — William L., Lizzie, Isaac, Jane, 
Maria and Lydia H. Of these but two are still living — 
William and Maria. 

William S. Buckingham was born in Symmes township, 
Hamilton county, August 26, 181 1, and has been a resi- 
dent of the county all his life. He was married twice — 
first to Miss Elizabeth Harris, in 1834; she died the same 
year. He was married the second time to Miss Nancy 
Sanders, daughter of Meeryarter Sanders, of Tennessee, 
September 22, 1835. To them has been born one child 
— Jane — who married John Quail, and is a resident of 
Symmes township. Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham are both 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are 
among its liberal supporters. 

Maria Buckingham, daughter of Levi Buckingham, 
was born in Symmes township, Hamilton county, August 
6, 1 818, and has always been a resident of this county. 
She now lives on part of the section of land on which 
her father settled in 1794. She superintends her own 
farm. 

Horace Buckingham, son of Enoch Buckingham, who 
settled in Hamilton county in 1794, was born in Hamil- 
ton county, September 22, 1806, and lived in Hamilton 
county until about the year 1832, when he moved to 
Clermont county, and was a resident there to the time 
of his death. He was the father of eight children : 
Agnes, Charles, Albert, Louisa, Oregan, Lewis, Walter, 
and Victor ; of these six are still living. Albert, the 
third child, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 
16, 1839, and remained in Clermont until October, 1877. 
He was married twice, first to Miss Virginia Doyle, 
December 6, i860, who died March 29, 1871. The 
fruit of this union was three children : Effie, Alvin, and 
Horace ; all living, and still at home. 

Henry Nenfarth, jr., son of Henry and Katie Nen- 
farth, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1837. 
He emigrated to America, and settled in Hamilton 
county, in 1845, since which time he has been a resident 
of the county. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Mil- 
ler, daughter of George Miller, January 2, 1869. They 
have six children : William, Katie, Henry J., Anna I)., 
George E. and Cary; all living, and at home. 

Henry Nenfarth, sr., son of Jacob and Catharine Nen- 
farth, was born in the Grand Dutchy of Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, May 8, 1827 ; emigrated to America 
with his father, and settled in Hamilton county. May 27, 
1839, and has been a resident of the county since that 
time. He was married to Magdaline Sur, daughter of 
John Sur, July 23, 1850. The children are Kate, Clara, 
Malinda, Amanda, Sophia, Julia, Ellen, and Magdaline. 
Kate, Clara, Sophia and Ellen are still living. Kate is 
married to William Birchfield, and is a resident of Lock- 
land, Hamilton county ; Clara is married to Morris 
Linke ; the other two are still single and living at home. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nenfarth are both members of church, 
Mr. Nenfarth of the Evangelical, and Mrs. Nenfarth of 
the Catholic Church. Mr. Nenfarth is a redistiller by 
trade ; had worked at that trade for about sixteen years, 



up to the time he moved on his farm, in March, 1873, 
since that time he has been farming in Symmes town- 
ship. His father set out the first vineyard in the garden 
of Eden, now Eden Park, in the year 1844. 

Charles J. Link, son of John H. Link, was born in 
Saxton, Germany, February 8, 1807 ; he emigrated to 
America and settled in Hamilton county in the fall of 
1856, and has remained a resident of the count)-. He 
was married to Miss Hannah Grouse, daughter of 
Charles H. Crouse, in May, 1834. To them have been 
born fourteen children : Richard, Caroline, Hannah, 
Minnie, Henry, Augustus, Mary, Augusta, Ida, Robert, 
Morris, Gustavus, Clara and Charlotte ; of these eight 
are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Link are both members of 
the Lutheran church. Up to the time of his emigration 
Mr. Link worked at the wagonmakers' trade ; since he 
has been in America he has been farming. 

Jacob Klick, oldest child of Peter and Louisa Klick, 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 30, 1809, and 
emigrated to America January i, 1832. He settled in 
Butler county, and remained until the year 1857, when 
he moved to Hamilton county, and has been a resident 
of the county ever since. The subject of our sketch 
has been married three times — first to Louisa Fisher, of 
Butler county, in the fall of 1832; the second wife, mar- 
ried in 1838, was Miss Martha Fetherly, of Indiana; the 
third wife was Margaret Hinkle, a resident of Butler 
county, married in the fall of 1848. Mr. Klick is the 
father of eleven children, five by his first and six by 
his last wife, Louisa: James, Amelia, Catharine, 
Mary A., Ella, Jacob, Laura, William H., George and 
Ida, all living but James, Amelia and Ella. Mrs. Klick 
is an earnest member in the Presbyterian church. 

Philip Weller, oldest child of John W. and Elizabeth 
Weller, was born in Symmes township, Hamilton coun- 
ty, June 8, 181 7, and has resided here ever since. He 
was married to Miss Belinde Vorhees, daughter of Al- 
bert Vorhees, April i, 1840. To them have been born 
eleven children: Melissa, Robert E., John W., Anna E., 
Jane, Edwin, Mary, Perry, Frank, Cass and Florence, all 
living but Melissa, Anna E. and Frank. Mrs. Weller 
died August 18, 1862. Mr. Weller is one of the model 
farmers of Hamilton county. He has served one term as 
treasurer of Symmes township. 

George Miller, child of Adam and Dora Miller, was 
born in Hussian, Germany, July 18, 181 1, and emigrated 
to America, settling in Hamilton county, Ohio, in the 
year 1854, and has been a resident of the county ever 
since. He was married to Miss Mary Krebs, daughter 
of Peter Krebs, in May, 1839. To them have been born 
eight children: Henry, John, Gary, Lizzie, William, Le- 
na, Barney and George. But three of these are living: 
Lizzie, William and George. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are 
both members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. 

Philip Sauerback, son of Philip and Anna Sauerback, 
was born in Germany December 12, 1827. He emi- 
grated to America, Hamilton county, Ohio, in the year 
1856, and has been a resident of the county ever since. 
He was married twice — first to Elizabeth Brigner, and 
the second time to Mrs. Anna Lell, widow of George 



400 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Lell. They have two children: Mary and Christina. 
His first wife also had two: Frederick and Philip, all 
living. Philip is a resident of Newport, Kentucky; the 
others are all at home. Mr. Saurback is a member of the 
Catholic church. 

Jonathan T. Martin, the sixth child and fourth son of 
Robert and Jane Martin was born in New York, January 
4, 1818. When but a year old he was brought to this 
county by his parents, and has been a resident here ever 
since that time. Mr. Martin was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Lucky, daughter of Henry and Sarah Lucky, the 
first of February, 1841. His wife was born in the State 
of New York, October 9, 18 14. Their family consists 
of seven children: William, Henry, Robert T., John, 
Sarah A., George and Jane. Of these, the first four 
mentioned are living. 

Robert Walker, the son of John and Hannah Walker, 
was born in this county, March 13, 181 6, and has since 
been a resident of the same with the exception of about 
twenty years. March 19, 1844, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Anderson, who was born in Warren county, 
Ohio, February 11, 1824. To them have been born 
nine children: William N., Mary E., Elizabeth, Charles 
M., Sharlon M., Orville, Ida B., Emerson, and Sarah F., 
four of whom are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are both 
earnest members of the United Brethren church, and 
are among its most able supporters. 

Anna Enyart, daughter of Robert McCane, was mar- 
ried to David Enyart, November 8, 1818. Their chil- 
dren are Elmer, Alsina, Verlinda, Stella A., Christopher 
C, and one that died in early infancy before being named. 
All are now dead. Her husband has been dead since 
1826. Mrs. Enyart is still living on the old place, and 
has reached the ripe age of seventy-eight years. 

Nicholas Rembis, oldest child of Louis Rembis, was 
born in Germany, March 9, 1835, and emigrated to 
America, settling in Hamilton county, January 6, 1861. 
He was married to Miss Katie Horner, daughter of Fred- 
erick J. Horner, January 8, 1861. To them have been 
born four children: Katie, Lydia, Lizzie, and Lewis — all 
living and at home. 

George W. Brown, son of David and Emeline Brown, 
was born in Symmes township, Hamilton county, on the 
farm where he now lives, November 14, 1826, and has 
remained a resident of the county ever since. He was 
married to Miss Martha Kynon, daughter of Andy Kyn- 
on, July 4, 1856. He began life a poor boy, but has 
now one of the finest farms in the township; has held 
various offices of responsibility and trust. 

Joseph Jones emigrated from Pennsylvania to Hamil- 
ton county in the year 1791, and was still a resident of 
this county at the time of his death, January 22, 1815. 
He was married to Miss Mary Covalt, daughter of Cap- 
tain Abijah Covalt, in September of 1792. Th.ey had 
twelve children: Evan W., Isaiah, Jonathan, Saiah, Jo- 
seph, Nancy, Joel, Mary, Reason, Elizabeth H., Ephraira 
C, and Sidney. Of these only three are now living — 
Mary, Reason, and Elizabeth H. Mary married David 
Vhoris, and is a resident of Iowa. Elizabeth married 
William C. Wycoff and lives on the old home, and has 



her brother living with her. Their children are Ada, 
Laurinsky, Verner E., and Clarence C. Only Ada is liv- 
ing. Mrs. Mary Jones died December 8, 185 1, at the 
advanced age of seventy-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Wy- 
coff and Mr. Jones are all members of the Baptist church. 
Josiah Harper, son of John and Mary Harper, was 
born in this township, March 11, 182 1, and has since re- 
mained a resident of the county. He was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Roosy, daughter of Jacob Roosy, in June 
1843. She died in 1879, aged fifty-five years. He has 
served ten years as township trustee, the last being the 
year 1876. He is a member of the United Brethren 
church and is considered one of its best supporters. 
During the last few years he has been employed in farm- 
ing, but previous to that time worked at the blacksmith's 
trade. 

CAMP DENNISON. 

The history of this very interesting locality, as a ren- 
dezvous and camp of equipment for many thousands of 
troops during the war of the Rebellion, has been given 
with sufficient fullness in our chapter on the military 
history of Hamilton county. After the war had closed 
it was thought worth while to found a permanent village 
here, and in 1866 Camp Dennison was regularly sur- 
veyed and platted by Mr. E. Campbell. The Camp 
Dennison Building association was also incorporated 
April 25, 1872. A flourishing village has grown up here. 
It is situated below Miamiville, in the northwest part of 
section nineteen, on the Cincinnati & Wooster turnpike 
and the Little Miami railroad and river. 

This village had two hundred and ninety-two inhabi- 
tants by the census of 1880. 

ALLANDALE. 

Three miles west of Camp Dennison, almost in the 
extreme southwest corner of the township, on the Mari- 
etta & Cincinnati railroad, is the station and hamlet of 
Allandale. We do not learn that it has ever been 
platted. 

GLENWOOD 

is another station on the Marietta & Cincinnati, about at 
the centre of section thirty-two, a mile and a quarter 
northeast of Allandale. It likewise has no regular sur- 
vey and plat. 

REMINGTON 

is a small village at the terminus of the roads from Mont- 
gomery to the railroad and river, a mile east of north 
from Glenwood, and with 

MONTGOMERY STATION 

in its immediate vicinity. 

SYMMES STATION. 

This was formerly called Polktown, and is much the 
oldest village in the township. It was laid off May 6, 
1817,. by James Pollock, who was the first settler in this 
region, having bought his land here, several hundred 
acres, of Judge Symmes in 1795. The first regular grist- 
mill established on the Little Miami — Elliott's, or "the 
company's" mill — was situated here, not far from the 
site of the present mill. The village, in the early days, 
as a point of rendezvous for travellers, adventurers, and 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



401 



the settlers from far and near, was a place of much 
greater relative importance than now. The trail of the 
Indians, through the wilderness between Columbia and 
Chillicothe, crossed near it at the Three Islands. Now 
the splendid iron bridge before mentioned spans the 
Little Miami between this place and Branch Hill. A 
pond of considerable size along the river in this vicinity 
was formerly called the Symmes' fishing ground. On 
the other side of the stream, a short distance above 
Branch Hill, are the Cincinnati camp-meeting grounds 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. They occupy a 
beautiful woodland tract, near the Little Miami railroad, 
on an eminence overlooking the river and valley, with an 
easy ascent and otherwise well adapted to its present 
purposes. The grounds are owned by a Methodist as- 
sociation in the city, and are highly improved. The 
railroad gives them a special station in camp-meeting 
times. 

Branch Hill is considerably used as a place of subur- 
ban residence, and it was here, near his home, that the 
very able editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Mr. G. M. 
D. Bloss, met his death by a railway train striking him, 
on the twenty-seventh of May, 1876. 

Symmes station is on the Marietta & Cincinnati rail- 
road, about midway between, or two and a half miles 
from Loveland and Remington. It has a good public 
school and a Methodist Episcopal church. 

WEST LOVELAND 

is virtually an addition to the village of Loveland, the 
latter on the Clermont, the former on the Hamilton 
county side. Most of the population, and all of the 
public institutions, are on the Clermont side. The Ham- 
ilton side covers but fifty-eight acres, and had a popula- 
tion in 1880 of one hundred and ninety-seven. 

SYCAMORE CHURCH 

is an old locality still marked on the county maps, on 
the Montgomery road, about four miles northeast of that 



village, and two and one-half miles northwest of Symmes 
station, in this township. A Presbyterian church was 
organized here very early, sometime before October, 
1 80 1, when the Rev. James Kemper was giving one-third 
of his preaching services to it. A year from that time 
he was appointed by the presbytery to give his whole 
time to this and the Duck creek (now Pleasant Ridge) 
churches for one year. This appointment was renewed 
in October, 1803, when the name Sycamore was changed 
to Hopewell. He was invited to the pastorate of the two 
churches at the expiration of this year, and was installed 
in the Hopewell church April 4, 1805, the Rev. David 
Rice, his old Kentucky tutor in theology, preaching the 
installation sermon. In April, 1807, Mr. Kemper ap- 
plied for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, against 
the remonstrance of his people, who declared their finan- 
cial ability and desire to retain him. He was, however, 
released from the pastorate in October, and served as 
stated supply for six months, after which he went into 
Kentucky and labored there for a season. He was suc- 
ceeded at Sycamore (or Hopewell), by the Rev. Daniel 
Hayden, who was ordained and installed at the Duck 
Creek church, November 17, i8io. He served the 
Hopewell church until April 8, 181 9, and the other so- 
ciety from that time till his death, August 27, 1835. 
Some further notice of him has been given in the history 
of Columbia township. 

Governor Jeremiah Morrow, whose home was a few 
miles north of Sycamore church, was buried in the old 
cemetery here. 

POPULATION. 

Symmes township has grown in population rather slow- 
ly. It had one thousand, one hundred and fifty-eight 
inhabitants in 1830; but two hundred and nineteen 
more, or one thousand three hundred and seventy-seven 
in 1870; and four hundred and fifty-eight more, or one 
thousand six hundred and twenty six, the tenth census, or 
that of 1880. 



WHITEWATER. 



ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION. 

There was need of a township in that part of Hamil- 
ton county which lies west of the Great Miami, later than 
in any other portion of the county similarly large. For 
more than twelve years after the Miami Purchase and the 
Virginia Military district were open to settlement, and 
while they were being filled with a busy population, the 
fertile tracts beyond this river were still withheld from 
sale and settlement, and only "squatters" could venture 
upon it. At length, in 1799 and 1800, the official sur- 



veys were made under direction of Government, chiefly 
by Vantrees — how carelessly, too, in places, has appeared 
in our history of Crosby township — but still not until 
April I, 1 80 1, could a rood of the land for which some 
of the pioneers were watching and waiting at the east- 
ward, and others already upon its soil, be purchased and 
improved. The land sales then occurring in Cincinnati, 
and for many years thereafter, at the Federal land office, 
gave the desired opportunity, and settlers flocked to the 
rich bottoms of the Great Miami and the Whitewater. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



By 1803, when the general reconstruction of the old and 
the creation of the new townships occurred, it was 
thought well to provide such a municipality for the Con- 
gressional division of the territory of Hamilton; and the 
township of Whitewater was set off, "to include all that 
part of Hamilton county west of the Great Miami river." 
The voters thereof were instructed to meet at the house 
of John Benefield, and elect three justices of the peace. 

This was, like most of the early townships, a large one. 
It comprised the entire tract now occupied by White- 
water, Crosby, and Harrison townships, and covering not 
less than sixty square miles. Soon, however, in 1804, it 
was deemed advisable to subdivide the little State, and 
the township of Crosby was formed, to include the five 
northernmost tiers of sections, and so something more 
than half the former territory of Whitewater. This ar- 
rangement endured for half a century, when, with the 
dense settlement of the country, and especially the 
growth of Harrison village, a further subdivision was 
called for, and, in 1853, the township of Harrison was 
formed, to include, as we have seen, a tract of three sec- 
tions wide by six sections long, or eighteen sections in all. 
Whitewater was cut into by the amount of the three 
southernmost sections, and compensation was given in 
almost the same amount by taking sections twenty-five, 
twenty-six, and twenty-seven, from the southern part of 
Crosby, and making them the northern tier of sections 
in Whitewater, thus keeping the territory of the latter 
pretty nearly intact, as regards quantity. 

Whitewater lies in range one of township one,and range 
one of township three, with a fractional section (thirty- 
one) belonging to range two, township two and three 
other bits of sections along the Great Miami belonging to 
other ranges or townships. It includes nineteen full and 
fourteen fractional sections, or fourteen thousand three 
hundred and twenty square acres. It is bounded on the 
west by Dearborn county, Indiana, and for the breadth of 
two miles at the northward by Harrison township, 
Hamilton county, on the north by Harrison and Crosby 
townships ; on the east and south by the Great Miami, 
beyond which lie the townships of Colerain and Miami. 
The township does not touch the Ohio river, although 
it approaches within a mile of it, at the lower part of 
Guard's island. The Great Miami has an exceedingly 
tortuous course along the front of this township, requir- 
ing about sixteen miles for its course, while the air-line 
distance between the point where it first touches the 
township and that where it makes its exit, is but ten and 
one-half miles. This is the extreme diagonal of the 
township ; its greatest length is six and one-half miles, 
being on its western line; its greatest width the same, on 
a line of latitude passing a little below Miamitown, from 
that deviating to a point at the southwest corner. The 
Whitewater river comes in from Harrison township, on 
the western side of section five, and flows in a southerly 
course four and one-half miles, reaching the Great 
Miami near the southeast corner of section twenty. 
Nearly two miles from its entrance it receives the waters 
of the Dry fork of Whitewater, which enters at the south- 
east corner of Harrison township, flows southward in a 



crooked course two miles, then westward two miles to 
the Whitewater. Another, but smaller tributary, head- 
ing in the border of Indiana, intersects sections eighteen, 
seventeen and twenty, and reaches the Whitewater near 
the railroad crossing. Two or three very pretty tribu- 
taries also enter the Great Miami from the side of this 
township. From time to time this river has changed its 
bed in the flow of the ages, and old channels are plainly 
to be seen, especially in the lower part of its course, as 
that south of Elizabethtown. The streams are generally 
well bridged at the desirable points ; and the White- 
water, at a point on the road from Elizabethtown north- 
eastward, has the finest suspension bridge, exclusively be- 
longing to this county. A notable pioneer ferry was 
kept across the Great Miami, a short distance from 
Cleves. A mile from the mouth of this stream, at the 
extreme southwestern corner of the township, about half 
a section of land is isolated by an irregular arc of water 
connecting at each end with the river, and probably one 
of its oldest channels — ^which takes the name Guard's 
island, from the old Guard family of pioneers. From 
this northeast and north for several miles the island is 
low, and part of it much subject to inundations. It is 
very fertile, however, some of it yielding, after more than 
two generations of culture, its hundred bushels of corn 
per acre with tolerable regularity. In the north of the 
township some of the characteristic hills of Hamilton 
county appear. 

The township is intersected for about four miles, from 
northeast to southwest, by the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, 
St. Louis & Chicago railroad, which is joined at Valley 
Junction, midway between the Great Miami and the 
Whitewater, by the Harrison branch, or the Whitewater 
Valley railroad, which is run by the former corporation. 
The Harrison branch has about three and one-half miles 
in the township, in a general north and south line, fol- 
lowing pretty closely the abandoned route of the White- 
water canal. The Cincinnati and Harrison turnpike 
crookedly crosses the township in its northern part, leav- 
ing it on the east at Miainitown ; and the people seem 
otherwise well supplied with wagon roads 

WHITEWATER JUSTICES. 

1804, Ebenezer Hughes; 1819, Patrick Smith; 1825, 
Luther Hopkins, Richard Arnold, William Clark; 1829, 
William Clark, Henry Wile, Hugh McDougal, Henry 
Ingersoll; 1865, A. E. West, Daniel Honder, S. W. 
Osborn, Uriah Stevens ; 1866-67, Hender and Osborn; 
1868-69, Hender and Stevens; 1870, Hender, James 
Martin; 1871, Hender, E. G. Bonham ; 1872-73, Hen- 
der and Osborn; 1874-79, Osborn and Charles Baxter; 
1880, Osborn and Charles S. Fulton. 

ANCIENT WORKS.* 

Two miles southwest of Miamitown, in this township, 
on the Great Miami, is a mound of nearly fifteen feet 
in height. It occupies a commanding position as a look- 
out post up and down the valley, and was undoubtedly 

*The remainder of this chapter is almost exclusively from the pen of 
the distinguished Sunday-school and clerical worker, the Rev. B. W. 
Chidlaw, of the Berea neighborhood. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



403 



one in the series of mounds of observation that stretched 
from the mouth of the river far to the northward. Some 
of the mounds were formerly noted just above this, but 
they have been mostly obliterated by the ploughman. 
These were burial mounds, and skeletons are still occa- 
sionally found in this region, in a crouching position. 

On the Whitewater river, near and east of the railway 
track, about three miles from the junction, and near the 
north line of the township, is a very regular and sym- 
metrical mound, which still retains a height of twenty to 
twenty-five feet. It also commands a wide view, and 
was probably a mound of observation. 

From 1790 to 1795 the block-house and garrison at 
North Bend afforded protection to the adventurous 
pioneers seeking homes in the Northwestern territory. 
The land west of the Great Miami river had been ceded 
to the United States, but not yet conveyed. The Shaw- 
nees and Wyandots, reluctant to leave their favorite 
hunting grounds and the graves of their sires, still re- 
mained the occasion of danger and alarm to the squatter 
population at North Bend. The Indians gradually dis- 
appeared, and in 1795 the Nimrods of North Bend, at- 
tracted by the abundance of game in the unbroken for- 
ests beyond the Miami and Whitewater rivers, built their 
cabins, and with their families squatted on Government 
land. Jeremiah Chandler, from South Carohna, a sol- 
dier of the Revolutionary army, a bold, daring man, 
tired of the pent-up Utica at the North Bend settlement, 
built the first cabin in what is now Whitewater township. 
Its location was near the west end of the suspension 
bridge. A spring of pure water and the " salt lick " a 
mile away, where his sure rifle could almost any day 
bring down a fat buck, determined the site of this first 
civilized habitation in the bounds of the township. Dur- 
ing the spring of 1795 the following famihes squatted 
south of the cabin Jeremiah Chandler had built: John 
Burham, James Dugan, John White, and Joseph Brown. 
In 1796 Alexander Guard, Thomas Miller, Joseph Rolf, 
Joseph Hayes, James Buckelow and John McNutt; in 
1798 Isaac Mills, Hugh Dunn, John Phillips and Daniel 
Perrine. From 1796 to 1800 the following squatters 
built cabins on the west side of the Miami; The first was 
built by Stephen Goble on land afterwards bought by 
Ezekiel Hughes; Hugh Karr, from Ireland, built near the 
Cleves bridge; Joseph Grey, Joseph Raingweather, John 
and Andrew Hill, I. Ingersol, E. Eades, Benjamin Welch 
and Hugh Bucknell. When the land was sold many 
of these families left, but, after the lapse of eighty-five 
years, descendants of John Benham, A. Guard, Thomas 
Miller, Joseph Hayes, Hugh Karr, Andrew Hill and I. 
Ingersol, who purchased land, are to be found, honored 
and useful citizens of the township. 

SQUATTER LIFE 

was marked with great sociability, independence, with 
many privations and hardships. The furniture of their 
log-cabin homes was made with an axe, a drawing-knife, 
and an auger. Nails and glass were unknown in the 
construction of their humble but happy homes. Their 
doors were hung with wooden hinges, and oiled paper 
answered for glass. A mush-pot and a skillet served for 



kitchen utensils; the knives, forks, and spoons brought 
from the old settlements, with cups made by hand or 
gathered from the gourd vines adorned their tables. 

Their subsistence was secured from the rivers and the 
forests, and the truck patch cultivated with a hoe, pro- 
ducing an abundant crop of corn, potatoes, beans and 
pumpkins. In the spring of the year they luxuriated on 
wild onions fried in opossum fat and omelets made of 
wild turkey eggs, accompanied by delicious beverage 
known as spice-wood tea. The sugar-tree supplied them 
with sap; but for the want of kettles they manulactured 
but limited supplies of sugar and molasses. When ket- 
tles were obtamed (brought to the North Bend on flat- 
boats from Redstone, Old Fort, and bartered for buck- 
skins, venison and peltries), the sugar and molasses 
made in the spring supplies them through the year, and 
the surplus was exchanged for goods at the traders' 
stores at the Bend, or Fort Washington. In these squat- 
ter times when kettles had been obtained, salt, a very 
scarce and necessary article, was manufactured at the 
"lick" a mile west of where Elizabethtown now stands. 
The well was sixteen feet deep and the supply of salt 
water enabled the boilers to produce a bushel a day, 
which could be sold at four dollars, hot from the kettles. 

CLOTHING. 

When the stock brought from the old settlments was 
worn out, necessity compelled the hardy pioneers to de- 
pend on their wit, invention and skill in producing the 
clothing needed. The skins and furs of wild animals, espe- 
cially the deer and raccoon, supplied the men with caps, 
pants, and Innged hunting shirts, and both sexes with 
moccasins. Cotton seed obtained from Kentucky and 
planted in their truck patches, afforded a valuable fiber 
manufactured by the use of hand-cards, spinning-wheels 
and the loom, furnished, with the help of flax, the mater- 
ial to replenish the wardrobe of these noble wives and 
daughters. In these early times the wild nettle, which 
grew luxuriantly and abundantly in the river bottoms, 
whose fiber was almost equal to hemp, was utilized and 
manufactured into a coarse linen suitable for use. The 
nettle, five to seven feet high, falling to the earth, would 
rot the stock during the winter and in the spring would 
be gathered and prepared tor the spinning-wheel and the 
loom. Mrs. Guard, the wife of Alexander Guard, during 
one season manufactured two hundred yards of this net- 
tle cloth, which answered a very good purpose in meet- 
ing the wants of her large family. At the pioneer 
meeting, in Hunt's Grove in 1869, Dr. Walter Clark 
exhibited a well preserved specimen of this nettle cloth. 

THE FIRST BIRTH 

of white parentage was Rebecca, the daughter of Jere- 
miah Chandler and Jane his wife, and the second was 
Mary, the daughter of John Barham. These children 
were born in the autumn of 1795. The former with her 
parents removed to lUinois, the latter spent a long and 
useful life where she was born. 

DEATH. 

During the year 1796 death invaded the settlement 
and a malignant disease removed in a few days three 



404 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



members of the family of James Dugan from time to 
eternity. In their early struggles, trials and bereave- 
ments, these noble-hearted pioneers bore each other's 
burdens and shared each other's joy. In case of death 
in the household sympathy and help came promptly to 
the rescue. In the absence of cabinet-makers and under- 
takers the coffins were made of hewn slabs skilfully pre- 
pared with the broad-axe and drawing-knife, and held 
together with wooden pins, and the bodies tenderly laid 
in the grave dug by loving hands and bedewed with 
tears of genuine sorrow. 

PIONEER LIFE 

was strongly marked with true friendship and genuine 
hospitality. The best chair of the cabin and the hearty 
welcome of its inmates greeted both neighbor and 
stranger, for they always had time to be social and enjoy 
society. Before the days of post offices and the news- 
papers, the arrival of a stranger answered for both. Neces- 
sity, and inclination made these pioneers a united and 
happy people. Creeds, politics and nationalities yielded 
to the claims of social enjoyment. Common dangers 
and privations developed the nobler qualities of human 
nature, they truly bore each others burdens and shared 
each others joys. In times of sickness, or accident, the 
whole settlement would respond in sympathy and kindly 
efforts to relieve the sufferers. No skilled physicians 
with medicines and surgical instruments could be called. 
Some firm hand and keen eye would set and splinter a 
broken bone. When the fever and ague prevailed, or 
the ravages of a burning fever was wasting the sufferer, 
the simple remedies suggested by experience, such as 
lobelia tea, a decoction of burdock roots, and the tonic 
of spice bush, wild cheery, and dogwood bark would be 
provided and successfully employed. 

MILLS AND FACTORIES 

were conveniences that did not belong to the squatter 
era, yet the inventive genius of the settlers provided 
primitive machinery that answered the purpose. The 
corn was prepared for the mush-pot and johnny-cakes by 
pounding it in a trough dug out of a log, using a maul 
as a pestle. Sometimes an old superanuated coffee pot, 
preforated with holes, would be utilized and the grinding 
done on the grating principle. In the autumn the new 
corn, rubbed on its rugged surface, yielded a superior 
quality of meal, which was manufactured by a slow but 
sure process. Griddle cakes made of this material, ac- 
companied with wild honey and venison steak, were lux- 
uries worthy of a palace. Nearly every cabin was a 
factory with its big and little spinning wheels, hand-cards, 
reels and looms ; a tailor and milliner shop, but without 
Harper's Bazar or the latest fashion plates. 

THE PIONEER SCHOOL-HOUSE. 

This squatter population, appreciating the importance 
of educating their children before the school laws of 
Ohio were enacted, or Congress had granted lands for 
the purpose, built a log cabin school-house and employed 
a teacher. The school-house, built in a day, with its 
greased paper window, puncheon floor, clapboard roof, 
and door hung with wooden hinges, and furnished with 



split log benches, was located near the present village of 
Elizabethtown. Billy Jones, at four dollars a month in 
trade, and boarding around, was the first teacher. The 
text books were Dilworth's spelling book and the New 
Testament. Billy was not a great scholar, nor an ex- 
perienced teacher, but the pupils liked him, and for 
three months, in 1800, his labors were successful, and at 
the close most of them could read the Testament and 
spell nearly all the words in the spelling book. These 
were the beginning of days in educational work, and the 
men that inaugurated the common school system in 
pioneer times deserve the gratitude of the present gen- 
eration. 

THE FIRST PREACHERS. 

To the honor of Christianity, and in accord with its 
spirit and teaching, its faithful ministers found their way 
early into the new settlements. In 1798 Rev. Mr. 
Dewees, a Baptist preacher from Kentucky, visited these 
smaller homes in the settlement and preached the VVord 
of the Lord. The first service was held in the cabin of 
John Benham. The ten families constituting the settle- 
ment west of the Whitewater, parents and children, as- 
sembled, and with gladness of heart listened to the first 
gospel sermon delivered in the township. Mr. Dewees 
continued to visit the neighborhood for many years and 
his labors were blessed. He also preached in the settle- 
ments up the Whitewater as far as Brookville, and organ- 
ized a Baptist church at Cedar Grove, where he died in 
a good old age and full of years, and his grave is 
among the people for whose spiritual welfare he labored 
long and faithfully. 

In 1799 Rev. M. Lower, an itinerent preacher, found 
his way to these squatter homes, and for several years 
visited the locality — a welcome servant of God, laboring 
earnestly for the moral and religious interests of the peo- 
ple. The first regularly appointed circuit rider who 
preached, and in 1806 organized a class, was Rev. W. 
Oglesby. The house of Alexander Guard was the 
preaching place, and there the first religious society in 
the township was formed. 

In 1804 Rev. John W. Browne, of Cincinnati (the 
founder and first editor of the Cincinnati Gazette), com- 
menced to preach in the house of Ezekiel Hughes, and 
continued his acceptable labors until in 1812 he lost his 
life while attempting to cross the Miami river. Two of 
his granddaughters, Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Dr. J. H. 
Hunt, are now honored residents of the township. These 
heralds of the cross by their zeal and abundant labors 
did a blessed work in laying the foundations of good so- 
sciety and religious life in the midst of the people when 
such services were so much needed, and so inadequately 
compensated. 

The religious element prevailed in the character of the 
early pioneers. The Sabbath was well and religiously 
observed. The Bible and the hymn-book were found in 
their cabins, and when no preacher led their services 
they assembled together generally in the cabin of John 
Benham, and held meetings for prayer, praise, and Chris- 
tian conference. Thus they lived in peace and harmony. 
They needed no law to secure good order. Under the 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



405 



governing power of mutual dependence, confidence and 
sympathy they were a law to protect themselves. 

THE FIRST MAGISTRATE 

was Ezekiel Hughes, appointed by Governor Tiffin in 
October, 1805, and his docket showed but little business 
during his official life of over ten years. 

PERMANENT SETTLERS. 

The Government land being surveyed, in 1802 it was 
offered for sale at public auction held in Cincinnati. 
The law required it to be sold in sections of six hundred 
and forty acres at not less than two dollars per acre. 
The sale was continued for several days, at its close the 
unsold land could be entered at one dollar and a quarter 
an acre. The first land sold, sections fifteen and sixteen, 
was bought by Ezekiel Hughes for two dollars and some 
cents per acre. At the sale competition for these choice 
sections ran high. Mr. Hughes, an immigrant from 
Wales, who had carefully noted the location and fertility 
of the sections, and a Pennsylvania German were the 
competitors, and eventually the Welshmen became the 
purchaser. All the rest of the land in the township was en- 
tered at Government price, and in a few years all Congress 
land was taken up either by speculators or by actual set- 
tlers. Among these were the Ewings, Mills, Piatt, Hunt, 
Oury, Perine, Cilley, and Andrews families. Mr. Piatt 
built the first frame house in the township, a part of 
which is now the parsonage of the Presbyterian church 
at Elizabethtown. Thomas Miller built the fir.n stone 
house; Peter Perine built the first mill on the White- 
water, for which he received a bonus of a quarter section 
of land. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Bailey Guard, son of Alexander Guard, was born in 
New Jersey. His child life was spent amid the scattered 
cabins surrounding the block-house at North Bend, where 
painted Indians, uniformed soldiers, and adventurous 
hunters filled his young mind with horror, amaze- 
ment, and delight. When fifteen years of age, hav- 
ing spent most of these years cultivating the truck 
patches, fishing and hunting, he went to mill with two 
bushels of corn. His conveyance was a canoe paddled 
with his own arms down the Miami to the Ohio, then up 
the great river to the mouth of Mill creek to where Cum- 
insville now stands, where a corn cracking mill was 
found. The trip, and waiting for his grist required two 
days of toil and exposure. His school days were few 
and irregular, in which he mastered Dilworth's spelling 
book and learned to read his Bible. He was a man of 
good natural understanding and a true Christian. Under 
the preaching of Rev. W. EUinger, an eminent Method- 
ist pioneer herald of the cross, in 1809 Bailey Guard 
professed religion and made a public profession by unit- 
ing with the Methodist Episcopal church at Ehzabeth- 
town. Mr. Guard died on the .^th of June, 1869, at the 
advanced age of eighty-two years, and left a good name 
as a precious inheritance to his numerous descendants. 
— —Ezekiel Hughes was born August 22, 1767, on a farm 
called Cromcarnedd Uchaf, Llanbryormair, North Wales, 
on which his ancestors had lived for over two hundred 



years. He emigrated to this country in 1795. He sailed 
from Bristol on the ship " Maria," and landed in Phila- 
delphia after a perilous and tedious voyage of thirteen 
weeks. His cousin, Edward Bebb, the father of the late 
William Bebb, Ex-governor of Ohio, accompanied him. 
They left Philadelphia in 1796, travelled on foot to Red 
Stone, Old Fort, Pennsylvania, on the Monongahela 
river, thence by flat-boat to Fort Washington, where Cin- 
cinnati now stands. In a journal which he kept, several 
interesting facts are preserved: "After three days and 
nights floating on the Ohio, we reached Marietta at the 
mouth of the Muskingum river, and called on General 
Rufus Putnam, the present register, seemingly a worthy 
character. He gave us plats of the land. We spent 
three days exploring the purchase, but were not satisfied, 
so we left on a flat-boat bound for Limestone (Maysville 
Kentucky). The passage down the Ohio is safe — plenty 
of hills and narrow bottoms. The heavier the cargo, the 
faster the boat will float. The Ohio receives many trib- 
utaries but does not increase much in width. We 
reached Cincinnati and applied to Judge Symmes, who 
is the register and chief proprietor of this purchase, for 
plats. We spent three weeks traversing the five lower 
ranges and saw most of the land unsold. I bought one 
hundred acres, northeast corner of section thirty-four, 
second fractional township, and first range for two dollars 
and a quarter an" acre [this was in Colerain township, 
nearly opposite New Baltimore]. My object in buying 
this, was to wait till the land west of the Miami would be 
surveyed and ready for sale, and that I might examine 
the land and make a good selection." He writes in 1797 
"that boats go by here almost every day with provisions 
for the army at Greenville. The boatmen say that the 
Miami is navigable one hundred miles. Their crafts are 
long sharp keel-boats with a board fixed on each side 
to walk on, having long poles with iron sockets. They 
stand at the bow, fix these poles in the bottom of the 
river and push. By the middle of May, 1798, our corn 
and potatoes are planted in the clearing, and now we are 
clearing for a turnip patch. When we first came here, 
six months ago, we had two neighbors within three miles 
on one side and six miles on the other. Now a person 
from New Jersey has built a cabin within a hundred 
yards of ours. He is a very devout and religious irian, 
and a minister of the gospel has already visited us and 
held a meeting" [the first public religious service ever 
held in Colerain township]. Mr. Hughes, and his cousin, 
Edward Bebb, lived on this tract of land for four years, 
when Mr. Bebb bought land in Dry fork, Butler county, 
where his son William, afterward governor of Ohio, was, 
in 1802, the first white child born in Morgan township, 
and Mr. Hughes commenced life on his well chosen and 
valuable tract of land, on which a squatter, Stephen 
Goble, had made some improvement, for which Mr. 
Hughes paid the adventurous pioneer a fair compensation. 
In 1803 Mr. Hughes returned to Wales and married 
Miss Margaret Bebb, and in 1804, with his chosen com- 
panion, a lady of great worth, every way a helpmate for 
an adventurous pioneer in the wilds of the new common- 
wealth of Ohio, returned to make a home on the valu- 



4o6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



able tract of land he had already purchased. In 1806 
Mr. Hughes suffered a great bereavement in the death of 
his excellent wife. Her remains were interred in the first 
grave opened in what is now the Berea cemetery. In 
1808 Mr. Hughes married Miss Mary, the daughter of 
Thomas and Mary Ann Ewing, of Northumberland 
county, Pennsylvania, who had settled on an adjoining 
section in 1805. 

There lie before me two commissions appointing Mr. 
Hughes to discharge important public duties, signed by 
Governor Edward Tiffin, the first governor of the State 
of Ohio — one appointing him a justice of the peace (the 
first in the township), signed October 7, 1804; the other 
appoints him as one of the three commissioners to lay 
out a road from Hamilton, in the county of Butler, to 
the mouth of the Great Miami river, and this was 
signed January 28, 1806. In 1808 Mr. Hughes was ap- 
pointed, with two others, to select a school section in 
place of the sixteenth section in this township, which was 
sold before Congress passed the law appropriating the 
sixteenth section in each township for school purposes. 
This commission selected an unoccupied section in the 
adjoining township of Crosby. The choice indicated 
good judgment and an honest purpose to benefit the gen- 
erations to follow. Mr. Hughes, with his foresight and 
desire to, under the Government, grant a great advan- 
tage to the cause of popular education in the township, 
opposed for many years the sale of it, until in 1846 it 
was sold for twenty-five thousand dollars and the proceeds 
invested according to law in Ohio six per cent, bonds, so 
that now the schools of the township reahze an income 
of fifteen hundred dollars per annum. 

In early times Mr. Hughes leased several portions of 
his land, and thus promoted the settlement of the town- 
ship. He was a generous and upright proprietor, and al- 
ways treated his tenants with kindness and liberality. 
Descended from a godly ancestry, in mature life he be- 
came an avowed disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
united with the Congregational church at Paddy's Run, 
Butler county, in 1803, and with his wife in 1830, when 
the Presbyterian church of Elizabethtown and Berea was 
organized, he united with this society and remained a 
faithful member until his death, in 1849, in the eighty- 
second year of his age. 

Edward Hunt, with his wife, Charlotte, and eight chil- 
dren — Jesse, Thomas, Jacob, Edward, Mary, Susan, 
Charlotte, and Keturah — left Sussex county. New Jersey, 
in the spring of 1806, travelled in his own wagons to 
Wheeling, Virginia, and thence on two flat-boats to Cin- 
cinnati. During the summer of 1806 he selected and 
bought eight hundred acres of choice land around Eliza- 
bethtown, and settled on it at once. Such a family of re- 
ligious, enterprising, and industrious people was a great 
acquisition to the neighborhood, and after the lapse of so 
many years their influence is felt for good, and their 
memory cherished by the community unto this day. 

Jesse Hunt lived in Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, and 
brought up a family of sons and daughters — useful and 
respected citizens. The survivors have left the neigh- 
borhood, and the aged father and mother are buried near 



Lawrenceburgh. Thomas and Jacob Hunt always lived 
at the old homestead, and accumulated a large estate. 
They were members and liberal supporters of the Pres- 
byterian church. Thomas Hunt served the church 
faithfully in the office of a ruling elder for over twenty 
years. The Presbyterian meeting-house and parsonage 
in Elizabethtown are monuments of their liberality and 
Christian lives. Edward Hunt, still surviving at the age 
of eighty-one years, was educated for mercantile busi- 
ness in the city of Cincinnati, and has been in active 
business, farming and merchandising, until laid aside by 
the infirmities of age. He has been actively engaged in 
the Sabbath-school work, and in laboring for the advance- 
ment of religion in the township for over fifiy years. In 
1830 he married Miss Ann Hughes, eldest daughter of 
Ezekiel Hughes, esq., and their children — Thomas, Ja- 
cob, and Mary, who married Joseph Cilley, esq. — are 
living in the neighborhood, highly esteemed and useful 
citizens. George VV. Haire, esq., of Elizabethtown, is a 
son of Susan Hunt. He has been in public life, as a 
magistrate, a county surveyor and engineer, and for many 
years superintendent of Sunday-schools, and an elder in 
the Presbyterian church. Another son, Rev. I. P. Haire, 
graduated at Miami university, Oxford, Ohio, and Union 
Theological seminary, New York, and is now settled in 
Janesville, Wisconsin. L. H. Bonham, esq., son of 
Charlotte Hunt and John Bonham, also graduated at the 
Miami university, was principal of a well known and use- 
ful female seminary at St. Louis, Missouri, for many 
years, and now devotes his time to cultivating a model 
farm near Oxford, raising fine stock, and with his facile 
pen is giving the agricultural world the benefit of his ex- 
perience in cultivating the soil. 

Another son. Rev. John Bonham, graduated at Miami 
university and Lane Theological seminary, is now the 
faithful pastor of a Baptist church in Kansas. William 
Rees, an estimable citizen of Elizabethtown, and an elder 
in the Presbyterian church, is a son of May, the eldest 
daughter of Edward and Charlotte Hunt. [Some further 
notice of Mr. Haire is given below.] 

Of the squatters who became purchasers of land and 
remained permanent settlers, John Bonham and his fam- 
ily deserve special remembrance. He was a native of 
Somerset county. New Jersey, and in early life left in 
1792 to seek his fortune in the new country towards the 
setting sun. He spent two years at Red Stone, Old Fort, 
Pennsylvania, and thence came down the Monongahela 
and the Ohio in a flat-boat to North Bend, in 1794. He 
and his family were religious and members of the Baptist 
church. In all the years of their pioneer life they were 
careful to maintain their Christian life and family religion, 
as the lives of their children fully testified. Their sons 
— John and Aaron — were men of real worth and stand- 
ing in society, and, after serving God and their genera- 
tion, have passed away. A daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Noble, 
now in her eighty-seventh year, is living, closing a long, 
happy and useful life at the residence of Amelius Francis, 
esq., her son-in-law, at Harrison, Ohio. 

Alexander Guard, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, with 
his family, came to North Bend in 1793, and in 1796 to 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



407 



this township. His family consisted of five sons — Timo- 
thy, David, Ezra, Bailey and Chalen, with three daugh- 
ters — Sarah, Betsy and Hannah. Many of the descend- 
ants of this pioneer family are honored citizens of the 
township at this time. 

The families of Hugh Karr, Andrew and I. Hill, I. In- 
gersoll, I. Hayes and T. Miller became permanent set- 
tlers, purchasing land and improving it. The other squat- 
ter families removed west. Charmed with the frontier 
log-cabin life, they sought and secured its continuance by 
a fresh start where game was plenty and their cherished 
mode of life could be enjoyed.* 

Hugh Karr was born in County Donegal, North Ire- 
land, of Scotch-Irish parentage, in the year 1772. In 
1784 he, in company with his father, Matthew Dennis 
Karr, and his brothers Charles and Matthew, emigrated 
to the United States, landing at Philadelphia. Here he 
remamed until the death of his father, who was fatally 
injured while engaged as a stone-mason, assisting in the 
erection of a church building in that city. After that he 
labored at North Hampton, Pennsylvania, where he re- 
mained until manhood, meanwhile having been married 
to Mary M. ShuU, daughter of Peter Shull, we believe, a 
well-to-do German farmer of the vicinity. Meanwhile, 
having heard of the wonderful fertility of the " Miami 
country," he, with his brother-in-law, the Shulls, Shoupes 
and others of the vicinity, set out with their families for 
Wheeling, where they embarked on " Broadhorns " and 
Pirouges, floating down the Ohio to North Bend, where 
they arrived late in the autumn of 1793. During the 
next winter he, together with others, occupied a portion 
of the old block-house at that place, and while residing 
there his oldest surviving son, John Karr, was born in Janu- 
ary 1794. Duringthe winter and early spring he selected 
a tract near the " Goose Pond " neighborhood, in Miami 
township, where he built a cabin and made a clearing, 
with the intention of purchasing the same. Here he re- 
mained with his family for two years. Meanwhile 
rumors were rife as to the unstable condition of the title 
to the lands embraced in the celebrated Symmes 
Puchase, and becoming discouraged thereat, he decided 
to remove further westward, and accordingly crossed the 
Great Miami into the then vast, unpeopled domain west 
of that river, and again became a squatter upon a tract 
of land lying near the west end of the present Cleves 
bridge, in Whitewater township, where he erected a 
cabin and made a considerable clearing, meanwhile 
deeming himself secure in his rights as a "Squatter Sov- 
ereign." Here he remained until he was ousted by a 
superior legal title held by a speculator, who had quietly 
obtained a patent for the lands so occupied from the 
United States. Soon after this he secured letters patent 
from the United States Government for the southwestern 
quarter of section nine, town one, range one, east, in this 
township, which he entered and occupied as his home- 
stead till the time of his death, August, 1839. His 
widow, Mary M. Karr, survived him until the year i860, 
when she died, aged nearly eighty-eight years. The fam- 



*The remaining notes unde 
Cliidlaw. 



this head were not prepared by Mr. 



ily of Hugh Karr consisted of five daughters and four 
sons, who survived him. The former, after marriage, 
immigrated to different points in the west, one daughter 
only having deceased in the neighborhood of the old> 
home. All of the daughters were mothers of large fami- 
lies. Of the sons, John and Charles remained in the 
vicinity of the old homestead, John dying in 1857, aged 
sixty. three, without children, and Charles in 1853, aged 
forty-six years. James removed to McLean county, Illi- 
nois, where he died a few years ago. Joseph at the 
present writing is residing near Fieldon, Jersey county, 
Illinois. The three last named brothers were and are 
fathers of families. 

Major Charles Karr, the second surviving son of Hugh 
and Mary M. Karr, as above stated, was born at the old 
homestead in Whitewater township in 1806. He inter- 
married with Jerusha Harvey, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, second daughter of Joseph Harvey, esq., later one 
of the pioneers of the Whitewater valley. Major Karr 
died in April, 1853, aged forty-six years. His widow 
still survives him. His family, surviving him, consisted 
of seven sons and one daughter, viz: John, Joseph H., 
Matthew H., Charles W., William W. N., Caroline, Lew- 
is C, and Thomas H. Karr. Of the sons, John and 
Charles W. are members of the Cincinnati bar, Joseph 
H. and AVilliam W. are. farmers residing in Nodaway 
county, Missouri, and Charles C. and Thomas H. in 
Whitewater township. Three of the sons served in vari- 
ous capacities during the war of 186 1-5 — John as State 
military agent, under Governors Brough, Anderson and 
Cox; Charles W., as a captain in the Second regiment, 
Kentucky volunteer cavalry, and afterwards as Adjutant- 
general of Ohio, under Governors Hayes and Young in 
1876-7; Matthew H., as a sergeant in company B, Four- 
teenth regiment, Illinois volunteer infantry, and died 
from injuries and exposure upon the battlefield of Shi- 
loh, Tennessee, April, 1862. 

Jacob Herrider was born in Pennsylvania, near Som- 
erset, January, 1790, and came to this county in 1795 ^^^ 
1796. He first stopped at White Oaks for one year; 
then came to Crosby township and remained seven years; 
then to Cincinnati for three years, draying; then to Mi- 
amitown and bought the first lot sold there after the town 
was laid out. First he worked at the cooper's trade. He 
at last bought a mill — flouring-mill — built by Major 
Henrie and continued in this busmess ten or fifteen years, 
at the end of which time he began in agriculture and 
continues yet, except not in the vigor of full manhood. 
His wife — first wife — Nancy Vantrese, bore him two sons 
and one daughter, the latter being dead. His second 
wife was Susan Henrie, whom he married November 24, 
1824, who bore him five children — three sons and two 
daughters. Mrs. Herrider's father and mother came 
from Pennsylvania when she was a child and were called 
Pennsylvania Dutch. She was born December 24, 1802. 
Her grandfather Michael Henrie — the name has been 
mutilated — was a brother of Patrick Henry, of Revolu- 
tionary fame. Her grandmother was sister of John H. 
Piatt, one of the early and noted citizens of Cincinnati. 
Mr. and Mrs. Herrider are active consistent members of 



4o8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



the Methodist Episcopal church of Miami, he building 
the church — but which was rebuilt last fall — by contract 
in 1834. His father lived to be over one hundred years 
old ; and at this writing he is the oldest man in White- 
water township. 

Samuel McHenry, a native of Pennsylvania, emi- 
grated from that State in 1806 and settled at Elizabeth- 
town, on the farm now owned by Mr. Ezra Guard. The 
same year he was appointed by Governor Tiffin as cap- 
tain in the Ohio Militia, and, May 23, 181 1, was com- 
missioned Major of the First battalion. Third regiment. 
First brigade. First division, in the militia. His wife was 
Margaret Piatt, also a native of Pennsylvania, who died 
at Elizabethtown June 22, 1845. He died in Indiana in 
1858, aged eighty-one. 

Ephraim Collins, born in the Keystone State in 1766, 
settled in this township in iSio. 

Richard Simmonds, born March 14, 1800, near Balti- 
more, Maryland, came to Ohio in 1806, and settled on 
Lees creek, this county, one mile south of the Butler 
county line. In July, 1825, he married Susanna Potten- 
ger, daughter of Samuel Pottenger, founder of New Bal- 
timore, of Crosby township. By this marriage two sons 
and two daughters were born, one son — James — the only 
child living. Richard Simmonds has two grand- and two 
great-grandchildren ; had four brothers and two sisters. 
His life has been an active one, engaging in farming, 
dealing in stock and barter generally, during the twenty- 
five years which was spent on Lees creek. During seven 
years which followed at Sater in Crosby township, and 
the forty. seven years at Miamitown, great industry has re- 
warded him with handsome gains. The hardy forest lies 
fallen under his stroke ; the Indian, the wolf, the deer, 
the bear, these, too, have gone, and now, in declining age, 
a life freighted with philanthropy and good actions for 
imitation he retires to domestic happiness, waiting for a 
reaper which will soon gather an abundant harvest. 

Silas Van Hayes, was born May 31, 1833, and is the 
son of Enoch and Sarah E. His mother was Stephens, 
married in April, 18 13. His father came from Chester 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and died October 23, 
1857, in Dearborn county, Indiana, being born Decem- 
by 27, 1791. Silas Van is one of a family of five sons 
and three daughters, the youngest, Silas, the only one liv- 
ing. His father is of Scotch-Irish descent. His mother's 
father was of Irish origin, and his grandmother came 
from New Jersey. In education he devoted himself for 
two terms in earnest effort at Farmer's college, and would 
have continued longer, but his father's health failing, he 
was called home and never permitted to return. In 
August, 1857, he married Rachel P. Miller, daughter of 
Enoch H., of Dearborn county, Indiana, who bore him 
five sons and five daughters — three sons and two daugh- 
ters being dead. Politically, S. V. Hayes is one of note. 
For five years he has been a member of the board of 
control and in minor offices has been prominent. Mr. 
Hayes is one of the coming men of this county. 

Moses B. Wamsley was born in Kentucky, in 1814, 
and two years afterwards was brought to Whitewater 
township by his parents. He became, in due time, a 



farmer and grain buyer, and has been, for twenty-five 
years, one of the most extensive dealers in this part of 
the country. In 1839 he was married to Miss Eunice 
Hayes, of the well known pioneer family. They have 
had nine children — five sons and four daughters, viz.: 
Anderson B., Anna H., Albin C, James Finley, Abitha 
B., Mary Fiance.s, Job H., Arabella, and Chalon G. Those 
deceased are Anna and Albin. Mr. Wamsley resides in 
Miami township, and is one of the prominent and sub- 
stantial citizens of the county. The only representa- 
tive residing in Whitewater township, is Anderson, the 
eldest son, who was born in the year 1840. He resided 
with his parents until the time of his marriage, in 1867, 
to Miss Mary H. Lewis. To Mr. and Mrs. Wamsley 
were born seven children — four sons and three daughters: 
Jqseph L., Benjamin B., Anna, Clara, Edward H., 
Mary Alice, and George L. Mary Alice died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Wamsley is one of the enterprising young 
farmers of Whitewater. He was a soldier in the 
war of 186 1-5 for more than three years. He en- 
listed as a private, but received three commissions as 
first and second lieutenant and captain. He was in 
numerous severe engagements, but fortune favored him 
and he escaped unhurt, and returned to his home 
crowned with all the honor to which our gallant sons 
were justly entitled. He has been assessor of his 
township various times, thus bespeaking for him the full 
confidence of the people. Mrs. Wamsley is an earnest 
member of the Presbyterian church and a staunch sup- 
porter of the faith. Mr. Wamsley is not associated with 
any church organization, but ever favors the right and is a 
firm advocate of law and order. 

Henry Lemmons was born May 4, 1838, on the Great 
Miami river, one mile south of Miamitown, on the old 
homestead, and married Sallie J. McHenry, September 
28, 1865, daughter of Esquire Joseph McHenry, of 
Colerain township. By this union one child — a son, 
Harry — was born March 30, 1867. Mrs. Lemmons was 
born August 19, 1840. David Lemmons, his father, 
came from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1816; settled in 
Colerain township for ten years, and then came to White- 
water township, where he resided until his death, in 187 1. 
His mother, Margaret Shrill, as well as his father, was of 
German descent, coming from the nobility of Europe. 
Henry Lemmons has two brothers and two sisters, all of 
whom are living. Mrs. Lemmons is one of a family of 
six sons and seven daughters, five of the family, three 
sons and two daughters, with her parents, being dead. 
Her father descended from clear Scotch blood, while her 
mother, Nancy, daughter of Samuel Pottenger, founder 
of New Baltimore, comes from excellent parentage. 
They are among the first families of the county. 

Nicholas Reeder was born in Germany in the year 
1819. He came to Hamilton county in the year 1849. 
In 185s he married Miss Elizabeth Sowers. They have 
no children. The occupation of Mr. Reeder has always 
been that of a farmer. In 1859 he made the purchase 
of a beautiful tract of land, which he now owns and oc- 
cupies. He is one of the substantial farmers of the 
township. 



REV. VV. B. CHIDLAVV, A. M. 



Rev. W. B. Chidlaw, A. M., was born in Bala, North 
Wales, Great Britain, July 14, 181 1. His paternal an- 
cestors were Huguenots, who, in the persecution which 
o lowed the revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1685, 
fled from France and found refuge among the mountains 
of Wales. His parents were Benjamin and Mary Chid- 
law. They emigrated to the United States in 1821. 
Their voyage in the ship Manhattan, from Liverpool to 
New York, occupied forty-seven days. From New York 
they reached Albany in a sloop, on the Hudson, in a 
week ; thence in wagons to Schenectady, and up the 
Mohawk river in a keel-boat to Utica. After remaining 
here a few weeks with some Welsh friends, they pro- 
ceeded in wagons to 
Black Rock (now 
Buffalo), and on the 
" Walk-in- the-water," 
the first steamboat 
that plowed the 
waters of Lake Erie, 
they voyaged to Low- 
er Sandusky. After 
waiting here for trans- 
portation for several 
days, a wagon was 
secured to take the 
family — parents, a 
daughter and son — to 
Delaware, Ohio, 
where several of the 
neighbors in Wales 
had settled some 
years before. In a 
few weeks the father, 
stricken by fever, 
died. In 1822, his 
mother, a noble 
Christian woman, en 
ergetic and capable 
bought a tract of land 
in the Welsh settle 
ment of Radna, a 
few miles from Del- 
aware. Here, in a 
log cabin home, the 
fatherless boy spent 
his early years, ac- 
quiring habits of industry and skill m the use of the axe, 
the hoe, and the sickle. In Wales he had been taught 
in the Sunday-school of the Congregational church of 
his native village to read, revere, and believe the Holy 
Scriptures, in his vernacular. In 1823, in the log school- 
house of the settlement, with Webster's spelling book, 
for which he bartered four pounds of butter, he com- 
menced his English education. Engaged in labor dur- 
ing the summer, and attending school in winter, he 
mastered Webster's spelling book, read the Columbian 
Orator, and grappled with Pike's arithmetic. In 1826 
he attended the school of Bishop Chase, at Worthington, 
and one term of Kenyon college, the first after the insti- 




tution, was removed to Gambler, Ohio, in 1827. In 1829 
he united with the Presbyterian church, worshipping in a 
log chapel five miles from his mother's home. The same 
year he taught school in the settlement, receiving nine 
dollars a month salary, and his board in the hospitable 
cabins of his employes. Encouraged by the religious 
people in the settlement, and anxious to be useful, he 
organized a Sunday-school in the log meeting-house, 
which became a decided success. This service in his 
early religious life, with the deep convictions of his own 
mind, led him to consecrate his life to the work of the 
gospel ministry. Aided to the extent of the resources of 
his widowed mother, and his own earnings by manual 

labor and teaching, 
he graduated in the 
Miami university, 
Oxford, Ohio, in 
1833. He studied 
theology as aresident 
graduate with six 
other students, under 
Dr. R. H. Bishop, 
Professors McGuffey 
Armstrong, and 
Scott, the able fa- 
culty of the univer- 
sity. Like many 
others of his worthy 
fellow-students, sacri- 
fices were made to 
obtain an education. 
Compelled to a rigid 
economy during his 
course of training for 
the work of life, he 
boarded himself at 
thirty eight cents a 
week during the win- 
terterms. Hebought 
corn meal at ten 
cents a bushel, po- 
tatoes the same price, 
and beef at one cent 
and a half a pound, 
choice cuts. Raw 
material at these 
I " prices, and, being his 

own cook, he lived comfortably, enjoyed good health and 
great facilities for study. 

In 1835 he was licensed to preach by the presbytery 
of Oxford, and accepted a call to the Welsh settlement 
of Paddy's Run, Butler county, Ohio, preaching in the 
Welsh and English languages. Organizing Sunday- 
schools and preaching outside the bounds of his con- 
gregation, his labors were blessed in the furtherance of 
the gospel, as well as in his own special charge. In 
1839, invited by an aged and wealthy uncle in Wales, 
with his venerable mother, he visited the land of his 
birth. During this visit he travelled extensively over the 
Principality, preached in over a hundred chapels, wit- 



MRS. W. B. CHIDLAW. 



•nessing wonderful revivals of religion. In one congre- 
gation, Llanuwchllyn, near Bala, his native town, over 
two hundred souls were converted and added to the 
church. On his return, in 1840, he entered the service 
of the American Sunday-school union, as its superin- 
tending missionary for Ohio an<3 Indiana, in which he 
has continued until the present, except during the war 
of the Rebellion, when he was chaplain of the Thirty-ninth 
Ohio volunteer infantry, Colonel John Groesbeck's regi- 
ment, and in the service of the United States Christian 
commission. In his regiment he was a good Samaritan 
and true evangelist, caring faithfully for the souls and 
the bodies of the brave men for whose good he served 
God and his country. 
His daily religious 
service, reading the 
scriptures and pray- 
er in the presence 
of the regiment at 
dress-parade, his 
Sunday-school and 
preaching, as well as 
pastoral labors in the 
tent or barracks, the 
soldiers always ap- 
preciated and en- 
joyed. At Camp 
Benton, near Sl 
Louis, in the autumn 
of 1861, when ten 
regiments were en 
camped. Colonel 
Curtis commanding, 
invited him to 
preach on the day 
of fasting and prayer 
appointed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln. In 
the presence of this 
large body of troops 
and their officers, he 
discoursed on "the 
conditions of Divine 
deliverance in times 
of national peril," 
founded on Second 
Chronicles 7. 14. In 
the hospitals of Per- 

ryville, Kentucky, Nashville, Millikin's Bend, Murfrees- 
borough, Stevenson and Chattanooga, his labors of love 
in behalf of the Christian conversion were abundant and 
useful, a true friend and a willing helper to the sick, 
the wounded and the dying soldiers. 

In 1863 Governor Brough appointed him trustee of 
the Miami university, an office he still holds. In 1866 
he was appointed by Governor J. D. Cox trustee of the 
Ohio Reform Farm school for boys, at Lancaster. Re- 
appointed by Governors Hayes and Bishop, he served 
the commonwealth faithfully for fourteen years. In 1880 
he was oppointed by the American Sabbath-school union 
to represent the National society at the Raikes Sunday- 




school centennial memorial services, held in London, 
when over five hundred delegates, representing fourteen 
Christian nations, assembled to celebrate the first cen- 
tury of Sunday-school history. Before returning home 
he spent two months among the mountains of his native 
Wales, delighted by the cordial welcome and genial fel- 
lowship of old and new friends, participating in various 
religious services, and enjoying life on the sea shore and 
climbing the grand old rock-ribbed mountains. 

Now, in sight of the seventieth milestone in life's jour- 
ney, he enjoys good health and vigor, and is fully de- 
voted to his chosen work, connected with the interest of 
religion and the early Christian education of our youth. 

In 1842 he mar- 
ried Miss Rebecca, 
youngest daughter of 
Ezekiel and Mary 
Hughes. They were 
blessed with eight 
children. Henry 
Kerr, the youngest, 
died in 1862, and the 
eldest, Martha, who 
married John Karr, 
died in 1873, leaving 
seven children, Mar- 
tha, Jane, Rosa, 
John, Benjamin C, 
Charles and Mary C. 
John Chidlaw, their 
eldest son, married 
Miss Harriet Hayes. 
They have four chil- 
dren — Edward H., 
Rebecca C, Martha 
and Walter. Benja- 
min, their second 
son, married Lucre- 
tia T. Matson, and 
have one son — Wil- 
liam M. Chidlaw. 
James H., their 
youngest living son, 
married Miss Eliza- 
beth Tanney. They 
had three children 
— Harry, Ida and 
Grace. They have 
three daughters— Mary Irene, Anna and Jane Carter- 
unmarried and at home, cheering and blessing the de- 
clining years of their earthly pilgrimage with ministrations 
of love and kindness. The family residence of Mr. 
Chidlaw is on a large and valuable farm on the banks of 
the Miami. The old mansion is in a beautiful grove of 
forest trees, and is surrounded by the homes of his three 
sons, who are cultivating the farm with industry, enter- 
prise and skill. As the shadows of the eventide of a 
long and useful life are gently falling on their pathway, 
they wait in hope for the hour of departure from the la- 
bors and joys of life to the rest and glory of the life 
eternal. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



409 



Aaron Simonson, third son of Barnabas and Elizabeth 
Simonson, and subject of the following sketch, was born 
in Hamilton county, November 17, 1840. He resided 
with his parents until the time of his marriage, in 1867, to 
Miss Anna Wait. To Mr. and Mrs. Simonson were born 
four children, two sons and two daughters. Their names 
are as follows: Carrie B., Ada, Albert, and one died in 
infancy unnamed. Mrs. Simonson is an earnest mem- 
ber of the Christian church, and a staunch supporter of 
the faith. 

Jacob Haire came from Virginia to Whitewater in 
181 7, became a farmer there, and died in New Orleans 
in 1852. His wife's maiden name was Susan Hunt. 
She was born in New Jersey, December 16, 1793, and 
died April 5, 1871. They had children as follows: 
Edward, who resides at Chicago; and John P., who 
lives in Janesville, Wisconsin; Mary and Susan re- 
side with George Haire, adjoining the old homestead; 
Charlotte E. Delemater, living at Delhi, Hamilton 
county; Kittie, Humboldt, Kansas. Jacob Haire and wife 
are both dead and lie buried side by side in the little 
burial ground at Elizabethtown. George, the only male 
representative residing in the county, was born in Eliza- 
bethtown in the year 1831. His vocation through life 
has been that of surveying and farming. He was mar- 
ried in the year 1850 to Miss Catharine Porter, daughter 
of quite an early and distinguished family. Her father 
being in early life a school-teacher, afterwards a justice of 
the peace for many years, and later, in the fall of 1835, 
he represented his people in the legislature. He died 
January 30, 1857. His widow is still living and resides 
with her son-in-law. To Mr. and Mrs. Haire were born 
three children, two sons and one daughter — Ada Callo- 
way, resides at Madison, Indiana; Jacob H., M. D., 
and Charles L., teacher, both reside at home. Mr. Haire 
and wife are earnest members of the Presbyterian church 
and are staunch supporters of the faith they profess. 

Otho Hayes was born May 18, 1810, in Dearborn 
county, Indiana, and married March 15, 1835, Eliza 
Miller, of same county, born May 3, 1818. His father 
was of English extraction and his mother of Scotch 
descent. Joseph Hayes, his great-grandfather on his 
father's side, was one of Washington's captains. Walter 
Craig, his great-grandfather on the side of his father's 
grandmother, was a colonel of Washington's. Solomon 
Hayes, his grandfather on his father's side, came to North 
Bend in 1795, from Chester county, Pennsylvania. 
Thomas Billingsley, his grandfather on his mother's side, 
came to Reading, Ohio, about the close of the eighteenth 
century. Otho Hayes is the father of sixteen sons and 
two daughters, eleven of whom are living — nine sons and 
two daughters. In business he farmed, and in commerce 
made twenty-five round trips to New Orleans. Thomas 
Miller, Mrs. Hayes' grandfather, was from Pennsylvania, 
a German. Enoch Hayes, her grandfather on her mother's 
side, was of English descent, son of Captain Joseph 
Hayes. Captain Hayes' mother was Joanna Passmore. 
This family is interwoven closely and handed down to 
generations a handsome legacy. 

John J. Dumont was born in Vevay, Switzerland county, 



Indiana, March 26, 1816. On his father's side he is of 
Hollandish origin. Richard, his father, came from New 
Jersey to Muskingum, Ohio, and was a volunteer under 
General Harrison. Jeremiah Phillips, his mother's father, 
was a Virginian by birth ; emigrated to Kentucky, and 
settled at the mouth of the Kentucky river ; was a spy 
of great note in the Revolution. Phillips was the first 
ferryman and tavern-keeper at the mouth of the Kentucky 
river. He took an active part in Indian warfare and 
strategy. Matilda Phillips, his mother, was a woman of 
powerful energy; she aided much in pioneer life. Rich- 
ard, his father, married October 7, 1814, at Vevay, Indi- 
ana. Five daughters and three sons were born, seven of 
whom are living, J. J. Dumont being the oldest. August 
27, 1837, John J. married Eliza L. Siebenthall, who bore 
him eight children — five living. April 26, 187 1, he mar- 
ried his second wife, a Mrs. Hayes, who was Major C. S. 
Hayes' widow, but whose maiden name was Josephine A. 
Lucas. By this marriage one child has been born. Gen- 
eral T. J. Lucas, her brother, enlisted and served through 
the Mexican war, and at the opening of the Rebellion en- 
listed again, was chosen captain, and returned home a 
brigadier general. In politics he now takes an active part 
and affiliates himself withtheRepublican party. Inthe mat- 
ter of occupation Mr. Dumont is an engine builder, and 
of late years has engaged himself principally in farming. 
He built boilers at two different periods at Indianapolis 
for fifteen years, and at Cincinnati belonged to the firm 
of C. T. Dumont & Co. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Warren West came from Beaver, Pennsylvania, where 
he was born March 27, 1814, to Lawrenceburgh, Mary- 
land, along with five brothers and two sisters — of whom 
three brothers and both sisters are dead — in 1826. His 
parents were from Massachusetts, and came from Penn- 
sylvania early in life. Both descended from splendid an- 
cestry. His father died in 1832 with the cholera; his 
mother died in the year 1863 or 1864. His father 
was Zeddrick, and his mother's maiden name Rox- 
ana Parsons. Two brothers — Stephen and Warren — 
furnish the most extraordinary copartnership in the an- 
nals of Hamilton county. For forty years they carried 
on business without a written agreement or settlement. 
Everything was held in common. They began poor boys 
and ended with almost fifteen hundred acres of splendid 
bottom land. The division was made at a cost of twen- 
ty-five dollars, and only a surveyor assisted. Stephen was 
married twice, and died August 28, 1879. Warren was 
married three times; first to Brilla Ann Ross; second 
to Mary Jane Hayes, daughter of Walter Hayes; third 
to Nancy, a widow, daughter of Joseph Hayes. From 
the three marriages have been born three sons and 
four daughters and ten grandchildren. Nancy West 
was born May 31, 1819, and married January 4, 1855, to 
Mr. West. Mrs. West has been the mother of two sons 
and three daughters. Her father was of English and her 
mother of Scotch descent. As a business man Mr. 
West made forty-five trips to New Orleans ; has sold im- 
mense quantities of grain, and dealt a great deal in stock. 
As members of the Methodist church both are respected. 



410 



HISTORY QF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



They now in old age give a two-fold legacy to their 
descendants. They transmit to their offspring many 
choice parts. 

Uriah Rice, who was born in Granville, Vermont, 
April 19, 1808, and came to Covington, Kentucky, in 
1834, is one of the educated characters who belong to 
this county, who have died and who have gathered a 
a choice reward. For three years he taught school in 
Covington, then crossed over to Cincinnati and taught 
for thirty-seven seasons, acting as principal of the Eighth 
district school for fifteen years. He then came to White- 
water township, located on a farm three miles and a half 
north of Cleves, and remained there until his death on 
April 17, 1878. January 6, 1840, he rnanied Goodale 
Huntington, of Rochester, Vermont, who bore him one 
daughter, who is living and married. His mother was 
Persis Goodeno, of Vermont ; his father, Joel, was one of 
Vermont's early pioneers. In July, 1851, he married 
Elizabeth M., daughter of Benjamin Cilley, of White- 
water. By this marriage two sons were born, one being 
dead, Benjamin C, the other living. By preference Uriah 
chose an education, while his brothers took their wealth 
in money and real estate. In Mr. Rice there were 
qualities which speak volumes for a ripe and generous 
education. Unselfishly devoted to the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, caring nothing for creed, he died respected 
and esteemed by all about him. 

John Reese, son of Robert, was born July 19, 1854. 
His father came from Wales in 1844; by trade a carpen- 
ter, but during the latter part of his life farmed on the 
Big Miami, below Miamitown one mile, and died October 
5, 1872. His mother, Jane, daughter of John L. 
Breese, came from Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 18 19, and 
married January 15, 1851. By this union one son and 
two daughters were born, all of whom are living. Some- 
time during the gold excitement of 1852, Mr. John 
Reese visited California, remained three years, being en- 
gaged in the various occupations of the time. He, along 
with his venerable wife, belonged to the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. By his death the Sunday-school lost an 
admirable and uncommonly successful superintendent. 
His virtues survive him, and cannot be corrupted or for- 
gotten. 

THE BEREA CHAPEL. 

The early settlers, appreciating the importance of re- 
ligion, always welcomed its ministers with genial hospi- 
tality, and gladly granted the use of their log cabins as 
preaching places. With the increase of population, the 
laudable desire to secure a house of worship led the set- 
tlers to petition the Legislature of Ohio, in 18 19, to in- 
corporate the "Berea Union Society of Whitewater 
township." The petition was granted, and the society 
organized, but no records of its operations are extant until 
August 22, 1822, when a meeting of the society was held. 
Then a meeting was held in the house of Ezekiel Hughes, 
esq., for the purpose of choosing trustees. 
According to notice previously given, and agreeable to an act of the 
'Ohio legislature for the incorporation of religious societies, passed in 
the said State February 5. 1819, a sufficient number of members being 
present, as required by said act, Isaac Swaringen was chosen chair- 
man, and Jacob Fenton clerk. The following persons were chosen 



trustees: John Ewing, Benjamin Cilley, Uz Noble, Isaac Swaringen 
and John Speer. 

At the same meeting the following paper, introduced 
by Ezekiel Hughes, was unanimously adopted: 

Wherkas, It is thought desirable that a house of worship be erected 
in this neighborhood for the public worship of God and for the purpose 
of a school-house. The site proposed is at the burying-ground, on 
Ezekiel Hughes' land. The building to be a frame, forty feet by thirty 
feet, as the liberality of the subscribers appears to warrant it. The de- 
nominations to preach there are; Congregationalists, Baptists, Episco- 
palians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, and United Brethren. 

A subscription paper still extant shows that the people 
had a heart to build a house for the Lord and their gen- 
erous liberality. 

Ezekiel Hughes, one acre of land, and $100 00 

Benjamin Cilley 15 00 

John Ewing, labor or materials 25 00 

Ed. Treadway, in work 10 00 

William Leeper, in materials 15 00 

James Oury, cash 12 00 

William Henry Harrison, lumber 15 00 

Stephen Wood, in labor 10 00 

John Noble, materials 10 00 

Alien Leeper, in labor 25 00 

Uz Noble, work and board hands 25 00 

David Noble, work 10 00 

John Noble, work and materials 10 00 

Joseph Noble, in hauling 5 00 

William McFerrin, labor 5 00 

James Anderson, in work 5 00 

J acob Fenton , materials 5 00 

John Snider, two dollars cash and three dollars in work 5 00 

C. H. Williston, five gallons whiskey (three gallons used at the 
raising). 

Hugh Karr, in work 5 00 

Thomas Williams, cash 3 00 

James Goodrich, in work 4 00 

Six other subscribers, in work 10 00 

On the basis of this subscription the work of building 
was commenced at once and prosecuted with great earn- 
estness, for the friends of the enterprise had a heart for 
the work. 

The following subscription paper indicates the pious 
zeal and liberality of the ladies: 

The female part of the society of Whitewater township, jealous of 
their own rights in contributing towards objects of public benefit and 
utility, are determined to follow the good e.\ample of their worthy lords 
and masters; and, as an instance, are determined to contribute their 
mite towards the completion of the Union Berea meeting-house, which 
has been erected and in part finished by the voluntary subscription of 
the male part of our society alone. Therefore, the subscribers will pay, or 
cause to be paid , unto the trustees or treasurer of the said meeting-house, 
for the sole purpose of completing the inside work thereof, the amount 
affi.ved to our respecti\e names this twenty-fifth day of June, 1823. 

On this subscription paper are wTitten the names of 
fifty-nine noble mothers and their daughters, contributing 
in the aggregate the sum of thirty-six dollars eighty-seven 
and one-half cents, no mean sum at that time, when 
money was so scarce and so diiScuIt to obtain. An 
analysis of this sacred relic of the days of old shows 
that Mrs. Anna Harrison, of North Bend, the estimable 
wife of General W. H. Harrison, subscribed two dollars. 
Eight other ladies subscribed each one dollar, seventeen 
gave fifty cents each, thirty-three gave twenty-five cents 
each, and one Martha Hughes (who still survives), then a 
child of five years, gave twelve and a half cents. 

DEDICATION SERVICES. 

In 1823 the house of the Lord, being completed, was 
publicly dedicated to the service of God. This was a 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



411 



great and memorable day in the religious history of the 
township. A large and interested audience assembled; 
Rev. Thomas Thomas, of Paddy's Run, and Rev. S. 
Slack, D. D., of Cincinnati, conducted the services, 
which lasted three days. For seven years ministers of 
different denominations preached in Berea chapel, but 
no religious society was organized until 1830, when Rev. 
Sylvester Scovil, of Lawrenceburgh, established a church 
known as the "Presbyterian church of Berea and Eliza- 
bethtown," with John Ewing and Thomas Hunt as ruling 
elders, and a membership of twenty-five. The same 
year a Sabbath-school was established at Berea, and has 
enjoyed a continued existence until the present time. 
Berea has been useful as the place where funeral services 
are held, and gospel preaching on alternate Sabbaths. 
It is still held by a board of trustees, elected according 
to the act of incorporation. The present board of trus- 
tees, Messrs. John Chidlaw, Dr. H. Hunt, and Joseph 
Cilley, have charge of the cemetery and the chapel, 
which is well preserved, a lasting monument of the pious 
zeal and generous liberality of its honored and faithful 
friends and builders. 

OTHER RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The first was an Episcopal Methodist church, the 
formation of a class in the log cabin of Alexander Guard, 
in 1803, by an itinerant minister, whose name can- 
not be ascertained. In early days the camp-meeting in 
Scroggin's grove, near Elizabethtown, was an occasion 
of great interest and spiritual profit to the multitudes 
that attended. In due time a meeting-house was built, 
and, in accordance with the Methodist economy, sup- 
plied with the ministry of the Gospel, exciting a wide 
spread and beneficent influence over the community. 
The Miller, Guard, Hayes, Mills, Dunn, and Scroggin 
families were identified with this church, and many of 
their posterity are found walking in the ways of their 
godly ancestors. 

The Miamitown Methodist Episcopal church was 
organized and a frame meeting-house built about fifty 
years ago, and it continues to this day, where the society 
is rebuilding the house of the Lord erected by their 
fathers. 

The Disciples' church in Miamitown was organized 
many years ago under the efficient and successful min- 
istry of Rev. Knowles Shaw. It enjoyed great pros- 
perity, and still maintains an honorable and useful place 
among the tribes of the Lord. 

The Elizabethtown and Berea Presbyterian church was 
organized in 1830 by the Rev. Sylvester Scovil. The 
following persons constituted the church as its original 
members : Mrs. Charlotte Hunt, Mrs. Mary Elder, Mr. 
Joseph Martin, and Nancy, his wife ; John Ewing and 
Sarah, his wife, dismissed from the Harrison Presbyter- 
ian church, and the following persons by examination : 
Mrs. Nancy Leiper, Samuel Leiper, Margaret Morrow, 
Eliza Barron, Hannah Elder, Deborah Coverdale, and 
Margaret Moore. The following were chosen trustees 
of the congregation : Ezekiel Hughes, John Ewing 
Thomas Hunt, John S. Torrence and William Leiper. 
Mr. Scovil continued to supply the congregation, and af 



the end of the first year twenty-three new members were 
added to the church. The first elders of the church 
were John Ewing, Thomas Hunt and Richard Hughes. 
In 1843, mainly through the liberality of Thomas and 
Jacob Hunt, a beautiful brick meeting-house was erected 
in Elizabethtown, and a parsonage. The following min- 
isters have had charge of the church : Revs. A. McFar- 
land, Charles Sturdevant, E. Scofield, H. Bushnell, B. 
W. Chidlaw, S. Warren, H. W. Cobb, I. Delan.ater, C. 
A. Jemison, C. E. Babb, I. Boal, I. P. Haire, John 
Stuart, H. M. Walker, R. E. Hawley. The Rev. James 
Mitchell is its present pastor, and George W. Haire, 
Ezekiel Hughes, John Chidlaw and William P. Rees, are 
its ruling elders. Among the members of this church, 
and for many years a ruling elder, was Joseph Lewis, a 
man of decided piety, well cultivated mind, and faithful 
in all Christian duties. He died at his home in Eliza- 
bethtown, October 3, 1S66, aged fifty-seven years, having 
served in the eldership with ability and faithfulness for 
twenty-four years. The following young men, members 
of this church, were educattd and entered the Gospel 
ministry: John Noble, William Kendrick, I. P. Haire, 
and John Bonham. 

Many years ago a chapel, called Mt. Hope, was built 
by the Methodist Episcopal church on the hills two miles 
above Miamitown. The town hall has been a place of 
preaching by the Methodists and Presbyterians for many 
years. Sunday-schools were early organized in these 
localities, and well sustained, accomplishing much good 
in the Christian education of the young people. 

CEMETERIES. 

In early times the subject of permanent and improved 
burial places secured but little attention. Families 
buried their dead on their own premises, and many 
graves on farms scattered over the township are now un- 
marked and forgotten. On the gravel bank near the 
railroad viaduct over the Miami river, in a clump of 
yellow locust trees, are the graves of several of the pio- 
neer settlers. Among them are the graves of Thomas and 
Mary Ewing, who owned a large tract of land on which 
this now neglected home of the dead was located. 
Thomas Ewing was a soldier of the Revolution in the 
Pennsylvania line. He participated in several battles and 
was honorably discharged at the close of the war. 

The cemetery at Miamitown occupies a fine location 
and is well improved and beautiful. Several monuments 
of marble and granite adorn the grounds, and a vault as 
a repository for the dead has been built, which will afford 
security against the ghouls who plunder and desecrate 
the resting places of the departed. On the "Oury 
farm" near the town hall is a public burial place in 
charge of the trustees of the township, and is well pre- 
served. 

BEREA CEMETERY. 

At the old chapel is the oldest burying-ground in the 
township. The land was donated by Ezekiel Hughes, 
esq., in 1805, and deeded to the Berea Union trustees. 
The lots are all sold, and held by parties in this and ad- 
joining townships. Here is the grave of Daniel G. 
Howell, esq., who was born in the block house at North 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



Bend, August 23, 1790, and died at Cleves April 16, 
1866. He was the first white .child born in North Bend 
or Miami township, where he always resided, an honored 
and useful citizen and a devoted Christian. On a large 
upright slab of Italian marble is the following inscription; 
"Jonas Frazee. A soldier of the Revolution; a native 
of VVestfield, New Jersey, born 1759, died 1858 — erected 
by the citizens." A beautiful marble pyramid marks the 
grave of Colonel Benjamin Cilley, a native of New 
Hampshire, who died in 1857, aged sixty-two years. The 
family monuments of Ezekiel Hughes, esq.. Rev. B. W. 
Chidlaw, Edward Hunt, esq., and John V. Chamberlain, 
plain and substantial, beautify the secluded home of the 
dead. 

In the graveyard attached to the Presbyterian church 
at Elizabethtown are the honored graves of the Hunts, 
Bonhams, Haires, Rees, Lebow, Hayes, Guards, and 
other pioneer families) with monuments designating the 
spot containing their sacred dust. 

WHITEWATER VILLAGES. 

Cadberry was a pioneer town, laid out by Henry Cad- 
berry in 1802 — one of the very first to be planted in this 
State we.st of the Great Miami. It was in Hamilton 
county, but that still stretched far to the northward. 
Cadberry may, or may not, have been within the limits 
of the old Whitewater township, laid out the next year, 
or of the present Whitewater. 

Shrewsbury was another village, now utterly extinct, 
platted in 1803 by John Bucknell, upon the Great Miami 
river, but on which side we are as yet unable to learn, 
and so cannot locate it certainly in Whitewater town- 
ship. 

Miamitown is situated upon the north half of section 
six, in the northeastern part of the township, at the point 
where the Cincinnati and Harrison turnpike crosses the 
Great Miami, fifteen miles from its mouth. It is oppo- 
site to the southwest corner of Colerain township, upon 
which stood Campbell's station during the period of In- 
dian warfare. Miamitown was laid off on the twenty- 
second of April, 1816, by Arthur Henry. It is thus 
noticed in the Ohio Gazetteer of 18 19: "This town 
promises to become a place of considerable business." 
In the Gazetteer of 1841 it is said to have contained one 
hundred and eighty-seven inhabitants, thirty-three dwell- 
ings, one flouring- and saw-mill, one distillery, two taverns, 
three stores and several mechanics' shops. The macad- 
amized turnpike to Cincinnati and the bridge across the 
Miami, "with two arches of one hundred and sixty feet 
span each," are noticed. It enjoyed a daily mail. It had 
one hundred and thirteen inhabitants in 1830, one hun- 
dred and eighty-seven in 1840, two hundred and twenty- 
three in 1850, and two hundred and seventy-five in 1880. 
At a celebration of the Fourth of July here, in 181 7, 
General Harrison read the Declaration of Independence 
and offered the following toast: "May the fertile banks 
of the Miami river never be disgraced by the culture of 
a slave, or the revenue they afford go to enrich the cof- 
fers of a despot" — which was quite pronounced anti- 
slavery sentiment for those days and for a native Vir- 
ginian. 



Elizabethtown, as we have seen, was settled as early as 
1806, but was not platted as a village until April 15, 
18 1 7, when the town was ushered into being by the 
hands of Isaac Mills.* In later days it has been found 
necessary, in order to meet the requirements of the post 
office department, to give the name Riverdale to the 
post office here. It does not seem to have been noticed 
in the State Gazetteer of 18 19, but in that of 1841 the 
following is said of it: "The Whitewater canal passes 
through this place. It contains several stores, two tav- 
erns, one meeting-house, and one hundred and twenty 
inhabitants." Eleven years before, by the census of 
1830, it had one hundred and thirty-two inhabitants. It 
had two hundred in r88o. 

Berea was a little place laid out about the site of the Be- 
rea meeting-house, in 1817, by Samuel Pottinger. It was 
never much more than a "paper town." 

Valley Junction is not a surveyed town, but simply the 
point of union of the two railroads that intersect the 
township. It has a station-house and two or three 
dwellings. 

Hunt's Grove, on the line of the Whitewater Valley 
railroad, near the junction of the Whitewater and the 
Dry fork, is not a village, but a very pleasant locality, 
famous as a resort for picnics. 

POPULATION, ETC. 

Whitewater had one thousand five hundred and sev- 
enty-four inhabitants by the last census. In 1879 the 
assessed value of its lands, lots, and improvements, was 
seven hundred and sixty-one thousand four hundred dol- 
lars; of its chattel property, one hundred and ninety 
thousand seven hundred and forty-four dollars; and the 
amount of the tax duplicate for the year was therefore 
nine hundred and fifty-five thousand one hundred and 
forty-four dollars. 



Biographical Sketch, 



EZEKIEL HUGHES. 
Ezekiel Hughes was the descendant of an ancient and 
honorable family in the parish of Llanbrynmair, Mont- 
gomeryshire, North Wales, Great Britain. The first of 
his ancestors was Evan ap Owen Each, who died in 
1680. His son, Hugh Evan ap Owen, died in 1720, and 
was succeeded by his eldest son Edward, who, according 
to the Welch custom, took for his surname the given 
narne of his father, and henceforth the name of Hughes 
became the surname of the family. Edward Hughes 
was succeeded by his eldest son, Richard, born in 1700, 
and he by his son, William, born in 1725, and he by his 
son, Richard, who married Mary Jones, of Pen-y-bout, 
in the same parish. They had three children: William, 
Ezekiel, and Martha. The family, for over two hundred 

* There ^v'as another town in Hamilton county, bearing the name of 
Elizabeth, laid oiT in 1847 by Daniel Reeder; but we are unable to lo- 
cate it in any of the townships. 




EZEKIEL HUGHES. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



41' 



years, had lived on a large farm called Cum Carnedd 
Uchaf, leased from Sir Watkin William Wynne, the great 
land proprietor in North Wales. The family owned 
three farms in the same parish; but the leasehold was so 
valuable that, for all these years and to this day, they have 
lived on a rented farm. In accord with the rights of primo- 
geniture, William, the eldest son, became, at the death of 
his father, in 1807, owner of the real estate, and continued 
on the leasehold. Ezekiel Hughes was born August 22, 
1767. His father gave him a good education, sending 
him to Shrewsbury, where a good school was found, 
that he might acquire the English language. At the age 
of eighteen he was apprenticed to learn watch and clock 
making at Machynlleth. His venerable father en- 
couraged him to visit the United States with the view of 
selecting and purchasing a large tract of land for his 
future home. In April, 1795, with a good outfTt and 
in company with his cousin, Edward Bebb (father of 
Honorable William Bebb, late governor of Ohio), 
sailed in the ship Maria, of Salem, Massachusetts, reach- 
ing Philadelphia after a tempestuous and tedious voyage 
of thirteen weeks. He remained in this city and vicinity 
for nearly a year. Congress being in session, he im- 
proved his time by acquiring a knowledge of the govern- 
ment and the laws of the country, and preparing for an 
exploring tour beyond the Alleghanies. In the spring of 
1796, he left Philadelphia for the west. He travelled on 
foot, passing through a Welsh settlement at Ebensburgh, 
Cambria county, Pennsylvania, he reached Red Stone 
Old Fort (Brownsville, Pennsylvania), thence on a flat- 
boat to Fort Washington (Cincinnati). This journey was 
performed in three months. Mr. Hughes, accompanied 
by his trusty and faithful friend, Edward Bebb, explored 
the Symmes purchase, and bought one hundred acres in 
section thirty-four, Colerain township, then an almost 
unbroken forest. Here these two adventurers built a 
cabin and cleared a few acres, and spent their time cul- 
tivating the virgin soil, hunting, and exploring the regions 
beyond the Great Miami river. In 1800 this great and 
fertile domain was surveyed, and in 1801 offered, by the 
United States, for sale. Mr. Hughes purchased two 
sections, Nos. 15 and 16, in Whitewater township, paying 
for it two dollars and five cents per acre. Having se- 
cured this iine body of land, he returned to Wales in 
1803, and married Miss Margaret Bebb, and in 1804 re- 
turned with his bride to their new home on the west 
bank of the Miami river. In less than a year his estima- 
ble wife died, and her remains were the first interred in 
the Berea cemetery, a beautiful spot donated by Mr. 
Hughes for a home of the dead. In 1805 he was again 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Ewing, born in 
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1785. 
Her parents, Thomas a. id Ann Ewing, were from the 



north of Ireland, staunch Presbyterians. Her father 
was a soldier of the Revolutionary army, and participated 
in several battles. He was one of the early settlers of 
Whitewater township, lived to an advanced age, and his 
grave is on the farm which he owned near the Cleves 
bridge. Mr. Hughes leased most of his valuable lands. 
He was a kind and generous landlord, highly esteemed 
by all of his tenants; always ready to help poor, honest, 
and industrious men. They had a family of six sons and' 
four daughters. Ann, the eldest, was born March 6, 
1806, married Edward Hunt in 1830, and has two sons 
— Thomas H., Jacob H., and Mary. Richard was born 
in 1808, married Elizabeth Elder, died in 1850, leaving 
one son, Ezekiel, and six daughters — Elizabeth, Mary, 
Martha, Margaret, Frances, and Rebecca C. Jane was 
born in 1810, and is now residing on the old homestead. 
Thomas was born in 181 2, married Jane Bond and lives 
in Kansas. William was born in 1814, married Amarilla 
Robinson. He died in Iowa, in 1845, leaving one 
daughter — Martha H. Hughes. John was born in i8i6, 
studied medicine, and was a successful practitioner in 
this neighborhood for over thirty years. He married 
Mary B. Clark, and died in 1880, leaving two sons, Wil- 
liam and Richard, and three daughters, Frances, Eliza- 
beth, and Anna. Martha was born in 1818, and lives 
on the old homestead. Edward was born in 1820, mar- 
ried Miss Mary Davis, and has a family of three sons, 
William, John, and Edward, and three daughters, Alice, 
Henrietta, and Mary. James was born in 1823, and 
died in 1840, a very estimable and promising young man. 
Rebecca was born in 1826, married Rev. B. W. Chidlaw 
and has a family of four daughters — Martha, who died 
in 1876; Mary I., Ann, and Jane Carter, and three sons 
— John, Benjamin, and James H. At his death, the es- 
tate, as divided by Mr. Hughes, was inherited by his 
children, and remains to this day, after the lapse of so 
many years, in their possession. In 1820, Mr. Hughes 
suffered a severe fall while descending the steps of the 
First Presbyterian church, on Main street, Cincinnati, 
which lamed him for life. Educated in the Christian 
faith and encouraged by the godly example of his pious 
parents, he, early in life, embraced the religion of Jesus 
Christ, and lived a useful, happy Christian life, leaving 
for his large family the inheritance of a good name, and 
on the second of September, 1849, died the death of 
the righteous in a good old age, full of years, and was 
gathered to his fathers. His bereaved widow continued 
to reside at the old homestead, surrounded by the com- 
forts of life and the society of her children, until her 
death, October 2, 1857, aged seventy-two years. She 
commanded her household in the love and fear of God, 
and her children arise and call her blessed. 



SUPPLEMENTARY MATTER. 



The following biographies, settlement notes and other 
paragraphs have been received since the chapters of this 
volume, to which they severally belong, went to press : 

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP. 

Aaron Hopper, fruit and produce commission mer- 
chant, Cincinnati, Ohio, is a native of Anderson town- 
ship. His father, Abraham, settling in the centre pre- 
cinct of that town about the year 1812, having moved 
from New Jersey to that place, he carried on blacksmith- 
ing for about twenty years, but finally purchased four or 
five hundred acres of land, and farmed quite extensively 
before he died, which was about the year 1867. His 
wife died in 1861. They raised a family of twelve 
children, five of whom are still living, near Mount Wash- 
ington. Aaron Hopper was born in 1820; was raised a 
farmer, receiving such education as the winter schools 
of his day afforded. He began the produce business 
some fifteen years ago on a small scale, more, however, 
for the express purpose of disposing of the products of his 
own farm than as a general business. For this work the 
winter seasons were the time, the summer time being 
spent on the farm ; but as years advanced experience in 
the business was gained, and now the store-room is kept 
open during the twelve months in each year. In 1875, 
Mr. Hopper was elected county commissioner, which 
position he held until 1878. As one of the custodians 
of the county he manifested considerable interest in its 
welfare during his stay in office, and, notwithstanding the 
bribes by the hatful that were offered him, is proud of 
his clear record when he retired. He has filled other 
positions of trust, having been in officefor fully twenty 
years, as township trustee or clerk, etc. 

Abraham Hopper, salesman in a commission house on 
Sixth street, was born in 1825; has his residence near 
Mount Washington, where he owns a valuable farm, and 
was married to a Miss Johnson, of that vicinity. 

J. R. Silvers, of Anderson township, book-keeper for 
the Cincinnati Grange supply house. Third street, Cincin- 
nati, was born April 2, 1857; completed his education 
in Lebanon, Ohio, and in Bryant and Stratton's com- 
mercial college. He was raised a farmer, but after teach- 
ing school six years, became shipping clerk for a fruit 
house on Sixth street, and afterwards for the Grange 
supply house. He was married in 1877 to Miss Emma 
Johnson, of Mount Carmel, Clermont county, Ohio, and 
has two children. His grandfather, John Silvers, came 
to Anderson township in an early day from New Jersey. 
His wife was Catharine Springer, relation of Jacob 
Springer, the wealthy citizen of Wilmington, Delaware. 
Of the six children raised, Joseph E., J. R. Silver's 



father, born tenth of March, 1825, was the fourth child, 
and a well-known citizen of Anderson township. He 
was married to Sarah Hawkins, of the same place, in 
1850, by whom he had seven children — the subject of 
this sketch being the second child. 

Moses S. Shaw, formerly a teacher but now a prosper- 
ous farmer residing in California, is one of the best 
known men in Anderson township. Intelligent and hu- 
morous, he counts his many friends all over the eastern 
part of Hamilton county. Mr. Shaw has always taken 
an active interest in school affairs, and by his hilarious 
good nature has done much to keep down the political 
animosities of old Anderson. Mrs. Shaw, an estimable 
woman, is the granddaughter of Ignatius and An- 
toinette Ross, old settlers at Columbia in the early days. 
The graves of these old pioneers may be seen on a beau- 
tiful knoll near the Ohio, in eastern California. They 
died, the wife in 1827 and the husband in 1829. It is 
related by one of the old folks, that once upon a time 
Mrs. Ross was engaged boiling maple syrup, on what is 
now the town site of California, when, during momentary 
absence, the Indians stole the syrup and broke the ket- 
tles. At another time, when the Indians were threaten- 
ing an attack, Mrs. Ross buried the family treasures, 
gold and silver, in an old kettle. It was never taken up, 
and is yet to be plowed out by some astonished farmer. 

Aaron Hopper lives near Mt. Washingtoil, and owns 
the splendid farm known as "Fruit Hill." He was born 
in Anderson township in 1818; was county commissioner 
in 1875-76-77; and has served near thirty years in town- 
ship otifices as trustee and on the board of education. 
His father, Abram Hopper, came from New Jersey to 
Anderson in 181 2, and with Morris Sharp and James 
Stagg bought large tracts of land in 1814. Mr. Hopper 
is a public-spirited man, doing much for the comfort, 
good name and happiness of the neighborhood. He is 
also engaged as fruit dealer and produce merchant in 
Cincinnati. 

Dr. W. W. Highlands, of Newtown, was born in Co- 
lumbia township, and came to Anderson in 1849. He 
was a surgeon in the late war. The doctor is an intelli- 
gent and estimable gentleman who has practiced about 
thirty years in Anderson township. He has served many 
years in the board of education at Newtown, and is now 
superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday- 
school. 

F. W. Boye, of Mount Washington and of the firm of 
A. A. Colter & Co., wholesale and retail grocers, of Main 
and Sixth streets, was born in Hanover, Germany, in the 
year 1833. In 1849 his lather, with his family, emigrated 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



415 



to America, and came directly to Marietta, Ohio, where 
he run a mill, also carried on farming, but F. P. Boye 
found a situation in a store, where he obtained his first 
ideas of carrying on business. In 1857 he came to Cin- 
cinnati and kept the books for B. P. Baker & Co., corner 
Walnut and Columbia streets, and afterwards for Mill & 
Kline, No. 56 Main street, and in 1862 came here, and 
in 1863 became a member of the firm. In 1863 he mar- 
ried Miss Sallie Colter, sister of A. A. Colter, the well- 
known grocer. He resides in Mount Washington in an 
elegant, substantial homestead of that place. 

Cyrus Broadwell was born May 9, i8or, in Anderson 
township. He spent part of his life in the south, from 
1825 till 1830. He and his brother Jacob opened the 
first boat-store in Cincinnati, at the corner of Sycamore 
and Front streets, where they succeeded in building up a 
flourishing business, which continued until the death of 
Jacob, in 1840. Cyrus then retired to his farm, near 
Newtown, where he resided until his death, March 31, 
1879. His generosity for all religious and charitable 
purposes is well known. 

Carvil Hawkins, one of the oldest citizens of the town- 
ship, was born in what is now Cincinnati, but was then 
outside of the corporation, June 24, 1813, and married 
Achy Shinn March 24, 1833. Mrs. Hawkins was born 
May 26, 1815. His mother is still living at the advanced 
age of eighty-five. Mr. Hawkins began life as a poor 
orphan boy, his father dying before he was born. He 
worked on the Little Miami bottoms when thirteen years 
old for eighteen and three-fourths cents per day, and is 
now one of the solid men in Anderson, owning two hun- 
dred and fifty acres of good, tillable land, and more than 
half a dozen dwelling houses. His entire life has been 
spent in the pursuits of industry, buying timbered farms, 
having the trees burnt into charcoal, and hauling it to 
Cincinnati, trading in all kinds of merchandise, and all 
the while engaged in farming. A great portion of his 
wealth was made in the thirteen years he was engaged in 
coal dealing. He is one of the men who have grown 
from childhood to old age in this county. He saw Cin- 
cinnati in its infancy, the first locomotive which entered 
the city, and Main and Sycamore streets when but a long 
row of stumps, and a rough bluff was at their foot, and 
when there were but si.x houses between Deer creek and 
the Little Miami river. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are both 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, are known 
and admired throughout the county for their Christian 
charity, and esteemed for their interest in all philanthropic 
endeavors. 

Leonard Armstrong Webb was born February 7, 1826, 
on the island north of Newtown, and married May 16, 
1846, Penthesilea Frost, in Harrison township, three- 
fourths of a mile west of the old Lee's Creek Baptist 
church in this county. By this union three daughters 
have been born — Gertrude, Adelaide, and Martha Vane- 
lia. Mr. Webb is grandparent of one child. Education- 
ally, he dwelt altogether in our common schools. Relig- 
iously, he has been a member of the Regular Baptist 
church forty-one years. His father came from Mon- 
mouth county. New Jersey, in 1793. His mother, whose 



maiden name was Hannah Frost, came from Berkeley 
county, Virginia, at the same date, from Bunker Hill, a 
little town situated between Martinsburgh and Winches- 
ter. Mr. Webb owns a well-arranged farm of one hun- 
dred and seventeen acres, and according to good author- 
ity his dwelling occupies the highest point in the county. 

Charles Johnson was born in Anderson township, De- 
cember II, 1819, and married Rebecca Corbly October 
17, 1 84 1. He is the father of five sons, four of whom 
are living. He is of Scotch extraction on his father's 
side, who came from Pennsylvania in 1790, and settled 
in this county. His mother is of Yankee descent, was 
Anna Bridges in her maiden days, and was the first white 
child who crossed over into Anderson township and set- 
tled permanently with her parents. Mrs. Johnson is of 
German origin on the line of her father, and from her 
mother received English blood. By trade Mr. Johnson 
is a carpenter, but is now particularly engaged in farming 
and fruit-growing. He is one of those men who ob- 
tained his knowledge outside of colleges and academies, 
but has that rare culture which comes from experience. 
During the early years of the war he raised a company 
of volunteers, was elected captain, and served with his 
men in the Seventieth Ohio regiment for three years. 
Among the township offices he held are such as justice, 
school director, and other positions, which show the 
estimation-. in which he is looked upon by the people. 

Richard Ayres was born March 17, 18 17, in the south- 
east corner of Anderson township, in sub-school-district 
No. 3, and married December 27, 1842, Matilda Archer, 
of Clermont county. He is father of eight children — 
five sons and three daughters — two dead. Mr. Ayres 
during his entire life has been engaged in farming, but 
dealing a good deal in real estate. He began with sev- 
enty-live acres to which he fell heir by his father's death, 
(the latter came from Maine in 1800), and ended with 
seven hundred and twelve acres. Mr. Ayres' father was 
a ship carpenter, the son of a Hollander. His mother 
was Priscilla Durham, born in Hamilton county, but was 
of English extraction. Her mother came from Mary- 
land. He has been an important influence in the com- 
mon schools, and has taken an active part in religious 
matters, giving donations liberally. He has also always 
interested himself in turnpike building. 

Abner Gerard Hahn, born in Newtown May 9, 181 2, 
was married December 23, 1838, to Lucinda Barrow. 
By trade Mr. Hahn is a blacksmith, in which business 
he continued for twenty years. In 1836 he was a trades- 
man in Cincinnati, but since that time has been employed 
mainly in farming at Newtown. About 1844-5 he was 
one of the trustees of Anderson township, and at several 
other times has held two or three minor offices. His 
entire life has been spent in the vicinity of his birthplace, 
making him one of the very oldest residents. His de- 
scendants will not feel ashamed of their ancestor. 

John J., the father of William Ferris, came from 
Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1812, and settled at Lin- 
wood, where he lived until his death in 1857. Mr. Fer- 
ris is among the first families, and has often filled public 
offices. Hope M. Brown, father of Mrs. Ferris, was a 



4i6 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



practitioner of medicine at Newtown for forty years, re- 
ceiving a diploma from the Miami Medical college. On 
the side of the husband farming has prevailed, while 
Mrs. Ferris' people have followed medicine. 

William Meldrum Ferris, the subject of this sketch, 
was born at Lin wood October 19, 1832, and married 
Sarah A. Brown May 22, i86r, by whom two children 
have been born, both girls. Mr. Ferris' life has been 
spent on a farm from early childhood, except two years 
as a student at Farmers' college. He is now employed 
in surveying, engineering and improving real estate. He 
ceased to farm in 1868. Linwood, jjrincipally through 
his efforts, has been made what it is, he being one of the 
first who realized profits from the sale of lots. 

Abram Bogart was born December 25, 18 12, in New 
Jersey, twenty miles from New York, in Bergen county, 
and came to Anderson township in 1814. There he has 
remained ever since. He married Patsy Bridges Sep- 
tember 22, 1836, and is father of eight children, all of 
whom are living, and all married. He has been a farm- 
er from boyhood. He saw Cincinnati when forest trees 
stood on Fourth and Fifth streets, and saw the high 
water of 1832 on Pearl street. He played in a locust 
grove on the beach of Cincinnati on what was called 
Western Row, now Central avenue. Mrs. Bogart was 
educated in a log school-house, with greased paper window 
panes. Her father came from New England and her 
mother from Virginia. John Bridges, her grandfather, 
was the first white man who built a house in Anderson. 
Both have been members of a Christian church for more 
than forty years. He has divided his property among 
his children, and now lives retired, but is superintendent 
of the Clough turnpike. He is respected by everybody. 

Gano Martin was born February 4, 181 1, and has 
been married three times — first to Elizabeth A. Curry, 
by whom six children were born, two of whom are living, 
one son and one daughter. Mrs. E. A. Martin died Oc- 
tober 31, 1 85 1. Second, to Mrs. Elizabeth Hulick, 
whose maiden name was Nash, April 29, 1852. By this 
marriage three sons were born, all of whom still live, the 
eldest being married. Mrs. Martin died June 20, 1865. 
Third, to Rachel Highlands, April 5, 1866. Educa- 
tionally, he received his instruction in an old hickory log 
school house; religiously, his family from the beginning 
devoted themselves to the Baptist church. Mr. Martin 
joined this denomination in 1844, and was elected dea- 
con in 1846, which office he yet holds. In politics he 
has always served his country first. He was paymaster 
under the old regimental system for six years; has been 
a school director for twenty odd years; during the Re- 
bellion was township trustee, and one of those who 
forced the payment of the township loan of fifteen thou- 
sand dollars for war purposes to be paid at one taxation. 
In the Eastern railway he granted the right of way 
through most of his farm, and took shares in the capital 
stock. In 1879 he received a stroke of paralysis, from 
which he is still a sufferer. But, all in all, he will leave 
behind him an honorable record. 

The father of C. C. Johnson was Jeptha Johnson. 
His mother's maiden name was Martha Estell, her na- 



tive State, New Jersey. His father was born in Virginia. 
His wife's father, Abraham Hopper, was a native of New 
Jersey. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Conklin, 
a native of Ohio, born in this county. Christopher C. 
Johnson was born December 8, 1837; his wife, Joanna 
F. Johnson, April 17, 1843. They were married October 
5, 1865. Their son, Ogden E. Johnson, was born De- 
cember 10, 1867. October 16, 1874, was the birthday 
of their daughter, Carrie E. Johnson. All of the family 
were born in this county, and still reside here. Mr. 
Johnson followed the occupation of teacher in the com- 
mon schools of Anderson township for ten years, and 
since 1868 has been engaged in farming. 

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP. ' 

John D. Moore, born in 1836 at Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania. Came to Cincinnati in 1838; learned the shoe 
business in early life with E. G. Webster & Company. 
Remained in the shoe business until 1865 — the preced- 
ing ten years being on Central avenue near Sixth street. 
Retired to a suburban life at Madeira. Not being suited 
to an inactive life he drifted into the real estate and build- 
ing interest, being instrumental in subdividing and build- 
ing the principal part of the town of Madeira, and en- 
gaged in improving his vacant property in Cincinnati. 
At present and for a number of years superintendent of 
the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school at Madeira. 
Elected member of the board of education for three 
terms. Married to Miss Rachel Mann, of Indian Hill, 
now Madeira, in 1858, daughter of Joseph B. and Cath- 
arine Mann. Both of their parents, John Mann and 
wife and Jacob Hetzler and wife, settled here in the last 
century. 

Major J. B. Mann was born in 1804, and died in i860 
on the same tract of land his parents settled upon. 
Catharine Hetzler, his wife, was born in 1801, near by, 
and died on the same tract of land in 1875 — "°^ ^^^ 
residence of J. D. Moore. Major J. B. Mann was a suc- 
cessful farmer and business man; a public spirited citi- 
zen; a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Indian Hill; and is holding positions of trust in the com- 
munity. 

Charles S. Muchmore, an enterprising and well-to-do 
farmer near Madisonville, was born in Hamilton county 
in 1 83 1. His grandfather removed from New Jersey to 
Madisonville about the year 1800. His father, David 
Muchmore, about the year 1820, married Miss Sarah 
Stites, niece of Judge Symmes and daughter of Benja- 
min Stites. David was born in 1777; his wife was born 
in 1776. They reared a family of six children, Charles 
being the only son now living. He was reared on the farm, 
in which business he has been careful and very success- 
ful, and is, in matters of an agricultural character, regard- 
ed by his fellows as authority. He was married to Miss 
Alvira Leonard January 14, 1855, daughter of a well- 
known and prominent citizen of Hamilton county. Mr. 
Muchmore has been a member of the board of educa- 
tion of the Madisonville schools for the past fourteen 
years. 

Joseph Coppin, of Pleasant Ridge, now in the ninety- 
first year of his age, rame to America by himself when a 



WILLIAM DAVIS MUNDELL. 



William Davis Mundeil, of the firm of Short & Mundell. wholesale and retail 
grocers and produce dealers, 102 East Pearl street, was born near Mt. Washing- 
ton, Anderson township, September 17, 1825. Jonathan Mundell, his grandfather, 
was one of the original settlers of the county; he came from Virginia to Ohio 
before the day log school-houses were erected, it being necessary then for the 
young philomatheans to assemble in squads at some convenient place and by 
mutual consent teach one another. Mr. Mundell was a gunsmith, a man of 
some genius, and one who could render service to his fellows in the early pioneer 
days. He settled with his family, consisting of himself, wife and five children, 
near Mt. Washington about the year 1795. Some pear trees planted by him 
soon after his arrival are still standing. He died about the year 1830. James 
Mundell, his son, and father of William Davis Mundell, was about two years of 
age when his father moved on this farm; he was reared a farmer, possessed no 
educational advantages, his time being taken up in tilling the land and warding 
off the hostile Indians, who were sometimes troublesome. In 1812 he served in 
the war, and received an honorable discharge fiom the ser\ice when it ended 
In 1815 he was married to Miss Marj McM-ihon daughter of Francis and Mary 
McMahon, pioneer set 
tiers of Columbi I town 
ship. The old log house, 
her birthplace, which wis 
then occupied by her par 
ents, is still standmg — 
weatherboarded 
a relic and tenement of 
the early days of Colum 
bia. Mrs. Myndell was 
the mother ol eleven chil 
dren, eight boys ind three 
girls, ten of whom li\ed 
to man and womanhood — 
Mary, Cathi 
drew, Hugh 
Davis, Jacksoi 
R., Martha A. 
and Oscar C. 
large a family, the duties 
incumbent upon her were 
truly irksome, but she 
was blessed with moie 
than ordinary will -md 
courage, and ha\ing that 
large hope 

tic of the pioneer parents, 
did not become, wuh all 
her hardships, disheart 
ened with her lot The 
religion of Christ was her 
support in ever) tr\incc 
hour, and her childit 
once a charge and 
sponsibility, li\ed t i 
her comfort, and to ch 
her declining years ! 
dying hour. 

Adjacent to the t 
on the 
father's cabin 
Baptist church — prol 
the first church in s 



in wait three weeks organizing a force of forty wagons of six horses each. At 
Fort Kearney the company disbanded, seven teams proceeding along the northern 
Pacific route via of Fort Laramie to the Humboldt river, from which place the 
original six from Mt. Washington, after throwing away their wagon, and finally 
alone, proceeded, crossing the desert on pack- 
nd reaching Car- 
I laid in a supply 
• : dollars. At 



Mundell and his broth 
horses, a distanct; of forty miles, going over in the nigh 
son river In the morning— Sunday— where they rested and also 
of provisions, paying for six pounds of flour the snug sum of n 
Sacramento City they sold their stock and footed it up into the 
gion on a mining expedition, but got sick and soon returned 






of: 



of f 






nths' di 



Suder's Fort, 

J the doctor 

1. They ac- 

where it was 

progression the 



Will: 
iW John 




advised a trip on the sea as necessary to a speedy return to he. 
cordingly set themselves adrift in a sail vessel on the Pacific oce, 
becalmed for three weeks, and being disgusted with such slow 
brothers, upon putting in at Acapulco, went aboard a steamer, reaching Panama 
in December, 1850, after being on the water twenty-seven days. They crossed 
the isthmus to Shager's river on mules, paying forty dollars for their tran- 
sit. ■ At this point they 
took canoes to the mouth 
of the river, where, in 
company with about sixty 
others, they set sail in the 
schooner Thorne for New 
Orleans. The Mundell 
brothers had already ex- 
perienced sore disappoint- 
ments in their trip west, 
but the trying ordeal was 
yet to come. The little 
vessel when fairly out at 
sea encountered one of 
those tremendous and 
tempestuous storms, and 
for three days and nights 
was driven like a feather 
in a gale, and turned up 
finally on a coral island 
in the Carribean sea. The 
captain had lost his reck- 
oning and the vessel had 
been driven far out of its 
course and among the 
many dangerous coral 
reefs with which these 
waters are filled. At first, 
upon the stranding of the 
vessel, the captain sup- 
posed the bark would go 
to pieces in half an hour 
and ordered the mate to 
scuttle the fresh water 
baths, but he disobeyed 
orders, and this probably 
saved the lives of the crew 
as the ship was resting 
with one side on the reef 
in about four feet of water, 
the depth ofv 



othe 



nde 



uld 



place of worship; 
little child, she 
wont to 
with her paren 
religious servic 
days it was t 
and necessity to goarmed, 
and her fatherahvays took 
with him his faithful rifle 
and stood sentinel at the 
door or house 
with others, to guard 
against the approach of 
hostile Indians, while the 
minister, old 

and children would hold 
worship in the 
How many of us, 

our day, would go to ^ 

church if attended with 
the dangers that our pio- 
neer fathers had to en- 
counter? 

Mrs. Mundell was born in Columbia township, Hamilton county, Ohio, April 
25t.i7?7; was married in 1813; joined the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem, 
Ohio, in 1840; and died at the residence of her son, Hugh Mundell, Clermont 
county, Ohio, January 27, 1874, aged seventy-seven years. James Mundell 
died about the year 1853. William Davis Mundell was reared on the farm near 
Mt. Washington. He attended school in a log house in the Salem neighborhood 
a few weeks or months each winter, and frequendy religious worship at the same 
place on Sundays — the same house being used for both purposes. In the year 
1843 he apprenticed himself to a Mr. Joseph Hime to learn the blacksmith trade, 
and was to receive about thirty dollars a year for three years for his services. 
The full time was served, with the exception of the last three months, which he 
bought off from his employer that the might attend school, feeling the need of 
a better education. The instruction received during these three months proved 
to be of incalculable benefit to him in after years. He afterwards opened up a 
shop in Mt. Washington, being the first blacksmith of that place. In 1850 Mr. 
Mundell and his brother Hugh organized a company, of six persons in all, from 
Mt. Washington, to cross the plains for California. The wagon for the trip was 
made by Mr. Mundell and Davis Whippy (one of the company), and was so con- 
structed that it could be used as a boat when crossing rivers. They left Cincin- 
nati for St. Joseph, Missouri, March 25, 1850, by steamer, and at that place lay 



ascertained. 

now cast for occupancy in 
the long-boat, there being 
but the one and that only 
large enough to hold si.v 
or eight persons, and these 
were to be taken to a 
little barren egg-shaped 
island full fifteen miles 
off before it could be re- 
turned for another load. 
The Mundell brothers 
were by lots cast destined 
to wait till the last ones. 
Everything shadowed 
forth a precarious condi- 
tion, and in an act of des- 
peration they tore offloose 
boards from the side of the 
vessel with which they 
constructed a scow, hasti- 
ly built but large enough 
to accommodate about fif- 
teen, and in this frail 
structure they reached the 
island. The crew were all saved; provisions and water at the rate of one-quarter 
rations were divided among them. The captain upon taking his reckoning found 
that they were about one hundred miles from Old Town(?) (Balize), Honduras, 
and that it would take at least eight days to go for rescue and return. But the 
time from the stranding of the vessel (2 o'clock in the morning) until their rescue 
was about fifteen days, but deliverance carried them to Balize, from which place 
they sailed in a few days for New Orleans. Their stay on the barren island was 
attended with other dangers than those of abandonment and desolation. They 
were on one-fourth rations and water, and in a feverish and, to them, over- 
heated, torrid clime, but fortune favored them with one or two showers, and the 
tents being up the rain-drops were collected and carefully saved. The island fur- 
nished the iguana, a species of lizard, and the couch which were of great use to 
them for food. At New Orleans Mr. Mundell and his brother took a steamer 
for Cincinnati, but, to make the circuit of accidents complete, we are in truth 
bound to say that the vessel was snagged in the river. But despite ill fortune 
they reached home about March i, 1851, and Mr. Mundell again resumed work 
at his trade. In 1852 he married Miss Pattie C. Corbley, and has since lived in Mt. 
Washington. During the war he served as a recruiting officer for some time, and 
during the Kirby Smith raid was made captain by the unanimous voice of the com- 
pany, but was immediately afterwards put in charge of the regiment as colonel. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



417 



mere lad. He walked in the funeral procession of 
George Washington in 1799, and afterwards in that of 
Alexander Hamilton. Has passed through all the pres- 
idential campaigns from Washington to that of Garfield. 
Came to Cincinnati at an early day; was one of the 
original members of the Pioneer association and possess- 
ing more than ordinary powers of mind. Has passed 
through many and varied experiences of life since that 
time, having always taken an active part in matters of 
public concern, and has always been considered a very 
prominent man. He lives to-day a great-grandfather and 
possesses more than mere ordinary faculties of mind 
and body. 

Charley B. Lewis, proprietor of bakery and lunch- 
room, 193 West Sixth street, came from Portsmouth, 
Ohio, to Cincinnati in the year 1861. His father, 
Thomas C. Lewis, now living, owned the rolling mills 
of that place, the only ones then west of Pittsburgh, in 
which mills Charley learned the business of machinist. 
The property is now owned by his brother-inJaw, George 
Baylis, who is probably one of the wealthiest men of 
the State. Mr. Lewis was for three years after coming to 
Cincinnati a driver of a bakery wagon, for which he re- 
ceived one dollar a day. From this he was promoted 
to a clerkship, and in 1866 bought out the entire busi- 
ness, since which time he has owned it himself. He 
also owns the building No. 206. 

MILL CREEK. 

Rev. Jerome Kilgersteen, in charge of St. Aloysius 
Orphan asylum, was born in Cincinnati February 22, 
1847, his parents being early settlers of this city. Our 
subject graduated from the St. Francis college in June, 
1863, and was ordained in 1870. His first charge was 
to St. George, of Corryville; thence to St. Stephen, of 
Hamilton, Ohio. From there he came to his present 
appointment, which he has been filling very faithfully 
since. 

John Henry Dahman, superintendent of the German 
Protestant cemetery, was born in Hanover, Germany, 
May 27, 1836. He came to the United States and 
landed in New Orleans in 1853, coming direct to Cin- 
cinnati. He was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisted 
in the Second Missouri cavalry, company C, where he 
served for four years and nine days, being mustered out 
as sergeant of company C. He did good service, and 
was honorably mustered out. He then returned to Cin- 
cinnati, where he has remained since. In February, 
1879, he was appointed superintendent of the cemetery, 
in which position he is giving entire satisfaction, gaining 
the good-will of all. He has made a good many im- 
provements in the cemetery, and it is to-day one of the 
handsomest and neatest cemeteries. 

Anton Barkly, florist, near the German Protestant 
cemetery, was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Janu- 
ary 15, 1823. He came to America and landed in New 
Orleans in 1846, then went to Polk county, Tennessee; 
in 1847 came to Cincinnati; and in 1849 went to Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, and engaged in the gardening business. 
In 1863 he returned to Cincinnati, from which time 
his gardening business here dates. Of late years he has 



given his attention to the florist business,, of which he is 
making a good success. He has two hot-houses in good 
order, one sixty by thirteen feet in size, and the other 
eleven by forty feet. Mr. Barkly's father was a large 
grower in the old country; he was also a soldier under 
Napoleon, and participated in the battle of Waterloo. 
He died in Polk county, Tennessee, at ninety-six years 
of age. 

Christian Henning, florist, near the German Protes- 
tant cemetery, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 3, 
1834, where he learned the art of landscaping, garden- 
ing and florist, working at different private places on the 
Rhine. He then came to the United States, and landed 
in Baltimore. In December, i860, he came to Cincin- 
nati and accepted a position with one of the leading 
florists of Cincinnati, where he remained for some fif- 
teen months. He afterward was gardener for some of 
the leading private families of the city. Then he ac- 
cepted a position with the German Protestant cemetery, 
where he remained for thirteen years, during which time 
he superintended the laying out of the grounds and the 
erection of the buildings; after which he began his pres- 
ent business. Mr. Henning has just begun in the busi- 
ness, but is meeting with good success, ranking as a 
number one florist. 

John D. Seefried, florist, near the German Protestant 
cemetery, was born on the old homestead where he is 
now engaged in business, March 11, 1857, and is the 
son of John and Margaret Seefried, who came to Ham- 
ilton county and located on this farm at an early day. 
Our subject is a practical florist. He worked at his 
trade as a florist in some of the leading private places 
around Cincinnati. In 1877 he purchased his present 
business, which had been operated for some years before 
his purchase. Mr. Seefried has three hot-houses, size 
seventeen by fifty, fourteen by fifty, and eleven by fifty. 
He is an active worker, and is meeting with fair success 
in his enterprise. 

Henry Bertrand, florist, near the German Protestant 
cemetery, was born in Brunswick, Germany, August 19, 
1839. Learning the florist's art in his native country, 
he followed this business in Leipsic, Brunswick, and 
Hanover, in some of the leading gardens. He then 
sailed for America, landing in New York city in August, 
1865; thence to New Jersey, where he remained some 
eight months; thence to Louisville; and in 1866 he 
came to Cincinnati. Here he was engaged as a private 
gardener and florist in two of the finest private places in 
Cincinnati, where in the later years he was as manager. 
He then began his present business, now occupying 
three buildings, and it is perhaps one of the best and 
most complete houses in the florist business. Mr. Ber- 
trand is a practically educated florist, standing at the 
head of his profession. He was appointed as one of the 
judges of the florist department of the Cincinnati expo- 
sition, where he gave entire satisfaction. 

Reinhold Schaefer, florist, at the rear of the stock 
yards, was born in Germany in 1850. At fifteen years 
of age, he began to learn the florist business. He spent 
some four years in the city of Perlin, being foreman of 



4i8 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



private gardens. He made a study of landscape garden- 
ing. In 1872 he came to the United States, and worked 
at his trade in Brooklyn, New Haven, Cleveland, thence 
to Cincinnati, where he worked six years for H. Harline, 
one of the leading florists, three years as foreman. In 
1879 he commenced his present place, which, for a new 
place, is one of the most attractive, having two hot- 
houses thirty-five by fifty-four feet, and one house 
twelve by thirty-two feet. Mr. Schaefer has made very 
good improvements on his new place, and is doing a 
veiy profitable business. 

William Schilling, gardener, was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, September 15, 1831. He came to the United 
States and landed in Baltimore in 1858, coming thence 
direct to Cincinnati; commencing to work at the garde- 
ner's business in 1858, which business he has continued 
ever since, moving to his present place in 1868, consist- 
ing now of four and one-fourth acres of fine, improved 
land, which property he accumulated by hard work and 
good manageinent in the garden business. Mr. Schilling 
has been married twice — the first time in i860, to Miss 
Sophie Voss, a native of Germany. From this union 
five children were born. Mrs. Schilling died about 1877. 
He afterward married his present wife, Sophia Righfeld. 
She is a native of Germany. 

William Hockstedt, gardener, was born in Prussia, Sep- 
tember 3, 1832. He came to the United States and landed 
in New Orleans in 1849, thence went direct to Cincin- 
nati. He then went on a farm in Delhi township, Ham- 
ilton county, where he remained until about 1856, when 
he commenced gardening, which business he has contin- 
ued ever since. In 1865 he moved to his present place, 
which is a fine, improved gardening farm, which improve- 
ments were made principally by Mr. Hockstedt. He 
was married in Delhi township April 30, 1852, to Miss 
Louisa Kolthoff, who was born in Prussia, Germany, in 
1831, coming to Hamilton county in 1852. By this 
marriage they have one child, William H., who was born 
in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 3, 1859. Mr. Hock- 
stedt owns nearly seventeen acres of fine land situated 
near Cumminsville. 

Frederick Parker was born in England in 1818. In 
1839 he came from England to America, and made his 
first home in Mill Creek township, Hamilton county, 
Ohio. Margaret Langland, his wife, was born in 1820. 
They have had six children — four are now alive — David 
F., Mary F., William, and Alexander L. David is the 
only one married. The names of children not living are 
Sarah and John. Mr. Parker has been for some time 
employed in the lumber trade. 

Herman Henry Fricke, gardener, was born in Prussia, 
December 15, 1824. He came to the United States and 
landed in Baltimore in 1847, coming direct to Cin- 
cinnati,' arriving here December 25, 1847. Coming 
here he commenced to work on a farm as a laborer. In 
about 1849 he embarked in the garden business, which he 
has continued ever since. He moved to his present 
place in 1861, which is a very fine garden farm of twelve 
acres, located near Cumminsville. Mr. Fricke married 
in Cincinnati Miss Mary Liella, of Cincinmti, Ohio. 



By this marriage they have nine children. Mr. Fricke 
was trustee of Mill Creek township for two years, filling 
this office with acknowledged ability. He is a member 
of the German Protestant church. 

Edward Morris, gardener near Winton place, was 
born in Realm of St. David, North Wales, July 
4, 1819. In 1832 he came to the United States and 
located in Washington county, Maryland, where he re- 
mained until 1839, when he moved to Cincinnati. Here 
he was engaged for several months as stage driver to 
Lebanon, Ohio. He worked for John Kilgore in the 
gardening business for some six years. In 1847 he en- 
tered the gardening business for himself; has been loca- 
cated on the present place for the last twenty-seven years. 
Mr. Morris married, in 1847, Miss Jane Watson, of 
England. She came to Cincinnati in 1831. By this 
marriage they have nine children. 

Thomas Cope, gardener, residence near Winton place, 
was born in Staffordshire, England, in about 1803 or 1804. 
He came to the United States and landed in Philadel- 
phia in 1829; remained in Pennsylvania until 1832, 
when he came to Cincinnati, Hamilton county, which 
has been his home ever since, with the exception of four 
years in Iowa. In 1840 Mr. Cope commenced garden- 
ing. In 1866 he moved to his present place of six acres. 
Mr. Cope is one of the oldest gardeners around Cincin- 
nati. He married in Cincinnati, in 1834, Miss Jane 
Lister, of England. She came to Cincinnati in 1831. 
She is the only one living of the family. By this mar- 
riage they have eight children living; had one son in the 
late civil war; he enlisted in the Second United States 
artillery. He was a brave soldier. In 1862 he was killed 
at the battle of Hanover Court House, Virginia. 

Lawrence Kessel, gardener, residence near Winton 
Place, was born in Germany and is the son of J. Kessel, 
who was born in Byron, Germany, in 1820, where he 
married Miss Susan Deal. They, with three children, 
in 1854, came to the United States and landed in New 
York city; thence direct to Cincinnati. Here he com- 
menced to work as a private gardener, working in Clifton 
and suburbs, then in business for himself on a piece of 
land where the toll-gate is located — Spring Grove — 
thence moved to the place where our subject is now gar- 
dening. Here he continued gardening up to his death, 
which occurred in about 1878. He was respected and 
honored for his liberal and honest dealings. Leaving a 
good estate, Mr. Lawrence Kessel is working on the old 
homestead. 

Henry Beckmann, a gardener, was born in Prussia, Feb- 
ruary 21, 1826. He came to the United States and 
landed in New Orleans in 1855. From there he came 
to Cincinnati, and has been a resident of Hamilton 
county ever since. Coming here very ppor, he went to 
work as a hired man. After working by the day for 
about two years, he purchased a piece of land and began 
gardening for himself, and to-day owns a fine improved 
property of over nine acres of land situated near Cum- 
minsville which he has accumulated by hard work at the 
gardening business. Mr. Beckmann was married in Cin- 
cinnnti in 1856, to Miss Louisa ^^''eded. She was born 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



419 



in Germany. By this union tliey have six children, four 
girls and two boys. 

F. Varnan, gardener, was born in Germany, March i, 
1833. He came to the United States and landed in New- 
York city in 1848. From there he came directly to 
Cincinnati, commencing to work at the gardener's 
business which he has continued ever since. He came 
here in meagre circumstances, and to-day owns one of 
the best improved gardening farms in Mill Creek town- 
ship, consisting of five and a half acres of land. Mr. 
Varnan was married in Cincinnati, to Miss Caroline Cold- 
hof. She was born in Germany, having come to Cin- 
cinnati in 185 1. By this union they have ten children. 
He has been a resident of the present place near Cum- 
minsville since 1859. 

Lucas Niehaus, retired dairyman, is one of the old 
and respected citizens of the township. He was born in 
Hanover, Germany, October 31, 1800; was married in 
Germany, to Anna Pheodock. In 1838, with wife and 
one child, he sailed for America, landed in Baltimore, 
and then set out in a wagon for Cincinnati, arriving here 
in June, 1837, after being on the road some seventeen 
days. Mr. Niehaus, walking the greater portion of the 
way, came here very poor. He went to work by the day 
as a laborer; he was engaged in cutting and selling wood 
for a number of years, and then entered the dairy business 
in a small way with one cow. His business gradually 
improved until he at one time had some ninety cows; he 
was doing exceedingly well, and, after continuing in 
the dairy vocation for some thirty years, he has re- 
tired, the business being carried on by his son, who is 
meeting with fine success. Mr. Niehaus has been a 
resident of his present home for the last thirteen years. 
His first wife died, and he was married a second time, to 
Miss Mary Lambers, of Germany, who came here in 
1840. They have five children, two by the first wife, and 
three by the present wife. Mr. Niehaus has led a very 
active life. He, in later years, has suffered from pains, 
being unable to attend to business. 

John Schrenk, a dairyman, was born in Germany 
September, 1829, where he remained until 1853, when 
he came to the United States and landed in New York 
city. While in this country he was working in the tan- 
neries. In 1868 he moved to Mill Creek township and 
entered the dairy business for himself, and with his enter- 
prise and hard work he to-day owns a very neat dairy 
with fifty-four cows, doing a very profitable business. 
•He married Mary Klaiber, of Germany, by whom he 
has two children. 

B. H. Macke, a dairyman near Bond Hill, was born in 
Oldenburgh, Germany, in 1824. He came to the United 
States and landed in New Orleans in 1848, coming 
directly to Cincinnati. Here he commenced to work in a 
foundry, where he continued for some eight years. In 
1858 he began the dairy business, starting with thirty-two 
cows; his business has increased through his manage- 
ment until now he owns eighty- four cows in connection 
with the dairy business. Mr. Mackey commenced the 
improvements on his present dairy farm some thirteen 
years ago until now he has one of the best improved 



farms in Mill Creek township. He was married in Cin- 
cinnati, to Catharine Sanders, of Germany, by whom he 
has four children. 

Thomas H. Kaiser, a dairyman and one of the most 
succcessful and fair-dealing men in the business, may be 
mentioned. The above-named gentleman was born 
in Hanover, Germany, in 1831. He came to the United 
States and landed in New Orleans in 1850, thence 
directly to Cincinnati. Coming here in meagre circum- 
stances he worked at different kinds of business until 
he entered the dairy business in 1866. Commencing 
with twenty cows and some six head of stock, his business 
has gradually improved until now he owns ninety-five 
head of cows and twelve head of stock. His dairy is 
located near St. Bernard, is very complete and kept 
in first class order. 

John Philipp Rhein, proprietor of the Island house near 
the German Protestant cemetery, was born in Germany 
April 15, 1828. He came to America and landed in 
New Orleans in 1851, thence to Cincinnati the same 
year. Coming here in meagre circumstances, he worked 
as a hostler, then as an omnibus driver from Cincinnati 
to Mt. Auburn, which he continued some four years, when 
he began vegetable gardening near his present home. 
Here he gardened for some seven years, when he and 
his brother Jacob started in the omnibus business and 
purchased four omnibuses and horses for the same, to 
run between Cincinnati, Mt. Auburn and suburbs. 
This business increased until they had seven omnibuses in 
the line. Doing a good business in 1872 Mr. Rhein 
retired and entered his present vocation. He was 
was married to Mrs. J. Bessemer, a daughter of 
John Seefried, who was born in Germany, and came 
to America and landed in Philadelphia, thence to Cin- 
cinnati, where he worked at his trade as a locksmith ; 
he then moved to the farm, where he died respected and 
honored, one of the oldest pioneers. 

H. Broermann, a stock-raiser near Bond Hill, was 
born in Germany, came to the United States and thence 
to Hamilton county in 1855. He was for some ten' 
years engaged in the dairy business ; since then he has 
been engaged in stock-raising, which he has been very 
successful in. He was married in Mercer county, Ohio 
(where he resided for some five years), to Miss Agnes 
Kramer. Mr.' Broermann has been a resident of his 
present homestead for the last fourteen years. 

H. H. Macke, hotel keeper, near Bond hill, was born in 
Aldenbush, Germany, April 19, 18 19. In 1844 he sailed 
for America, and landed in Baltimore, thence to Cincin- 
nati, arriving here in 1844, about June 13th. Mr. Macke, 
by his hard work and good management, saved sufficient 
money and went into the grocery business, which he car- 
ried on in Cincinnati for some ten years. He was for a 
short time a resident of Plainville and the Four Mile 
house. He also carried on the dairy business for some 
four years. In 1861 he moved to his present homestead, 
where he has put up some very valuable buildings and 
improvements. He is engaged in the hotel and saloon 
business, and is one of the best-known and most highly 
respected German citizens of this vicinity. Mr. Macke 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



married Mary Niehaus, who has since died. He married 
for his second wife Anna Gotting. He had seven children, 
four by his first wife, and three by the second. 

John H. Funk was born in Prussia, September 25,1828; 
came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 
1852, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here June 8, 
1852. He carried on the saloon business for several 
years, and then engaged in the sale of glassware and 
queensware, at which he continued up to 1875, when he 
moved to his present place, where he has remained in ac- 
tive business since. Mr. Funk was married in Newport, 
Kentucky, to Miss Louisa Kramig. She was born in 
Germany, coming to the United States when she was 
about two years of age. By this marriage they have one 
child living. 

Mrs. Nancy (White) Culbertson was born in the north- 
west corner of Hamilton county, May 10, 1810, and is 
the daughter of Providence White, who was born in 
Pennsylvania, or Virginia, March 9, 1784. He came to 
Hamilton county when he was a boy, with his parents. 
Then there were plenty of Indians, and he had his toe 
shot off by them while making a trip to Fort Washington 
for soldiers to come and help the settlers, who were in 
danger. He married Catharine Tucker. Both of Mrs. 
Culbertson's parents are dead. She was married to Wil- 
liam Culbertson and went to Kentucky, where she lived 
thirty-two years, and, in 1877, returned to near the old 
home, where she is now living. Her grandfather was a 
captain under General Washington. 

Charles Gries, residence Lick Run, Mill Creek town- 
ship, was born in Baden, Germany, December i, 182 1. 
He came to the United States and landed in New York 
city in 1852, thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here in 
December of the same year. He commenced to work 
with his brother, Michael, in the butcher business, where 
he remained for some fifteen months, when he engaged in 
the same business for himself, and continued in it for 
about ten years, when he entered his present business, 
grape-growing ind wine-manufacturing. He now owns 
seven and a lialf acres of land in the cultivation of 
grapes — one of the best improved vineyards in the vicin- 
ity. His son, John, is manager of the Union Eagle wine 
hall, situated iti the vineyard, and is a very neat summer 
resort. Mr. Gries' first wife was Theresa Eline, who is 
now dead. He married his present wife, Louisa Wyreck, 
in Lick Run. She was born in Germany, and came here 
in 1853. Mr. Gries is a member of the Catholic church. 

Herman Grover, farmer, residence Mill Creek, near 
Walnut Hills, was born in Hanover, Germany, November 
I, 1828. He came to the United States in 1845. He 
stopped in New York and Buffalo a short time, and then 
came to Hamilton county. He is now one of the oldest 
German pioneers in this vicinity, and is a member of the 
Catholic church. He is the son of Henry and Ann 
Grover. They were married in Germany, and with four 
children came to America. Henry Grover worked on a 
farm, and died in 1849, with the cholera. Mrs. Ann 
Grover was born in 1800. The subject of this sketch 
owns seventeen acres of fine land. 

Rev. Alfred F. Blake, pastor of Grace Episcopal 



church, Avondale, was born in Gambler, Knox county, 
Ohio, May 28, 1842, and is the son of Rev. Alfred and 
Anna Jane ; Leonard, his father, was an Episcopal min- 
ister; he came to Ohio and located in Knox county, as 
early as 1828. Our subject, after receiving a thorough 
collegiate education, having graduated from Kenyon 
college in 1862, and after graduating from a theological 
seminary, he, in 1867, was ordained as minister, when he 
soon afterwards came to Avondale and took charge of 
his present congregation, where he has remained since. 

Rev. D. O'Meara, pastor of the Catholic church, 
Avondale, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, Decem- 
ber, 1839, and is the son of David and Mary (Casey) 
O'Meara. In i860 our subject came to America and 
located in Cincinnati; here, in 1864, he graduated from 
Mount St. Mary's college. In 1866 he was ordained as 
minister. He went to Mobile, Alabama, where he took 
charge of St. Mary's church; which church and congrega- 
tion, with hard labor, he built up and left in good condi- 
tion, afterwards visiting Ireland and other parts of Europe. 
In 1876 he returned to Cincinnati, and in March, 1878, he 
was appointed to his present charge, since which he has 
done very noble work, bringing the church out of debt. 
It is now in a flourishing condition. 

Thomas A. Stephan.head animal-keeper of the Zoologi- 
cal garden, Avondale, adjoining Cincinnati, was born in 
Dayton, Ohio, May 22, 1846, his parents being early 
settlers of that city. Our subject, when quite young, 
moved to Lafayette, Indiana. He learned a trade as a 
machinist, which business he followed for a short time. 
He at twenty years of age began his present business 
taking care of animals, which business he has made a 
study, and to-day is, perhaps, one of the finest as well as 
one of the best animal-keepers and trainers in America. 
He has travelled with a number of leading circuses and 
menageries of this country — De Haven's, Heming & 
Cooper, Great Eastern, Great Hippodrome, Dan Rice, 
etc., visiting in his travels thirty-four States of the Union 
and throughout Canada. In 1875 Mr. Stephan was ap- 
pointed to his present place, since which time he has be- 
becomeso familiar with all the animals under his charge 
that he can enter the dens of the most ferocious beasts. 

William Borman, tin-shop, Avondale, was born in 
Prussia, June 4, 1827, came to the United States and 
landed in New York city in 1846; remaining there for 
a time working at his trade as a tinner, then went to Buf- 
falo, and in 1847 came to Cincinnati. Here he began 
to work at his trade. In 1849 Mr. Borman established 
himself in the tinner business in Cincinnati. He has 
filled several offices of public trust with honor and 
credit — six years as justice of the peace and a member of 
the school board some fourteen years. Mr. Borman mar- 
ried Miss Matilda Retsch ; he has nine children living. 

J. B. Cook, Avondale, was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, March 14, 1826; came to the United States, and 
landed in New Orleans in 1853, and in 1854 came to 
Cincinnati. He came here poor. In 1862 came to 
Avondale and purchased an interest in the dairy busi- 
ness, which he continued very successfully until 1876, 
when he retired. He is now^ in the saloon business, and 



JACOB CLARK. 



Jacob Clark was born at Wakefield, New Hampshire. June 25, 1819. 
His great-great-grandfather, Robert Clark, came from England at the 
close of the Seventeenth century and settled at Stratham.the same State; 
was the fathei of five sons and two daughters : Mayhevv, Benjamin. 
John. Satchell and Jacob, the latter, who was born April 15, 1751, 
is his grandfather. Jacob Clark, sr.. had three sons and two daughters: 
John, Mayhew and Johnson benig the sons; the former being the 
father of Jacob Clark, jr. 

His great-grandfather, on his mother's side, came from England at a 
very early day, and settled at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Thomas 
Cotton, his grandfather, was professionally a Free- Will Baptist preach- 
er, and father of five 
children. Betsey, his 
oldest daughter, be- 
ing the mother of Jacob 
Clark, jr., but who 
died when he was six 
years old. John Clark 
was born May 8, 1784, 
at Wakefield, New 
Hampshire, and mar- 
ried three times. By 
the second marriage, 
November 10, 1814, to 
Mrs. Cotton, who was 
born at Wolfboro.New 
Hampshire. November 
17, 1793. four sons and 
two daughters were 
born, Jacob being the 
third son. Johnson, his 
father's brother, is the 
only uncle on this side 
who is living, and. out 
of a family of ten 
children, only one son 
remains, who lives at 
Salem. Massachusetts. 
Jacob's jDrothers and 
sisters are: John, Thom- 
as C, Johnson, Lucy 
P., Elizabeth P., Isaac 
T.Savinia G.,and Mary 
B.John is dead; John- 
son served as surgeon 
in the late war at Fort- 
ress Monroe in 1861; 
Savinia and Mary are 
both dead. Jacob ob- 
tained his early educa- 
tion by attending the 
old district school from 
two and one-half to five 
months in the year. At 
sixteen he left home 
with ten dollars — seven 
of which was given 
him by his father — and 
went to Dorchester, 
Massachusetts, but 
what is now Boston, 
and labored for two 
years. By means thus 
accumulated, he re- 
turned to New Hamp- 
shire, and attended 
school at Wolfboro — a 
select school — and also 
soon after at a school 
at Merideth village, same stitL md 
1B38 he taught at Water village 1 
deth. After these two >eais at teachm. 




1 irsonv 



Maine. In 
1 1839 at Meri- 
left for Boston 
with ten dollars again, and served as a clerk for three years at 
the Elm Street house, Hanover and Broomfield. His employer, Daniel 
Chamberlain, offered to set him up in business, but on account of ill- 
health and a desire to see the west, he left Boston in 1843. and came 
by rail to Albany. New York, and from there to Buffalo by canal, a 
distance of three hundred and sixty-nine miles; then to Cleveland by 



steamer; thence to Portsmouth by canal, and to Cincinnati by steamer. 
He remained for three days in the city, and then crossed over in Ken- 
tucky, engaged to work for Colonel James Taylor three months. 
After this time he resided at Locust Corner, Clermont county, with the 
exception of three years and six months, when he came to Sweet Wine, 
this county. While at the latter place he acted in the capacity of 
school te-acher for three years, and trafficked generally. 

February i, 1849, he married Mary Ann Ricker. Rev. John Weste- 
man, a travelling Methodist minister, performing the ceremony. By 
this marriage three sons and four daughters were born, of whom three 
are Uving — Addle, Leslie and |ewett. The eldest son married Louisa 

Windeler. of Cincinnati, 
November 7, 1876, and 
lives in Clermont 
county, occupying a 
handsome residence on 
a high point of land, 
and is one of the prom- 
inent fruit growers in 
this section. He is 
the father of two sons: 
Jacob Raymond and 
George Edward. Mrs. 
Clark's great-gra n d- 
father, Jabez Ricker, 
was born in Berwick, 
Maine. Her grand- 
father, Samuel Ricker, 
was born in the same 
place, July 7, 1766, and 
came from sound Eng- 
lish parentage. Susanna 
Jewett, her grand- 
mother, was born in 
Londonderry, New 
Hampshire, March 28, 
1770, and married in 
1790. Her father was 
born, July 7, 1796. and 
married Mary ReedWil- 
son. November 24, 1816, 
of Durham, Maine, in 
Campbell county, Ken- 
tucky. Her mother was 
born February 12,1800. 
By this marriage two 
sons and three daught- 
ers were born ; Mrs. 
Clark being the fourth, 
who was born Novem- 
ber 26, 1827, in Rush 
county, Indiana. While 
at Locust Corner, Mr. 
Clark held the oflftce of 
postmaster fifteen years, 
though actively engaged 
in keeping a country 
store and dealing in real 
estate. Since 1875 he 
has engaged mostly in 
turnpikes, building most 
of the New Richmond 
and Columbia road, and 
is owner of twenty miles. 
Three Clermont county 
pikes have been aided 
much through his skill, 
and, as a government 
and county contractor, 
is prominent. 

Politically, he afliiliated himself with the anti-slavery people, 
and has since, in the matter of public offices, been mentioned for 
some of the most influential positions in the county. 

His health is good, and from it flows a generous and warm friend- 
ship, which is eagerly sought and never found wanting. 

He is one of our genial men. Business tact and energy have re- 
warded him with unparalleled success in financial matters. His 
judgment is rarely at fault, and his word cannot be questioned. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



421 



is one of the successful men of Avondale. He was 
married in New Orleans to Lizzie Behlmann, by whom 
he has eight children. 

Goswinn Bauer, wagonmaker and blacksmith, Avon- 
dale, was born in Baden Baden, Germany, April 9, 1838. 
Here he learned his trade as blacksmith and horse-shoer. 
He was foreman of the horse-shoe department of the ar- 
tillery for seven years — he received a diploma for fine 
work. Mr. Bauer served in the army nine years, six years 
for himself and three as a substitute. In 1866 he came 
to America, and located in Cincinnati. Here he worked 
at his trade until 1867, when he began work in Avon- 
dale, since which time his business has gradually im- 
proved, until to-day he owns one of the leading shops of 
Avondale, employing a number of first-class mechanics. 

Jacob Haehl, blacksmith and wagonmaker, Avondale, 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 9, 1816. Here 
he learned his trade as a wagonmaker. He then came to 
America, landing in New Orleans, November 6, 1833, 
thence to Cincinnati, taking twenty-one days in making 
the trip from New Orleans to Cincinnati by steamer. 
Arriving in Cincinnati Mr. Haehl began to work at his 
trade. In 1835 he established in business for himself, 
and to-day is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) wagon- 
maker in business in Hamilton county. Mr. Haehl has 
been a resident of Hamilton county ever since 1833, 
with the exception of some five years in Indiana. He 
was for a number of years working at his trade near the 
old Brighton House, with Daniel Young, an old pioneer 
blacksmith. In 1865 Mr. Haehl came to Avondale, 
where he has remained since engaged in blacksmithing 
and wagonmaking, employing some four hands, and 
occupying a two-story building thirty-one by fifty feet in 
size. He was married in 1836 to Barbara Bolander. 
She was born in Germany, and came to America in 1835. 
By this union they have ten children. Had three sons 
in the late civil war — Jacob, Henry and George; all were 
brave soldiers, being honorably mustered out. Mr. 
Haehl was four years a member of the school board of 
Cincinnati and two years overseer of the poor. 

Louis H. Bauer, residence Avondale, was born in the 
grand duchy of Baden, Germany, October 30, 1836. He 
came to America and landed in New Orleans in 1851. 
Mr. Bauer worked at the bakery trade in New Orleans, 
St. Louis, and Cincinnati; at the latter place he carried 
on the bakery business for himself, being very successful. 
He, in 1877, moved to Avondale and erected his 
present building; here he has carried on the saloon 
business. Mr. Bauer was a soldier in the late civil war; 
he enlisted in company G, Ninth Ohio volunteer infan- 
try, where he did good service for two years, participating 
in the engagements of his regiment. He contracted 
sickness (rheumatism), and on this account was honora- 
bly discharged. He has suffered from the rheumatism 
very much since, being a cripple in the hand from its ef- 
fects. Mr. Bauer was a policeman in Cincinnati five years 
and was a good officer. 

William Asmann, retired, residence Avondale, was born 
in Hanover, in 181 1, about September. He came to 
America and landed in Baltimore, in 1842, thence went 



direct to Cincinnati. Coming here in meagre circumstan- 
ces, he went to work at day's labor. He managed to 
save a little money, and in 1850 he entered the grocery 
business on Mulberry and Main streets, in Cincinnati. 
Here he remained until 1858, when he moved to Avon- 
dale and opened a grocery store, being one of the 
first in business in this town. Mr. Asmann continued 
actively in business up to 1880, when he retired, being 
very successful. He married in Germany to Miss Annie 
Bruchemann, and with wife and one child, accompanied 
him to America. By this union of marriage they have 
two children living, a son and daughter. Mrs. Asmann 
died in 1880. 

S. Newby & Son, wagon manufactory and blacksmith 
shop, Avondale. Among the leading manufacturing es- 
tablishments of Avondale is that owned and operated by 
S. Newby & Son, both men being practical mechanics, 
learning their trade in England. Henry, the son, finished 
his trade as a machinist in one of the largest machine 
shops in the world. In 1870 this firm came to Avon- 
dale, where they erected a small shop. Since then, by 
their good management and attention to business their 
trade has steadily increased, until now they occupy a 
large three-story house, twenty-five by eighty feet in size, 
and employ as high as three hundred hands doing a gen- 
eral wagon manufacturing, repairing and blacksmithing 
business. 

Gustave Jander, residence Avondale, was born in 
Prussia, April 30, 1827. He came to America in 1849, 
and was for three months a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, 
thence in the same year came to Cincinnati; here he be- 
gan to work at his trade as a saddler, which trade he 
learned in Germany. Continuing in Cincinnati, he 
in 1868 moved to Avondale and carried on the saddlery 
and harness business in the brick house opposite his 
present location, for some six years, when he soon after 
opened a saloon. Mr. Jander married Miss Annie 
Schuster, of Bavaria,, Germany. By this marriage they 
have four children. 

F. J. Diss, contractor and builder, residence Avondale, 
was born in Lorraine, France, September 6, 1821. He 
learned his trade as a carpenter in his native country. 
He then came to America and landed in New York city 
in 1840. He went to Pittsburgh and worked at his 
trade for some six months. In 1840 he came to Cincin- 
nati and commenced to work at his trade. In 1852 Mr. 
Diss moved to Avondale and has remained one of its 
honored residents ever since, during which he has con- 
tracted and erected a number of prominent buildings of 
this place. He was the first builder boss to locate in 
Avondale. Mr. Diss came to Cincinnati in poor circum- 
stances; to-day he is one of the successful builders and 
contractors of this vicinity. 

Catharine Karl, residence Avondale, and the subject 
of this sketch, is one of the old and respected pioneers 
of Avondale. She was born in Germany in about 18 14. 
She was married in Germany to the late Frederick Karl, 
of Germany, and they, in company with three children 
sailed for America and landed in New York city in 
1835, coming direct to Cincinnati. Here Mr. Karl 



422 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



worked as a day laborer; he was for a short time watch- 
man on a steamboat. In 1849 the family moved to 
Avondale. Here, in 185 1, he began in a small way in 
the dairy business, and by his industry he built up a 
good and profitable trade. He continued in business 
until his death, which occurred in 1864. Thus passed 
away an honored and respected citizen of Avondale, 
leaving a wife and three children to mourn his loss. The 
three children are, Maggie, Amelia and Caroline. 

F. Spangler, residence Avondale, and the subject of 
this sketch, was born in the city of Brunswick, Germa- 
ny, August 5, 1822. He, in 1848, came to America and 
landed in Galveston, where he remained but a short time, 
thence to New Orleans, and in the spring of 1849 came 
to Cincinnati, where in this vicinity he has remained ever 
since one of its honored and respected citizens. Mr. 
Spangler was for a number of years engaged in the 
ladies' furnishing and trimming business, on the corner 
of Fifth and Vine streets; he was also engaged in other 
mercantile occupations. He was married in Cincinnati to 
Miss Mariah Lizzie Warner, of Albany, New York, by 
whom he has two children living. Mr. Spangler was 
very actively engaged in the late civil war; was captain 
in the Seventh Ohio regiment. He was promoted and 
served as general inspector of ammunition, where he did 
good duty. Mr. Spangler, in 1849, became a member 
of the Cincinnati Leidertafel Singing society, the third 
oldest singing society in America, and Mr. Spangler be- 
ing the sixth oldest singer in the northwest. At an early 
day Mr. Spangler was presented with a beer mug trim- 
med with silver mounting, with an iron screw on the top, 
for best singing. 

Thomas Knott, florist, residence Avondale, was born 
iij the western portion of Ireland, in the year 18 18. 
Here he grew into manhood, and in 1840 came to Cin- 
cinnati, where he accepted a clerkship in a dry goods 
store. He remained but a short time. In 1841 he 
moved to Avondale, then Locust Grove, and with a capi 
tal of some three hundred dollars embarked in the florist 
business, near his present location. He states that when 
he commenced there were only four more in the florist 
business here in Avondale. Mr. Knott has remained 
ever since, working continuously at his occupation, and 
today is perhaps the oldest florist near the city, and the 
oldest settler of Avondale. He has been very successful 
as a florist, owning one of the largest places of the kind 
near Cincinnati, having some fifteen large houses, under 
glass, and all filled with the choicest plants. One rose- 
bush he has, which is the LaMark, a pure white rose, he 
cut from it, one Easter, one hundred dollars' worth of 
buds at a moderate figure. Mr. Knott employs six hands 
in the florist business. 

George Thale, dairyman, Avondale, was born in Han- 
over, May 25, 1838, came to the United States and di- 
rect to Cincinnati in 1864. Here he worked at day's 
labor. He was then engaged in driving a sprinkling cart 
in watering the streets; then as driver of a milk wagon. 
Coming to Avondale, he commenced in the dairy busi- 
ness with forty-two cows. Since then his business has 
grown very extensive, and to-day he has the credit of 



keeping one of the best dairies in Hauiilton county, 
owning seventy-seven head of cows, and running two 
milk wagons in connection with his business. 

Thomas Lambert, retired, residence Avondale. The 
subject of this brief notice was born in Fifeshire, Scot- 
land, March 5, 1825, coming to the United States and 
direct to Avondale in 1850, which has been his home 
ever since. He is now one of Avondale's pioneers. 
Here he entered the nursery business, which he carried 
on very successfully for a number of years. He-entered 
the grocery business in Avondale, and continued in it up 
up to 1878, when he retired. Mr. Lambert has been 
very active in building up Avondale. He has filled sev- 
eral ofiSces of public trust with honor and credit. He 
was for twelve years assessor of Avondale precinct. He 
is now superintendent of streets. 

John Schroeder, saloonist, residence Avondale, was 
born near Frankfort on the Rhine, Germany, September 
24, 1839. He learned his trade as a carpenter in Ger- 
many, and in 1867 came to America, landed in New 
York city, and then came direct to Cincinnati. Here he 
worked at his trade, and in 1870 he opened a grocery 
and saloon in Mount Auburn, continuing there until the 
year 1S77, when he erected his present brick block, which 
is two stories high, and an ornament to that part of 
Avondale. Here he entered his present business, which 
he has continued since. 

Rev. Hilary Hoelscher, pastor of the Catholic church 
at Carthage, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 14, 
1857, and is the son of John and Mary Elizabeth (Mit- 
goes) — both parents, natives of Hanover, Germany, hav- 
ing come to America at an early day. Our subject, when 
he was two years of age, moved with his parents to Cov- 
ington, Kentucky. Here he received his education, 
graduating from the St. Francis college in 1875, when he 
entered upon his ministerial studies, and was ordained as 
a minister in 1880, his first appointment being as pastor 
of the Catholic church at Carthage, which pulpit he is 
now filling. 

E. A. Brown, supervisor of Longview asylum, was 
born in Windham county, Connecticut, and followed 
farming in his native State. In 1861 he enlisted in com- 
pany B, Eleventh Rhode Island infantry, where he served 
full time and was honorably mustered out. In 1876 he 
came to Hamilton county, Ohio, and received a place in 
the Longview Asylum as watchman. He was soon after 
appointed to his present position, in which place he is 
giving the best of satisfaction. 

A. L. Stephens, superintendent of the colored depart- 
ment of the Longview asylum, residence Carthage. 
The subject of this brief notice was born in Montgomery 
county, Ohio, July 19, 1839. He was for seven years 
connected with the lunatic asylum at Dayton. In 1873 
Mr. Stephens accepted a position with the Longview 
asylum, where he has remained ever since. He has 
been very faithful, and is acknowledged to be the right 
man in the right place. 

John T. Colling, warden of the Hamilton county in- 
firmary, residence Carthage, was born in Aisne, France, 
in 1834, where he received his principal education. In 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



423 



1852 he came to Cincinnati. He was for four years an 
employe of the Commercial hospital, when he received 
an appointment from Dayton Asylum, and was superin- 
tendent of that institution for some two years, and re- 
turned to Cincinnati and was in charge of the asylum 
at Lick Run for two years. In i860 he entered the em- 
ploy of the Western Insurance company as assistant sec- 
retary for one year, then secretary for nineteen years, be- 
ing a faithful employe. He was very successful, and took 
an active part in improving Carthage. He moved there 
in 1866. He was eight years a member of the council, 
and trustee of the schools for some ten years, filling these 
oiifices with acknowledged ability. In 1879 Mr. Colling 
was appointed to his present position, where he is giving 
the best of satisfaction. He was married in Cincinnati in 
1856 to Miss Elizabeth Sauer, of Maryland, and has five 
children, four sons and one daughter. 

J. E. Ash, station agent Cincinnati, Hamilton & Day- 
ton railroad at Carthage, was born in Logan county, 
Ohio. When a young man, he went to Bellefontaine 
and worked in a carriage manufactory as a carriage 
painter. The work not agreeing with him, he left and 
began to learn telegraphing, which business he has fol- 
lowed for the last twenty-five years. He opened the 
office at Middletown, and was telegraph operator there 
until he went to Springfield. From there he came to 
Carthage January i, 1862, as telegraph operator and sta- 
tion agent. This position Mr. Ash has filled ever since, 
and is to-day the third oldest railroad operator between 
Toledo and Cincinnati. While a citizen of Carthage, 
Mr. Ash has won many warm friends. He has filled 
several offices of public trust with honor. He was coun- 
cilman one term and clerk one term. He, in connection 
with his station agency, operates a coal and lumber yard, 
which business he has been in for the last ten years. 

John Bickers, section boss Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Dayton railroad, residence Carthage. Was born in Ger- 
many, having come to Hamilton county in 1852. In 

1853 he began work on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Dayton railroad as a section hand. In 1857 he was 
made foreman of his present section, which position he 
has filled with the best of satisfaction ever since, and to- 
day perhaps is the oldest railroad section boss in Hamil- 
ton county. Mr. Bickers was a member of the Carthage 
council for two terms, filling this office with acknowl- 
edged ability. 

John McCammon, contractor and builder, residence 
Carthage, was born in Shippensburgh, Pennsylvania, No- 
vember 9, 1814, and is the son of Thomas and Mary 
(Piper) McCammon. His father was a native of Ireland, 
and a cabinetmaker by trade. He died in 1858, aged 
eighty-six years and two months. Our subject, with his 
parents, in 1816, came to Cincinnati, floating down the 
Ohio river in a keel-boat, locating in Cincinnati, where 
they remained until 182 1, then moved to a farm in 
Springfield township, Hamilton county. Here Mr. Mc- 
Cammon remained, working on the farm. In June, 
1831, he began to learn the carpenter's trade in Cincin- 
nati, which business he continued up to 1858, when he 
was appointed superintendent of buildings of the schools 



of Cincinnati. This position he filled until June 20, 
1875, during which time about all the public schools of 
this city were erected under his supervision. Mr. Mc- 
Cammon superintended the erection of the new music 
hall and the wings. He also superintended the erection 
of the gas building in Carthage. His life has been very 
active, and to-day, perhaps, he has superintended the 
erection of more prominent buildings than any one man 
in Cincinnati. He was married, June 14, 1840, to Miss 
J. Bonnel, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio. By this 
marriage they have had eight children, of whom six are 
living. In 1868 Mr. McCammon moved to Carthage, 
which has been his home ever since. 

Mrs. Hannah French, dealer in dry goods at Carthage, 
is the wife of the late Mr. French, who was born in 
England. He graduated from the Kilkenny college and 
soon after came to America, locating in Chicago, thence 
to Sandusky, Ohio, where he taught a select school. 
He then went to Plasdated, on the Peninsula, and here 
taught school and became acquainted with the subject 
of this sketch. Miss Hannah Slackford, who was born in 
London, England, and is the daughter of Thomas Slack- 
ford, who was a sea-faring man. They, in about 1867, 
came to Cincinnati. Mr. French was acknowledged to 
be the best penman around Cincinnati. He taught pen- 
manship in Covington. He entered the office of Gil- 
more & Dunlap, as a clerk, and soon afterwards was their 
general correspondent. In i860 they moved to Carthage. 
Here Mrs. French commenced the notion and drug 
store business, being the first to start a drug store in 
Carthage. She continued in business up to 1879, since 
which time her sons have been carrying on the business. 
Mr. French died in April, 1878 — a man respected and 
honored. Thus passed away one of Carthage's best citi- 
zens, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss. 

Pedro Benner keeps a drug store at Carthage. He 
was born in Hamburgh, Germany, in 1851, and came to 
America in 1855, and in 1S59 came to Cincinnati, where 
he received his principal education, and then entered a 
leading drug store in Cincinnati, where he remained for 
several years as a clerk. In December, 1874, he com- 
menced business for himself, in Cincinnati. In 1877 he 
moved to Carthage, and began business in the post office 
building. Here he remained up to 1879, when he 
moved to his present cozy quarters, which is the leading 
drug store of Carthage. Since Mr. Benner came to 
Carthage his business has gradually improved, and to- 
day he is doing a very good drug business. 

Edward P. Oberle, grocer at Carthage, was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, November 16, 1827. He came to 
the United States and landed in New York city, in 1853, 
thence direct to Cincinnati, arriving here in August of 
the same year. Here he learned the trade of a baker with 
his brother. In 1855, he moved to St. Bernard, and 
carried on the bakery business up to 1858, when he 
moved to Carthage, where he embarked in the bakery 
trade in a small frame house. In i860 he built his 
present store and continued the bakery up to 1874, since 
which time he has been in the grocery business, being 
very successful. Mr. Oberle, in connection with the 



424 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



grocery, is engaged in the lumber and coal business. He 
was married, in Cincinnati, to Miss Anna Mariah 
Schreck. She is from Germany, and came to Cincinnati 
in 1S53. By this marriage they have three children 
living. 

Leonard Engel, butcher, at Carthage, was born in 
Wodenburgh, Germany, April 16, 1836. He came to 
the United States and landed in New York city in 1855, 
thence to Indiana, where he remained two years. In 
1857 he came to Hamilton county. In 1865, he moved 
to Carthage. He is the oldest, as well as the most suc- 
cessful butcher in this vicinity. Mr. Engel has filled 
several offices of trust. He was elected a member of 
the city council, but on account of his business he re- 
signed. He has been a member of the school board 
for the last four years. 

Chris Schmidt, gardener, at Carthage, was born in Ger- 
many, in 1837. He came to the United States and land- 
ed in New York city in 1854, thence direct to Cincin- 
nati, arriving there in Maj', of the same year. He 
engaged in the gardening business. He was a resident 
of Camp Washington some .ten or fifteen years. In 
1870 he moved to Carthage, and in 1873 was elected to 
the city council, which office he has filled with honor and 
credit for some two terms. He was married, in Hamil- 
ton county, to Miss Mary Gruber, of Germany. They 
have three children. 

H. H. Lammers, keeper of a hotel and feed store, at 
Carthage, was born in Oldenburgh, Germany, in 1830. 
He came to the United States and landed in New Or- 
leans in 1848; thence he came to Cincinnati, arriving 
there in January, 1849. Here he began to work at his 
trade as a wagon-maker, which trade he had learned in 
Germany. He continued at his trade in Cincinnati up 
to 1858, when he moved to Carthage and carried on the 
business until i860, when he entered his present bus- 
iness. Mr. Lammers has been very successful while 'a 
resident of Carthage. By his hard work and good man- 
agement he has accumulated a good property, and made 
hosts of friends. He was one of Carthage's honored 
councilmen for one term. He is a hard worker in the 
Catholic church, taking an active part in the church and 
school. He is a director of the St. Mary's cemetery, 
which bids fair to become one of the handsomest ceme- 
teries around Cincinnati. 

L. W. Haley, who keeps a tin and stove store at 
Carthage, was born in Winterport, Maine, in 1848. He 
learned his trade as a tinner in Waldo county, Maine, 
when he was eighteen years of age. In 1869 he came 
to Cincinnati and worked at his trade. In September, 
1873, he embarked in business for himself in Carthage, 
where he has remained since. He is now doing a good 
business — employing as high as seven men — doing work 
for the public works in and around Carthage. Mr. Haley 
has represented Carthage as city councilman for one 
term, filling that office with honor and credit. 

Rev. Daniel Heile, pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic 
church, was born in the province of Hanover, August 6, 
1842, and is the son of Bernard and Elizabeth (Schulter) 
Heile, both parents natives of Germany. Our subject, in 



1867, came to America, coming to Cincinnati. He entered 
the St. Francis college, where he remained for several 
years. After receiving a thorough education, attending 
different colleges, he was ordained as minister July 26, 
1874, at Oldenburgh, Indiana. He was for six years 
pastor of St. Stephen's church, of Hamilton, Ohio, 
when, in 1880, Father Heile received a call from his 
present church, where he has filled the pulpit ever since. 

G. H. Esselmann, superintendent of the German 
Catholic cemetery, at St. Bernard, was born in Hanover, 
Germany, May ii, 1853; came to the United States and 
landed in Baltimore in 1871, coming direct to Cincinnati. 
Since then he has learned his trade as a steel polisher, 
working in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Mansfield, 
thence to Cincinnati. He was for four years connected 
with the St. Joseph cemetery. In 1879 he was made 
superintendent of the present cemetery, which position 
he has filled with ability since, giving the best of satis- 
faction. He married, in 1878, Miss Katie Estermann, 
she being a native of Cincinnati, her parents locating 
here at an early day. 

Joseph Wallrath, superintendent of the New German 
cemetery near St. Bernard, was born in the Rhine prov- 
ince, Germany, May, 1848; came to the United States 
and landed in New York city in 1867, coming direct to 
Cincinnati. Here he was engaged in landscape gar- 
dening, being concerned in laying out some of the finest 
places in Clifton. He made a visit to California, remain- 
ing a short time. He returned to Cincinnati and again 
entered his profession as a landscape gardener, and was 
made superintendent of the new cemetery, which so far 
is acknowledged to be one of the handsomest cemeteries 
around Cincinnati. 

Bernard Strothman, gardener near St. Bernard, was 
born in Hanover, April 19, 1841; came to the United 
States, and landed at New York city, in 1854, thence to 
Cincinnati. Here he was engaged by day's labor. In 
1864 he entered his present business, in which he has 
been very successful. He built the improvements on 
his present place, which consists of four and one-fifth 
acres of land, all in good order. Mr. Strothman attends 
to the gardening. He married, in Cincinnati, Miss 
Henrietta Faurnan, of Germany, by whom he has had 
five children. 

Frank Kaufmann, grocer, St. Bernard, was born in 
Prussia in 18 16. Here he learned his trade as a black- 
smith. He soon after came to America and landed in 
New York city in 1848. He then went to Pittsburgh. 
Here he worked at his trade, and was married to Miss 
Mary Brandhover. After remaining there until 1850 
Mr. Kaufmann, with his wife and one child, came to 
Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade up to 1854, 
then on the Reading road some two years, when, in 
1856, he came to St. Bernard and worked at his trade 
for a number of years, when he engaged in the gro- 
cery business, and coming to Cincinnati with but little 
money, is to-day one of the most successful and highly 
respected business men of St. Bernard. He has five 
children. 

Mathias Schulhnf, grocer, St. Bernard, was born in 




H. KNUWENER. 



Herman Knuvvener, head of the prosperous firm of Knuwener & 
Verhage, owning and managing the Cincinnati soda and mineral water 
works, is of full German blood on both sides; was born in Hanover, 
now in Prussia, July 23, 1848; the oldest son of William and Lizzie 
(Huxal) Knuwener, both natives of the same German State, and both 
are still living at the old home in the Fatherland. He was educated in 
the elementary schools, under the compulsory system of school attend- 
ance long in vogue throughout Germany. In his fourteenth year he 
began active Ufa among total strangers at Diepholtz, some distance 
from his native place. He engaged as an apprentice in the dry goods 
business, serving according to the German system, not only without 
pay, but at his own cost for instruction in the business. For four-years 
he sustained this burden, not being allowed the use of any money, and 
being pledged against the use of tobacco in any shape, his father sign- 
ing a bond that he would observe an agreement to this effect. At the 
expiration of his apprenticeship, feeling opposed to the stern, severe 
military laws, which would presently have called him into needless ser- 
vice for three years, he resolved to emigrate to America, and again 
started out alone in the world. He landed in New York in 1866, came 
on at once to the Queen City, and for about a year did not engage in 
business, but improved his time in learning the language of his adopt- 
ed country and taking a full course in Nelson's Business college. His 
acquaintance in the city, and with the English speech, then enabled 
him to obtain a situation in the now great dry goods store of Alms & 
Doepke, then a comparatively small establishment in the old building 
at the head of Twelfth street. He was given the honorable post 
of salesman at the front counter, and was otherwise very kindly treat- 
ed by the firm, to whom he justly attributes the beginning of his for- 
tunes in Cincinnati. He was with them but a year, however, and then 
entered as a salesman the store of Messrs.C. Steinkamp & Co. , on Main 
street above Twelfth, in which, after only about half a year, he became 
a junior partner. He went out of this connection in 1874, and the 
house has since become extinct. Mr. Knuwener sold his interest to 
Mr. Steinkamp, and embarked in the soda and mineral water manufac- 



ture, buying the business of his father-in-law, Mr. J. H. Overdyck, at 
719 Home street, after the death of the latter. He conducted the 
business alone until 1876, when the establishment was consolidated 
with the similar works of Mr. Henry Verhage, on Walnut street, and 
the two joined their energies m a strong and prosperous partnership. 
In the spring of the same year, they moved to the much more spacious 
and convenient quarters they now occupy, at 270-2 Sycamore street, 
near the corner of Eighth street, where their business and popularity 
have grown upon their hands until they now have the largest estab- 
lishment of the kind in the city and in the State of Ohio, and probably 
in the entire west. They have certain specialties in soda fountains 
(steel) not enjoyed by any other house in the city, and now supply 
most of the dealers in soda-water. Their business is almost exclusive- 
ly with city retailers, and is a good, safe traffic, which nets them very 
profitable results. Mr. Knuwener is the sole manager in charge of 
the works, and to him may be credited the success and prosperity of 
the firm. 

He has taken time, however, to interest himself somewhat in politics 
and other affairs, and is a member of the Lincoln club and sundry 
other organizations. In 1880, though a Republican, he was elected, 
against his inclination, in the strong Democratic Sixteenth ward, a 
member of the board of councilmen, in which he is now acceptably 
serving his constituents. When the new committee of the council was 
formed on the consumption of smoke, under a recent act of the legis- 
lature, he was appointed a member of this important committee. In 
the council he has kept a vigilant eye upon the public interests, partic- 
ularly the plunder of the city treasury, and not long since moved a 
resolution of inquiry into the vast expense of the city advertising, 
which was passed and has already been productive of much good. 

Mr. Knuwener was married in Cincinnati February 23, i87r, to 
Miss Louisa, daughter of Mr. J. H. Overdyck, a well-known German 
citizen, and Mrs. Henrietta (Dunker) Overdyck. Their children num- 
ber two: Millie and Henry Knuwener. The family live in a pleasant 
residence at No. 388 West Court street. 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



425 



Hanover, Germany, October 8, 181 1. He came to the 
United States and landed in Baltimore July 13, 1833, 
where he remained in that vicinity for about four years, 
working as day laborer. In 1837 he came to Cincinnati 
and worked at gardening. He soon after began teaching 
school, and followed school teaching for some six years. 
In 1850 Mr. Schulhof started in the gardening business 
where is now located the Catholic graveyard, which busi- 
ness he continued there until 1862, when he began the 
grocery business, which he has continued in St. Bernard 
ever since, being now one of its highly honored 
pioneer settlers. Mr. Schulhof married Miss Catharine 
Dickmann, who came to Cincinnati at an early day. She 
was a good Christian lady, respected and loved by all. 
She died January 26, 1877. There are five children liv- 
ing — two sons and three daughters. 

George Young, blacksmith, St. Bernard, was born in 
Camp Washington December 30, 1845, and is the son of 
George Young, who came to Hamilton county at an 
early day. Our subject is to-day the pioneer blacksmith 
of St. Bernard. He is now engaged at the blacksmith 
business, employing three hands in the manufacture of 
wagons and the general blacksmith business. He mar- 
ried Miss Annie Sprung, of Cincinnati. By this marriage 
they have seven children living. Mr. Young was a sol- 
dier in the late war, serving in the Twenty-second Indi- 
ana volunteer infantry, company B, for two years and a 
half. He was a faithful soldier, and was honorably mus- 
tered out at the close of the war. 

The subject of this sketch, Jacob Ries (deceased), of 
St. Bernard, was born in Germany in 1822. He came 
to the United States in 1841, coming direct to Cincin- 
nati. In 1856 he moved to St. Bernard. Here he was 
actively engaged in business up to his death, which oc- 
curred in 1880. He was a man liked by all for his up- 
rightness and honorable dealings. He took an active 
part in the building up of St. Bernard. He died re- 
spected and loved by a host of friends. He was an ac- 
tive member of the Catholic church. Thus passed 
away a kind father and a loving husband, leaving a wife 
and five children to mourn his loss. He was married in 
Cincinnati in 1848 to Elizabeth Morio, who came to Cin- 
cinnati with her father, Michael Morio, his wife and four 
children. 

Herman Witte, a resident of St. Bernard, was born in 
Hanover, Germany, February 18, 1820. He learned the 
bakery trade, and in 1845 he sailed for America, and 
landed in Baltimore. Here he worked for some six 
months at his trade, and in the same year (1845) he 
came to Cincinnati, coming here very poor, having only 
a five-franc piece, which was soon after stolen from him. 
He, besides working at his trade, worked on the railroad 
and at other labor until he, in 1850, entered the grocery 
business on the corner of Race and Green streets. In 
1852 Mr. Witte moved to St. Bernard, and has been one 
of its honored and respected citizens ever since, and is 
now one of the oldest settlers of the place. He moved 
in a little frame house, where he carried on business un- 
til 1861, when he built his present place of business. 
Mr. Witte was married in 1850 to Miss Rosena Stubbe, 



of Hanover, Germany. She came to Cincinnati in 1848. 
By this union of marriage they have had seven children, 
of whom four are living. 

Mrs. Carrie Meyer Eckert, a resident of St. Bernard, 
was born in Baden Baden, Germany, and is the wife of 
the late Val Eckert, who was born in France in 1815. 
He came to the United States and landed in New York 
city in 1834. He went then to New Orleans, and in 
1845 came to Cincinnati. Coming here in meagre cir- 
cumstances, he went to work at day labor. He managed 
well, and by hard work he accumulated a good property. 
In 1854 he moved to St. Bernard, where he became one 
of its most honored and prominent citizens, taking an 
interest in the building up of the town. He was married 
in Cincinnati in 1846 to Carrie Meyer, the subject of this 
sketch. Mr. Eckert died in 1878, leaving a wife and 
five children to mourn his loss. 

Mrs. Julia A. Kemper, of St. Bernard, was born in 
Mill Creek township, Hamilton county, Ohio, March 31, 
1820, and is the daughter of John Boswell, who came to 
Hamilton county from Maryland as early as 1812. He 
farmed here up to his death. Of that family there are 
five children living: George, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Alex- 
ander and the subject of this sketch, who has remained a 
resident of Mill Creek township ever since she was born. 
She was married in 1841 to the late Reuben Kemper, who 
was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 28, 1813, and 
is the son of Presley Kemper, who was one of the 
pioneers of this county. Reuben Kemper was raised on 
the farm. He also followed the tannery business for sev- 
eral years, but spent the greater portion of his life on the 
farm. He died on the old farm respected and honored, 
leaving a wife and four children: Robert, Henry, Mary 
E. and Sarah. 

Thomas Branch Weatherby, retired, a resident of Col- 
lege Hill, was born in Thetford, Vermont, July 20, 1802, 
and is the son of Danforth and Lucy (Stiles) Weatherby. 
Our subject, with his father and family, in 1806 started 
in wagons for Kentucky, but on their way, after being 
out eleven weeks, arrived in Cincinnati, where they 
located, remaining there until about 1808, when they 
moved to Columbus, and in 1809 returned to Cincinnati, 
living in a rented log cabin on the land where the Grand 
Hotel is now located. In 18 10 the family moved to 
Eighth street, between Broadway and Sycamore. Here 
they remained until 1816, when they moved to a farm 
in Springfield township. In 183 1 the father and mother 
moved to Oxford, where they both died. Our subject 
engaged in farming on the old farm, which he purchased 
in 1832, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Weath- 
erby was married in Springfield township to Miss Mercy 
Van Zant. She was born in Hamilton county, her par- 
ents being among the early settlers, by whom they have 
had four children. 

A. B. Johnson, superintendent of the Avondale public 
schools, was born in Ogden, New York. His father was 
a teacher of thirty years' experience, and gave his son a 
good education in the schools of his native town and in 
those of Rochester, New York. -He also learned to 
work on a farm, and afterwards studied book-keeping 



426 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and the principles of penmanship, and the knowledge 
thus gained enabled him to earn a sufficient amount to 
graduate him in the Oberlin college, which occurred in 
the year 1853. He taught school in the college, and dur- 
ing vacations on the evenings and Saturdays of each 
week he posted books. In 1856 he received the degree 
of A. M. He taught school one year after graduating in 
New York, having charge of the Academy of Sodus, 
Wayne county, of that State. In 1855 he came to Avon- 
dale, where he has been elected superintendent of the 
school twenty-five times in as many years, without a sin- 
gle opposing vote in the board of education of his place. 
He has been for years an active member of the teachers' 
association of Hamilton county; has been county exam- 
iner of teachers of his own county, and now holds the 
position as one of the State examiners of applicants for 
State certificates. His estimable wife has labored with 
him during these long years of toil, and done much to 
make the schools of Avondale what they are. 

John Trotter, sexton of Spring Grove cemetery, was 
born in Scotland May 12, 1836. In 1863 became to 
America, and landed in New York; thence to Chicago, 
Illinois, where he remained, engaged in the gardening 
business, until 1867. In 1869 Mr. Trotter entered the 
employ of the Spring Grove cemetery as gardener. In 
1 87 1 he was made the sexton, which position he has 
filled very satisfactorily since. 

Keeshan & Weber, grocery and meat store, Avondale, 
is one of the leading business firms of Avondale. The 
meat store was established about the year 1864 and 
was one of the first meat markets of the place. Mr. T. 
J. Keeshan is a native of Ireland, having come to Amer- 
ica when very young. He has been engaged in the mer- 
cantile business for the last twelve years. Mr. Henry 
Weber is one of the old pioneers of Hamilton county. 
He was engaged in farming m Glendale. Afterwards 
the firm of Keeshan & Weber was formed, since doing 
business in Avondale. 

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. 

Rudolph Rhemboldt, of Springdale, formerly an en- 
terprising business man of Cincinnati, was born in Baden, 
Germany, December 27, 1827, His father was a brewer 
and gave him a good education in this business, he hav- 
ing attended the colleges of Carlsruhe and Freiburg, Ger- 
many. In 181 8 he emigrated to America and began in 
the brewer's business as teamster for Kauffman, where he 
remained for three years. He made a visit to Europe 
but returned in 185 1 after a short stay, and went into the 
commission business on Fourth street, and soon after 
into the brewer's business again as one of the partners of 
Glass & Brauer. In 1854 he married a daughter of Mr. 
Kauffman, and in 1856 went into the firm of Erchenlaub 
& Kauffman, on Vine street, which business he conduct- 
ed with success until 1877, when he retired from ac- 
tive life and settled on his farm. 

William P. Bruce, of Glendale, Springfield township, 
was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, December 7, 
1832. When eighteen years of age he formed a part- 
nership with a Mr. Chappell in the merchandise business, 
and later a Mr. Mclntyre was admitted, and the firm 



continued thus until 1865, when Mr. Bruce, in the firm 
of Chappell, Bruce & Mclntyre, came to Cincinnati and 
located at 44 West Fourth street, where they kept a 
wholesale dry goods store. In 1873 Mr. Bruce went 
into the real estate business at 73 West Third street, 
but in 1875 removed to Glendale, where he operated 
until 1876 with Mr. Mclntyre in the general merchandise 
trade, and since that time with his son, under the name 
of W. P. Bruce & Son. Mr. Bruce's grandfather came 
from Scotland and settled in Virginia, but removed to 
Kentucky, where his father (William P.'s), was born. 
The family of Bruces is a large one, and includes some 
of the oldest prominent citizens of that State. The 
grandfather was high sheriff of his county, and his nu- 
merous descendants are well and favorably known. 

Major James N. Caldwell, of Carthage, was born in 
Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, November 17, 181 7. 
His father, Samuel Caldwell, was a master builder in 
Philadelphia, from which place he moved to Cincinnati 
in 1794, and settled at North Bend. He afterwards kept 
a (Jry goods store in Cincinnati; but moved to Franklin 
in 1808, where he died in 1848. He was a prominent 
man, holding the offices of judge of the common pleas 
court, was a member of the legislature, also a State 
senator. J. N. Caldwell received a good, liberal educa- 
tion at the college of Hanover, Indiana. Was a cadet 
at the West Point academy from 1836 to 1840, grad- 
uating at that time and promoted to brevet second lieuten- 
ancy, and from there served in the Florida war — 1840 — 
as second lieutenant, and on frontier duty from 1841 to 
1845; then in the recruiting service, one year after 
which he was placed at different posts in Texas, and 
promoted to the positions of first lieutenant and then 
to that of captain. In 1861 he entered the service as 
commander of the barracks at Key West, Florida, and 
was promoted to major of infantry February 27, 1862, 
his corps operating principally in Tennessee and Ken- 
tucky. December 31, 1862, for gallantry and meritori- 
ous services at Murfreesborough, Tennessee, was pro- 
moted to brevet lieutenant colonelcy. In 1863, on 
account of ill health and disability, he retired from the 
service, and was for one year — 1866-7 — member of the 
executive board of candidates for promotion in the army 
at Louisville, Kentucky. January i, 1866, per special 
order No. 198, A. G. O., he was detailed as professor of 
military science at Louisville, Kentucky, and at his own 
request relieved in 1869, since which time he has lived on 
his farm at Carthage. 

Elijah Vancleve is as on of Asher, who came to Cole- 
rain township, Hamilton county, in 1802. He was a 
local preacher, a justice of the peace, and a highly re- 
spected and very public-spirited citizen of the county. 
He was killed by a runaway team in 1844. Elijah was 
born in 1832; and after some years of maturity had come 
upon him, he flat-boated from Cincinnati to New Orleans 
for about five years. He enlisted in the Mexican war, 
went south one time, but was discharged on account of 
sickness. In the late war he entered the service of com- 
pany K in 1861, as second lieutenant in the Fifth Ohio 
cavalry, was promoted to the first lieutenancy, and mus- 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



427 



tered out as captain, December, 1864. His regiment 
formed part of the army of the Tennessee. When 
twenty years of age he learned the carpenters' trade and 
has followed the same business ever since. In 1862 he 
was married to Miss Adda Cummings, of New York. 
They are comfortably located in Glendale, and are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Vancleve is also a 
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity of his place. 
John P. Decker, the able and efficient superintendent 
of the Cincinnati infirmary at Hartwell, was born in Mt. 
Auburn, July 28, 1841. His parents were of Germanic 
birth, the father being born near Strasburgh and his 
mother near Mentz. When nineteen years of age the 
father came to America and in 1853 died in Cincinnati. 
John was raised a farmer near Hartwell, and experienced 
the usual hardships common to orphans (his parents 
were both dead when he was thirteen years of age), be- 
ginning life empty-handed and without friends. But he 
was sturdy, honest, reliable, and in the main successful. 
In the beginning of the war he was in the South, and in 
order to escape joined the Confederate army, where he 
remained about twenty-four hours, and on making his way 
to St. Louis entered the army under General Fremont. 
He also served in the Red River expedition and after- 
wards was with Sherman in his raid to the sea. In 1865 
he was mustered out and went to work as a farmer at the 
infirmary. In 1871 he held the position as captain of 
the guard under Ira Wood for five years at the work- 
house* In 1876 he was appointed as lieutenant of the 
police force of the Twenty-fifth ward, and in 1877 as 
superintendent of the city infirmary. In 1878 he was 
legislated out by the O'Conor legislature, and until 1880 
was United States store-keeper, appointed by Amor 
Smith, collector of the First district, at the end of which 
time he was reappointed to the position of superinten- 
dent of the infirmary. His amiable wife, formerly Miss 
Elizabeth Smith, of Cincinnati, matron of the infirmary, 
is a woman well fitted for the position she holds, having 
worked in and filled all the minor posts of the institution 
previous to her promotion. The infirmary now furnishes 
a home for five hundred and sixty persons. 

George W. Bacon, grocer, of Glendale, Springfield 
township. He was initiated into his business as clerk for 
Aaron A. Colter & Co., Sixth and Race streets, Cincin- 
nati, and afterwards for five years with Abner L. Frazier 
& Co., No. 44 Walnut street, in the same city. Thus, 
with eight years' experience in all, he came to Glendale 
and formed a partnership with McCormick, which was 
continued up to January, 1880, when Mr. Bacon began 
business for himself. He was born in Carthage, Ohio, 
in 1852; received a good common school education in 
his own village, and in the high schools of Cincinnati. 
He was married to Amanda M. Langdon, daughter of 
William Langdon, in October, 1879. Her parents were 
old settlers of the county. 

Joseph Sampson, bricklayer and plasterer in Lockland, 
in which business and town he has been for the past 
twenty-two years. His father, James Sampson, was an 
old settler of the county, being eighty four years of age 
when he died in 1878. In 1854 Mr. Sampson was mar- 



ried to Miss Jane Dotey, of Carthage, at which place he 
lived a short time, but since then in Lockland where he 
has followed his business and in which he has been very 
successful. He is at present engaged in building a large 
cotton factory. One son, Albert, the oldest, is married 
and lives at Cleveland, and is a telegraph operator on the 
Short Line. His son John is in business with his father. 
Mr. Sampson is not only comfortably located in the 
town, but owns considerable property in the country. 

Captain Charles Ross, of Carthage, Springfield town- 
ship, the well known steamboat captain and pilot, was 
born in 1806 in Warren county, Pennsylvania, where his 
parents (Scotch descent) had removed from New Jersey 
in 1800. In 1 810 the family removed to Columbia, 
Hamihon county, and from there to Cincinnati in 1815. 
When twelve years of age he went to New Orleans, go- 
ing on a barge down and walking part of the way back. 
After this he took several trips down and back in steam- 
boats. In 1825 he commenced piloting steamboats to 
and from Cincinnati and New Orleans, and, when the 
river was too low, running keel-boats and flat-boats. 
Between the years 1825 and 1852 he commanded not 
less than thirty steamers of different classes, and during 
all that time never met with any serious accident. In 
Buchanan's administration he was appointed super- 
vising inspector of steamboats, with headquarters at St. 
Louis. During the war he helped to get up regiments, 
and volunteered to help the Cincinnati surgeons to the 
fight at Fort Donelson, and brought back a boat-load of 
sick and wounded to Cincinnati. His boat plied be- 
tween all the important places on the Mississippi and the 
Yazoo rivers, sometimes carrying troops, at other times 
bringing off sick and wounded. He did efficient service 
for Admiral Porter, and also transported Colonel Gar- 
field's regiment from the Big Sandy to the south. He 
was at Lexington, Kentucky, during the Morgan raids, 
and was at the siege of Vicksburgh; at this place he 
had an operation performed on his hp, to remove an 
epithelia or lip cancer, cutting off the whole of the lower 
lip. It would take a volume to recount all the romantic 
incidents connected with the captain's history during 
the war; suffice it to say he performed gallant service 
until he resigned, June 11, 1864. He has travelled with 
many distinguished men, such as Andrew Jackson, Gen- 
eral Scott, General McComb, General Harrison, General 
Samuel Houston, Colonel David Crockett, Colonel 
Thomas Benton, Zachary Taylor, Prentiss,' and a host of 
others. He has now two sons and three daughters 
grown up, twelve grandchildren and three great-grand- 
children. His wife is dead. 

Mary I. Brown, of Wyoming, was born in Cincinnati 
in 1830, and when twelve years of age her father, An- 
thony Ireland, moved to Springfield township, where she 
has lived ever since. Her father, Mr. Ireland, was born 
in New Jersey in 1778, and settled in Ohio at an early 
day. He was a boss carpenter, and left many monu- 
ments of his life work in Cincinnati and elsewhere to 
attest to the industry and honesty of the man. In 1822 
he was married to Miss Phoebe Collins, who was born in 
1800, and by her had four children. He died in Lock- 



428 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



land in 1862; she died in 1854. In 1862 Mis. Brown 
was married to Daniel Brown, whose father was an old 
settler of the township. Mr. Brown was through life an 
active, public-spirited citizen, and was one of the first to 
lay out and advance the interests of Wyoming. He 
died in 1877. 

Nathan W. Hickox, of Glendale, came with his father 
from the battle-grounds of Wyoming in 1836 to Ohio, 
when but seventeen years of age. His father was a 
farmer, and was born near Litchfield, Connecticut, in 
1793. In 1816 he married Miss Laura Waller, and in 

1862 he died. Mr. Hickox, carpenter and builder, 
learned his trade in 1847, ^"^ followed the business in 
Cincinnati until 1852, since which time he has built 
many houses in the town in which he lives. Mr. Hick- 
ox has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church for forty years, is one of the deacons, and is also 
superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has been 
married twice, his last wife being Miss Ann Drake, of 
Butler county. He built himself a nice residence in 
1869. 

J. M. Miller was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1831, and was engaged while a boy on his 
father's farm, attending school through the winter. At 
the age of eighteen he commenced teaching, and while 
not thus engaged attended the academy in the village 
during the summer months. In the spring of 1856 he 
removed with his family to Illinois, and while there he 
taught a short time; then removed to Lawrenceburgh, 
Indiana, where he taught eight years. In the spring of 

1863 he became principal of the Camp Washington 
school, now the twenty-fourth district; and after four 
years of successful teaching, he left for a more lucrative 
position at Lockwood, Ohio, where he has been engaged 
ever since, with the exception of four years that he 
taught at Carthage. In 1874 he was appointed one of 
the examiners of the county, which position he has held 
for seven years. 

SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP. 

Major James Huston, jr., farmer and teacher, the old- 
est of twelve children, was born of Irish parentage, No- 
vember 20, 1819, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. 
The parents, Paul and Mary (Carruthers) Huston, moved 
to Hamilton county in 1823, where they lived seven 
years; and thence to Logan county, Ohio. James 
Huston received a good frontier education in the schools 
of that day, and received a careful training at home. In 
1837 he came to Hamilton county and found work on a 
farm, and in 1838 taught school one year in Warren 
county. In 1840 he went to New Orleans but returned 
to Ohio via Lebanon, Tennessee, where he taught school 
for six months and in 1841, resumed work in the school- 
room in Hamilton county, where he remained in that 
profession until 1850, when he went to California, by 
way of Panama, and where he remained digging in the 
mines until 1852. When he returned he came to Hamil- 
ton, and again taught school. At the breaking out of 
the war he entered the service as captain of company I, 
in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer 
infantry. In 1861, he was elected member of the Ohio 



legislature and reelected in 1863. In 1870 he was ap- 
pointed assistant in the county treasurer's office, and, 
since 1865, has devoted himself to farming in Sycamore 
township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Lloyd Smethurst Brown (deceased, of Reading) a re- 
tired merchant and capitalist of Sycamore township, was 
born October 24, 1822, in New York. His father was 
a shoemaker, and at an early date settled in Columbia, 
Hamilton county, Ohio. From here the family removed 
to Cairo, Illinois, and from there to Vevay, Indiana, 
thence to Evansville, Indiana, where the father died, in 
18 1 9, and the mother in 1822. They left an orphan. 
Mr. Brown went to live with his uncle, Lloyd Smethurst, 
near Montgomery, Hamilton county, Ohio. He learned 
tinsmithing, and, after two years spent at his trade, en- 
tered a store in Montgomery, where he remained until 
1840, and embarked in business for himself in the same 
place, and, with the exception of one year in Cincinnati, 
remained in Montgomery until 1846, when he moved to 
Lockland, where he bought an interest in the Turnpike 
company (Cincinnati and Xenia), and was elected its 
secretary and treasurer, and has been devoted to the set- 
tling of estates and to the insurance business. In 1875 
he was elected to the Ohio legislature, and became an 
honored and useful member of that body. On October 
I, 1840, he married Margaret A. Weaver, a native of Vir- 
ginia. In 1879, after living a prominent member of 
society, he died. 

Wesley Smizer, M. D., was born in Clermont caunty, 
Ohio, February 28, 1828. He was the youngest son of 
seven children. His father, Phillip Smizer, was a farmer, 
engaging extensively in agricultural pursuits in Maryland. 
He was an early settler in Clermont county, and died 
there in 1839. His mother, Mary Carmon, was a native 
of Ohio, and died there in 1870. Wesley Smizer, al- 
though raised a farmer, received a liberal education, and ■ 
in 1849 began the study of medicine, under Henry 
Smizer, of Waynesville, Ohio, graduating, after a period 
of study of three years, in 1852. He first practiced in 
Paducah, Kentucky, but his health failing, at the end of 
eight months he was obliged to return to Waynesville, 
where he remained for three years. He attended a 
course of lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic college, and 
graduated from that institution in 1856, and immediately 
afterwards went to Sharonville, where he has practiced 
his profession ever since, and has been successful in 
securing a large practice. He was married to Elizabeth 
Hook, a native of Hamilton county, in 1858. Her 
father, William Hook, was a prominent resident, and a 
successful farmer of that place. 

Libues Marshall, a well-known fire insurance agent of 
Sharonville, was formerly in the saddlery, and harness 
business, which trade he learned when he was seventeen 
years of age; but in 1867 he took an agency for the 
yEtna insurance company, and has continued in the bus- 
iness ever since, having at this time the agency for sev- 
eral companies. His father was a citizen of Reading. 
During the War of 181 2 he was a stone-mason on the 
forts then erected. Libues was born in Reading, Ham- 
ilton county, December 16, 1816. In 1838 he married 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



429 



Miss Belinda Voorhees. She died March 4, 1877. Of 
this marriage but one child survives, now married and 
living in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Marshall has been 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1842, 
of which he is trustee, steward, and class-leader. 

H. I. Kessling, of Reading, was a native of Germany, 
born in Hanover, of that country, in 1821. He came to 
Cincinnati in 1849. His father was a good scholar and 
prominent man, being the mayor of the district court in 
Furstenan. "Mr. Kessling is a well-known baker of Cin- 
cinnati, where he operated on the corner of Clinton and 
Linn streets in that business for over twenty years, and 
still carries on that enterprise in the person of his son, 
who is a young man of some ability and fitness for the 
business. Mr. Kessling came to Redding in 1866, and 
bought some valuable property, intending to start a coal 
and lumber yard; but the advent of the Short Line rail- 
road changed his intentions, and he has since kept a 
wine-room. 

Daniel Lawrence, one of the most prominent men of 
Reading, was a native of New Jersey, born in that State 
April 7, 1809. His father, Jonathan, was a farmer, and 
had served a regular apprenticeship, and afterwards car- 
ried on the business in a successful and scientific man- 
ner. His grandfather, whose name also was Jonathan, 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was born in 
1757. Jonathan, jr., was born in 1776, and removed 
to Ohio in 181 7. Mr. Lawrence served an apprentice- 
ship in the tanning business, and worked in Deer Creek, 
on the old Hunt tan-yard, for four years. In 1836 he 
came to Reading and followed his business until 1869, 
when he sold out, having during that time made consid- 
erable money. He is now enjoying a retired life. In 
1840 he was married to Laura Foster, daughter of Judge 
Foster, with whom he lived twenty-five years. In 1866 
he married Mrs. Woodruff, nee Cortlewan, granddaughter 
of Abram Voorhees, and by her has two children living. 
Mr, and Mrs. Lawrence are comfortably fixed in cosy 
quarters, and are highly cultivated people. 

Harvey Voorhees, who lives on the same farm his 
father. Garret Voorhees, moved upon in 1794, was born 
on this place, near Reading, August 22, 1819. His 
grandfather, Abram Voorhees, was born in Somerset 
county, New Jersey, September 16, 1733, and emigrated 
to Hamilton county about the year 1793. Garret, his 
son, born June 9, 1763, moved from New Jersey to 
Hamilton county in 1791, coming down the river in a 
flat-boat, and landed at the fort in Columbia, and from 
there the family, after the war closed, settled upon sec- 
tion thirty-three, in a station-house — Garret moving to 
where Harvey now lives in 1794. Garret Voorhees died 
December 14, 1861. The family experienced a series of 
hardships common to the settlers of Indian times. Har- 
vey Voorhees was never married. 

Jacob Voorhees, the well-known justice of the peace 



in Reading, is a grandson of Abram Voorhees, the early 
pioneer, who settled on section thirty-three. Sycamore 
township, about the year 1794. Jacob Voorhees, sr., 
father of the subject of our sketch, was a public spirited 
citizen, and was a colonel at one time in the army. His 
son, Jacob Voorhees, was born and reared in Cincinnati, 
where he learned and followed the trade of carriage- 
making until about the year 1855, when he came to Read- 
ing, and has since that time lived a public life, filling 
the various offices of assessor, justice of the peace, etc., 
for several years. Mr. Voorhees is a prominent man 
and a highly esteemed citizen of his town and township. 

John Cooper, of Sycamore township, was born in Mill 
Creek in 1820. In 1832 his father moved to Reading, 
and in 1853 moved to the farm upon which he now 
lives. In 1847 he married Miss Oliver, who is now dead. 
His grandfather came to Cincinnati in 1793, following in 
the wake of Wayne's army. He was also a spy in the 
Revolutionary war. His son Thomas, father of John, by 
his third wife, married Hannah Storrs, sister of Judge 
Storrs, about the year 181 1, and by her had ten children. 
He was a prominent man in his time, having been a 
surveyor of the county ; also served as county commis- 
sioner for fourteen years. In 1831 he purchased three 
hundred acres of ground near Reading, part of which 
John now owns. Mr. Cooper is and ever has been a 
public spirited-citizen of his county. He has filled posi- 
tions of trust on the board of public works and has been 
identified as a leader of public improvements in general. 
The Cincinnati & Xenia turnpike is largely owned and 
controlled by him, and under his management it has been 
a successful, paying road. 

Peter Jacob, of Reading, came from France. Was a 
stone-cutter by trade, and is the oldest saloonist in Read- 
ing, having been in that business in that place for thirty- 
five years, and in which he has made considerable money. 
He served one term as mayor of the town, and has been 
sixteen years member of the village council, and has 
also filled the office of street commissioner. He had a 
son — now dead — who served in the war, and was also 
marshal of the town. Mr. Jacob owns some valuable 
property in the town of Reading. 

H. Ihlendorf, of Reading, proprietor of the livery sta- 
bles of that place, was born in Germany in 1848. His 
father was a prominent man of his place, and knowing 
the advantages of a good education sent him to college, 
where he became conversant with the ancient and modern 
languages. In 1870 he came to Cincinnati and took a 
course of instruction in St. Joseph's college, in the study 
of the Enghsh language, and was offered a position as 
teacher, but, preferring business to a sedentary life, came 
to Reading, where he first started the dairy business, but 
changed soon after for a livery and undertaking enterprise. 
He was married in 1874 to Miss Carrie Goeke, and by 
her has four children. 



APPENDIX. 



GENERAL HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY. 

The following statistical statement, from the returns 
made for the tenth census, should be read in connection 
with Chapter X, on the progress of Hamilton county: 

MANUFACTURING STATISTICS OF 1880, FOR HAMILTON 
COUNTY, EXCLUSIVE OF CINCINNATI. 
IHng 



Flour and grist' 

Lumber and saw-imlling 

Brick and tile making 

Slaughtering and meat packing 

Boot and shoe making 

Paper making 

Agricultural implements 

Blacksmithing 

Carpentering and building 

Carriage and wagon making 

Coopering 

Saddlery 

Cigar making 

Hame making 

Marble cutting 

Tailoring and clothing 

Tinsmithing 

Soap making 

Jewelry 

Brewing, distillmg, and wine makmg. 

Confectionery and baking 

Furniture making 

Painting, house and carriage 

Stove manufacturing 



Starch making 

Willow ware making.. 

Bookbinders' tools 

Fertilizers 



1880 (excepting Cincinnati). 
1870 (including Cincinnati). 



12 


$147,300 


$179,767 


11 


29,400 


56,209 




9,=oo 


4,410 


i 


13,50c 


33,715 


I-i 


7,650 


8,650 


8 


370,000 
15,000 


332.480 
1.350 


49 


24,57° 


16,350 


<, 


7. 450 


13,500 


27 


29,150 


18,900 


' 


175,700 


301,200 


12 


5,325 


5,657 


b 


4.500 


10,465 


2 


27,500 


18,997 


• 


4,500 


2,000 




. 29,000 


118,480 


7 


3,675 


7,100 


I 


2,900 


3,000 


I 


4,000 


200 


3 


315,000 
950 


308,700 


I 


7,000 


8,000 


6 


1,925 


3,000 


I 




3,080 


T 


2,600 


2,000 


2 


700,000 


290,000 


2 


575 


650 


I 


800 


200 


2 


362,000 


i55>ooo 


227 


$2,303,170 


$1,904,060 


2,4b9 


42,646,152 


44,876,148 



$263,420 

97,900 



4,650 
48,050 
36,230 
38,350 

466,500 



236 



John Filson. — Since the printing of the sheet con- 
taining a notice of Filson, in Chapter V, of this volume, 
we have found the following remark in the second edi- 
tion of Collins' History of Kentucky, volume I, page 640: 

A memorandum left by his brother says he was killed by an Indian 
on the west side of the Ohio, October i, 1788, about five miles from 
the Great Miami river, and twenty or twenty-five from the Ohio — a few 
miles northwest of Glendale, Hamilton county, Ohio. 

[The possessor of this work is recommended to pass 
through it with pen or pencil, and correct it according to 
the memoranda below and the errata prefixed to the 
second volume. It will heighten the pleasure of subse- 
quent reading, and prevent some misconceptions of the 
text.] 

Page II — First-column, twenty-second line from the bottom, for 
"five," read " four." 

Page 12 — Sixth line, for " Little," read "Great." In the list of post 
offices, for " Banesburgh," read " Barnesburgh;" for " Newton," read 
" Newtown;" for *' Pleasan Ridge," "Pleasant Ridge;" for "Shann- 
ville," " Sharonville;" and insertan asterisk after " Walnut Hills," and 
a comma before the same. 

Page 18 — In the second line of the table, for " Land," read " Sand." 

Page 29 — Read the latter part of the sentence just before the middle 
of first column thus: " Their system of signals placed on lofty sum- 
mits, visible from their settlements, and communicating with the great 
water courses at immense distances, rival the signal systems in use at 
the beginning of the present century." 

Page 34 — In seventeenth and twenty-fourth lines, for "Miamis, " 
read " Munsees," 

Page 39 — Eighteenth line, for " impartial," read " important." 

Page 41 — First column, fifteenth line from the bottom, for "mayor," 



read "major." In the second column, twenty-first line, for "north- 
westward," read " northeastward." 

Page 43 — Second column, second line from the bottom, for "for" 
read "from." 

Page 45- -Second column, twenty-third fine, for "four," read "three." 
First column, thirty-fourth line, for "Green township," read ' 'Springfield 
township, excepting the north tier of sections, which belong to another 
surveyed township." The statement in the text is that usually made 
in regard to the College township. It is, however, certainly wrong. In 
the Reply, published in Cincinnati in 1803, to Judge Symmes' appeal 
to the committee of Congress to accept the second township, in the 
second fractional range (now Green), as the College township, the 
"proprietors, " after citing the familiar clause in Symmes' " terms of 
sale and settlement," promising the reservation, foracademic purposes, 
of the entire section nearest the point opposite the mouth of the Lick- 
ing, say : "Agreeably to this provision, the third towttshipof the first 
entire range on Mill creek, was set apart and designated on the map of 
the purchase by Mr. Symmes as the College township, so early as the 
year 1789, and for a considerable time after he refused selling it." 
This statement is confirmed by an appended extract from the journal 
of the Territorial legislature, held in Cincinnati in 1799. The township 
described is now, of course, identified as six-sevenths of Springfield 
township. Green was never the College township, except in the desire 
and intention of Judge Symmes, who vainly, and through several years, 
tried to secure its acceptance as such by the Territorial, State, or 
Federal authorities. The writer is very happy to be able thus to settle 
one of the vexed problems of local history. 

Page 47— Second column, twenty-fifth line, for " here," read "have." 

Page 50 — Second column, eleventh line from the bottom, for "Gam," 
read " Gano." 

Page 56 — First column, twenty-third fine from the bottom, for " too," 
read " the." 

Page 62 — First column, eleventh Hne from the bottom, for "feet," 
read " seat." 

Page 63 — Fifth line, for "Timraons," read "Truman." 

Page 66 — First column, twenty-first and twentieth lines from the 
bottom, for " seat of county," read " county seat." 

Page 78 — First column, seventeenth line from the bottom, for " ar- 
rived," read "armed;" second column, twenty-fourth line, for "which," 
read " what," 

Page 81 — Second column, thirteenth line, for "Memories," read 
" Memoirs." 

Page 83 — Second column, thirty-first hne, for "Colonel," read 
" Colonels;" next line, for "A. M. Mitchell," read " O. M. Mitchel;'' 
sixth line from the bottom, for " many," read "several." 

Page 84 — Twenty-sixth hne, for "near the place," read "in the 
tosvnship;" twenty-ninth line, for " ridge," read " bridge." 

Page 85 — Second column, twenty-second line from the bottom, for 
" introductionary," read "introductory." 

Page 90 — Fifteenth line, for ' ' six months," read " three years.'' 

Page 99 — Second column, sixth line from the bottom, for " Cook,'' 
read " McCook." 

Page it2 — last hne, for "Merr," read " Moor." 

Page 113 — Twenty-second Hne, for "Mori," read "Moor." Firsj 
column, sixteenth and fifteenth lines from the bottom, for "centre - 
charge," read "counter-charge." 

Page 120 — First column, fourteenth and twenty-fifth lines from the 
bottom, for ' ' Lewell," read " Sewell;" tenth line, for "twenty-seventh,' 
read "forty-seventh;" second column, twenty-first hne from the bottom, 
for "star," read "southern." 

Page 122 — Twenty-second hne, for "now," read "recently." 

Page 19s — Sixteenth hne, for " with them," read "them to with,'' 
similarly correct fourth line, second column, page 196; foot note, for 
"thousand," read "business;" second column, sixteenth line, for 
" Sunmanville," read " Summansville." 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



431 



Page ig6 — Eighteenth Hne, for " closer," read " closed." 

Page 197 — Fifth line, for " A. M.," read " i'. M." 

Page 198 — First column, ninth line from the bottom, for "three 
hours," read "the hour." 

Page 199 — First column, sixth line from the bottom, for "Remkle, " 
read " Runkle;" second column, twelfth and sixteenth lines from the 
bottom, and in several places thereafter, for "Brubeck," read "Bur- 
beck." 

Page 204 — Second column, thirteenth line, for "T. S. Potter," read 
"J. A. Booth." 

Page 207 — First column, twenty-fifth line from the bottom, for "re- 
puted," read "reported." 

Page 210 — Second column, twelfth line, for "nine-five," read "nine- 
ty-five. 

Page 214 — Second column, fifteenth line from the bottom, for "mil- 
lion," read "hundred thousand;" thirteenth line, for "forty," read 
"forty-two;" twelfth line, strike out "two hundred;" eleventh line, 
for ''fifty," read "fifty-eight;" tenth line, for "one," read "two, "and 
after "cents," insert "and $r, 000, 000 six per cents." 

Page 2r6 — Second column, twenty-first line from the bottom, strike 
out "and sixty." 

Page 217 — Second column, seventeenth line from the bottom, for 
"1814," read "r824." 

Page 218 — Twenty-third line, for "four," read "five." 

Page 224— Second column, fifth line from the bottom, for "1857' 
read "1857." 

Page 230 — Second column, fourteenth line from the bottom, for "de- 
lay" read "day." 

Page 236 — First column, twelfth line from the bottom, for "prompt" 
read "pomp and." 

Page 240 — Second column, eighth line from the bottom, for "1878-8" 
read "1877-8." 

Page 242 — Eleventh line, for the third "of," read "to;" ninth line 
from the bottom, first column, for "Newton," read "Newtown." 

Page 246 — Second column, twelfth line from the bottom, for "ridge," 
read "bridge." 

Page 255 — First column. Sixteenth line from the bottom, for "thrice," 
read "twice;" second column, twenty-second line from the bottom, 
for "first." read "just." 

Page 257 — Second column, ninth line, for "southeast," read "south- 
west." 

Page 260 — First column, for "Williamson Paul." read " Paul Wil- 
liamson. " 

Page 262 — Transfer the paragraph relating to the Morgan raid from 
Pleasant Run to Bevis ; in the second line of the paragraph, for "occu- 
pied," read "crossed." 

Page 264 — First column, eighth line from the bottom, for " county," 
read ' 'township." 

Page 267 — Second column, eleventh line from the bottom, for 
"1705," read "1795." 

Page 273 — Second column, twenty-third line, for "Gazette," read 
"Gazetteer." 

Page 274 — Second colunui, twenty-sixth line from the bottom, for 
"Newton," read "Newtown." So page 275, eleventh hne. 

Page 276 — Second column, sixteenth line, and fifteenth line from the 
bottom, for "Cavalt," read "Covalt." 

Page 277 — First column, seventeenth line from the bottom, for "she," 
read "he." 

Page 279 — Second column, fourteenth hne from bottom, for "has," 
read "was." 

Page 280 — Sixth line, for "Wickersham," read "Wickerham;" 
second column, twenty-fifth line from the bottom, for "whool." read 
"wool." 

Page 282 — Ninth line, for the first "of." read "to." 

Page 283— Second column, twenty-fourth line, for "Britterfield, " 
read "Butterfield. " 

Page 289 — Fifteenth line, for "fortune," read "future." 

Page 290 — First column, twenty-second hne from the bottom, for 
"William H. Bentlett, " read ','Josiah Bartlett," 

Page 293 — Second column, twenty-ninth line, for "or'" read "of." 

Page 297 — Second column, thirtieth line, for "Du Qusne," read "Du 
Quesne." 

Page 298 — Twenty-ninth line, for "CuUour," read "CuUom." 

Page 299 — Second column, ninth hne from the bottom, for "Goff," 
read "Gaff." 

Page 300 — Second column, fourth line, for "Delphi," read "Delhi;" 
ninth line from the bottom, for "greatly," read "gently." 



Page 301 — Second column, twenty-second line, for "form," read 
"from." 

Page 302 — First column, sixteenth line from the bottom, for "town- 
ships," read "sections;" second column, seventh hne from the bottom, 
and last hne, for "Bondinot." read "Boudinot" — also in three places 
upon the next page. 

Page 307 — Seventh line, for "west," read ' 'war." 

Page 308— Second column, twelfth line from the bottom, for "legis- 
lation." read "legation." 

■ Page 309 — twentieth line, for "Hewitt." read "Howitt." Nextline. 
for "letter," read "letters." 

Page 310 — First column, fourth line from the bottom, for "Bendinot 
and Sims," read "Boudinot and Symmes." Last line, for "now," 
read "late." 

Page 311 — Second column, second line, from the bottom, for "you," 
read "your." 

Page 312 — First column, thirteenth hne from the bottom, for "quar- 
ter," read "corner;" second column, thirteenth line from the bottom, 
for "appropriately," read "approximately." 

Page 313 — Tenth line, for "viver," read "river." 

Page 316 — First column, third line from the bottom, for "Punny,'' 
"read "Penny;" second column, seventeenth line, for "Lynne," read 
"Lyme." 

Page 321 — Seventh line, for "damned." read "dammed;" twenty- 
eighth hne. for ' 'after," read "often;" seventeenth line from the bottom, 
for "Spata," read "Sparta." 

Page 322— First column, twenty-sixth line from the bottom, for 
"Chapter IV," read "Chapters V and VI." 

Page 323— Twenty-fifth line, for "crop," read "cross;" second 
column, ninth line, for "imminence," read "luxuriance." 

Page 324 — Twenty-fifth hne, for "sight," read "site." 

Page 328 — Twenty-seventh and thirty-second lines, for "Bondinot," 
read "Boudinot/' 

Page 329 — Twenty -fourth line, for "going," read "growing." 

Page 330— Second column, sixteenth line from the bottom, for "Dr. 
Stephenwood," read "Dr. Stephen Wood." 

Page 331— Twenty-seventh hne, for "Shuts," read "Short's;" next 
hne, in two cases, for "Shut," read "Short." 

P'ige 335— Eighth and twelfth lines, for "Gaudy," read "Goudy." 

Page 336— Second hne, for "finally," read "firmly;" twenty-sev- 
enth hne, in two cases, for "Erchel," read "Erckel." Second column, 
tv.'enty-seventh Hne, for "Kember," read "Kemper." 

Page 337 — Twentieth linefrom the bottom, remove "Carthage," and 
rnake it a head to this and the following paragraphs. 

Page 342 — Eleventh line, for "Bondinot." read "Boudinot;" second 
column, ninth line from thr bottom, for "away." read "way." 

Page 343— First column, eighth hne from the bottom, for "front," 
read "feet." Second column, twenty-fifth line, for "Flamer," read 
"Flamen." 

Page 345— Second column, sixteenth line from the bottom, for 
"Erkenbecker," read "Erkenbrecker;" twenty-first line, for "Faug- 
man, " read "Fangman. " 

Page 346— First column, twenty-second line from the bottom, for 
"fort," read "forte. Second column, eightli hne from the bottom, for 
"Carey," read "Gary;" sixth line, for "are," read "were." 

Page 349— Twenty-second line, for "cut," read "out." 

Page 350 — Second column, twenty-fifth line from the bottom, for 
"tracks." read "tracts." 

Page 351 — First column, eighth hne from the bottom, for "picture, " 
read "Picture." Second column, first line, for "of," read "at;" twenty- 
second hne from the bottom, for "horses," read "houses." 

Page 353— Second column, fourteenth line (rom the bottom, for 
"Covall's, " read "Covalt's." 

Page 357 — First column, fifth line from the bottom, for "journal of 
a tour," read "Journal of a Tour." 

Page 358— Second column, seventh line from the bottom, for 
"track," read "tract." 

Page 3S9— Fifteenth hne, for "fuel," read "food;" eighteenth line, 
for "with," read "is worth;" twenty-ninth line, for "Langworth." read 
"Longworth;" thirty-eighth line, for "i88o," read "1870." 

Page 361 — First column, eleventh Une from the bottom, for "the," 
read "two." 

Page 363— Twenty-seventh hne, for "McCasken," read "Mc- 
Cashen;" twenty-third hne from the bottom, for "Lochland," read 
"Lockland." Second column, twelfth line, for "the," read "two." 

Page 364 — First column, twenty-fifth line from the bottom, for 
"then," read "than." Second column, fourth line, for "are, " read 



432 



HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. 



and for "firm," read "farm;" thirteenth line, for "the," read 



"an. 



thirty-third lin 



Page 365 — Ninth line, before "once," insert 
for "relative," read "relation." 
Page 367 — First colimin, last line, for "transit," read "Transit." 
P.ige 36g — Second column, thirty-first line, for Elenord," read 
"Elenora. " 
Page 370— Twenty-eighth line, put "and Gary B." after "Iowa." 
Page 377— Seventh line, for "or," read "as;" first column, twenty- 
ninth line from the bottom, for "Grauque," read "Giauque;" thirty- 
fourth line, for "Stenell," read "Sterrett." 

Page 37S — First line, after "which," insert "was;" sixth line, for 
"Mendham," read "Windham;" first column, si.\teenth line from the 
bottom, for "leading," read "reading." 

, Page 379 — Second column, eighteenth line from the bottom, for 
"Baldwood," read "Baldwin;" ninth line, for "Cogg," read "Cogy;" 
sixth line, after "years," read "ago." 

Page 381 — Fifteenth line, for "shown," read "shone." 
Page 384 — Ninth line, for "these," read "three;" second column, 
eleventh line, for "administrate," read "administer." 

Page 386— First column, twentieth line from the bottom, for "Hitts," 
read "Hilts." 



Page 387 — Sixteenth line, for "Haldermann," read "Haldeman." 

Page 388 — Twenty-sixth line, for "considerable" read "consider- 
ably;" and for "same," read "corresponding;" second line, for 
"only," read "one;" second column, twentieth line, for "otherwise,'' 
read "other ways;" seventh line from the bottom, for "Shawn," read 
"Sharon;" second line, for "or," read "of" 

Page 392 — Second column, fourteenth line, for "Cortelym," read 
"Cortelyou." 

Page 393 — Fifteenth line, after "south," insert " line of the town- 
ship;" first column, twenty-fourth line from the bottom, for "Vooheese- 
town," read "Voorheesetown;" second column, eighth line, for "and 
the," read "another," nineteenth fine from bottom, for "admission," 
read "a division;" eighth line, for "Cortelym," read "Cortelyou." 

Page 394 — First column, seventh line from the bottom, after "cen- 
tury," read "later." 

Page 395 — Second column, seventeenth line, before "his," insert "at." 

Page 398 — Second column, twenty-seventh line, for "Frorence, " read 
"Florence." 

Page 399 — First column, second line from the bottom, and in several 
places above, for " Nenfarth," read " Neufarth." 

Page 402 — Second column, fifth line, for "pretty," read "petty." 

Page 404 — Thirty-second fine, for "cheery," read "cherry." 



LbD'U 



